Sam Donovan’s focus on basketball reached new heights last offseason.
The Edgewood junior, who always spent her falls playing soccer, ditched the field last autumn and instead spent that time in the gym. Shot after shot, with her father feeding her balls after each make or miss, Donovan perfected her jumper.
She says now those hours spent in a gym helped her become The Aegis’ 2024-25 girls basketball Player of the Year. Donovan averaged 18 points per game on 41% shooting from 3-point range this season, up from 14 points and 32% her sophomore campaign. She became one of Harford County’s premier offensive threats who few teams slowed down this season.
“Our team just clicked really well,” Donovan said, deflecting credit to her teammates. “We played together.”
Donovan stepped into a larger role for Edgewood behind the scenes this season. Rams coach Wes Laguerre created a mentor and mentee initiative, which paired a member of the varsity team with junior varsity players. Donovan guided two freshmen and also served as one of three varsity captains.
Her guidance came in different forms. On the court, she was the level-headed compass who remained quiet and composed throughout the season. Her demeanor remained the same whether her shots weren’t falling or she couldn’t miss. And off it, she helped the team pick out matching neon yellow sneakers so every player looked the same as they breezed past their competition.
“I have a motto of playing for an audience of one, and playing with the audience of God,” Donovan said. “That’s all that really matters. The showboating isn’t really what I like to do. I gotta keep my head where it needs to be.”
That mindset, not looking to impress anyone and knowing she’s secure in herself regardless of results, made Donovan one of the area’s top talents. Despite missing seven games this season with injury or illness, she made 53 3-pointers in 16 contests, including four games making five or more and two games sinking eight.
She also added four rebounds, 3.4 assists and three steals per game for Edgewood, which she led to a 17-6 record. The Rams’ only conference losses came to Patterson Mill and Fallston, which they avenged by year’s end.
Still, Donovan and Edgewood have another level to reach. The Rams return a strong nucleus next season and hope to finally break through for a regional championship. She’s not sure if she’ll return to the soccer field this fall just yet, but the guard is sure she’ll be back in the gym plenty this offseason to ensure they reach further next year.
“It’s going to take a lot of team commitment and dedication,” Donovan said. “I think we have a great potential of doing that.”
Coach of the Year
Alexis Osborne, Perryville, second season
Osborne led a six-win improvement for the Panthers this season, finishing with an 18-4 record capped by the program’s second consecutive 1A East Region I championship.
All-Area first team
Brooke Bolesta, Fallston, junior, forward
Bolesta did it all for Fallston, averaging eight points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks per contest.
Vivian Carrico, John Carroll, senior, guard
Carrico finished her career nine points shy of 1,000 but led the Patriots to a shared regular season title in the IAAM B Conference.
Jael Erickson, Edgewood, junior, guard
The Rams’ leading scorer posted 18 points and six rebounds per game.
Nyjah Harris, Aberdeen, senior, guard
The explosive guard averaged 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals per contest.
Rylie Madsen, Patterson Mill, junior, center
Madsen averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game for the region title-winning Huskies and posted 13 double-doubles.
Grace Marchetti, John Carroll, senior, guard
John Carroll’s point guard accompanied her teammate Carrico on the All-IAAM B Conference team.
Natalie Wirth, Fallston, senior, forward
Wirth and Bolesta formed a haunting duo down low for the Cougars, who Wirth helped lead to a region championship before falling to eventual 2A state champion Francis Scott Key in the state quarterfinals.
All-Area second team
Peyton Dawson, North Harford, junior, forward
Carson Price, Bel Air, junior, forward
Lilly Smeltzer, Edgewood, senior, center
Alyssa Stanley, Perryville, senior, guard
Sophia Trinh, Patterson Mill, junior, guard
Sam Wolfkill, C. Milton Wright, senior, forward
Jadin Woods, Fallston, senior, guard
Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons.
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