Fast Start Propels Annapolis Area Christian To Title Game

By John Singleton
It’s been a roller coaster season for the Eagles at Annapolis Area Christian School. On December 4, tied at 47 against McDonogh, AACS senior forward Phillip Perry stole an inbounds pass and launched a 75-footer that banked in to win the game with no time left. On December 10, against Archbishop Curley, AACS found itself tied in overtime when Curley’s Tyler Burton chucked an identical 75-foot laser through the net at the buzzer.

“We have a group of young men who play with character,” said Head Coach Doug Scheidt. “When we do that we have great success.”
Since the early season fireworks the Eagles have steadied themselves going 20-9 on the season, including a 1st place showing in the Eagle Classic in December. They’ve beaten division rival Severn School twice and even bested St. Mary’s of Annapolis. One of their secret weapons is an abundance of homegrown talent like Matt O’Neil and Taylor Leabhart, who are both from Pasadena.
“We are very fortunate to have talented players like Matt and Taylor on our team,” added Scheidt, a graduate of Wheaton College. “They both have made significant contributions and I really have enjoyed watching them grow as young men and as basketball players.”
On Tuesday, February 15, the Eagles defeated Mount Carmel 64-46 in the first round of the playoffs at AACS, and on February 16 they beat St. Paul’s 46-44 in a second round game. After a cardiac start to the season, the Eagles have made an unlikely climb to the MIAA B Conference championship game against Glenelg Country School on Tuesday, February 22, at 7:00pm.
“One of our best all around ball-handlers is Conner Lipinksi,” said Scheidt, who teaches Bible classes at AACS. “He’s averaging about 13 points per game and he’s one of the toughest kids on the team. We’ve really counted on him down the stretch.”
Lipinksi, who hails from Severn, plays the point guard position for the Eagles as did his brother Patrick before him.
Coach Scheidt credits his team’s ball-handling in pressure situations as a key factor in their post-season success. Employing drills that emphasize ball-handling, passing, court awareness and conditioning, all players at AACS are required to handle the ball like guards. A typical practice includes 20 minutes of full-speed ball-handling, 20 minutes of game-simulated shooting, and 20 minutes of passing drills – just to get warmed-up.
Despite the accolades that come with a 20 win season, it’s the development of moral character among his players that gives Coach Scheidt the most satisfaction. “Despite all the ups and downs of the season my aim is to teach these young men what it is to honor Jesus Christ on and off the court,” shared Scheidt, who hails from Illinois. “We want them to love the Lord and love each other more than themselves; when they do special things happen on the basketball court.”
For the 2010-11 Eagles, that has certainly been the case. The AACS team consists of seniors Chandler Watson, Eric Mahaffey, Tyler Lewis, Phillip Perry, Thomas Williams and Geo Yates; juniors Connor Lipinski, Grant Harris, Daniel Gregory, Matt O’Neil and Steven Ridings; sophomores Austin Nwosu, Emmanuel Toney and Taylor Leabhart.