More News

The Gazette's three-week series lauding the best Montgomery County high school athletes of the past 10 years continues here with Part II: The winter sports.

Like the All-Gazette teams, there were a lot of variables in selecting these teams: statistics, team accomplishments and big-game performances, to name a few, with some subjective opinion thrown in.

There were also guidelines. Future achievement was an advantage, but high school performance was preeminent. To be eligible, a player must have been named to at least one All-Gazette team since 2000.

Here are the best of the best in basketball, indoor track, swimming and diving and wrestling:

Boys basketball

Player of the Decade: F Kevin Durant, Montrose Christian '06

When all is said and done, this will be among the least of Kevin Durant's honors. Montrose Christian boys basketball coach Stu Vetter believes Montgomery County's best player of the past 10 years will ultimately be recognized as one of the best, period.

"Kevin is certainly one of the best players of the decade and before all is said and done, he'll be one of the best players in basketball," said Vetter. "He has a tremendous work ethic and he's certainly one of the greatest kids I've ever coached on the high school level, and he has the potential to be one of the all-time greats in the NBA."

That high praise is warranted by a player who has dominated the competition at every stage of his career.

He was not even The Gazette's only Player of the Year in 2005-06, his single season with the Mustangs (more on that later), but he averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.6 steals. The highlight was a huge 31-point effort in an upset win over undefeated Oak Hill (Va.), the nation's top-ranked team.

From there, the 6-foot-9 swingman earned 2007 Associated Press National Player of the Year honors as a freshman at the University of Texas. He was the first freshman to earn the title, after posting averages of 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds in leading the Longhorns to a 25-10 record and Big 12 Conference championship.

Durant was the second player selected in the 2007 NBA draft, by the Seattle Supersonics, now the Oklahoma City Thunder. Through 180 career professional games, Durant was averaging 23.3 points and 5.6 rebounds a game, including 27.2 and 7.0 this winter.

G Folarin Campbell, Springbrook '04

Took Blue Devils to brink of state championship, then George Mason to NCAA Final Four as point guard.

G Jerome Dyson, Churchill '03

Who remembers UConn's current leading scorer was balling as sophomore in Potomac seven year ago?

G Jason Forte, The Heights '01

Ivy League Player of the Year as junior at Brown scored 30 per game as prep, nearly averaged double-double.

F James Gist, Good Counsel '04

Averaged nearly 20 points, 10 boards for Falcons; defensive stud at Maryland drafted by San Antonio.

G Michael Gruner, Whitman '06

Superhuman state-winning senior season earned high praise indeed: Co-Player of the Year with Durant.

C Roy Hibbert, Georgetown Prep '04

Went from 7-2 project, to 19 points, 15 rebounds as senior, to Big East stud, to Indiana Pacers starter.

F Linas Kleiza, Montrose Christian '03

Player of the Year in 2002-03 was double-double machine; four-year NBA veteran can still fill it up.

G Markel Starks, Georgetown Prep '10

Two-time first teamer committed to Georgetown in junior year, possesses dazzling array of skills.

G Isaiah Swann, Magruder '01

Only here for one year, but ridiculous as freshman, leading undefeated state champions in scoring.

F James White, Newport Academy '00

Before he was "Flight White," future NBA'er was stat-stuffer at now-defunct Silver Spring factory.

F Jamaal Wise, Paint Branch '01

Starred at Rhode Island; led Panthers to state championship as junior, Player of the Year as senior.

Girls basketball

Player of the Decade: F Monique Currie, Bullis '01

The number three puts Monique Currie above any girls basketball player ever to come out of Montgomery County.

It is the number of times she was named The Gazette Player of the Year. The number of Final Fours she played in. Her ranking on Duke University's all-time scoring list. Where she was selected in the 2006 WNBA Draft.

But to anyone who watched the 2001 Bullis graduate, another number comes to mind.

"She was one of a kind," said her high school coach of four years, Wayne Ferrell. "[NBA Hall of Famer] Sam Jones used to watch Mo play. Stu Vetter came to watch her play. There are so many stories that I can't even remember, but you know you have a special player when people tell you, ‘I came to see this girl Currie play.'"

