{"id":64,"date":"2013-01-23T19:25:47","date_gmt":"2013-01-23T19:25:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/?p=64"},"modified":"2018-06-05T17:26:54","modified_gmt":"2018-06-05T21:26:54","slug":"landstown-middles-mark-carney","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/landstown-middles-mark-carney\/","title":{"rendered":"Landstown Middle’s Mark Carney"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"EditedCompass<\/a>It never occurred to him that he shouldn\u2019t play basketball. Sure, his mother stepped in and didn\u2019t let him play football because it might be a little too much, but basketball? Why not?<\/p>\n

Mark Carney grew up playing with his cousin and friends. He played in recreational leagues at the YMCA. He watches and roots for Kevin Durant in the professional league. He simply loves the game.<\/p>\n

So, when it came time for tryouts for Landstown Middle School\u2019s basketball team, Carney was not going to allow the fact that he suffers from brachial plexus palsy – a condition, which, along with other ailments, has left him without use of his right arm – stop him from trying to earn his spot on the Lancer squad.<\/p>\n

\u201cI played with a lot of guys growing up,\u201d Carney said. \u201cIt kind of gave me the confidence to go try out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Try out, and succeed.<\/p>\n

Carney made the team (a team, by the way, that won the city championship the year before) and has become an integral part of the Landstown roster.<\/p>\n

\u201cMark is an inspiration to everyone on the team,\u201d said Head Coach Bob Flegal.\u00a0 \u201cHe is one of the hardest working players on the court and never gets discouraged.\u00a0\u201c<\/p>\n

Flegal added Carney continually amazes his teammates with his ability to play the game with just one hand \u2013 including shooting outside jump shots, dribbling and going in for layups.<\/p>\n

In return, Carney says it is his teammates who keep challenging him to dig deeper and work harder.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey push me and I push myself just to make sure I\u2019m on my game,\u201d Carney said, adding he has found an energy from just being on the team that makes him want to work harder.<\/p>\n

But Carney\u2019s hard work doesn\u2019t end there.<\/p>\n

He also is enrolled in the school\u2019s Gifted and Talented program, and says to be successful in school you have to push yourself in the classroom just as you do on the court.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to balance it out,\u201d Carney said. \u201cHomework, grades \u2013 that comes first; sports come after. It\u2019s all about practice and dedication.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carney is quick to point out while he may have a different path than others, his success is not unique. Anyone who wants to put in the work can experience similar results.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep striving for good school grades, or striving for whatever you want to do,\u201d he said. \u201cGo for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

*You can also read more about Mark in this recent Virginian Pilot article<\/a>, which features students with disabilities from around the region who participate in sports programs.<\/p>\n

Compass Keeper Q&A<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s your favorite book?<\/span><\/strong>
\nHomecoming <\/i><\/p>\n

What\u2019s your favorite subject?<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/b>Science and English<\/p>\n

Who is your favorite teacher? Why?<\/span><\/strong>
\nMs. Kramer \u2013 She often pushes me and that makes me keep going throughout the day.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s your favorite TV show?<\/span>
\n<\/b>True Life<\/p>\n

Who\/what inspires you?<\/span>
\n<\/b>A lot of my teammates and definitely my cousin, Jalen Turner<\/p>\n

What is your recommended study tip?<\/strong>
\n<\/em>Flash cards<\/p>\n

How do you like to relax after a long school day?<\/span>
\n<\/b>Watch TV.<\/p>\n

*Do you know someone who should be featured as a Compass Keeper? Send your nomination to news@vbschools.com<\/a>.<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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