Oakland Mills senior point guard Joe Kiely knew it was coming, and so far, he's been up to the task. The Scorpions were loaded with returning talent and pegged the decisive favorites to win the Howard County title. Ranked No. 9 in the Metro area, the Scorpions are 14-0 and their fearless point guard is a big reason. In his third season as a starter, Kiely is averaging 8.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 steals as the team's catalyst. Just as impressive, he has turned the ball over only 21 times as the team's primary ballhandler. Kiely maintains a 3.2 GPA and is keeping his college options open, with plans to play basketball.
In addition to basketball, he's also a member of the Black Student Achievement Program, Alpha Achievers, Student Government Assocation and Spanish Club. Kiely, who has a twin sister, Anna, was born in the Republic of the Congo in Africa and lived there for five years before moving to Buffalo, New York. He moved to Columbia in 2002.
Question: What's been the key to success so far this season?
Answer: We can't underestimate any team, we know we have a target on our backs, so we need to come out for every game playing hard and take it one game at a time and keep our focus on the main goal.
Q: What's the team's main goal this season?
A: The main goal is Comcast [Center] and winning a state title. To get there, it's going to take everything.
Q: What has it been like being the favorites this season in Howard County?
A: It's been fun. I like having the targets on our backs because every team wants to beat you and they play us hard. Plus, there's a lot of people that come out to watch us, so that makes it fun, too. I think it's a good thing.
Q: What are your responsibilities as point guard and team captain?
A: I mostly distribute the ball, set up the offense and just keep everybody's heads together. Mentally, we have to keep it together — that's what's most important for us.
Q: What do you enjoy most about playing point guard?
A: I like the pace. I love to run, playing at a quick pace and controlling everything. I'm very comfortable in the role. It's great, and I don't want to play any other position.
Q: What's the key to being a strong team leader?
A: I think it's knowing what you have to do to be a leader, maturing over the years, learning from your own mistakes and making others around you become leaders. You want to make younger players better and help them learn to become leaders. I try to tell them what's right from wrong and help them with what they have trouble on.
Q: One of your strengths is playing strong defense. How important is that to you?
A: Defense wins championships. So defense is the most important thing to me and to our team. Defense is how we score a lot of our points — that's our heart and soul, and where we get all our energy. Defense, when you get a steal, energy just comes from it and it feels really good.
Q: What's it like being a senior at Oakland Mills?
A: It's fun. I like being a senior. It's a little sad because you're going to miss everybody and everything. But it's good, too. Everything is a little more chill than the first three years — I'm just having fun this year.
Q: What do you want to get out of your senior year?
A: Most of all, I want a state championship ring. And pretty much to leave behind a legacy to our school.
Q: How big of an influence has basketball been to you?
A: I've been playing since I was 7. It means everything to me. If I didn't have basketball, I don't know what I'd be doing. When I'm playing basketball, all the stress goes away. To go to college and play basketball, you have to have good grades, too, so that influences me to get good grades to have more options. Basketball keeps me busy.
Q: What was your fondest memory of your time in Congo?
A: A birthday party. A birthday party there is not just like a little party we have here. The whole neighborhood village is invited, and it's a really big, big party and it's really fun.
Q: What's it like having a twin?
A: It's cool. There's a close connection between us with everything. It's pretty unique. We know what we're thinking, so it's pretty cool. We have a pretty special bond — we laugh a lot and don't really fight. Sometimes I get on her nerves purposely, though!
Q: When was the last time you got on her nerves?
A: Probably [Tuesday]. She told me to turn down the music, but I just always turn it up more!