DATE: Friday, June 13, 1997                 TAG: 9706120211

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY SCOTT MCCASKEY, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   79 lines

DEEP CREEK MIDDLE SHOOL WON 5 OF 7 CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS

The student-athletes at Deep Creek Middle School have plenty to be proud of for the 1996-97 school year. The Hornets won the city tournament in five of seven sports.

The enthusiasm showed as more than 300 students, faculty, and parents assembled in the school's auditorium June 5 to hail victories in football, wrestling, boys basketball, boys track and girls track.

``It's been a good year to say the least,'' said athletic director Eugene R. Babb Jr., addressing the crowd from behind a wall of trophies.

It was second year in a row that the Hornets have won the city title in football and boys track.

This year, Deep Creek Middle chalked up 6-0 records in football, wrestling, boys track, and girl's track.

Girls basketball and volleyball were the only two sports the Hornets didn't win.

Babb said that although the school has dominated the city in these five sports - especially football and wrestling - since the 1980s, this season is a special one.

``It's not often that a school will win in five sports,'' said Babb, 49. ``A group of athletes like this only comes around about every 10 years. A lot of kids play in all of the sports. Football starts everything off, and if you have a good season in football, it's a good indication you'll do well in the other sports.''

Brian D. Atkins, an eighth grader at Deep Creek Middle School, received awards for best defensive lineman and most outstanding wrestler.

``Everybody was especially competitive this year,'' said Atkins, 13. ``We were very organized.''

Eighth grader Robert L. Combs III won the MVP award for football, the coaches award for basketball, and was a member of the first place 800-meter relay.

This is Combs' first year of competition.

``I got my grades straight this year and played in everything I could,'' said Combs.

``I hope to play JV football and basketball at Deep Creek High next year.''

The school's principal, Clyde S. Sheely, emphasized learning.

``We're proud of the kids not just as athletes, but as students,'' he said.

``A lot of same faces are here that were at our academic awards ceremony.''

Robert S. Heath won the coaches award for football and is an honor roll student.

``If you can't make good grades, you shouldn't be playing sports,'' said Heath, an eighth grader.

Babb, who has been athletic director for 20 years and is also the head football coach and girls track coach, said that the school stresses discipline.

``We wouldn't be here winning all this if we didn't have strong discipline,'' he said.

``Middle school athletics helps keep these kids straight in school. Teachers will actually come to the coaches if they have a problem.''

Babb said that the school's boys athletic program gets and deserves a lot of recognition, but he also noted the accomplishments of this year's girls track team.

``They really came through for us,'' he said. ``There's a lot of talent there.''

Vickie A. Harris, an eighth grader, was selected as MVP in girls track, taking first in long jump.

Last season, Deep Creek came in second behind Crestwood Middle School in girls track.

``The team was more devoted this year, I think,'' said Harris, who plans to be on Deep Creek High's track team next spring.

Although this was a banner athletic season for the school, a lot of the stars will be off to Deep Creek High or transferring to Owens Middle School next year.

``We'll be rebuilding,'' Babb said.

``But we'll be all right.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SCOTT MCCASKEY

In his first year of competition, eighth-grader Robert L. Combs III,

won the MVP award for football, the coaches award for basketball,

and was a member of the first place 800-meter relay. KEYWORDS: MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAMPS

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