by Aaron Jaffe ‘21

The Warriors’ roster coming into the 2018-19 school year was one with many changes from just last season. Not only did former star player Davis Long graduate, Sherwood also lost multiple other
seniors who were crucial to their rotation. However, the 2017-18 Sherwood team heavily disappointed considering the talent and potential the team had. The newest changes to the rotation ironically could be for the better as the new-look Warriors hope to improve on a 5-9 record from the
year before. The team may seem to be in a transitional year with all the graduating seniors, but they are not left without any potential stars to count on. Junior forward Nate Lacey currently has interest from multiple D-1 schools, most notably Arkansas. Sitting at 4-4, the Warriors’ record does not accurately indicate the true grit and spirit of the team. Even in their losses, Sherwood has consistently put up a good fight and always appeared to be in the game. The calling card early for Sherwood is that they are not going to cruise to a win nor will they roll over in any given game, no matter who the opponent happens to be. Senior guard J.D. Jordan believes the Warriors are as just as good as any other team they will face in the future. “We’re going to surprise a lot of people this year and years to come,” explained Jordan, and also said that the team has the potential to be 4A regional
champs. The Warriors opened up their slate of games with an impressive 53-51 road win over Rockville on December 9. After losing their next two games against Clarksburg, 68-65 and Magruder, 60-48, Sherwood fell to 1-2. On December 19, Sherwood took on Wootton at home to try and stave off another forgettable season. In overtime down by two with the clock running out, Senior guard Eddie O’Brien got the ball off an offensive rebound and banked in the game-winning three to send Sherwood to victory, 78-77. Lacey was never in doubt of the teams’ fight and spirit. “Our team this year is not a team that
will give up at any time during the game. We will push through.” Every time Sherwood looked
like they were going to make a run and reel off a couple wins in a row, they had a disappointing loss in games they could’ve won. On January 5, the Warriors lost a very winnable game to Springbrook, 61-60. Unsurprisingly, the team was in another nail-biter against Northwood and pulled out the win with another lucky last second shot, this time a floater from Jordan. The following two games
ended with one win against Kennedy by a score of 56-52 and a tough but probably predictable loss to the reigning regional champs in Gaithersburg, 73-51. On January 11, the Warriors tried to steer their record over .500 against Paint Branch but couldn’t come away with a win, losing 84- 76. The meat of the schedule is coming for Sherwood and the team will need to stretch together some wins to keep their regional dreams alive. Every game will be tough but these tests will show what the 2019 Sherwood team is capable of. The consistent middle of the pack play can no longer be the norm if this year’s Sherwood team wants a shot to take over as champs of the 4A region.