Ahmed's Role Grows As Panthers Seek District Title
After finishing third in the Dulles District behind Broad Run and Heritage in 2005-06, the Potomac Falls boys basketball team is seeking a return to its form of the previous two seasons, when the Panthers claimed back-to-back district championships.
Senior Azhar Ahmed, a 6-foot-2-inch post player who averaged 12.3 points per game over the first month of the 2006-07 season, will play a big role should the Panthers make a push for their third crown in four years when the district tournament comes next month.
"This year, we have a stronger goal in mind after losing last year in the district semifinals in a heartbreaker," Ahmed said. The Panthers, who went 16-8 a year ago, were 6-3 at press time.
Ahmed, an excellent student, is a member of the school's National Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society and the Academic Challenge. He is Student Council Parliamentarian, as well as a member of the Potomac Falls track and field team, where he competes in hurdles, long jump, triple jump, and high jump. Ahmed was recently accepted by the University of Virginia, where he will pursue a major in medicine.
The work ethic the senior demonstrates on and off the court has impressed coach Jeff Hawes, who is in his 10th season at the helm of the Panthers. "He's a quiet leader and works extremely hard," the coach said.
"Azhar is a team player and is smart with the basketball. He's vocal and gives constructive criticism. He's a leader, which makes him a valuable teammate and player."
During the off-season, Ahmed worked to improve his rebounding as well as his speed and strength, and it has paid off. "[Azhar] worked really hard in the weight room during the off-season," Hawes said. "He has developed a much better shot as well as a couple of moves that make him difficult to defend."
Along with wing Cory Flickinger and point guard Ben Biber, Ahmed is being looked upon by Hawes to lead the Panthers deep into the postseason. "We want to get as far in the postseason as we can," Ahmed said. "And I think our talent this year has the potential to carry us to states.
"Everyone on the team has a different role and as long as we can play our roles, we can do big things."
Hawes, a player's coach if ever there was one, has been a major reason for the Panthers' success in his decade at the school. "He's a fun-loving coach that the players can relate to," said senior post player Bray Byrd. "But at the same time there is an immeasurable respect that each player has for him. He brings out the best in the players not because he asks for it, he expects it.
"Everyone knows that and wants to do the best to help the team."
The Panthers jumped out to a good start this season behind what may be the deepest rotation in the district. "We don't have a single weak player," said Biber, a three-year starter. "The overall speed of our team makes us stand out in the district. Knowing how deep we are allows everyone to give 100 percent all the time. Even if you're tired, we'll keep rolling, knowing there's somebody to play for you allows you to go."
Ahmed agrees: "We're going to focus even more on defense this year because what we get on offense is a direct result of what we put in on defense. I think our speed and the depth of our bench will help us pull through at the end of the season."
