Chesapeake Academy Unveils First Team, Fifth Grade Boys Basketball

By Amy Russell
Chesapeake Academy, a 30-year-old independent elementary school, recently announced the school’s first athletic endeavor, a fifth grade boys basketball team.
“In a time when very few elementary or even middle schools field athletic teams, it is my pleasure to introduce this team to the local area,” said Head of School Jay Scheurle. “This group of boys is very unique and they have parents that are some of the most remarkable in the fine history of our school.”

The members of the inaugural fifth grade basketball team include Jimmy Diamondidis, Mark Newman, Luca Hagen, Cormac Callanan, Brendan Cwalina, Tristan Duncan, Burt Gesner, Liam Eden, Jermaine Hall, Everett Cortes, Luke Marcoon, Nick Bertocchio, and Riley Dulaney.
Head coach Chris Diamondidis will lead the team, assisted by long-time Green Hornet coach Don Newman and Chesapeake Academy Advancement Director Chris Stewart, a former basketball player at Furman University and a current coach in the Broadneck Area Youth Sports program.
“Chesapeake Academy basketball affords every one of our kids an opportunity to stretch their boundaries in a supportive and nurturing environment to build a lasting memory of school spirit and friendship,” said Diamondidis. “The evidence supporting sports participation for young people is overwhelming. In the proper forum with the proper instruction, it has the power to build character and confidence while combating everything that is wrong outside of the confines of the domain of the game. Teamwork, leadership, participation, encouragement, respect, and humility are a few of the words that describe what we hope to evoke in the boys. Our ultimate goal is to weave these life skills into each individual, while giving them a fun and lasting experience.”
Currently, Diamondidis is working on completing a 15 game schedule that will include Anne Arundel County recreation league competition, as well as opponents from squads from Davidsonville, Broadneck and St. John the Evangelist.
Chesapeake Academy held an election on November 2 to choose the team’s mascot. The faculty, staff and students elected the Chesapeake Bay Retriever to represent the team. The Retriever won the school wide election with an overwhelming 66% of the vote, edging out both the Osprey and the Blue Heron.
“This team will bring a wealth of positive exposure to our school, further highlighting what makes Chesapeake Academy a premier learning community,” said Scheurle. “The opportunity to represent one’s school is unique and I am thrilled that our fifth grade boys can carry the “CA Way” into the athletic arena.”
Launching the team in the school’s 30th anniversary year makes it all the more memorable and brings it all together. “I would like to thank all the coaches, parents, and the boys for undertaking this wonderful venture. While our students have always excelled in the classroom and the community, we all look forward to seeing them display their creativity, character, and confidence on the court,” concluded Scheurle.