Quite simply, Currie was a basketball prodigy. By the time she was 10 years old, according to Ferrell, she was 5-foot-9, had a legitimate post game, handled to ball like a point guard and hung in the air "like a guy."

She was unstoppable. As a freshman, the 6-foot wunderkind averaged over 18 points per game. Before her sophomore year, she and Rochelle Coleman of Paint Branch led their AAU team to a national championship. By her senior year, she was a finalist for the Naismith Prep Player of the Year.

"She was given a special gift from God," said Ferrell. "Mo put up so many different moves, I can't even remember everything she did. ... All you need to know is that two people cannot stop Monique in the open floor. It's humanly impossible."

G Rochelle Coleman, Paint Branch '01

Has done it all; led Panthers to 2001 state title, three-year starter at Syracuse, played professionally.

G Alis Freeman, Churchill '03

Catalyst for one of decade's top teams; 2003 Player of the Year won two state titles, started at Towson.

F Morgan Hatten, Churchill '04

Impactful from start to finish; four-time first teamer played integral role in back-to-back state titles.

G Tarik Hislop, Paint Branch '09

2007-08 Player of the Year graduated as school's all-time leading scorer; already impressing at JMU.

C Kaili McLaren, Good Counsel '06

Among most dominant in county history; Player of the Year twice, four-time first teamer, now at UConn.

F Monica McNutt, Holy Cross '07

Want to know how good she is? Dominated low post as prepster, now lights-out shooter at Georgetown.

G Safi Mojidi, Bullis '04

2003-04 first teamer became one of Rhode Island's best-ever; school's all-time leading 3-point shooter.

G Brene Moseley, Paint Branch '11

A little premature? We think not, as multiple Division I offers already indicate; incredible skills.

G Chrissy Phelps, Damascus '04

Before starring at Furman (S.C.), carried Swarmin' Hornets to first regional title in more than decade.

C Alex Porter, Walter Johnson '05

Owned paint despite being only 5-9; rebounding averages got better each year: 10.3, 13.1, 16.0, 17.5.

G Katie Sheahin, Good Counsel '09

Was always better than stats, even as 2008-09 Player of the Year; currently one of Loyola's top scorers.

Boys indoor track

Athlete of the Decade: Andrew Jesien, 1,600 meters, Walter Johnson '05

When Andrew Jesien was a freshman at Walter Johnson, his sights were set on excelling with the soccer team.

But that winter, Jesien went out for — reluctantly at the time — the Wildcats' indoor track team.

"The only reason he ran was because [older sister] Alina made him," Wildcats head coach Tom Martin said. "Soccer had just finished and I guess he wanted to stay in shape, too."

For the first few practices, Jesien tried to blend in with the pack, but that did not last long. At his first meet he opened the eyes of the coaching staff.

"He went from being labeled, ‘the kid in the back,' to running 2 minutes, 15 seconds in the 800[-meter run] with no training at all," Martin said. "So we knew he was going to be good. ... But we didn't know he had the mental abilities to be outstanding. After awhile we never had to push him; just basically a little nudge."

The two-time Gazette Athlete of the Year's four-year career garnered great successes with multiple county, region and state titles.

His 2004-05 indoor campaign was capped with state titles and records in the 1,600-meter (4:16.98) and 3,200-meter runs (9:32.15). The 3,200 mark has since been broken.

"What stood out was he was always super competitive," said Martin. "He wanted to be the best, whether it was in school, ping-pong, four-square or on the track."

Jesien currently runs track and cross country for the University of Virginia, where he has earned All-ACC honors and competed at the NCAA national championships.

Avery Graham, 55 meters, Clarksburg '09

Multi-sport star was speedster on track; captured 2008 Class 2A indoor state title, record (6.49 seconds).

Bryan Steele, 300 meters, Gaithersburg '02

Gazette's 2001-02 Athlete of the Year won several postseason titles, was All-American at Long Island University.

