Emonte Hill, Frederick High Boys Basketball Coach

As the high school basketball playoffs get underway in Frederick County, Frederick High boys basketball coach Emonte Hill is this week’s guest on the Final Score podcast.

Hill tells host Greg Swatek what it means to be coaching at his alma matter. He shares his experience playing basketball around Frederick growing up, why he was naturally suited to be a point guard, leaving home to play college basketball and why he always wanted to be a coach one day.

He also chats about establishing a culture of hard work and accountability with his team, and what it will take for the Cadets to make another deep run.

First, though, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops in to share his feelings on this week’s Central Maryland Conference championship games at Hood College and the upcoming playoffs for boys and girls basketball.

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Super Bowl champion, Linganore graduate Rob Havenstein

After becoming the first Frederick County football player to be part of a Super Bowl winning team, L.A. Rams right tackle and Linganore graduate Rob Havenstein is this week’s guest on The Final Score podcast.

Still basking in the glow of the Rams’ 23-20 victory on their home field last Sunday over the Cincinnati Bengals to claim Super Bowl 56, Havenstein chats with host Greg Swatek about many of the details and experiences that made it possible.

What were his emotions as the game ended? What did he think when he got his hands on the Lombardi Trophy? How did the Rams orchestrate the final, game-winning drive? And did he think he might have cost his team with a late holding call? Havenstein shares these details, as well as what it meant to play the Super Bowl on the Rams’ home field and what his preliminary offseason plans are.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg to discuss Havenstein’s victory in the Super Bowl, other notable big-time achievements for Frederick County athletes and to look ahead to the upcoming playoffs for girls and boys basketball.

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Tim Abercrombie Jr., Linganore High boys basketball coach

In Tim Abercombie Jr.'s first season at the helm of the Linganore boys basketball, the Lancers have been the most consistent team in Frederick County this season and also boast the best record.

On this week's episode of The Final Score podcast, Ambercrombie chats with host Greg Swatek about what has made Linganore so successful this season. He also talks about his own background with county basketball and having a front seat as a young kid to some of the best basketball that has ever been played in the Frederick area by coach Tom Dickman's teams at Thomas Johnson. Abercrombie Jr's father, Tim, served as an assistant to Dickman. So, how did all of that regular access to those great teams shape Abercombie Jr.'s life in terms of basketball?

First, though, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops in to talk about the Frederick County sports landscape with Greg. On Friday, Thomas Johnson is scheduled to name its basketball court after Dickman. What are some of John's fondest memories of covering the TJ teams that Dickman coached? The guys also discuss how the current playoff picture shaking out as the end of the regular season approaches for all of the winter sports.

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Joe Blaser, Urbana girls basketball coach

As the coach of the only undefeated high school basketball team in Frederick County, Urbana girls coach Joe Blaser is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Blaser chats with host Greg Swatek about how he got his start in coaching and what makes this particular Urbana team so talented.

Plus, why was he such an instrumental part of women's basketball practice at Virginia Tech? Is he capable of actually sitting still? Who's the most competitive person in his family? And what sport did he think he initially was going to coach?

Up first, FNP sports writer John Cannon drops by to discuss the latest happenings in Frederick County sports with Greg. How good do they think this Urbana girls team really is? What other teams could be primed to make a run in the playoffs?

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Lasan Scott, Tuscarora Boys Basketball Coach

With his team playing well as it heads into an important stretch of games, Tuscarora boys basketball coach Lasan Scott is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Scott chats with host Greg Swatek about his first season as the head coach of the Titans and why they are playing so well at 8-2 overall. He talks about playing basketball on the New York City playgrounds growing up, his love of the Knicks, managing his time with a large family and how he sort of fell into coaching basketball.

He shares why he wasn't ready for the first job he interviewed for, how the opportunity at Tuscarora came about and why he generally doesn't give referees a hard time during games.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon drops by for his weekly chat about the Frederick County sports scene with Greg. The two discuss, among other things, last weekend's county indoor track and field championships and why the Urbana girls and Oakdale boys have been so dominant in recent years. They also talk about some of the high school basketball teams that are playing well, including the Middletown girls and the Maryland School for the Deaf boys.

