Senior Spotlight: Johnny Poole

Q. How did you get interested in basketball? I grew up playing with my siblings and friends at the middletown park. My sister charity and my brother rob have been a big part of helping me get better.

Q. Do you participate in any other sports?....tell us about them

I snowboard as often as I can and in the summer I play ultimate frisbee. Those are my two favorite sports aside from basketball 

Q. How long have you been home schooled? My entire life. It's been a rough ride at times but thankfully I'm finally graduating!

Q. What's your favorite thing about being homeschooled (other than getting to play for the Force, of course)?

I would have to say its the schedule that makes homeschooling so nice! 

Q.  What are some of your hobbies?

As I mentioned earlier, snowboarding is a big part of winter for me. I love airsoft, ice skating, motorcycles, and my nitro R/C truck :)

Q. Where's your favorite place to eat out? Chipotle, Famous Dave's, China Garden, and Outback tie for the lead 

Q. What's your favorite movie? 

I'd say the movie that I've always loved is Elf. I also like The A Team, Bourne Ultimatum & Dumb and Dumber 

Q.  Would you rather drink coffee or tea? I like them both. But a hot cup of coffee is always good, well except for if it's hot out. Then it's iced coffee!

Q. Who's your favorite musical artist/group?  Cold Play, David Crowder Band, RED, Breaking Benjamin, Lupe Fiasco 

Q. What would you do if you had an entire day to yourself and could do anything? Falling with style! Aka sky diving, that or drifting with a Subaru WRX 

Q. What's your favorite book? Does facebook count? .. The Bible is a great book and so is "The Bondage Breaker", other  than that I don't read much.

Q. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? My family and friends are all here close by so I'm happy where I am. But I would love to visit California and go boarding in Vermont 

Q. What college team do you cheer for? I Honestly don't follow college or pro sports much at all.

Q. What's your favorite scripture verse?

Ephesians 1:18-20, Romans 8 has so many good verses I couldn't just pick one.

Q. What will you miss the most when you graduate? Playing basketball for the force and going to camp 

Q.  Who has significantly influenced your life in a positive way? Coach Roger, my brother-in-law Jason Trevett and my parents of course.

 Q. What are your plans after high school graduation? I plan to work for my dad's deck cleaning company this summer then hopefully go to FCC or take online courses at  MIT 

Senior Spotlight: Isaac Martin

Q. How did you get interested in basketball?

 I needed something to do

Q. Do you participate in any other sports?....tell us about them

 Football. I hit people.

Q. How long have you been home schooled?

 11 years

Q. What's your favorite thing about being homeschooled (other than getting to play for the Force, of course)?

 I don't have to talk to other people.

Q.  What are some of your hobbies?

 I play video games and watch movies. 

Q. Where's your favorite place to eat out?

 If they serve meat then it is my favorite place to eat.

Q. What's your favorite movie?

The Dark Knight

Q.  Would you rather drink coffee or tea?

 Tea.

Q. Who's your favorite musical artist/group?

 Pink Floyd

Q. What would you do if you had an entire day to yourself and could do anything? 

 I would become the Batman

Q. What's your favorite book?

 It's a tie between No Country for Old Men and The Old Man and the Sea

Q. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

 Gotham City

Q. What college team do you cheer for?

 None, I hate college

Q. What's your favorite scripture verse?

 Proverbs 27:17

Q. What will you miss the most when you graduate?

Nothing, so long!

Q.  Who has significantly influenced your life in a positive way?

 I'm supposed to say my parents, but it's actually batman.

 Q. What are your plans after high school graduation?

Become the Batman

Senior Spotlight: Jordan Jennings

Q. How did you get interested in basketball? 

Well actually i wasn't interested in playing basketball at all until i got a call from MACA (Mt. Airy Christian Academy) saying that they would like me to try out for their team my freshman year.

Q. Do you participate in any other sports?....tell us about them.

I played soccer when i was about 3 or 4.. uhmm.. i ended up playing baseball till i was about 12. then when i was 14 i picked up basketballl and fell in love with it.

 Q. How long have you been home schooled? 

 I have been homeschooled my entire life. it was truly a rather uneventful up bringing. haha nah im just kidding.. i loved being homeschooled.

Q. What's your favorite thing about being homeschooled (other than getting to play for the Force, of course)?

My favorite thing about being homeschooled would be the freedom it gives me to make time for things. However, it is very easy to fall behind with this freedom. 

