Mike Mathews
Cumberland Times-News
December 16, 2007 12:30 pm
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CUMBERLAND — Bishop Walsh’s Sam Hawkins, who showed the way again on defense, and Northern’s Zack Lipscomb, with an impressive season in helping lead the highest-scoring team in the area, were judged the best at their positions by area head coaches.
Hawkins, a senior, is the first player to repeat as the Joe Rowan Defensive Player of the Year in the 18-year history of the award.
Lipscomb, a junior, is the second straight Northern player to win the Raul Felipa Offensive Player of the Year award.
Sam Hawkins
Hawkins put together one of the best varsity careers in Bishop Walsh history: four-year starting defender; three-time first-team All-Area; three-time All-City; three-time All-Bi-State; and two-time defensive player of the year.
And, just for good measure, in his final high school game he scored three goals, with his first career hat trick including the game-winning goal in overtime, to lift the Spartans past Salisbury, 4-3, for the Bi-State League championship.
“Players like Sam do not come along very often. Not only because of their play, but for the way they practice, the way they lead, and the way they conduct themselves off the field,’’ said BW assistant coach and defensive coordinator Joe Rowan.
“Sam is a true role model for BW and the area. One of the most feared defenders, he never resorted to dirty play,’’ Rowan continued. “He played hard but also very clean, and was respected by teammates and coaches.”
The Spartans were 10-6-3 overall, and won both Bi-State leagues, going 2-0-1 in the Pennsylvania-Maryland, and 4-0-1 in the West Virginia-Maryland.
Hawkins led this year’s BW defense which registered seven shutouts and allowed a goal or less in 13 of the 19 games.
“Sam never met a striker he didn’t want to take on. He owned the middle of the field,’’ said Rowan. “And he was like having a coach on the field, directing all our defensive assignments. Someone else will play Sam’s position next year but no one will ever replace him.”
Hawkins moved up on BW’s set plays and corner kicks and showed he has plenty of offensive skills as well. He was BW’s second-leading scorer, finishing with eight goals and an assist.
Hawkins was also first-team All-City and All-Bi-State.
Zack Lipscomb
The Northern Huskies did just about everything during their record-setting season.
And so did Zack Lipscomb, a versatile junior who has been a starter since his freshman year. He was a left wing as a freshman, striker and left midfielder as a sophomore and a striker and attacking midfielder this year.
Lipscomb finished second in the area in scoring with 16 goals, 13 assists and 45 points in 17 games for a 2.64 scoring average. His 13 assists were the second-most in the area.
Northern was 15-2 overall and area co-champs, and 6-1 and runnerup in the Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference. The Huskies outscored their opponents by a 74-12 margin.
Of the school record 15 wins, Lipscomb was credited with eight game-winning goals, and had the assist on two other game-winners.
Lipscomb will enter his senior season with 31 career goals and 21 career assists.
“Zack is the most versatile player we have at Northern,’’ said Northern coach Lynn Lais. “As a ball-winner, he is relentless. He is persistent. When he makes the decision to go for the ball, he wins it.
“Zack is very quick and explosive, and closes before his opponents are aware. He has good ball control and drives for the goal very well.”
Lipscomb, also first-team All-AMAC, won the conference scoring title by a single point.
In the seven conference games he scored nine goals and had a league-leading eight assists for 26 points and a 3.71 scoring average. Northern players finished 1-2-3 in the conference in scoring: Lipscomb (26 points, 3.71), Elijah Lais (25, 3.57) and Daniel Warnick (22, 3.14).
“The explosive nature of Zack’s play makes him a constant threat,’’ coach Lais added. “He makes good runs both from the striker position and out of the midfield and is able to get up high to win the ball. He was willing to do whatever the team needed to secure a win.”
Mike Mathews is a Cumberland Times-News sports writer. He can be reached at mmathews@times-news.com.
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