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Ronnie Beard, Oakdale High Boys Track and Field Coach

Oakdale High School boys track and field coach Ronnie Beard is this week's guest on the Final Score podcast.

Beard chats with host Greg Swatek about his evolution from being a standout athlete at Frederick High School, where he won numerous state titles in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, as well as the triple jump, into a head coach, a position he has held at both Tuscarora and Oakdale high schools.

What were his most memorable experiences as an athlete? Who was the fastest guy he ever raced? What was his favorite meet? How did he react when one of his state records was taken down? And what does he miss the most about competing?

Plus, what made him interested in being a coach? And what are his expectations for his team as it begins an important, month-long stretch with the county meet, the conference meet, the regional meet and the state meet.

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Luke Campbell, Frederick County Olympian, Brunswick Graduate

Still basking in the glow of his life-changing opportunity to compete in the Olympic games, Brunswick High School graduate Luke Campbell is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

Campbell shares his experience competing in the Tokyo Olympics last August for Germany's track and field team with host Greg Swatek. What were his emotions? How did his friends and family react? How annoying were all of the COVID-19 protocols? And how frustrating was it that fans could not attend? How has his life changed since the experience? And how does he typically feel after he runs his race, the 400-meter hurdles, which is one of the most grueling on the track?

Campbell explains how and why he is able to compete for Germany despite growing up here in Frederick County, and he talks about the meets he is training for now, including the world championships this July in Eugene, Oregon.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon drops in to chat about the Frederick County sports scene with Greg. The guys talk about the big high school basketball matchups of the last week and the big ones on tap for later this week.

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Matt Semelsberger, Urbana graduate, UFC Fighter

As he trains for an upcoming fight against an undetermined opponent, Urbana graduate Matt Semelsberger of the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the first guest of the new year on The Final Score podcast.

Semelsberger chats with host Greg Swatek on how he got into the wild world of cage fighting. So far, he has a 9-3 record in professional fights, including a 3-1 mark as a UFC welterweight. What goes through his mind and what is he feeling as the octagon door shuts, and it is just him, his opponent and a referee inside an eight-sided cage with a battle for physical survival looming?

He candidly shares details of his interesting life story. How did he wind up working on the back of a garbage truck? Plus, what it is like to legally be able to punch someone in the face? And can his mother watch his fights?

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops by to talk with Greg about the winter sports season in Frederick County.

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Rob Havenstein, Linganore grad, LA Rams Right Tackle

Heading into Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Linganore graduate and Los Angeles Rams right tackle Rob Havenstein is the guest this week on the Final Score podcast.

Now seven seasons into his NFL career, Havenstein chats with host Greg Swatek about his longevity in the league and how he and his life have changed since being drafted in the second round in 2015. They talk about what a typical week is like for Havenstein as the Rams prepare for their next opponent and what he is looking for when he watches film.

Plus, Havenstein discusses dealing with COVID-19, his favorite things about SoFi Stadium, one of the fanciest venues in the NFL, how his job has changed with fans back in the stands and his trip back to Baltimore to play the Ravens in front of family and friends. Is it more special to play in Baltimore, in the shadow of his backyard? Or is it just another business trip?

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Hood College men’s basketball coach Chad Dickman

With his basketball team playing well and on holiday break, Hood College men’s coach Chad Dickman is the guest this week on the Final Score podcast.

The Blazers are currently riding a five-game winning streak as they prepare to resume play Dec. 29. Coach Dickman chats with host Greg Swatek about why they are playing so well, how they are trying to stay sharp during the holiday break, his concerns about the current COVID-19 outbreak and his dynamic leading scorers, twin brothers Mason and Evan Wang.

Chad is the son of legendary Frederick County basketball coach Tom Dickman. How closely did Chad want to follow in his father’s footsteps? What was in like playing, working for and later succeeding him in his current job? How do their philosophies line up in terms of coaching the game? And, with all of the stylistic transitions over the years, does Tom Dickman hate the way basketball is played today?

