High School Sports: Laurel Prep Roundup

Laurel grad goes international

It's been seven years since Austen Rowland has taken part in March Madness. A 1999 graduate of St. Vincent Pallotti High in Laurel, Rowland helped lead Lehigh to the Patriot League title and a berth in the NCAA Division I tournament that year.

Rowland, after playing at Pallotti, spent three years at the University of Delaware. He was not one of the main scorers for the Blue Hens and decided to transfer after his junior year after playing for head coach David Henderson, a former college star at Duke.

Rowland led the Patriot League in scoring; he was named the top player in the league in 2004. Now, seven years after taking part in March Madness, the guard from Hyattsville is still playing hoops. A pro since 2004, Rowland is playing in a league in France with Le Portel. Before playing in France, he also played pro ball in Austria and Germany.

In games through Saturday he was averaging 12.8 points and 6.4 assists per contest. He had 14 points and seven assists on March 19 in a 94-87 loss to Bourg.

There are hundreds of Americans who play pro hoops in Europe—the best leagues are in countries such as Italy, France and Spain. Most American players in top leagues are provided the free use of an apartment and a car during the season and have few expenses.

Earlier this year Rowland and two of his American teammates visited a boarding school in France and were interviewed by young students about their experiences of playing overseas.

Rough day for Laurel High

Tuesday was not a good day for the baseball and softball teams at Laurel High. The Spartans lost in softball, 16-1, to powerhouse Bowie while the Laurel baseball team fell, 8-1, also to Bowie.

David Carmen, Laurel's starting pitcher, had 12 strikeouts in six innings and allowed just two earned runs against Bowie. The Spartans made six errors in the loss. Last year, early in the season, Laurel lost to Bowie, 13-4, and the Spartans made eight errors.

"We have got six starters from last year who are returning and, obviously, a year older," said Laurel Head Coach Bryan Harris. "Our depth will be an issue." Laurel has 13 players on its roster and Harris said he can pick between four starting pitchers. Last year the team was 11-10 overall.

Some key seniors for Laurel are Carmen, Alex Hanavin, Anthony Nicome and Travis Butler. Terence Butler—Travis Butler's brother—now on the roster at Prince George's Community College, played for Laurel last year. According to Harris, one top senior lost to graduation is Zach Kapanoske, who played fall ball last year at Salisbury.

St. Vincent Pallotti High baseball wins

The St. Vincent Pallotti High baseball team won, 4-3, on Tuesday over host CHEN with a run in the top of the seventh and improved to 3-1 overall. Nate Spicher was the Panthers' winning pitcher, going two innings after starter Matt DeFrank allowed three runs (one earned) in five innings.

Johnny Maloney and Spicher each had two hits and Steve Martin, Corey Dirks and Ryan Basile each drove in a run. Basile also scored two runs, and a double by Dirks drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh.

"It was a good win for the guys," said Pat Courtemanche, the Pallotti head coach. "We left too many runners on base. It was a good ending but I think we came out flat. We should have played better than that."

Pallotti High grad plays softball for Terps

Kelly Trimble (Pallotti) is a freshman catcher/first baseman for the Terps of Maryland, who were 20-9 overall in games through Wednesday. Trimble struck out in her first official college at bat. Maryland beat Hampton on Sunday. The Pirates' roster includes Adrianna Scott, a sophomore outfielder from Laurel.

Pallotti lacrosse posts win

The Pallotti girls beat Mt. Carmel, 19-7, on Tuesday in high school lacrosse. The Panthers host Beth Tfiloh on Tuesday, March 29 and the Pallotti boys lacrosse team is also slated to play at home March 29, against St. Peter and Paul.