March 29, 2009
boys basketball
Player of the Year
Brendan Bald, Severna Park
The 6-foot-4 senior guard led the Falcons to a 16-7 mark with his all-around play. Bald, who will play at Vermont next year, had good range from the perimeter and an ability to get to the basket and finish strong. He finished the season averaging 20.3 points - tops in the county's public schools - and 6.8 rebounds per game. Bald, who was named the Most Valuable Player in the Anne Arundel County Senior All-Star Classic on March 18, played two seasons at Severna Park after transferring from Archbishop Spalding.
Coach of the Year
Greg Smith, Old Mill
The Patriots didn't reach their ultimate goal of winning the Class 4A state championship - they lost to Thomas Stone in the East regional title game - but Smith did lead his team to a 23-3 season. Starting a new backcourt in juniors Mike Holley and Chris Day, the Patriots dominated against tough county competition during a 16-0 regular-season run in league play before falling to Arundel in the county championship game. Smith employed an up-tempo style that played to his team's strength, not over-coaching or panicking during crunch time. The Patriots had won 18 straight before falling to Arundel, 66-58, in the county title game.
The team
Name School Class Pos.
Brendan Bald Severna Park Senior Guard
Brandon Belt Southern Senior Guard
Nick Groce St. Mary's Senior Guard
R.J. Harris Arundel Junior Guard
Mike Holley Old Mill Junior Guard
Tyler Rudd Glen Burnie Senior Guard
Delmore Howard Annapolis Junior Forward
Auraum Nuiriankh Arundel Senior Forward
Marvin Pinkney Old Mill Senior Forward
Justin Kuntz Glen Burnie Junior Center
Note: Teams selected by Glenn Graham after consultation with The Baltimore Sun staff and area coaches.
