Varsity freshmen are playing well beyond their years

Almost every spring a national caliber ninth grade softball pitcher tears through her high school opponents, the way Kaila Jenkins did at Severna Park a few years back. A promising young golfer can also change the fortunes of an entire team, as Stephanie Connelly proved at Northeast.

This season, a number of schools are benefiting from young guns, including Spalding girls‚ basketball team, which is particularly unusual because of the four freshman impact players on the roster.

Their contributions extend beyond skills: Freshman often play a little more recklessly than their older teammates. They haven’t been around the high school game enough to develop a fear — or even a respect — for the big-name opponents. Those good enough to make the team have usually acquired a sizable level of confidence on middle school or club teams.

Given the opportunity, they are willing to try new game plans and strategy. And unless they are benched for making mistakes, they can test themselves in ways that more experienced players fear.

But these great young players do present some issues for high school coaches and parents. It’s important that these adults don’t just sit back and enjoy the youth game.

The age and maturity difference between high school freshmen and seniors is a natural obstacle to team camaraderie. Parents don’t — or shouldn’t — want their 14-year-old freshmen spending all their free time with 18-year-olds. But teams need bonding time away from the field, so coaches have to create appropriate environments for players to become friends. And parents need to make sure that these youngsters also have time to spend with children their own age.

A few years back, a three-sport standout at an area school opted to graduate in three years and head to college to play basketball. Though she cited a variety of reasons, she mentioned at the time that most of her friends — teammates on the basketball, soccer and lacrosse teams — were older and would be gone if she stayed for her senior year.

Coaches also face potential unhappiness among older players when the youngsters are the stars. Generally, I see that handled well. By the time these kids are juniors and seniors, they recognize skill when they see it. And most seem willing to embrace the youthful influence and help these players along. But coaches need to help clear that path.

The tougher challenge to coaches is recognizing that the greatest contributions freshmen bring to the game — their excitement, enthusiasm and spark — is the toughest to maintain. When the thrill of making the team as a freshman begins to dim, some other joy has to take its place.

Sometimes, winning alone can keep players happy and motivated. And for some, there is joy in growing into a position of leadership.

But some just grow tired of the high school game. Some were the biggest or fastest freshmen, who watched teammates and opponents catch up with them. Some discovered that it’s not that much fun being the player everyone depends upon.

And so coaches and parents need to work just as hard with their freshman phenoms to ensure they continue to grow with the game. Just like every other player, they need to improve and be challenged, not just admired.

Effie Dawson writes about high school and youth sports. She can be reached at edawson@baltimoreexaminer.com.