Wayne Bartholomew, 500 meters, Quince Orchard '09

Two-time state champion's best time was 1:04.92 in 2009 state race. Runs for La Salle (Pa.) University.

Antonio Palmer, 800 meters, Gaithersburg '09

East Carolina signee won just one county title, but ran under 1:55 several times throughout prep career.

Solomon Haile, 3,200 meters, Sherwood '09

Ethiopian immigrant outstanding during brief time in Maryland. Owns state record of 9:19.74.

Ron Frazier, 55 hurdles, Gaithersburg '00

Football star who also excelled on track. Time of 7.55 seconds is best in county this decade.

Sean Stanley, shot put, Gaithersburg '09

Won every shot put title there was as sophomore, junior; routinely threw over 60 feet senior year.

Owen Cain, high jump, Gaithersburg '09

Equaled county meet record of 6 feet, 7 inches, swept all three postseason meets last season.

Marcus Willacy, triple jump, Paint Branch '09

Consistently leapt over 40 feet throughout career, established meet record at counties (45-4).

Gary Frazier, long jump, Richard Montgomery '08

Helped Rockets win five straight county indoor, outdoor titles; holds indoor county meet record (21-9).

Chris Stark, pole vault, Springbrook '00

Cleared 15 feet, best vault by far in county over past 10 years, which has not been challenged since.

Girls indoor track

Athlete of the Decade: Olivia Ekponé, 300 meters, Northwest '11

Type the name "Olivia Ekponé" into a popular internet search engine and nearly 35,500 hits come back. Almost all of them are related to the current Northwest High and former Wootton sprinter.

Still only a junior, Ekponé has garnered national and international attention, not only for her successes as a prep star, but as a club sensation.

"She is a very, very talented athlete," Northwest head coach Beth Muehl said. "Obviously, she has her high individual goals, but she is very concerned how the team does, as well."

As a middle schooler with the Maryland Titans Track Club, Ekponé established several youth sprinting records and earned All-American honors at the AAU Junior Olympics.

Additionally, the four-time Gazette Athlete of the Year already owns six gold medals from Class 4A state championships: the 2008 outdoor 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes, the 2008 indoor 55 dash, 2009 indoor 300 dash and 2009 outdoor 400 dash.

Her talent immediately paid dividends at Wootton, as her postseason accolades led to the Patriots' 2008 outdoor and indoor county championships.

Last February, Ekponé decided to transfer to perennial power Northwest. The choice also allowed her to reunite with several of her Titan club teammates.

"I saw her freshman year and knew how good she was," Muehl said. "But it's nice to see that talent up close day in and day out. To see and understand how much hard work is necessary and the effort she puts in, is really rewarding as a coach."

Nina Warren, 55 meters, Gaithersburg '04

Won county, regional championships as senior, establishing record of 7.06 seconds at 2004 county meet.

Veronica Salcido, 500 meters, Wootton '08

2005 Athlete of the Year burst onto scene by setting then county-record 1:18.6 during rookie campaign.

Leslie Morrison, 800 meters, Whitman '08

Captured county titles three of four years in prep competition. Set county record of 2:17.43 in 2007.

Morgane Gay, 1,600 meters, Whitman '08

Best season came as junior, finishing runner-up at states. Owns county meet record of 5:05.66.

Halsey Sinclair, 3,200 meters, Blair '07

Former Radford (Va.), now University of Maryland runner was freshman phenom, sweeping three major titles.

Erika Zoller, 55 hurdles, Damascus '05

Dominated as senior with county, regional titles. Best time of 8.35 seconds is second-fastest this decade.

Ashley Fauntleroy, shot put, Paint Branch '04

Stellar senior campaign capped by second-place finish at states. Best throw sailed 40 feet, 6 inches.

Toni Aluko, high jump, Paint Branch '04

Former ACC champion at University of Maryland holds Class 3A state high jump record of 5-8.25.

Arielle Statham, triple jump, Paint Branch '09

All-around athlete jumped decade's best indoor mark, 39-10.25, last winter, earned county title.

