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Sam Lewis leads Howard’s quest for redemption against Paint Branch Sam Lewis leads Howard’s quest for redemption against Paint Branch
(about 2 hours later)
Because Sam Lewis’s friends and family know how high basketball ranks among the activities that matter to her, it was no surprise what the Howard junior was willing to sacrifice this summer when everyone else was.Because Sam Lewis’s friends and family know how high basketball ranks among the activities that matter to her, it was no surprise what the Howard junior was willing to sacrifice this summer when everyone else was.
Each morning, five days a week and occasionally more depending on her AAU slate over a weekend, Lewis would beat the sunrise and be in the gym by 6 a.m.Each morning, five days a week and occasionally more depending on her AAU slate over a weekend, Lewis would beat the sunrise and be in the gym by 6 a.m.
“It was tough at first just because of the waking up part, but I love playing basketball,” Lewis said Sunday. “It’s what I love to do. So it was easy for me to focus on that.”“It was tough at first just because of the waking up part, but I love playing basketball,” Lewis said Sunday. “It’s what I love to do. So it was easy for me to focus on that.”
For three hours a day, Lewis worked with a personal trainer in the weight room and on the court with the goals of becoming faster, stronger more athletic and better in all phases of the game.For three hours a day, Lewis worked with a personal trainer in the weight room and on the court with the goals of becoming faster, stronger more athletic and better in all phases of the game.
The dividends are obvious, and the Lions are happy to be the beneficiaries of her efforts.The dividends are obvious, and the Lions are happy to be the beneficiaries of her efforts.
“She’s got a very, very quick release on her shot,” Howard Coach Scott Robinson said. “She’s always been a good shooter, but she added taking the ball to the hole.”“She’s got a very, very quick release on her shot,” Howard Coach Scott Robinson said. “She’s always been a good shooter, but she added taking the ball to the hole.”
Last season as a sophomore, Lewis contributed off the bench by making shots when they were needed and fitting in as another competent ball-handler.Last season as a sophomore, Lewis contributed off the bench by making shots when they were needed and fitting in as another competent ball-handler.
This year, her role is amplified, and while Howard’s balance is one of its biggest advantages, the production from Lewis is a major reason the Lions are 21-2 with a Howard County title behind them and an appetite for more.This year, her role is amplified, and while Howard’s balance is one of its biggest advantages, the production from Lewis is a major reason the Lions are 21-2 with a Howard County title behind them and an appetite for more.
Tuesday, the Lions host Paint Branch (17-5) in the second round of the Maryland 4A North region playoffs. It will be the schools’ first meeting since Paint Branch sent Howard home in the playoffs to cap Lewis’s freshman season.Tuesday, the Lions host Paint Branch (17-5) in the second round of the Maryland 4A North region playoffs. It will be the schools’ first meeting since Paint Branch sent Howard home in the playoffs to cap Lewis’s freshman season.
The Panthers, who have won the region the last two years and are one of several talented teams in the region that Robinson called “the toughest in the state,” are fast and long. They allow fewer than 40 points per game, and 6-foot-4 LaSalle commit Sofilia Ngwafang is willing and able to control the inside.The Panthers, who have won the region the last two years and are one of several talented teams in the region that Robinson called “the toughest in the state,” are fast and long. They allow fewer than 40 points per game, and 6-foot-4 LaSalle commit Sofilia Ngwafang is willing and able to control the inside.
But Howard won’t shy away. The Lions have found success all year in their depth and a collective willingness to do whatever is needed – point guard Jenny Kinsey is the team’s second-leading rebounder and sophomore Taylor Addison averages a double-double.But Howard won’t shy away. The Lions have found success all year in their depth and a collective willingness to do whatever is needed – point guard Jenny Kinsey is the team’s second-leading rebounder and sophomore Taylor Addison averages a double-double.
“We have to come out with a lot of intensity and work really, really hard on both ends of the court,” said Lewis, who plans to intensify her summer routine this time year but isn’t ready to look ahead just yet. “They’re very good. It’s going to be a tough matchup, but I think we can give them a fight.”“We have to come out with a lot of intensity and work really, really hard on both ends of the court,” said Lewis, who plans to intensify her summer routine this time year but isn’t ready to look ahead just yet. “They’re very good. It’s going to be a tough matchup, but I think we can give them a fight.”
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