Tony Murray, Frederick High Girls Basketball Coach

Early in his first full season at the reigns of a program that has won three consecutive state titles, Frederick High girls basketball coach Tony Murray is the guest this week on the Final Score podcast.

Murray chats with host Greg Swatek about how the opportunity came about to coach the Cadets. He shares stories about his extensive background as a basketball referee in Frederick County and why it's not such a thankless job after all. And he talks about his love of Kobe Bryant and the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons as well.

What are his expectations for his team this season? Does he jump on referees as a coach, considering he used to officiate games? And does he still view the Cadets as reigning state championships since there was only a very abbreviated season with no championships awarded earlier in 2021?

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon drops in to discuss the first few weeks of the winter sports season in Frederick County with Greg.

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Mike Mathis, Walkersville boys basketball coach

As the winter sports season gets under way across most of Frederick County, Walkersville boys basketball coach Mike Mathis is this week's guest on the Final Score podcast.

Mathis chats with host Greg Swatek about his career of almost 30 years coaching girls and boys basketball at Walkersville. He shares how he got the job and why he has never been inclined to leave almost three decades later. He also discusses his feelings on the current boys basketball landscape in Frederick County and where his Lions fall in the pecking order.

Up first, however, News-Post sports writer John Cannon joins Greg to discuss Linganore foortball's 28-23 loss to Northern-Calvert last Saturday in the Class 3A state championship game in Annapolis. John also shares some thoughts on the upcoming winter sports season in the county and what he is looking forward to the most.

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Linganore running back Ethan and Ben Arneson

Heading into Saturday's Class 3A state football semifinal and the start of the winter sports season next week, Linganore running back Ethan Arneson and his father, Ben, are the guests this week on the Final Score podcast.

Ethan was the leading rusher in Frederick County as a sophomore this season. He's amassed more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns, even though he was not the starter in the Lancers' first two games.

Host Greg Swatek asks him how surprised he was by that, especially considering he was pulled up to the varsity team this season to play defense. Ethan also talks about how he is feeling heading into the state final after spraining his ankle last week against Frederick and what it would mean to hoist the trophy with his teammates on Saturday.

Ben Arneson, the junior-varsity football coach at Linganore and varsity wrestling coach, shares his impressions of his son's remarkable season and also talks about how his wrestling team is shaping up heading into next week's season opener against Frederick High. How is the team preparing without members of the team that also play football?

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Linganore football coach Rick Conner

Heading into the first state football semifinal between Frederick County football teams in more than 20 years, Linganore coach Rick Conner is this week’s guest on the Final Score podcast.

Conner joins host Greg Swatek to talk about Friday's Class 3A semifinal clash between his top-seeded and unbeaten Lancers and the fifth-seeded Cadets, who are making their first appearance in the state semifinals since 1985. He talks about his love of practicing on Thanksgiving and what makes his team so special. Have the Lancers ever run the ball better during his long tenure at the school? Plus, can he ever see himself not coaching? And what prompted him to buy a motorcycle?

First up, though, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops in for his weekly chat about the county sports scene. He and Greg take a look back at last week's state football quarterfinals involving Linganore, Frederick, Urbana and Brunswick. They also preview and share insights on the semifinal clash between Linganore and Frederick.

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Shawn Baker, Brunswick boys soccer coach

With his team set to play in the Class 1A state championship game, Brunswick boys soccer coach Shawn Baker is the guest this week on the Final Score podcast.

Baker chats with host Greg Swatek about growing up in the Brunswick soccer program and how it shaped him as a person and a coach. He also shares what it would mean to lead his alma mater to its fourth state title and first since 2014.

Plus, does he still have the strongest leg in the Railroaders soccer program? What is it like having two very competitive siblings on his coaching staff? And what legendary sports icon inspired him to shave his head many years ago?

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg for their weekly segment on the Frederick County sports scene. This week, they discuss the state cross-country titles for the Brunswick boys team and Caroline Gregory of Frederick, as well as preview the two state soccer finals featuring the Brunswick boys and girls teams and the state football quarterfinals that involve Linganore, Frederick, Urbana and Brunswick.

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Annie Schwarzenberg, Oakdale girls soccer coach

With her team set to play in a state semifinal Saturday, Oakdale High girls soccer coach Annie Schwarzenberg is this week’s guest on the Final Score podcast.

