Track athletes prepare for regionals

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(Feb. 3, 2023) The Stephen Decatur indoor track and field teams wrapped up regular-season competition last Wednesday at the Worcester County Recreation Center in Snow Hill.

“With both coaches down with illness, our athletes had to step up and compete without coaching in this meet,” said Decatur Coach Brenda Hommel.

Twenty schools participated. The Decatur Lady Seahawks finished tied for 11th place with North Caroline, both scoring 14 points.

Decatur athletes who placed eighth or better in their individual events and earned points for the team were juniors Macy Woroniecki (3,200-meter run, fourth, 13:04.36; 1,600-meter run, seventh, 5:58.85) and Tiara McDonald (500-meter run, seventh, 1:29.70).

Woroniecki, sophomores Nevaeh Horton and Alessandra Fernandez and freshman Ellie Cheynet took fifth in the 3,200-meter relay race (11:41.60).

McDonald, Woroniecki, Fernandez and Cheynet finished in ninth place in the 1,600-meter relay race (5:13.93).

The top eight in each individual and relay event score points. Kent Island’s “A” and “B” relay teams finished in first and third place, respectively in the 1,600m relay, but only one can score points, so Decatur was awarded one point for its ninthplace finish.

The Decatur boys’ team tallied nine points and tied for 15th place with Snow Hill.

Junior Waylon Hobgood finished in seventh place in the 55-meter dash, earning his fastest time of the season, 6.85 seconds.

He also participated in the 800- meter relay race with sophomore Ethan Cowder and seniors Riley Calloway and Jaden Holland. The group came in fifth place (1:41.80). times from Tiara McDonald in the 300m dash (47.54 seconds) and from Ellie Cheynet in the 800m run (2:45.27). Both the girls 4x200 (2:04.31) and the 4x400 (5:13.93) relay teams also recorded PR times.”

Calloway, Cowder and sophomores Alex Ward and Brandon Fitzgerald placed sixth in the 1,600meter relay race (3:59.72).

Decatur will compete in the MPSSAA 3A East Regional Championship meet on Tuesday at the Baltimore Armory beginning at 4 p.m.

Hommel

“We also had several athletes achieve personal records,” Hommel said. “Both [sophomores] Dalton Henderson (10.19 seconds) and Zerek Coyman (10.20 seconds) ran their PR times in the 55m hurdles. Alex Ward (41.54 seconds) and Ethan Cowder (41.11 seconds) shaved seconds off their 300m times. [Senior] Nick Moreno had a personal record in the 800m run (2:29.99).

“On the girls’ team we saw PR

“Our focus for this meet will be attempting to further boost our athletes and teams that show promise to place at this qualifying meet. We will only be taking the athletes that are ranked in the top 24 in the region so some athletes will not be running all of their events,” Hommel said. “It would be great to see our athletes set season records for themselves at this meet. The 3A East Region is very competitive however, so to advance to the state championship will mean really having to rise to a new level of athleticism.”

Decatur’s defensive play leads to success on offense

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(Feb. 3, 2023) The Stephen Decatur boys’ basketball team traveled down the road to battle one of its Worcester County rivals – the Pocomoke Warriors –on Monday. The Seahawks came home with an 84-55 victory.

Decatur led 17-14 at the end of the first quarter.

“The beginning of the game we were just trying to find ourselves. Once we did, we were able to take off,” said Decatur Coach BJ Johnson.

The Seahawks outscored the Warriors, 23-12, in the second quarter to go into halftime ahead, 40-26.

After three quarters, the Berlin squad held a 63-38 advantage.

Decatur tacked on 21 points in the final quarter.

“Defensive intensity was pretty good. When we went to press back into zone, Pocomoke couldn’t handle it,” Johnson said. “Our defensive pressure caused some turnovers and transition for easy points. Our defense led to offense, which is what a lot of teams like to do. Once our defense gets going, it generates easy points for us and that’s what we strive for.”

Junior captain Brycen Coleman was Decatur’s top producer with 25 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Sophomore Zakhari Baker chipped in with 13 points and two steals. Sophomore Noah Tucker added 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Junior captain Jayden Hudson contributed 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal.

Sophomore Trybe Wise had nine points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block.

“I think we’re clicking and playing pretty good basketball. I just hope it continues,” Johnson said.

Decatur will host the Wicomico Indians on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Berlin.