With a 75-50 win over Friendly in the Class 3A title game, the No. 1 Lakers finished the season 28-0 to become the third Baltimore City school to go undefeated since city schools began competing in the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association state tournament in the 1992-93 season. (Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam / February 23, 2009) |
Herman Harried
Lake CliftonIt's one thing to have a surplus of talent and enjoy a fine season. It's another to set the highest standard possible and achieve it.
With a 75-50 win over Friendly in the Class 3A title game, the No. 1 Lakers finished the season 28-0 to become the third Baltimore City school to go undefeated since city schools began competing in the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association state tournament in the 1992-93 season.
During this season, the Lakers defeated Class 2A state champion City early; took over the No. 1 position with a come-from-behind victory over Baltimore Catholic League and Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference champ St.Frances; and handled Class 1A state champion Digital Harbor to win their second straight Baltimore City championship.
The Lakers had quality returning seniors Jason Sharp and Cleveland Melvin, and then welcomed the addition of standout transfers Will and Antonio Barton. Harried demanded hard work, accountability and a team-first approach and immediately got everyone to buy in.
"It's a great group of young men. I think we have an idea of how hard I work these guys," Harried said after the state-title win. "I tell them to run into a wall, they don't say why, they run into the wall. I tell them to run 100times, they run 100 times. They've done everything I've asked and more, and they're well deserved of this accomplishment."
In 12 seasons at Lake Clifton, Harried, a Dunbar and Syracuse graduate, is 237-78 with two state championships.
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