Audrey Gariepy-Bogui, long jump, Churchill '07

All-around points machine won multiple championships, currently competing at Villanova (Pa.) University.

Jodi Taetle, pole vault, Gaithersburg '01

Former Towson University Tiger earned state title senior season. Best high school vault was 9-6.

Boys swimming and diving

Swimmer of the Decade: Brady Fox, Georgetown Prep '09

It is only natural to want to stick with things you're good at. But Brady Fox was good at pretty much everything, and willing to do whatever it took to help Georgetown Prep's swim team.

"Brady was the consummate team player," Georgetown Prep coach Matt Mongelli said. "He was willing to take an off event. Whoever the fastest swimmer [on the other team] was, he went against. He had a lot of versatility."

Fox holds the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships record in the 100-yard butterfly, the Little Hoyas' 100 freestyle record, was part of Prep's record-setting 200 medley relay in 2007 and won the 100 backstroke at Metros in 2008 and '09.

In an age when top swimmers tend to specialize in certain events, Fox is uniquely versatile. He is now one of just eight swimmers on the University of Virginia's 38-person roster who is listed at three different strokes.

Fox's selflessness and adaptability, which helped the Little Hoyas maintain their stranglehold on area boys swimming, have sparked a change in Prep's program.

"The years he was there, everyone saw what he could do," Mongelli said. "Everyone now swims every event. It's like, ‘If Brady did it, I can't turn it down.' And that is what allows us to really mix our lineups."

Matt Cooper, Whitman '07

U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier, now at Texas, won Metros diving title from 2004-07, setting record twice.

Eric Friedland, Walter Johnson '08

Set Metros records in 200 IM, 100 breastroke with third- and second-fastest high school times nationwide.

Chris Gibson, Georgetown Prep '02

Undefeated in dual meets over his four years, owned Metros 100 backstroke championship from 2000-02.

Josh Hafkin, Georgetown Prep '07

University of North Carolina junior hated to lose; set Metros records in 100 backstroke, 50 freestyle.

Ryan Hurley, Georgetown Prep '04

Another multi-talented Little Hoya, still holds Prep records in 100 breaststroke, 200 individual medley.

Mark Meyer, Whitman '08

Sophomore at Naval Academy was one of county's best 200 IM swimmers, but could pretty much do it all.

Michael Raab, Walter Johnson '01

Dynamic swimmer succeeded in variety of events; no one has broken MCPS 100 butterfly record set in 2001.

Sean Stewart, Wootton '08

Versatility led to five county records, eight individual Metros titles, two Metros records.

Dan Velez, Good Counsel '02

Broke 15-year Metros 100 breaststroke record set by U.S. Olympian Mike Barrowman, held it until 08.

Girls swimming and diving

Swimmer of the Decade: Colleen Haase, Good Counsel '07

There is winning. And then there is winning big, which is what Colleen Haase did every time she jumped in the pool.

"Not to be mean, but I'm glad she graduated," Whitman coach Geoff Schaefer said. "Colleen did not just beat everyone; she beat the [heck] out of everyone. It was kind of like, ‘Oh, Colleen Haase is swimming, I'm going to try and get second.'"

Haase was untouchable in the 200-yard individual medley and 100 breaststroke events at the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships from 2005-07.

No one has come close to her 100 breaststroke record there; she set the record in the same event at National Catholics, held at Villanova (Pa.) University every winter, and was part of the Falcons' record-setting 200 medley relay squad at Metros in 2006.

A 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier, Haase is in her junior season at the University of Georgia and already ranks third in the 200 breaststroke and fifth in the 100 breaststroke on the Bulldogs' all-time career lists.

"The best thing about her was it was almost a guarantee, every single time you put her in an event, no matter what the event, she was going to win," Good Counsel coach Bill Howard said. "Her picture is up at Good Counsel, it's something the kids walk past every day, someone to look up to."

LeeAnn Chang, Whitman '03

Owned 100 breaststroke, 200 individual medley at Metros from 2001-03. Still holds fastest MCPS 200 IM.

