Shamon Ehiemua

The Next Big Star

Lightning speed? Check. Long stride? Check. Explosive first three steps? Check. Killer Instinct? Check. At 6'1, Shamon Ehiemua has dominated the high school ranks for the last two seasons and should end his senior year as one of the most decorated sprinters in Texas track history. His chiseled lower body and stamina helps him obliterate competitors. Ehiemua is quick and explosive out of the blocks. He uses his innate speed to bend through the curve of the 200. Finally, he finishes them off with his stride.

Making it look EASY! Wind legal US #3 20.62 for Shamon Ehiemua #UILTFState @trvck_lvfe @FBMarshallTrack @TXMileSplithttps://t.co/g7WuizC96t

— MileSplit US (@milesplit) May 14, 2016

As a sprinter for Fort Bend Marshall High School, Ehiemua competes in the 100, 200, 400, and 800-meter races. He ranks first nationally in the men's 200 meter with his best time being 20.56 and second in the 100 meter with 10.29. He has led his school to back-to-back Class 5A state championships, as he has owned the 200. Last year, he helped his 400 and 800-meter relay teams win gold medals as they recorded the fastest times in the country. The Nigerian Blur was also nominated the Chronicles and TTFCA Track Athlete of the Year. Finally, he committed to Florida State and is a part of one of the best recruiting classes in school history. A class that includes the fourth rated 100-meter sprinter Chauncy Smart. Ricky Argro, the Seminoles sprints coach, wrote a handwritten letter that went a long way in reeling Ehiemua in. That along with the entire team meeting him at the airport on his official visit really sat well with the young sprinter. I talked to Ehiemua about a few things as he gears up for his final "run" in high school.

Ehiemua has always been someone who has prided himself on hard work. Part of his rise to being one of the best sprinters is his desire to be great. He grew up believing that you are only as good as your work ethic. With the success he started to see, he did not rest on his laurels. He said, "The previous success I've gained fuels me. I don't let complacency set in because I don't want to be the "greatest athlete you've never heard of."' All of that hard work has started to pay off, as he has become a leader for his team. Believe it or not, Ehiemua has not always been the biggest fan of running.

Ehiemua used to dread running track and the practices that came along with it. Let me be real for a second. Track is not the most enjoyable sport. In fact, most track athletes I know hate running, but they do it anyway because they feel it is their niche in life. Back to the story. Ehiemua would go to practice with little to no interest in participating. He would hide his spikes so he did not have to run or better yet he would hide himself. I am sure there are a few people that wish he successfully did so they would have never raced him. Then there was a time where young Ehiemua had an epiphany. He reflected and said, "One meet during the 4x100, I decided to actually run. I was first leg and by far the first to hand the stick off. The turning point was when I didn't realize the race wasn't over and I thought we won. So I ran up to my mom, not realizing I was on the "E" team, smiling, excited, and thinking we made it. The moment she told me we didn't was the moment I decided to take it seriously." It was at that moment a star was created.

 As track season becomes more and more imminent, Ehiemua, and his team, have worked on their strength, working on key areas that produce speed and power, running efficiently, and endurance. He has grown to love track, which is why he works so hard. With close friends and family, Ehiemua continues to push his ceiling and win races. He is thankful for his coach, Lloyd Banks, as he has helped nurture and keeps him focused through his high school career. Ehiemua continues to generate a bigger buzz with his success, rankings, and status as a future sprinter at FSU. The buzz he has garnered has been Olympic buzz. I definitely made sure I asked him about becoming an Olympian. He said, "Becoming an Olympian would be the highest point of my life, besides winning it of course. It's always been a dream of mine since I started to take track seriously." Ehiemua is extremely gifted, but his motor and humble spirit is a breath of fresh air. If he can continue to practice and progress, Ehiemua will most certainly be the next big star.

Jordan and Jalen

Lawndale's Future Focused on the Now

Lawndale High School is sitting pretty after their 38-14 drubbing of a Summit team led by USC commit Stephen Carr. Carr is considered one of the top backs in the country, but Jordan Wilmore looked like the best back on the field last Friday. Wilmore ran for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. Lawndale's Jalen Hamler, the quarterback, did a good job keeping the defense honest with his throwing. He went 11 of 17 for 138 yards and threw for a touchdown.

