Starting off the 2014-2015 season strong, the Mt. Hebron Girls’ Varsity basketball team stands among the top in the county with a 7-1 record. The resurgent squad, led by senior captains Megan Konig and Nia Crump, has set the tone in Howard County basketball.

“The statement we plan on making is that we are the best team in the county, and our goal is to win states,” Konig said.

As they near the mid-season mark, the Lady Vikings have their eyes on the prize. Coming off of a tough yet successful 19-6 season last year, which ended in the second round of the playoffs against City College, the girls have high hopes this season.

Often, the Lady Vikings are not given enough credit for their tenacious drive and fearless attitude on the court. But this time around, they are a force to be reckoned with.

The squad has set the tone this season as a new, revitalized team that would love to add their name and year to the state championship banner in the gymnasium. Keeping their eyes on the prize and staying humble, the girls are headed for the title.

With key wins over Atholton and Glenelg, Mt. Hebron has taken a commanding lead over former top-ranked teams in Howard and Centennial. Production from players such as junior Gabby Greene is what is setting Mt. Hebron apart from others.

Greene is performing at the peak of her abilities this season, averaging double-digits in points and rebounds. Standing at an impressive 6-foot 2-inches, Greene uses her tall stature and experience on the court to block out defenders and get as many rebounds as possible. Not to mention, she snagged the first Bullets/Wizards Alumni Award Player of the Week recently.

Production from seniors Meghan Doherty, Crump and Konig is boosting the season along, not to mention the efficiency down in the paint from senior forward Olivia Williams.

Doherty, who has already committed to the University of Maryland for lacrosse, is having an outstanding season so far. Racking up stats in nearly every category, she is one of the most feared players in the county.

“Our team wants to win states. But with that, we know a lot of work has to be put in. Every day we work hard at practice and push each other,” Doherty commented. “We have everything it takes to get there, so now we just have to take it game by game and practice by practice, leaving everything we have on the court.”

Crump, committed to West Point for lacrosse, has had a fantastic season as well, doing what she does best: racking up boards and playing tough defense.

For Crump, this season holds endless possibilities. “If we play with a purpose and play with passion, victory is bound to happen!” she said.

Konig, who has not yet solidified her collegiate athletic ambitions, plans on finishing off her high school basketball career with a bang. As a four-year varsity player, Konig has shown leadership skills on and off the court.

A second-year captain of the squad, Konig vows to make every game count this season. Tallying 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks and 3 steals against Glenelg on Dec. 22nd, Konig intends to make a statement with this year’s team.

The Lady Vikings now head into their ninth county game, still holding on to an impressive 7-1 record. After losing a tough game this past Wednesday versus Centennial, they are nearing the mid-point of the season.

Although the Centennial loss tarnished the team’s perfect in-county record, Williams said, “We hit a bump by losing to Centennial, but it will make us stronger in the end.”

With a few tough games left in the regular season, Mt. Hebron has a particularly difficult set of match ups near the end of the season as they face off against Oakland Mills, followed by another away game versus Howard, and finally finishing the treacherous run at home against Atholton, all within 9 days.