Ellie Ferguson

Ellie Ferguson is a great student athlete who attended HTRW for many years and all throughout high school. Whether it was crossing up her opponents or making the HTRW boys run during training sessions because of her free throw shooting, she always gave her very best. Ellie is not only a great player, but she is a brilliant young woman who has provided supreme leadership and a model of what a true HTRW student athlete is.

HTRW: Where are you going to college? Also, what are you studying and do you plan to continue to play basketball?

Ellie: I attend the University of Virginia (UVA) but my major is undecided. I love playing basketball so I am planning on playing on a co-ed intramural team. I want to keep basketball in my life in some capacity because I have had such success with it thus far.

HTRW: What are your basketball accomplishments to date, and your favorite aspects of basketball?

Ellie: I love how fast paced basketball is, and how everyone has to learn everything. This is very unlike other sports where you only have to play offense or defense. In basketball, you have to be a well-rounded player in all aspects of the game to be a great player. I had my greatest accomplishments in high school where I was a four-year varsity player, and a three-year starter. Over the course of my high school career, I scored over 1,000 points (1,020 to be exact), and was also the number one free-throw shooter in Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. my senior year. My sophomore year, I made first team All Dulles District AA. My junior and senior year I made second team All Cedar Run District AAA.

HTRW: Wow! It is great to see what a decorated player you have become through your hard work and dedication.

HTRW: What are your academic accomplishments to date, and your favorite things about school?

Ellie: I was accepted into UVA, and I just started my second year there. In high school, I graduated at the top 5% of my class, was on the All A Honor Roll all four years, and was one of the editor-in-chiefs for my school’s year book. I was also a Loudoun County Public Schools Excellence in Education Honoree and invited Coach Ken as my mentor. At the end of my senior year, I received the United States marines Scholastic Excellence Award, one of the only awards for which you didn’t apply. 

HTRW: It is never an easy thing to balance a sport and school and excel in such an astounding way. Keep up the great work academically because going above and beyond in the classroom will open many doors of opportunity!

HTRW: What drives you on a personal level and in basketball?

Ellie: In both basketball and in life, I like people to be proud of me-whether it be coaches, teachers, or my parents. I really hate letting people down. When I’m given a responsibility or job, I do it to my full potential and don’t hold back. “Go hard or go home” is what I always say.

HTRW: You really do have the drive of a true leader. You feel the positive pressure from others who want to follow in your footsteps and have the motivation not to let them down. That is fantastic!

HTRW: What are your basketball goals and non-basketball related goals?

Ellie: My biggest basketball goal right now is to keep playing the sport that I love, which is why I am going to play on a co-ed intramural team here at UVA. For non-basketball related goals, I’m currently in the middle of deciding what my major will be.

HTRW: Playing intramural basketball is a great opportunity because it allows you to meet new friends and keep basketball in your life in some capacity!

HTRW: What is an interesting fact about yourself that most people would not know?

Ellie: No one really knows, but I actually love to sing. In fact, I recently joined an a capella group at UVA.

HTRW: You know, we've had a few players say this as well. It might be a worth trying to work in a HTRW a capella training session once a month! But in all seriousness, congrats on joining an a capella group and we know that UVA has a rich tradition of a capella singers. As you already know, the movie "Pitch Perfect" in 2012 that featured one of UVA's a capella groups. 

HTRW: What is your funniest Coach K moment?

Ellie: One of the funniest moments with Coach K for me actually happened back when I first started training with him. For a while, I didn’t do any group training sessions, just individual ones. The group sessions were always right after mine though. After I trained with Coach for a while, he would let me shoot free throws at the end of my sessions, and if I swished them, the guys in the next group session had to run a victory sprint. Coach trained me so well that after a bit, it was basically an automatic sprint for the guys. I’m pretty sure they all hated me for it, but Coach was always laughing his head off at the whole thing. 

HTRW: This is hilarious! Coach K always finds a way to get a good laugh in and his methods are spot on! Not only were you getting shooting practice, but the guys were getting a little extra workout before training started. Ellie, Best of luck to you this year in college and please keep us updated on your progress!

Player Spotlight: Michael Martinez

Michael Martinez has been one of the most identifiable faces of Hoops The Right Way for years. Upon his graduation from Broad Run High School this past June, he made the decision to attend Georgetown University. Michael plans on studying business but is undecided on whether he wants to study business administration or international business. He is passionate about reading, watching TV and spending time with friends and family.

HTRW: Michael, what are your academic accomplishments to date, and your favorite aspects of school?

Michael: My favorite aspect of school is the ability to learn new things everyday and challenging myself to think for myself. I graduated with a class ranking of 24/441 (top 6%) and was on the AB honor roll every quarter. I earned over $200k in merit scholarship money from different colleges that recruited me for baseball. I turned down almost all of them except for a $2,500 scholarship from the Broad Run Athletic Booster Club. I also earned the College Board AP Scholar Award and the National Scholar/Athlete Award presented by the United States Army Reserve.

HTRW: This is absolutely astounding. You not only pushed yourself on the basketball court but went above and beyond in the classroom. People like you are few and far between so keep up the great work because doors of opportunity will start swinging open for you. 

