Carly Miller has had plenty of success as a varsity athlete at Marriotts Ridge. The junior has won back-to-back state titles as a member of the Mustangs' lacrosse team, and — as a first-time member of the varsity squad — helped the soccer team advance to the sectional finals last fall.
But Miller's success outdoors has not always translated indoors to the basketball court until very recently. After enduring a long losing streak, things are finally starting to turn around for the Mustangs, who won their first playoff game against Hammond on Feb. 27.
Miller — whose grandfather, John Miller, was a pitcher on the 1966 World Series champion Baltimore Orioles — talks about her family's rich athletic legacy, the ups and downs of this basketball season, and her future as a UMBC lacrosse player.
What has this basketball season been like, enduring a 10-game losing streak before defeating River Hill on Senior Night, and then winning a playoff game at Hammond?
Ever since my freshman year, Marriotts Ridge girls basketball hasn't really been known to be in the top (of the county). But this year has kind of been different.
We had a rough patch in the beginning of the year, but after our first Reservoir game (a 17-point loss on Dec. 10) we had a practice where we all sat and talked about what we needed to do to improve this season. That was what really turned the season around, and that's when it started going more uphill.
At times, our losing streak was pretty frustrating, but then we started getting into these close games that we started to learn from. They taught us a lot. Our River Hill game, that was so awesome to win because we finally got into a close game and realized how to win it. By the time the playoffs came around on (Feb. 27), everything started to come together at the perfect time. It's been a very up and down season, but it's had its good ups.
You guys have only one or two seniors. As a junior, you are one of the veterans on the team. What's it been like dealing with a young team?
Last year we had five seniors and all five of them played. Ever since I was a freshman we always had seniors who played and were really big role models to us. Our seniors this year are awesome too, but they don't see the court as much as in the past, so as a junior I have a big role. In the beginning of the season we were kind of shy. The underclassmen don't want to be the ones to boss people around on the court and make the decisions, so as a junior who plays, I knew that I needed to step up and I had to be the one to call the plays.
A lot of times when we play we get a little freaked out and in past situations we would panic, but as the season has gone on we have had to stay poised, and basically when we need someone to bring our focus back, the underclassmen have really stepped up. It took awhile for them to even realize it, but now that we're in the playoffs, they really do step up and we all have a voice on the court, which is good.
Playing with the Blalock sisters (sophomores Sarah and Caroline) must be a unique experience, being out on the court as much as you are with twin sisters.
Last year I got to play with my sister (Amanda, now a freshman lacrosse player at Monmouth) too, so I know how that feels for them. They always have that twin telepathy which helps us out a lot. They're both very athletic and very hard working so it's always nice to have people like them on the team.
Do you ever get them confused?
No, they are twins, but they're very different people, especially Sarah. She plays down low and Caroline is our point guard. They both have different personalities, but they're both awesome.
What do you think about the upcoming playoff game with Oakland Mills?
We're really looking forward to an exciting game. Now that we're past the first round everyone got all of their nerves out … I know the first time (we played them) we lost by a lot more than we did when we played them the second time. We know that we have the potential, and we have the skill to beat them. We're looking forward to it, it's exciting. I think our defense helps us out the most. They can run like we can, so as long as we put up the stops I think we have a good shot.
What's it like going from basketball season to lacrosse season and the expectations changing?
I love lacrosse, that's definitely my main sport, and I'm excited to play in college. Basketball has never really been my sport, but it's a sport that I can make a mistake in and all I have to do is hustle ... It's definitely more for fun. It's very laid back, which is a good thing.
What was it like growing up playing sports?
I started playing lacrosse when I was five. My mom (Jen) played lacrosse at UMBC, and she was very good. She was my coach and she coached at Mount St. Mary's and she coached at Mount de Sales. My dad (John) was a big basketball player at Mount St. Joseph, and then he went on to play at Mount St. Mary's and West Virginia. So sports are definitely in our family. Growing up, my sister and my younger brother both loved basketball so much. I never was really that into it, but I was athletic enough to play it.
Do you play any fall sports?
I play soccer. I love soccer so much, but it was never really my sport. I played JV two years and then this season (on varsity). Soccer is my sport where you can go out and just be aggressive and still be good. So I ended up starting and playing pretty much every game, and it was an awesome season to be a part of.
Have you ever gotten any pressure from lacrosse people to just focus on lacrosse?
There's never any pressure to only play lacrosse. All of my coaches, and my club coaches, and (Marriotts Ridge) coach Amanda Brady, they're all very supportive of other sports because they love having athletes rather than one-sport players. All through basketball season, since spring sports have now started, on weekends or when we didn't have practice I was out on the wall playing lacrosse to get ready for that. I definitely focus on lacrosse more, but I love being a part of three sports and being able to balance it.
What are your interests outside of sports?
I have a really big obsession with shopping … everything: clothes, new lacrosse gear. I'm always asking for a new pair of tennis shoes or a new pair of cleats or a new stick.
Have you thought about what you want to study when you get to UMBC?
I love the idea of sports medicine and physical therapy, or nursing. Anything to do with medicine.
What made you choose UMBC?
I visited a variety of colleges. I went down to see schools in North Carolina and then I went up north, too. But ultimately I wanted to be close ... one of the coaches, Tony (Giro), I've known since I was probably 10 and he coached me in my first year of club lacrosse. The coaches have so much confidence in me. I was kind of a late bloomer in lacrosse. After my freshman year I had a big sophomore lacrosse year. They noticed that, and I met some of the girls and I loved their campus and everything they're doing with the team, so it just felt right.
What does your dad do?
My dad coaches basketball for the Columbia Ravens, and he's the president of the basketball side of the organization. He's really into basketball and he always comes to our games and gives me tips. Even though I'm not the top basketball player, he's definitely helped me help my team.