LAUREN GILBERT SCORES 1,000TH POINT
On December 23rd, in the Fighting Highlanders’ game against Seton LaSalle, senior Lauren Gilbert became the third woman in Baldwin High School history to score 1,000 points in her varsity basketball career.
Gilbert was introduced to sports by her father.“ My dad put me into a bunch of sports when I was little,” Gilbert told the BHS Purbalite.“ I ended up just falling in love with the sport.” She has been playing basketball since second grade and has been a starter all four years of high school. Gilbert has committed to play for Washington & Jefferson College this fall.
BALDWIN BASKETBALL COACH JOE URMANN IS ON A ROLL aldwin-Whitehall BALDWIN-WHITEHALL SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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With a 13-5 record at press time, the Baldwin Highlanders Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team was contending for their first section championship in years, and a huge part of their success is due to the tireless efforts of coach Joe Urmann.
In his 6th year as the boys’ varsity head coach, Urmann guided his team to a top-100 statewide ranking, according to high school basketball scouting site MaxPreps. As fun as this year’ s ride has been to watch, it’ s also been gratifying for the coaches, players, and fans alike.
“ Going into the year, I don ' t think many people had a lot of expectations for us,” says Urmann.“ This is one of the, if not the, best defensive teams I ' ve coached since I ' ve been here. That ' s where it all starts for us. But the intangibles that these kids bring are incredible. They are very coachable and hard-working. I ' ve been telling them that the difference between good and great teams is often that good teams are coach-led and great teams are player-led. These players have taken on more leadership roles, which is a huge credit to them.”
Urmann’ s love of teaching and team-building is one big reason he’ s been so successful as a coach.“ I love the idea of taking a group of individuals and helping them achieve something together,” says Urmann.“ Everybody wants to feel that they are a part of something, and team sports provide that opportunity. Building relationships with players and seeing them grow and mature is extremely rewarding.”
For students who want to excel in sports – and for parents who want to help their kids achieve those goals – Urmann has some tips.“ Set goals, and then be sure your work ethic and habits are aligned with those goals. Parents: be your child ' s biggest supporter, but understand that a child ' s experience in sports is their journey and they should take ownership of it. And believe in them. Kids need that.”
Congratulations to Coach Urmann and the 2016-2017 Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team on a successful season, and best wishes to them in applying their on-court lessons to their future studies and careers!