Sports roundup

Friday, March 12, 2010

Boys basketball

King's Christian competes with some of nation's best

The King's Christian Academy boys basketball team traveled to Dayton, Tenn., last week to compete in the elite Division II National tournament sponsored by The National Association of Christian Athletes.

Head basketball coach Robert Lloyd took a roster of nine to face other talented Division I and II prep schools.

Captain Desmond Simms set a new national tournament game-high record of 45 points and a four-game total of 132 points, averaging 33 points a game.

The Eagles faced Lancaster of Chattanooga, Tenn., on March 3 and lost 81-63, but Simms showcased his offensive skills with 28 points.

Jonathan Shotwell had 17, Daniel Green 10 points and Seth Benefield finished with five.

In Game 2, also on March 3, the Eagles faced Veritas Christian Academy of Arden, N.C., and were defeated, 61-43.

Simms was again the high scorer with 19 points, while Shotwell had 10. Green added eight points and Jason Mullican finished with four.

On March 4, in Game 3 of the tournament, the Eagles faced Prince Avenue Prep, ranked 46th in North Carolina, according to Maxpreps, and fell 95-74.

Simms set the game-high national record during this game. Shotwell had 13 points, while Green added nine and Benefield took home five points.

The Eagles were hungry for a win and they got one just before leaving the tournament last Friday against Griffin Christian of Griffin, Ga.

They took home the 81-56 victory with Simms earning 40 points. Other top scorers were Shotwell (21) and Green (16).

The team was 14-1 during the regular season and 15-4 after this tournament.

King's Christian will open its doors for a basketball camp June 21-25 and June 28-July 2.

For more information, call Lloyd at 301-481-7203 or 301-994-3080, ext. 258.

TAMMY SHOWALTER

Ice hockey

Ryken makes state playoffs

The Maryland Scholastic Hockey League and its Southern Conference was represented by St. Mary's Ryken High School's ice hockey team, coached by Chris Palombic, whose coaching style has turned the Knights program around with the help of assistant coach Steve Meizoso.

In the past three seasons, the Knights won a total of five games in league play.

This season, the team was 7-3 in league play and went on to make the state playoffs for the first time in school history. 

The team also made it to the semifinals in the Chesapeake Cup, and won its first game in team history.

The biggest win came for the team on Feb. 1 when they defeated Southern 8-1. Southern had defeated the Knights on 10-1 on Dec. 8.

The team also went 0-1-1 in non-league play. 

Ryken lost to DeMatha, 7-1, for its first game of the season, but the Knights came back and tied DeMatha on Feb. 3 at 3-3.

The team was led by senior captain Matt Scott, who had 24 goals and nine assists.

Junior Matt McGowan led the team in total points with 35 with 14 assists.

Sophomore goalie Greg Meyers defended the net this season for the Knights.

Meyers used the offseason season working on his skills, attending goalie camps and it definitely paid off as he helped keep the team in games on various occasions, according to Palombic.

Scott was named to the MSHL all-state first team. Scott was one of two players from the Southern Conference to make such honors and a first for anyone from the Southern Conference to be named on that team. Scott was also named on the Southern Conference All-Senior team. 

Compiled by staff writer Tammy Showalter and Ryken head coach Chris Palombic