Q.  What are some of your hobbies?

hmm.. A few of my hobbies are cars, RC cars, airsoft, and producing/playing music.

Q. Where's your favorite place to eat out?

hmm.. Definitely Thai House in Gaithersburg.

Q. What's your favorite movie?

Independance Day. (yes the movie about aliens taking over the world)

Q.  Would you rather drink coffee or tea?

Tea, that stuff is awesome when you pour creamer and sugar in it!

Q. Who's your favorite musical artist/group?

I really dont have an absolute favorite in this catagory, my tastes in music change all the time.

Q. What would you do if you had an entire day to yourself and could do anything? 

If school work wasnt a factor? Sleeeeeeeeeeppppppp

Q. What's your favorite book?

Hmm.. my 10th grade literature book. It was filled short stories and beautiful poems and i still go back to read through em to this day.

Q. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? 

hmm.. i could do a nice house overlooking a lake or an inlet of sorts.

Q. What college team do you cheer for?

Maryland. But im not too particular over college sports.

Q. What's your favorite scripture verse?

1 Peter 5:8

Q. What will you miss the most when you graduate?

Definitly being a part of my church's youthgroup.

Q.  Who has significantly influenced your life in a positive way?

Coach(former) Joel Powers. If he didnt teach me about basketball as a very inexperienced freshman and help me grow as a player i would not be participating in basketball today.

 Q. What are your plans after high school graduation?

HCC for my first year as i develop my basketball technique and physical condition then hopefully transfer to a D3 school where i can play basketball. 

Senior Spotlight: Caleb Clawson

Q. How did you get interested in basketball?

I went to a Harlem Globetrotter camp at the YMCA for a couple years. 

Q. Do you participate in any other sports?....tell us about them

 flag football and hockey 

Q. How long have you been home schooled?

7 years

Q. What's your favorite thing about being home-schooled (other than getting to play for the Force, of course)? Blasting music while I "do" my homework

Q.  What are some of your hobbies?

Music (drums and  guitar), playing xbox and going to Christian music concerts and festivals 

Q. Where's your favorite place to eat out?

Taco Bell 

Q. What's your favorite movie?

Miracle on Ice 

Q.  Would you rather drink coffee or tea? 

Neither

Q. Who's your favorite musical artist/group?

Skillet :)

Q. What would you do if you had an entire day to yourself and could do anything? 

Visit the seven wonders of the world

Q. What's your favorite book?

To Kill a Mockingbird  

Q. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Pittsburgh

Q. What college team do you cheer for?

Robert Morris, Penn State, WVU

Q. What's your favorite scripture verse?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Q. What will you miss the most when you graduate?

Being able to sleep in and still get school work done. Also, being on the Force.

Q.  Who has significantly influenced your life in a positive way?

My Dad

 

 Q. What are your plans after high school graduation?

Going to FCC and then transfer to either Robert Morris or Pitt to become a High school counselor and youth minister.

Senior Spotlight: Ana Blickenstaff

Saturday, February 11th is the Frederick Force's Senior Day.  All four teams will compete in games against the Front Royal Flames and during our Varsity games our graduating seniors will be recognized.  In an effort to get to know our seniors a little bit better, we sent them some questions and over the coming week we will shine the spotlight on our wonderful seniors!   First up is Ana Blickenstaff!   

Q. How did you get interested in basketball?  I have always really liked the sport, and was interested in playing sports, but I guess this was all sparked from my dad.  Pretty much sports is a Blickenstaff tradition..it has been for generations. haha.  :) 

 

Q. Do you participate in any other sports?....tell us about them  I used to play soccer, but when I tore my ACL I just wanted to focus on one sport. 

 

Q. How long have you been home schooled?  I have been homeschooled my entire life.  Pretty crazy, its been a ride ride! haha.  No, honestly, I have really liked it. 

Q. What's your favorite thing about being homeschooled (other than getting to play for the Force, of course)?  I really like being able to set your own schedule.  I really like that if I really want to do something, I can choose to do extra work on one day so I can have another day free. :) 

 

Q.  What are some of your hobbies?  I like being active, I am always on the move. haha, I like hanging out with friends, going to the beach, watching the Broncos play, watching the Terps play, just having fun, i love being outside.  AND I really want to try bungee juming...crazy right? 