Cara Chuang, Poolesville '10

Metros record holder in 100 backstroke poised to win event in February for fourth consecutive year.

Katura Harvey, Richard Montgomery '07

One of county's best distance freestylers helmed dominant Richard Montgomery team in mid-2000s.

Meg Hostage, Holy Cross '07

U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in 2008 holds Metros diving record, is in junior year at Stanford.

Liz Kemp, Good Counsel '06

Versatile swimmer big part of Falcons' dynasty; joined Metros record-setting 200 medley, 200 free relays.

Kassy Kugler, Sherwood '04

Held Metros 50 freestyle record from 2004-06, still owns fastest MCPS times in 50, 100 freestyles.

Anais Menguy, Richard Montgomery '09

Holder of fastest MCPS 100 butterfly time won 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly at 2008 Metros.

Brittany Powell, Magruder '09

Now at Harvard, dominated diving competition in 2008-09 with consecutive county, Metros titles.

Megan Waters, Good Counsel '07

Talented sprint freestyler holds Metros record in 50 freestyle, part of record 200 medley relay team.

Wrestling

Wrestler of the Decade: Bode Ogunwole, Georgetown Prep '03

The first time Georgetown Prep wrestling coach Mike Kubik laid eyes on Bode Ogunwole was on the football field, and he immediately liked what he saw.

"I remember there was a phenomenally strong freshman football player whose name no one could pronounce," said Kubik, an assistant football coach at the time. "He was raw but quick and talented. He used to get into a four-point stance on the offensive line."

Looking to revamp a struggling wrestling program, Kubik asked Ogunwole to be his heavyweight. Ogunwole agreed, and promised Kubik to stick with it, even as teammates kept quitting.

He took third place in his first tournament. His high school career ended with 91 consecutive victories. He was 171-20 over four years and won back-to-back National Prep tournament titles. More importantly, his dedication helped lure more talent to a program that is now the standard-bearer for the Interstate Athletic Conference.

Ogunwole went on to wrestle at Harvard University, where he reached the NCAA tournament three times before a torn triceps his senior year ended his career. He is now attending medical school.

"I asked him once if I would get a chance to see him over spring break," Kubik said. "He told me that he would be in the Dominic Republic. I asked him if he would be partying it up with some of his medical school classmates. No. He spent two weeks volunteering at an AIDS clinic."

Danny April, Churchill '04

Only an injured shoulder senior year kept April from likely joining elite club of four-time state champs.

Eren Civan, Whitman '07

Likewise, three-time state champ lost chance at perfect career to injury. Went 135-1, hurt in lone loss.

Frank Edwards, Sherwood '00

Maryland Wrestling Hall of Famer was three-time state champion before All-American career at Naval Academy.

Steven Gamble, Sherwood '08

Only four-time county champion in history also four-time state finalist, winning first title in final try.

John Holloway, Magruder '06

Perfect 31-0 in final campaign, winning every major title including second straight state championship.

Tony Howard, Magruder '00

Two-time Gazette Wrestler of the Year, three-time state titlist dominated over final two seasons (67-0).

Adam James, Paint Branch '01

Four-time All-ACC selection at Maryland won states individually, led Panthers to duals, tournament titles.

Brad Katzenberger, Damascus '04

Placed fifth in nation as sophomore at Georgetown Prep, won state title as senior at Damascus.

Andy Lowy, Sherwood '07

Three-time county champion, three-time state champion was perfect over final two years of career (74-0).

Sean McCarty, Northwest '08

Finished with county-record 145 career wins to six losses, finished second in state his last two seasons.

Max Meltzer, Bullis '02

Won three straight IAC, MISC titles, was National Prep champion as junior before leaving for Blair Academy.

Matt Palmer, Bullis '02

Won National Prep title as sophomore, finished second twice in Lehigh before transferring to Blair Academy.

Brandon Shapiro, Churchill '03

Captured county, regional, state titles in final two campaigns. Went undefeated as senior (32-0).

Cam Watkins, Magruder '05

Former DeMatha, McDonogh star spent just one season in public school ranks, but was dominant (40-0).