May 28, 1997|By Rick Belz
Player of the Year
Mike Stromberg, Mount Hebron, senior, defense: Time and again the hard- checking Stromberg produced big plays for the Vikings in crucial situations whether it was a strip, an interception, bringing the ball down in transition or winning a faceoff. That he scored 16 goals and had 12 assists showed his all-around ability and versatility. He set a school record with 94 take-aways. His tremendous speed and stick skills also allowed him to set a school record of 204 ground balls, as part of a defensive trio that was as good as any in the state this season, and whose excellent stickwork allowed it to play at times like a second midfield. The two-time All-County first-team player was chosen by the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Association as an All-American. He's headed to Loyola on a lacrosse and soccer scholarship.
Coach of the Year
Rick Kincaid, Glenelg: He coached the Gladiators to a 16-4 record and their first regional championship, despite losing two top players to River Hill through redistricting. In the Class 1A-2A state finals, Glenelg lost to perennial state championship contender Towson, 6-4. Glenelg's biggest win was against Oakland Mills in the region final, a 10-9 overtime victory. Glenelg had lost to Oakland Mills by 10 goals during the regular season. Glenelg also lost to Mount Hebron and Centennial during the regular season. Glenelg's stick skills didn't always match up to its opponents, but the Gladiators pulled out victories with hustle, desire and determination. Kincaid has been Glenelg's coach since 1990, and the team shared a three-way county title in 1994. Glenelg was 10-6 last season, and is 41-24 over the past four seasons. Kincaid maintained a positive attitude, despite the loss to Towson in the state finals. "We're ecstatic to be here," he said afterward. "We've had fun playing at this level. The kids are disappointed but proud. We've had better teams, but this one was tough as nails. I never had so much fun in my life."
The first team
Scott Bross, Centennial, senior, defense: A four-year starter, he had 204 ground balls and won 73 percent of his faceoffs. His faceoff ability was a major reason behind Centennial's successful season. He holds every school faceoff record for single games, season and career. And he's headed to Duke on a partial lacrosse scholarship to play as a faceoff man. He had four goals and six assists. "He came up big in all of our big games," coach Mike Siegert said. Bross has a 3.81 GPA and 1,340 SAT score and was selected by the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Association as an academic All-American.
Tom Brown, Hammond, junior, attack: He scored 69 goals and had 22 assists. He scored five goals and had three assists in a 9-7 win over Atholton. He scored five goals in a 14-9 loss to Centennial. "He was our No. 1 offensive threat and really handled the stick well," said coach Larry Luthe.
Kyle Campbell, Mount Hebron, junior, attack: He scored 74 goals and had 37 assists, including five goals in the Vikings' memorable, 9-8 overtime victory against then No. 2-ranked Calvert Hall, one of the biggest wins in Mount Hebron history. "Campbell smashed the school records for goals and total points," said coach Jeff Doolan. "He scored six goals against Oakland Mills. "Kyle is big and strong and works hard. And he's improved on finishing this season. Kyle will dump the ball. He's an unselfish player. He plays through slides and double-teams." Campbell is ambidextrous and reads the field well. "I like it intense and up-tempo," Campbell said. He was selected by the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Association as an All-American.
Bryan Cole, Oakland Mills, senior, midfield: He scored 48 goals and had 23 assists and won 62 percent of his faceoffs. He scored five goals in a victory over Hammond. Cole is a rugged, versatile three-year starter and two-year captain who was a second-team All-County player last season. He took control of faceoffs in the second half of a key regional victory over Catonsville.
Mike Huppmann, Mount Hebron, senior, midfield: He scored 36 goals and had 25 assists, won 75 percent of his faceoffs and carried Mount Hebron's young midfield. He had 127 ground balls. "Huppmann is all over the field and settles the ball on offense," Doolan said. "He's a solid leader on the field, in practice and games. When they switched defenses from man to zone, Huppman was already calling it before we could. He plays good defense, and comes up with a big faceoff when we need it. He's not awesome at any one thing, but he's good at everything."
Whit Faris, Glenelg, junior, defense: He had 175 ground balls, three goals and four assists, and was the key defenseman on a team that allowed just five goals per game. "He played against anyone we had to stop," Kincaid said. "He was a great take-away man."
