Arundel High School junior Simone Egwu notched 1,000 career points during the Wildcats' run through the playoffs. Coach Lee Rogers presented her with a commemorative ball during the game.
She's had a target on her back ever since she walked into the
gymnasium at Arundel High School as a freshman.
But this season, her junior year, Simone Egwu answered all the critics, persevered through injuries and showed why she was the best player in the county.
Egwu, the DigitalSports All-Anne Arundel County girls basketball Player of the Year, averaged 15.5 points and 10.2 rebounds for a Wildcats squad that advanced to the Class 4A state championship and finished with a 22-6 record. The Division I prospect also shot 62.3 percent (172-for-276) from the field and a gaudy 83.5 percent (91-for-109) from the free-throw line.
"What else can you say about Simone?" said Arundel coach Lee Rogers, who is the DigitalSports All-Anne Arundel County girls basketball Coach of the Year. "She's keeps getting better every time she walks onto the court."
After dislocating her shoulder around midseason, she returned after one game and didn't miss a step. The 6-foot-3 forward finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and a steal to lead the Wildcats to an 83-54 victory at Severna Park.
"When you come back from any injury, you always want to do your best and show everyone that it can't stop you," said Egwu, who had her arm in a sling until she was cleared to practice just two days before the game. "I just wanted to get off to a fast start."
Said Rogers: "I'm glad she came back from the injury so fast and I'm even happier she didn't lose a step."
Egwu notched 1,000 career points during the team's playoff run and was instrumental in the Wildcats' berth in the state championship. Expectations will still be high for her when she returns for her final year at the Gambrills school.
In his 19th year at Arundel, Rogers led a talented and youthful squad to its ninth state tournament appearance. His career record now stands at 381-105.
"The kids are young and they're having fun," said Rogers, whose team started three juniors and two sophomores this year. "It's a great experience for them and no one can take this away from them. This team has a great mix. There's some young players out on the court and we have seniors making things happen, too."
ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAMAshley Davis -- Arundel junior guard averaged 14.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists for a Wildcats squad (22-6) that won the Class 4A East Region title and advanced to the state finals. Davis, who is already
receiving college interest, was a silky smooth shooter who could also penetrate from beyond the perimeter. Soft-spoken and unselfish, she was the key ingredient to Arundel's inside-outside game.
"Everyone knows to get the ball to the person with the hot hand," Egwu, Davis' teammate, said about her during the state tournament. "The thing about Ashley is that she's always hot. We love her and when she's on fire, we make sure to get it to her."
Simone Egwu -- Arundel junior forward averaged 15.5 points and 10.2 rebounds for a Wildcats squad (22-6) that won the Class 4A East Region title and advanced to the state finals. Egwu, a Division I prospect, is a three-year varsity starter and notched her 1,000th career point during Arundel's playoff run. She was third in scoring and rebounding among public school players in the county.
"Our game plan every time is to get the ball down low and Simone was a big part of that," Rogers said. "Her work ethic makes her the player she is."
Brittany Lilley -- Severna Park senior guard averaged a county-best 16.9 points to go along with 7.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists for a Falcons squad (15-9) that advanced to the Class 4A East Region quarterfinals. Lilley, a St. Francis (Pa.) signee, was an explosive player who scored in spurts, usually when her team needed it in the fourth quarter. Four-year varsity player had a quick first step and got her teammates involved.
"I've known Brittany all four years she's been here and her mental growth has been the biggest thing," Severna Park coach Carrie Weimer said. "She understood that she had to become a leader and exceeded all expectations."
Ciara Lucas -- Old Mill junior guard averaged 13.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.6 steals 2 assistsa game for a Patriots squad (19-6) that advanced to the Class 4A East Region semifinals. Lucas, who is already
receiving college interest, competed in under-16 U.S. Olympic tournaments over the summer. Two-year varsity player was the focal point of Old Mill's offense, scored at will and improved as the season progressed.
"Ciara's overall ability is what has impressed me the most," Patriots coach Craig White said. "When you put together a successful team, someone has to be the go-to player and she was it."
Jaclyn Nucci -- South River senior guard averaged 15.4 points and 7.6 rebounds for a Seahawks squad (18-6) that advanced to the Class 4A East Region championship. Nucci, a Division II or III prospect, broke the 1,000-point career barrier during the season. The three-year varsity performer was an all-around player who could attack the rim and score off putbacks.
"Jaclyn could do everything for us," South River coach Mike Zivic said. "She could go inside and she had a good mid-range jump shot -- just a great scorer. Jaclyn is a great kid who will be missed."
Sherrone Vails -- Arundel sophomore forward averaged 14.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and she tallied a team-high 64 blocked shots for a Wildcats squad (22-6) that won the Class 4A East Region title and advanced to the state finals. Vails had a breakout year and started to pour on the points towards the latter part of the season. Used lengthy wingspan to haul in rebounds and was physical in the trenches.
"What can I say? (Vails) played out of her head tonight," Rogers said after the team's 78-51 win over Old Mill in the county championship. "I think what we saw tonight was a testament to what she and the rest of this team has been doing. They practice really hard during the week and they know each other so well."
Tanyqua Williams -- Glen Burnie junior forward averaged 13.3 points, 3.5 blocked shots and a county-best 11.3 rebounds for a Gophers squad (14-10) that advanced to the Class 4A East Region semifinals. Williams, who is already
receiving college interest, was a stalwart in the paint and had good ball-handling skills for a post player. Provided a lot of intangibles for Glen Burnie.
"Tanyqua is just a strong kid and her work ethic made our entire team better," Gophers coach Dan Mangum said. "She had great chemistry with her teammates and was our finisher on offense. Tanyqua was a big reason for our success this season."
ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAMPatrice Jones -- Old Mill senior guard (8.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.2 steals)
Amanda Lawrence -- Souther River junior guard (11 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg)
Kelly McGahagan -- Northeast senior forward (16.2 ppg, 5 rpg)
Taylor Petrisko -- Chesapeake junior guard (12.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg)
Jessica Reagans -- Annapolis senior guard (15 ppg, 4.1 apg)
Heather Schneck -- Southern senior forward/guard (15.1 ppg, 6 rpg)
Kimberly Schneck -- Southern senior forward/guard (13.9 ppg)
ALL-COUNTY HONORABLE MENTIONKayla Downing -- South River senior guard (8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.4 steals)
Shannon Kennedy -- Severna Park senior forward (5.5 rpg)
Danielle McFadden -- Arundel senior forward
Leah Pinkney -- Annapolis senior forward (10.3 rpg)
Aleah Queen -- Old Mill senior guard (9.6 ppg, 2.0 apg)
Kamyaih Surgeon -- Annapolis sophomore guard (12.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg)
Jessica Taylor -- Glen Burnie senior guard (12.4 ppg, 3.4 apg)