By Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor
A PAIR OF former local athletic stars — Hickory’s Marc Mesaros and Lakeview’s Travis Jones — are making their marks in the coaching world in other parts of the country.
´´ Mesaros has built one of the most powerful football programs in the state of Maryland.
After his Eastern Tech High team lost in the state Class 2A state finals the last two years, the Mesaros-led Mavericks finally won the title this past season with a 16-8 victory over Queen Anne.
Mesaros has posted a 75-14 mark since taking over the reins at Eastern Tech, located in Baltimore County.
As an article on the Web site www.coachessaid.com about Mesaros pointed out: “He hasn’t built a great team; he’s built a great program. There’s a difference. Teams can be one-hit wonders — programs contend for titles every year.”
Marc is a 1987 Hickory High grad.
´´ Jones, who also knows how to build tremendous programs, recently posting his 300th career basketball coaching victory at Winter Springs High in Winter Park, Fla.
In winning a game at the Rotary Tip-Off Classic recently, it raised his record to 82-34 in 5 seasons at Winter Springs. Previously in 8 years at Edgewater he went 218-42 for a career mark of 300-76.
“It’s the result of a lot of good players and a lot of assistant coaches,” the humble Jones was quoted as saying in the Orlando Sentinel. “It’s a testament to them more than anything.”
Travis is a 1990 Lakeview High graduate.
ä The annual Holiday Doubles Handball Tournament at the Buhl Community Recreation Center Saturday will honor the late Tom Hemsing, who died on Nov. 5 while playing handball at the club.
A plaque will be dedicated and placed on the wall in the handball/racquetball court area during a special ceremony at noon. The tournament, which will be renamed in his honor, will begin at 1 p.m.
Following the tournament at 4 p.m., there will be a celebration of Tom’s life for family and friends at the Sharon American Legion hall. Tickets for the party may be purchased for $25 and all proceeds will be donated to the Buhl center in Tom’s name.
