DEMITRIUS COVINGTON- PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL

Tell everyone about yourself?
Hello my name is Demitrius Covington. I'm a sophomore at Portland High School. I am
5'8 and Love to play basketball. I didn't begin playing to about 8th grade but when I did begin, I didn't stop. Right Now I'm currently playing AAU for Maine Impact. Our season is going alright, we are 6-4.

What was your best game?
My best game was last year when I played my heart out and had 25 points and 5 assists. We were down by 10 going into the half but then I began to heat up. I scored 15 points in the second half but it still wasn't enough, our team lost by 4 points.

Why are sports/education important to you?
Sports and education are important to me because in the household I live in, its the only way out. I want to do everything I can to change the blood line of me and my family.

What can you do to make yourself better in your sport?
I make myself better by getting in the gym everyday and working on my game, analyzing what I did wrong in the prior game, and try to fix the problem.

What is your dream college?
I don't really have a dream college. Just going to college is a dream for me.

If a College Coach ask you, how can you make our team better, what would you say?
I'm a very diverse player. I can shoot the ball and control the tempo of the game. I have a great drive to my game and all criticism I take in a positive way so I can strive to better my game.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
To the other athletes out their, stay focused don't get wrapped up in the hype and the parties. Just focus on your dream and do whatever you have to do to reach your goals.

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FAZIL ITSINZI- PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL

Tell everyone about yourself?
My name is Fazil Itsinzi and I play basketball. I am a 5'7 point guard from Portland High in Maine. I've been playing basketball for 6 years. Last year I got mentions in CT to be a great upcoming point guard in the state. I play for an AAU team that goes by Yellow Jackets from Portland Maine. I average close to 4 assist per game as well as 10+ points.

What was your best game?
My best game was when I played a team that goes by Keenebuck and we were down 20 by half. I had 26 points, 3 turnovers, and 6 assist at the end of the game. I had 13 in the 4th quarter and with the help of my teammates we beat them by 6

Why are sports/education important to you?
Sports and education are important to me because if there wasn't any basketball program in my school I wouldn't be as dedicated and focused as I am in the class room. I know the great progress I make in the classroom makes my parents happy and they have no reason not to let me play basketball. I have good grades and good attendance in all my classes. I have a 3.2 GPA and I am going to continue my success on the court and off.

What can you do to make yourself better in your sport?
For me to get better in sports, I have to have trust in myself meaning I have to be confidence in everything I do on the court and be a leader. Almost 5 out 7 days of the week I am doing basketball workouts, basketball courses, and I do all these steps each day just to get better. I know the season is over but I am dedicated to be the best I can be.

What is your dream college?
I feel like I would be great at Wake Forest University. I like the new coaching staff which this year is Jeff Bzdelik. I felt like when he coached the Denver Nuggets back in 2005 he made them a run and gun team and I feel like that's my style of play. He would help me a lot to mature in the game.

If a College Coach ask you, how can you make our team better, what would you say?
I would have to say leadership and have the heart to take on any challenge there is. I know my height wouldn't give me a lot of advantages so I would use my speed and my leadership to do whatever I can to make the results worth living with. I would make sure everyone is in position and I wouldn't let the game get out of hand. I would take everything my coach would expect of me, use what he expects, and as well as what it takes to win. Also, I'll be the coach on the floor.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
Be somebody. Make sure you give it all you got no matter what the results are. Just know when things aren't going good that means you have to take the negative and work harder to make them positive. Most importantly, play every game like it's your last and just to play with you heart.

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SHABANI KARIM- PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL

Tell everyone about yourself?
My name is Shabani Karim. I'm 5'8 and I'm a sophomore at Portland High School in Maine. I play basketball there and I'm a guard. I also play for the AAU team "Maine Impact". I'm averaging 15.8 ppg, 4.2 apg, 1.5spg, and 3.2 rpg.I love to eat, chill with my friends and family, workout, and play video games. My favorite video game is 2k10 because Kobe is on the cover and that's my favorite player.

What was your best game?
My best game was against Biddeford. I had 32 points, 6 assist, and 7 steals. We lost the game but me and my team were down 20 at half, we came back, and lost by 3.

Why are sports/education important to you?
Sports and education are important to me because if basketball doesn't work out for me I will have something to fall back on. You really don't know where life might take you so take advantage of your education because the sky is limit.

What can you do to make yourself better in your sport?
I wake up every morning at 5 and go down to the park or the school, if it's open, and shoot 300 shots. I would work on my handles and I work out 3 times a week.

What is your dream college?
My dream college is Syracuse because of their great basketball program. One of my favorite point guards came out of Syracuse, Jonny flynn. The coaching staff there is nice and well respected by many.

If a College Coach ask you, how can you make our team better, what would you say?
I am a player who plays for the love of the sport. If I saw some one not working hard or putting them self down, I would talk to them and tell them how to improve their game and help them.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
Keep your head up and always work hard because it will pay off, I promise. Always go beyond your goals.

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