Player of the Year
Angie Creek, Meade, Sr., G: The lightning-quick Creek transformed her playground game into becoming the program's all-time leading scorer, carrying the Mustangs to their first state tournament appearance since 1979. An All-Metro pick last season, Creek finished her stellar career with 1,457 points, relying on her explosive quick step to get to the basket or pull up for short jumpers. This season, she averaged 18.5 points, shooting 49 percent from the field, and averaged 5.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds. "She really learned how to play within a system, understanding the importance of defense and rebounding. I'm very proud of her," said Meade coach Phil Popielski. "And she was so unselfish. She'd pass the ball to anyone on the team who was in front of her." Creek was able to break a press on her own and used her overwhelming quickness to come up with 235 steals in her three years on the varsity. This season, she was the catalyst in the Mustangs' run to the Class 4A state semifinals, including a 25-point effort in their region semifinal win against county rival Arundel.
Coach of the Year
Vickie Plitt, Glen Burnie: When Plitt took over the struggling program three years ago, she told her players it would take more than a year to build a successful program. After winning four games that season and three last year, Plitt and the Gophers finally broke through with an 11-9 mark, their first winning season in a decade. Plitt, who spent five years as an assistant under North County coach Sally Entsminger, brought a basic plan that a young group bought into. "Our philosophy is that it takes all of us. We all have different roles and the kids started to accept that," she said. Things should only get better for the Gophers, who had only one senior on the varsity roster with six juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen. The youth also brought team speed, as the Gophers relied on their quickness to convert turnovers into easy transition baskets. Plitt said a big influence on the younger players was 1998 grad Sarah Meredith, who went on to play at West Virginia Wesleyan, a Division II program. "Her work ethic was a big factor. She showed the kids what it takes to play at the next level," said Plitt. "They've really dedicated themselves to getting better and improving the program."
The first team
Nicole Dailey, Meade, So., F: The versatile 6-foot-1 forward finished the season averaging 15.0 points and 9.3 rebounds a game, including an outstanding 20-point performance in the Mustangs' 60-58 loss to Suitland in the Class 4A state semifinal. Double doubles were the norm for Dailey, who has the ability to score and rebound inside and also get out fast to run with the guards. "She improved with her back to the basket. She started enjoying the contact inside," said Meade coach Popielski. She also improved on her conditioning in her second season of varsity, providing Popielski with 26 strong minutes after playing between 18 and 22 as a freshman.
Terri Daniels, St. Mary's, Sr., F: Whether bringing the ball up the floor or working down low for a rebound, the 5-11 Daniels was always contributing something for the Saints. As her four-year career developed, Daniels became recognized as the county's most versatile and complete player, averaging 9.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists while playing every position for the Saints this season. "Wherever I put her -- one through five -- it didn't matter. She always did an outstanding job," said St. Mary's coach Harry Dobson. Daniels closed out her four-year career with 1,041 points and is second all-time in assists at St. Mary's with 647.
Najmah Fauntleroy, Arundel, Soph., F: No post player was more dominant in the second half of the season than Fauntleroy, who made an immediate impact off the bench with her relentless work on the boards, quickness on defense and ability to score inside. After a solid freshman season, Fauntleroy took her game to a higher level this year, averaging 13.0 points and 10.5 rebounds a game. She recorded double doubles in points and rebounds in nine of her last 10 games, including an 18-point, 19-rebound performance in the Wildcats' 75-67 win over Meade in the county championship game. "When she came into the game, we immediately got quicker and our inside game picked up," said Arundel coach Lee Rogers.
Emily Lipton, St. Mary's, Sr., G: Lipton completed a stellar four-year ca- reer as the Saints' all-time scoring leader with 1,700 points. This season, she averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 assists to claim Catholic League Player of the Year honors a third straight season. The Sun's Metro Player of the Year as a sophomore and a two-time All-Metro first-team selection, Lipton brought a take-charge approach to the court with good shooting range, the ability to create off the dribble and defensive intensity. "She always had the ability to do something big in the clutch," said St. Mary's coach Dobson. Lipton will take her fine all-around skills to Virginia Tech next season.
Jill Marano, Arundel, Soph., G: When the Wildcats needed a big basket or something special to happen on defense, it often came from Marano. She averaged 13.3 points a game, dished out 5.4 assists and brought plenty of intensity at the defensive end. "Jill was our catalyst. She brought a lot of energy to our game plan. She plays both ends of the court and plays hard," said Arundel coach Rogers. After gaining valuable playing time off the bench as a freshman, Marano was more than ready to step into a starter's role this season. Combining three-point range with the ability to get to the basket in a hurry, Marano was able to provide the Wildcats with instant offense.
Maria Smear, St. Mary's, Sr., G: Smear thrived on the responsibility of covering the opposing team's top scorer along with producing herself on offense. She finished the season averaging 13.7 points and also added 3.5 assists. St. Mary's coach Dobson called Smear "the best pure shooter we've ever had." A clutch one, too. That was apparent in the championship game of the prestigious IAABO Invitational Christmas tournament when Smear hit a 15-footer at the buzzer in a 68-67 win over Largo. Smear, a second-team All-Metro selection last season, finished her four-year career with 1,212 points.
The girls teams Player of the Year: Angie Creek, Meade Coach of the Year: Vickie Plitt, Glen Burnie First teamAngie Creek Meade Senior Guard
Name, School, Class, Position
Ncole Dailey, Meade, Sophomore, Forward
Terri Daniels, St. Mary's, Senior, Forward
Najmah Fauntleroy, Arundel, Sophomore, Forward
Emily Lipton, St. Mary's, Senior, Guard
Jill Marano, Arundel, Sophomore, Guard
Maria Smear, St. Mary's, Senior, Guard
Second team
Amy Campion, Spalding, Senior, Guard
Shaunte Edmonds, Arundel, Senior, Forward
Lisa Feeheley, Old Mill, Senior, Guard
Natalie Hicks, Severna Park, Junior, Guard
Felicia Holloway, St. Mary's, Senior, Forward
Meagan Rollins, Arundel, Senior, Guard
Katie Netherton, Meade, Senior, Forward
Third team
Kristen Bland, Chesapeake, Senior, Forward
LaTanya Eldridge, Meade, Junior, Forward
Brandy Fowler, Meade, Senior, Guard
Alicia Groveston, Southern-Harwood, Senior, Guard
Kim Lawton, Severna Park, Junior, Forward
Lauren Schaech, Spalding, Junior, Guard
Jill Toomey, Broadneck, Senior, Forward
Team selection
The Baltimore Sun 1998-99 All-Anne Arundel County boys and girls basketball teams were selected by Pat O'Malley and Glenn P. Graham, respectively, after consulting with The Sun staff and area coaches.
Pub Date: 3/16/99