When the Class 2A state boys basketball championships are discussed, Randallstown dominates the conversation. And senior guard Tione Womack knows all about championship teams, having played on two in his career. He has been the catalyst and floor general for a Rams team hungry for its fourth straight title. The three-year varsity player and two-year captain has averaged 12.7 points, 7.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game while directing a team focused on another deep run. After the season, he'll be thinking about playing basketball in college. He has about a 2.5 grade point average, and his favorite subject is math. He has an interest in Rhode Island and Towson.

When did you start playing basketball?

I really started playing basketball at a young age, like 6. That's when I ... got the hang of it.

What made you get into it?

It was really just growing up. Where I was from [East Baltimore], a lot of people grew up playing basketball. My father [Thurman Womack] always put a basketball in my hands. It started from there.

When did you first realize you were pretty good at it?

I first realized it when I turned 7. My 9-and-under coach just told me that I shouldn't be playing in my age group; I needed to be playing a year older. He put me on the 9-and-under B team, and he said if I keep working hard, I had a chance to be on the A team, so ever since that day, I just worked hard and got where I'm at now.

Why did you decide to come to Randallstown for high school?

I knew about Coach [Kim] Rivers and his winning record, and everybody told me it was a great system. When I first thought about coming to high school, I thought about a big school like Dunbar, but that's when I just said, "I might as well get out of here and come to Randallstown where I know I can work out at."

What's the difference between being captain last season and this season?

I'm like one of the main captains this year. I got a lot on my back right now. Last year, I had a couple players with me that were older than me, that had my back at times. This year, I have to show people that are younger than me what it takes to make it to the state championship.

What are the team's strengths this season?

Our strengths this year are speed, defense when we play it and our smartness. In the fourth quarter, I always say, that's when we start really playing basketball because the other team's tired.

If you went to Towson, would you be excited to play with Mount Carmel's Troy Franklin?

Me and him, we played with each other in the summertime on AAU. Like we always do, we go at it for that No. 1 point guard spot. It's tough, but if I did go to Towson, it would be just like we were playing AAU ball. We'd be battling.

What's the best advice you ever received?

When I was in 9-and-under, and I played with Muggsy Bogues' son [Tyrone Bogues], he always told us, don't ever get down on yourself, regardless of times. He always said that if someone is talking negative to you, take it in one ear and out the other and push yourself and let that be something that motivates you when you're playing.