For four years, Caitlin Bach has had one main job for the North Carroll girls basketball team: to score. She has done it so well that she's on the verge of breaking the all-time Carroll County record, a mark set before she was born.
A 5-foot-11 forward, she needs 28 points to surpass South Carroll graduate Melanee Wagener's mark of 1,514, set in 1988. She could do it tonight at home against Brunswick at 7.
Since her freshman year, Bach has started all 75 games and averages 19.8 points as well as 12.9 rebounds for her career. That's 1,487 points and 969 rebounds. This season, Bach averages 23 points and 14 rebounds.
She followed her sisters Melissa and Megan into sports. Younger sister Sarah plays basketball at Manchester Valley. A veteran of the Maryland Grizzlies Amateur Athletic Union team and the Blue Angels, Caitlin plans to play in college next year, likely in Division III by choice.
Also the Panthers' field hockey goalie and a member of the track and field team, Bach, 17, has a 3.75 unweighted grade-point average and plans a career in special education.
Question: What is your earliest sports memory?
Answer: One that I kind of remember that my parents always tell me about - I was playing rec basketball and my dad put me in and said, "Go get the ball," so I ran after everybody and was like tackling people and I finally got the ball. I always hear about it and I can vaguely remember it. I was probably about 7.
Q: What's the benefit of having a couple of athletic older sisters?
A: You play up with them and it makes you tougher. In order to get a basket, you have to try even harder. It's almost like playing with boys.
Q: Did you just follow your sisters into sports?
A: I always wanted to. I would say basketball has probably been my favorite out of all of the sports. I've had more opportunities than they had with AAU and everything. When Melissa came around you never heard of AAU, and Megan, she got into it late, but I was the one who started when I was 11 and I've always had Dad coaching me.
Q: What is your personal goal this season?
A: To win states. There's also the whole "being the highest Carroll County scorer," but I'm not all into that and the whole 1,000 [rebounds]. No one else is going to remember that stuff. I just want a state banner up there on the wall. If that stuff comes with it, it's awesome, but if not, I don't care because I'd rather win than have records.
Q: What did it feel like to become the first player at North Carroll - girl or boy - to score 1,000 points?
A: It was cool. I didn't really think it was that big of a deal and then everyone was telling me I'd be the first person. I remember when I was little when we used to play in [Baltimore County] and I would look up and see the signs on the gym wall for scoring 1,000 points. I would say, "Can you imagine scoring 1,000 points?" It was hard to believe I got it in three years.
Q: What would breaking the county record mean to you?
A: It would be cool to have my name in the books. It's also a lot of pressure, and that's kind of the bad part about it. Everyone expects you to be the best, scoring the most points. Also a lot of pressure when people ask, "Where are you going to college?" and you say a D [Division] III school and they look at you like you're crazy. I just can't wait for it to be over with, so I can just play. I'll be happier the game after I do it.
Q: Does it creep into your mind sometimes when you're playing?
A: Even with the 1,000-point thing, when I got it, I just thought, "All right, it's another basket." I don't really think about it on the spot. I'm more worried about the game.
Q: Why do you think you were able to hit 1,000-plus points when so many others who played at North Carroll were not?
A: Because my role on the team is the scorer. I've always gotten the opportunity to have the ball in my hands and most of the plays are run for me. With that opportunity, you have to score.
Q: What are you thinking about as far as playing in college?
A: It's tough to decide what division I want to play. Right now, I'm looking at a couple of D III schools. I just have to narrow it down and just figure out where I'm going to get the most money. I want to go to a college and play where everyone on the team wants to play, no attitudes, everyone on the team is together. I don't want it to be my job. I want to have more fun in college.
Q: Why is basketball your favorite sport?
A: Because it's the most physical. If I could play football, I would. That's probably my favorite. I love the physical part of it, and I love being able to play offense and defense. In hockey, I play goalie, so I only get to see the defensive side. In track, I just throw. I like the pace of the game and how the game can change so quickly. It's not like football, where it's just one possession, or field hockey, where four goals is a lot in a game.
Q: Did you ever tell your dad you wanted to play football?
A: Yeah. Dad even signed me up for it. Mom was the one who said I couldn't.