Heading into the game, I knew the Cardinals were one of the hottest teams in the playoffs. They had won six of their last seven including an opening round blowout over West Torrance. I texted Lawndale's head coach Travis Clark, my old coach at Santa Monica, and he described this team as a young group. However, if they bought into what he and his coaching staff were teaching, they could do some special things. The team seems to have bought in and is now on the cusp of a championship appearance. I got the chance to talk to Wilmore and Hamler about this season and more.

Wilmore started playing football at the age of seven. He said, "I knew I was gifted the first time my coaches put me at running back." Hamler started playing at the age of six and felt a connection with the game immediately. He said, "It's the only thing that never let me down, I knew I could always go lay on my bed and throw the football up and down to myself." JHam's, Hamler's nickname, passion for the game extends to his teammates as well.

Wilmore and Hamler are both first time starters coming from a different school. Wilmore transferred from Serra while Hamler came from Cathedral. Wilmore came to Lawndale because it was a better fit. Hamler felt like Lawndale was a program that was on the rise, he liked what he saw from the team in the offseason, and felt a bond with the players. Wilmore got ready for the season by working on his footwork, working on his speed, and lifting. Hamler learned how to hold the ball in the pocket, worked on his footwork, and throwing mechanics. The improvements the players made paid dividends for them this season.

Wilmore and Hamler provide a dynamic duo in the backfield and under center for the Cards. Before games, you can find them getting in the zone listening to Lil Uzi Vert, Future, Kodak Black, and other artists. Their music helps them loosen up as they get ready to strap up and hit the gridiron. Wilmore is just a sophomore and has rushed for over 2,200 yards. Hamler does not throw the ball a lot in a game, but he makes the most of his opportunities and takes care of the ball. He has thrown for 1,900 yards, rushed for over 500 yards, and scored 29 times all season. They impressed me with the level of poise they play with as young men. Against Summit, they never looked rattled and the moment never got too big for them. Their football perspective is a full 360 from mine when I was in high school. They took the criticism of Coach Clark in stride as well. They listened attentively, got their mind right, and made plays that broke the game wide open. Clark can be really tough to deal with and everybody cannot play for a guy with his coaching style. However, his coaching style wins games and that is why he has only missed the playoffs once. Hamler knows his coach is a perfectionist and focuses on the details, each play, and one-on-one battles. This is why their bond has the Cardinals heading to the CIF Semi-Finals.
Wilmore and Hamler’s relationship with Coach Clark extends well beyond the game of football. Both players can attest to the fact that he treats them like family. Hamler went into great depth about his coach. He said, "I look at Coach Travis as a father figure. Someone who treats us like family and wants to help us become better men for the future. He is worried about the present but also looking forward to the future, teaching me the rights and the wrongs of this world. Coach Travis Clark is the best head coach I ever had in my life and I'm thankful and grateful he gave me the opportunity to come to Lawndale and play for him." I can certainly agree with Hamler and Wilmore, as Clark has always been someone who genuinely cares for his players.

Although Lawndale looks like a juggernaut on both sides of the ball, the team has had its fare share of low points. Both players agreed that the losses to El Segundo and San Pedro hurt, but helped the team get back on track. The losses made the team tougher and helped build more chemistry. Wilmore believes this is a team of destiny because they practice better, listen to their coaches, and play for one another. It showed on Friday, as the players were genuinely excited for one another when someone made a play. They are not the only players that make big plays. They have players like Destond Hall, Hunter Williams, Steven Almada, Jaylen Stewart, Edward Vaki, and Makeel Esteen. Hall, Vaki, and Esteen mainly play defense, Almada plays on the offensive line, and Williams and Stewart make plays on offense at receiver. JJ Liavaa is another player that impressed me with his playmaking and passion.

The big guys up front do a good job for the duo. They do a good job opening holes big enough to drive a truck through. In addition, they provide their quarterback with enough time to pass. Wilmore said, “The o-line contributes a lot. They listen to their coach and it shows in the game. Without them I couldn’t have rushed for over 2,200 yards and JHam can’t throw.” Hamler also highlighted the fact that they work hard in preparation for the games.