Q. Where's your favorite place to eat out? hmm...I don't know, we go to Rockys pizza alot, they have great food.  But a really nice restaurant?.. maybe Dutchs Daughter.  

Q. What's your favorite movie? The Blindside, August Rush,.. Tim Tebows documentary.  haha

Q.  Would you rather drink coffee or tea?  WATER. :)  I don't really like tea that much, but I CAN'T STAND coffee..so I guess tea if I would have to choose.  

 

Q. Who's your favorite musical artist/group?  I really like Kari Jobe, Bruno Mars, Tenth Avenue North, Chris Tomlin, Adele, lady antebellum, taylor swift..the list goes on. O, and just so everyone knows, I LOVE country music now.  hahah

 

Q. What would you do if you had an entire day to yourself and could do anything? Take some friends to the beach, you know, now that I FINALLY have my license! hahah.  

 

Q. What's your favorite book?  Besides the Bible of course,  I really like Jane Austen.  I also like Little Woman. AND Through My Eyes. haha

 

Q. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?  Some warm place by the ocean.  Maybe Florida.  

 

Q. What college team do you cheer for? I don't really watch college football, or baseball..but I am a HUGE Maryland terps Fan.  Go TERPS!!! 

 

Q. What's your favorite scripture verse? Jeremiah 29:11 is my all time favorite Bible verse.  I also love Isaiah 30:21.  I have tons more, but we will just go with my two favorites. haha

 

Q. What will you miss the most when you graduate?  Basketball, I'll miss everything about it.  :/ 

Q.  Who has significantly influenced your life in a positive way?  I would say my parents.  Mom has in ways and so has dad, and the ways have been so different. lets just say they make a great team. hahah.  

 Q. What are your plans after high school graduation?  I have SO many plans!!!  I want to go to college, my goal is to go to a four year school, I really want to get into missions work at least a little bit.  I want to stick with my singing, and I would love to stay with basketball..maybe an intramural team , AND I want to be a broadcaster...thinking about majoring in communications.  I am just excited to see the GREAT things God has planned for me.  :) 

mid winter status: Varsity

The Varsity Girls are 10 and 4 mid-way through the season.  They participated in several Holiday tournaments.  They took second place in the Teddy Thanos/Forbes Road Public School Tournament in Pennsylvania.  They made history by being the first home school team to beat Forbes Road in their own tournament.  They also took second place in the MSD Oriole Classic.  Both tournaments were played with determination and courage.  In the MSD Classic, the Force defeated MSD by 7 for a first time ever victory over the Orioles.  (I'm sure you heard the cheering!)  A solid win over Fulton County gave the girls an additional shot of encouragement.  Next week, finds them with their hands full as they take on Carroll Christian, Carlisle Christian and New Life!  It will be a great week of basketball, come support the Varsity Girls!  

The Varsity Boys are mid-way through their season with a record of 2 and 8.   A strong win over Fulton County was exciting to watch.  The long drive was definitely worth it as the boys all got plenty of playing time and came home victorious.  The boys continue to work hard and give great effort in all of their games.  They continue to work as a team and are getting stronger with every contest.  The games are exciting to watch....come support our Frederick Force Varsity Boys.  This week they have games with Carroll Christian, Carlisle Christian and New Life.  Go Force!

mid winter status: middle school

The Middle School teams are in the midst of conference play.  Both teams are part of the MJAC conference (Maryland Junior Athletic Conference) and in addition to regular season games, they will participate in an end of season tournament.  The middle school boys are 6 and 3....they've had some amazing wins at the buzzer and some "grind it out" wins as well....and of course, they've fought hard and lost a couple as well.  Through it all though, they've exhibited great character along with a never give up attitude.   In the second game against Friends, they were down by 16 points and came back to lose by only 7 at the final buzzer.  As coach John told them, they didn't lose, they just ran out of time.  There are two more regular season games for the middle school boys.  If you haven't been to see one of them, you're missing an amazing experience! 

The Middle School Girls are 5 and 2 in conference play.  They are the happiest team on the court....but don't let their smiles fool you, they are ferocious down deep.  They scrap for every loose ball and play until the whistle blows.  Going from a Middle School Boys game to a Middle School Girls game requires a mindset change, but even though the temperature in the gym cools down, the play on the floor is just as tough.  The Middle School Girls convert loose balls into scoring opportunities and have made runs on every team in the league.  They have 4 more games to play in regular season competition...come on out and support the Middle School Girls, you won't be disappointed!