HTRW:  What are your basketball accomplishments to date, and your favorite aspects of basketball?

Michael: I was a two-year varsity letter winner and part of the 2014 Broad Run High School Basketball District Tournament Championship Team. As for on the court, I love to shoot. However, I would have to say my favorite aspect is that basketball resembles life in a few ways and it has taught me many lessons that I plan to take with me to college.

HTRW: The article written by the Loudoun Times describes your shooting ability perfectly. “Michael Martinez has deadly accuracy from beyond the arc.” I couldn’t agree more. http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/sports/article/spartan_hoops_making_their_mark952 

HTRW: What drives you on a personal and athletic level?

Michael: For a long time the negativity of others and proving other people wrong has driven me in almost every aspect of life and sports, including basketball. I always wanted to prove to myself and others that I was capable of getting the job done and doing it well. I have an inner passion and drive to be the best so I could never imagine giving up or quitting.

HTRW: Your drive to succeed was very apparent during games and every time you came to training. You were by far one of our most competitive athletes. It's safe to say that you rank in the top 6% in the classroom and on the court for competitiveness.    

HTRW: What are your basketball goals and non-basketball related goals?

Michael: My basketball goals now are just to have fun being the best player I can be. I am more focused on my college education now and maximizing those opportunities. I think that going to Georgetown University will be a great learning experience for me and I want to make sure I go to class focused on the task at hand each and everyday.

HTRW: That is a great outlook to have. College takes a different level of focus and drive which you clearly have!

HTRW: What is an interesting fact about yourself that most people would not know?

Michael: I was recruited by multiple D3 schools (between 7-10) to play baseball. I also had an article written about me in Gameday Magazine:
http://mvp.gamedaymagazine.com/rumor_mill/2014/04/martinez-no-hitter-spartans-win-two-in-tourney.php

HTRW: An outstanding two sport athlete with college recruitment offers to show for it and an unbelievable student... That is extremely commendable. 

HTRW: What is your funniest Coach K moment?

Michael: My funniest Coach K moments are mimicking the things he says in good nature. He has a few things he says a lot like "instant pudding" or "square up shoot ya shot" (in Coach K's accent), etc. Also his laugh where he wiggles his knees and nearly pushes someone over while laughing.

HTRW: I only had to listen to half of your response to know exactly what you are talking about! Coach K is by far one of the greatest coaches to learn from and play for. Make sure you bring his fun loving and hardworking nature to any court you play on and any classroom you step into. Best of luck to you this year in college and make sure you keep us updated on everything!

HTRW Player Spotlight: Justin Hart

  
Who is Justin Hart?
HTRW: Justin Hart is an 18 year old senior at Broad Run High school. He is involved in many school activities and actively displays his school spirit on a regular basis. Check out the picture!  



What are your academic accomplishments to date and your favorite aspect of school? 
Justin: I have been on the AB honor roll throughout my entire high school career and will be attending James Madison University (JMU) in the fall. My favorite aspect of school is seeing all of my friends on a daily basis especially with the huge life changes that are about to happen.

HTRW: JMU is a great school! With your physical basketball ability along with your basketball knowledge you should really try to walk on or make the club team. Both are great programs that will help you grow as a player and a person. 

  

What is an interesting fact about yourself that most people would not know? 
Justin: Everyone usually likes steak but for some reason I actually don't like steak.

HTRW: Don't even worry about it! You have just made your parents a bit happier and their pockets a bit heavier by that response. 
 


What is your greatest basketball accomplishment and favorite part about the game?
Justin: I was the captain of the Broad Run High School boys varsity basketball team. This year we made it to the regional finals through a great deal of hard work, dedication and will. My favorite aspect of basketball is definitely passing. I love seeing channels on the court that my teammates may not see. It can also be a high risk high reward situation which really adds to the excitement.

HTRW: Being able to see potential cuts that players may make and passing to the spot takes a ton of skill. That is truly what separates the good from the great in this game. If you ever watch Chris Paul play, he plays with a great deal of what I like to call "predictive movement." He makes a move or a pass before his teammates takes a cut which leads to easy baskets and the crowd going wild!

  

What drives you? 
Justin: What drives me is to be better than the person next to me. I have no doubt in my mind that I will work harder than anyone else or I will pass out trying.

HTRW: Very deep! I watched a YouTube video on Will Smith a few weeks ago and the interviewer asked what made him great. He responded, "I am willing to die on a treadmill." Will Smith went on to explain that even if he is doing a simple task, he feels in competition with himself and others. He was eluding to dying before he gives up trying. Your statement is extremely powerful and it is something that I hope will benefit others from reading.



What are your basketball goals and non-basketball related goals? 
Justin: I would love to coach high school basketball as a start. After I get my foot in the door I hope coaching opportunities at higher levels open up. However, my first priority is to finish college!

HTRW: Yes, finish college first because trust me it will make your parents very happy. Keep pushing in the direction of your dreams and doors will open up that you cannot see at this moment. You are just scratching the surface!