Schwarzenberg chats with Greg Swatek about coaching at the school she once played for and what it means to have her alma mater in position to win another state title. The Bears play Mount Hebron at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Linganore High School. Schwarzenberg also talks about the evolution of the Oakdale program into more of an offensive-minded team and how her playing and teaching careers were shaped by family and coaching mentors. Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer John Cannon drops in to chat with Greg about all of the regional and state playoff action going on with Frederick County sports.

They discuss the state soccer semifinals, which also include the boys and girls teams at Brunswick High and the boys team at Tuscarora. They also talk about the seven county football teams alive in the regional semifinals, Saturday's state cross country meet at Hereford High School and Urbana and Oakdale volleyball in the regional finals.

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Coach Dan Englestad, Nana Opoku, Mount St. Mary’s Men’s Basketball

With the season opener at Villanova less than a week away, Dan Engelstad, the men’s basketball coach at Mount St. Mary’s, and redshirt senior forward Nana Opoku are the guests this week on The Final Score podcast.

Engelstad and Opoku chat with host Greg Swatek about winning the Northeast Conference championship last season and how the experience of playing in the NCAA tournament in a strange, COVID-19 year shaped them heading into this season.

Opoku shares his story of coming to Mount St. Mary’s out of Woodbridge, Va., becoming a leader on the team and how his jaw-dropping athleticism can impact the game for his team. Engelstad, meanwhile, talks about the challenge of coaching college basketball in an era where the transfer portal is overcrowded with players. The Mountaineers have lost and gained players through the transfer portal. Whether it’s a good thing or bad thing for the sport, Engelstad shares his views on the portal and how it has fundamentally changed his job as a coach.

Plus, what will it take for the Mount to repeat as NEC champs and return to the Big Dance in March in a more traditional season?

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg for their weekly chat about the county sports scene. The two discuss regional playoff action in football, soccer, and field hockey and set the stage for the upcoming state playoffs.

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A.J. Stuart, Urbana Field Hockey Coach

Fresh off her team’s Central Maryland Conference championship last weekend, Urbana field hockey coach A.J. Stuart is this week’s guest on the Final Score podcast.

Stuart chats with host Greg Swatek about who and what makes her team so success and what she enjoys most about a job she has been doing for close to three decades. She also talks about why the level of play has risen in Frederick County in recent years and if any county teams, including her own, are getting closer to capturing that elusive state title. The last Frederick County field hockey state championship was won in 1993.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg for their weekly look at the county sports scene. John and Greg review the four CMC title games that were played last Saturday in boys and girls soccer, field hockey and volleyball and take a look ahead to the final week of the high school football regular season.

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Kendall Bresee, Antoine White, Mount women’s basketball

With the college basketball season approaching, Mount St. Mary’s women’s basketball is front and center on this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast.

New head coach Antonine White and forward Kendall Bresee, an Urbana High School graduate and the reigning Northeast Conference Player of the Year, chat with host Greg Swatek about the team’s run to the NCAA tournament last season and how it plans to make a return trip this season during more normal times. White talks about taking over a program he has served as an assistant for the last five years, and Bresee shares how the decision to transfer to Mount St. Mary’s impacted her life.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg for their weekly look at the high-school sports scene in Frederick County. They discuss the upcoming Central Maryland Conference championship games for fall sports and preview Week 8 of the high school football season.

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Joel Ramirez, Semi-pro men’s soccer

County. The coach and owner of the team is Joel Ramirez, who graduated from Tuscarora High School in 2016 and serves in the Maryland National Guard.

On this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast, Ramirez talks with host Greg Swatek about what inspired him to start the team, how he attracted players, his own background in soccer and passion for the sport and how much work and cost is involved in starting a semi-pro team from scratch. He also talks about how the organization plans to expand with indoor soccer during the winter months.

Prior to that, News-Post sports writer John Cannon joins Greg for their weekly look around the county sports scene. With the regular season winding down in high school football, they preview this week’s big matchups between Linganore and Frederick and Middletown and Brunswick.

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