This team is young, but they are extremely hungry for a CIF championship. They have come this far and feel like they might as well finish the deal. Wilmore and Hamler both feel like the Summit win helped them get more respect but know that winning a ring will shut people up.

Good luck to Wilmore, Hamler, and the Cardinals as they travel to Lancaster this Friday to play Paraclete. With a win, they get to play in the championship game.

Kaymen Cureton

 Leuzinger's Star Hungry for Success

Only only a few teams in their vicinity rival them but Leuzinger is back at the forefront of the South Bay football spotlight. For the last three years, the Olympians have been a team that has steadily improved and are now on the cusp of winning a CIF championship. They returned 15 starters and were instant favorites to make the playoffs. At 10-2, their senior quarterback Kaymen Cureton who brings a calming presence leads them. He is extremely gifted at 6'2, 200 pounds. Cureton can burn you with his legs or pick you apart with his arms. He has compiled 2,713 passing yards, 332 rushing yards, and 31 total touchdowns. Cureton describes himself as conscious, having bravado, and God-fearing. Those traits simply radiate off of him as a player and through the conversations we had.

 

I went to Leuzinger’s first playoff game a few weeks ago against Apple Valley in a 43-36 thriller. Heading into the game, all I heard was that the Olympians were really talented and had this highly touted quarterback. I got to the game just as the fourth quarter had started and I saw the score was close. I immediately thought “man if Leuzinger is this good why are they struggling in the first round?” Anyway the game wore on and it looked as though Apple Valley would pull off the upset. You know that saying, “pressure makes diamonds?” Well that night Cureton became a diamond as we led Leuzinger down the field with less than two minutes as he found Danthony Jones for the game-winner. He showed great poise for a guy staring down the gun barrel of defeat.

Cureton is able to play so composed despite being a high school quarterback because of his faith in God. His parents helped him realize that God is the "creator and beholder of all things." His faith helps him stay grounded and realize anything is possible. Also, he is the nephew of Tony Gwynn who instilled a great deal of wisdom in Cureton. His composure could also be attributed to the fact that he is a four-year starter. He played his first three years at quarterback for LA High. He led the Romans to the 2015 CIF Championship game where they lost. The loss humbled him as he referred to the game as being one of his worst performances.

Cureton would go on to transfer to Leuzinger before the 2016 season in a stunning move. With players like Antonio Haygood, Demontti Peoples, Andre Hunt, Victor Perez, and Sioeli Pulu returning, Cureton's addition made them the prohibitive favorites in Division 10. He felt like Leuzinger's spread offense gave him a better opportunity to get the exposure he needed to go to college. Cureton does, however, prefer the pro-style because its what is being ran in the NFL. He compares his playing style to Dak Prescott and his passion comparable to Sean Taylor. When asking about school, he said, "I enjoy school (Leuzinger). I mean its a fun well-established learning environment, with a lot of cool students and genuine staff."

"The Duke" started playing ball when he was 8-years old, but, as any young kid, he did not take it seriously. He realized football could get him to college and bring joy to his family as well as those close to him. Cureton was preparing himself for the mental and physical aspects of football at 12. As a freshman, he was a starter at LA High where he suffered plenty of mistakes early on. I mean who would not make mistakes at the age of 14? At that age most teenagers do not even know what they will be doing in five minutes. Fast forward a few years later, Cureton is a high school phenom with schools like LSU, San Diego State, Alabama, and Boston College offering him a scholarship. He is currently committed to San Jose State, but he is open to other schools. He labels this as being the most "vital" decision of his life. Cureton said, "I would say the hardest the thing about choosing a school is the aspect of trust. You have to grasp an understanding of authenticity not only with the coaching staff, but the guys amongst you too. The ones (schools) that you continue to build your brand at as an individual and with as a program. You want to be where you are most comfortable, somewhere that translates to the professional level. You have to understand that college football is and will always remain a business." No matter where he goes, Cureton wants to get a degree in business or journalism.

There is still a lot of work to be done on the field for this Olympian. Cureton hopes to bring Leuzinger another CIF championship, grow as a young man, network with people, and build his brand. Despite being quiet, he is hungry for success and I would simply describe him as a "Humble Beast." To the people that think this young man is all hype, Cureton has a few words for you: "God bless."

Good luck to Cureton and the Olympians as they continue to hunt for their ring.