- April 23, 2024
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After putting up a fight, the Father Lopez Green Wave lost to Faith Christian 51-43 Tuesday, Jan. 20, in what could potentially be seniors Hogan MacIntyre, Malik Maitland and Brad Donley’s last home game.
Coach Eddie Miller, who has witnessed growth in each of his senior’s lives over the years, talked about the players they’ve all become.
“We’re trying not to think that this might be their last home game,” he said. “But they work extremely hard, and they’re fun to coach. It means a lot to have coached them because Malik, Brad and Hogan have been with the program for three years on varsity.”
Maitland led all players with 25 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and three assists, and Richard Perez added 12 points, four rebounds and three steals.
As the game progressed, an exhausted Maitland, with a sweat-drenched undershirt, continued to lean over fatigued. When asked if it he played harder because it was senior night, Maitland replied, “I try to play like it’s my last game every time I get on the court. We always play hard, but the other team was clicking and executed, and we didn’t make enough plays.”
Maitland, who has already committed to Morehead State, was recently nominated to play in the McDonald’s All-American game in April.
“It’s an honor to be nominated to play in that game,” Maitland said. “I just want to be a good influence for my school and my community, and I don’t want to wait until I leave; I want to make a difference now.” On what he will miss the most about Father Lopez, Maitland said he would miss the people, everyone from his best friends to the janitors. He said that everyone at the school is really supportive of everyone.
Having coached Maitland these past three years, Miller said about his star player, “Malik has become a complete player. He has improved his perimeter game, and he’s developed the ability to create his own shot.”
The Green Wave has three games remaining in their regular season, and they will begin district play.
“We’re getting better defensively. We’ve lost a lot of close games, so we have to do better in the fourth quarter.”
