An athlete is expected to make big strides and take his or her game to the next level in his or her junior season. The Gloucester Daily Times 2012 Rockport male Athlete of the Year Conor Douglass did just that.
Douglass was already a three-sport star as a sophomore, but as a junior he took his game to new heights on the soccer field, the ice and the baseball diamond. Douglass was not only a starter on three state tournament teams this school year, he was an All Star in hockey and soccer.
"He's been a contributor right from the beginning of his eighth-grade year," Rockport hockey coach Derek Papalegis said. "You forget how young he actually is because he's been around for so long. Early in his career he was just a puck possession guy but now he is really starting to dominate. He has taken the reins as a go-to guy on the offensive end."
He may have one more year left at Rockport High School, but Douglass has already accomplished more than most athletes would in their high school careers. He was a part of the most successful Rockport soccer team as a sophomore in the fall of 2010 as the Vikings won the Division 3 North Sectional title. He was also a member of the most successful hockey team in the Rockport High program's history; the team was the first to make it all the way to the Division 3 North Semi Finals.
On the ice this winter, Douglass led the 13-6-3 Vikings with 18 goals and was tied for the team lead with 28 points. He has a very good shot at 100 career points as he will enter his senior season next winter with 85 career points.
Douglass was also clutch as his third-period hat trick in December led the Vikings to a 3-1 win over Pentucket. He has also scored a state tournament goal in each of the last three seasons.
According to Papalegis, Douglass, one of the team's captains, established himself as a team leader this winter.
"He's not an outspoken kid, but he is absolutely a leader," Papalegis said. "He's always looking to make the smart play and it rubs off on his teammates. He does the right things on the ice and leads by example. He is certainly growing into the captain's role well."
His contributions obviously do not end on the ice as Douglass was the second leading scorer on the 14-5-2 soccer team. Douglass' game on the field mirrors his game on the ice as he has the talent to beat most defenders one on one with a combination of speed and quickness. He has also proven to be quite the finisher.
On the baseball diamond Douglass is a slick fielding middle infielder and a reliable bat at the top of the Vikings order.
Douglass had already burst onto the scene even before his junior season, and if he continues to improve in his senior campaign Rockport's opponents could be in for trouble.
Nick Curcuru may be contacted at 978-283-7000 x3444 or ncurcuru@gloucestertimes.com.
