Evolution Success Stories

Annie Griffin - Woodson HS, Stonehill College

Annie Griffin began training with Evolution as a 7th grader.  Always a tall kid, we knew with her size and potential that Annie could become a very strong player one day.  She was very consistent with her training and continued to improve through middle school and into high school. 

Annie was a 4 year player at Woodson, but didn't get great opportunity on the Varsity team until her Senior season.  Her motivation grew as her high school career progressed.  Working harder than she had in her life, she got herself ready for her Senior season with a 6 day a week workout routine that included not just basketball training but a running routine, and weight lifting as well.

In her Senior season Annie took advantage of her starting role.  She was named team captain for the second season and became a true team leader.  Annie had a break out year averaging 14 points, 8 rebs, and earned All District Honors.  Her work ethic through out the years as well as her off season preparation paid off with a highly successful Senior season.  It continued to pay off as she signed a full scholarship to play basketball at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass. 

Freshman college preseason is one of the most difficult challenges in a basketball players life.  Annie took that challenge head on and used the summer to prepare herself.  Working out 6-7 days a week by running, lifting, jumping rope, and cycle-spin classes, Annie got her conditioning and foot speed to a level that she had never been before.  Most days included both basketball workouts and a second conditioning workout.  It paid off as she went into her preseason as prepared as possible.  Stonehill is D2 preseason ranked #5 in the Nation and picked to win the Northeast 10 Conference, a conference mostly considered the nations most competitive.  With a goal of winning a National Championship, Annie still has challenges ahead of her.  But with the work ethic she has shown in the past, she will be sure to meet all of them head on in the future.

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Spencer DeMars  -  Thomas Jefferson, Harvard University

Spencer DeMars is a unique individual.  Not many of us can say that we are 6'9", athletically gifted, and academically gifted.  Though it may seem as things have come easy to Spencer that is not the case.  He has worked for every bit of success he has had. 

Spencer began his basketball training as a freshman.  A typical 15 year old, he had not grown into his big frame yet and was still a goofy kid.  He didn't have success on the court through skill yet, he only had success because of consistent effort.  As the years progressed and Spencer's skills did as well, he began to change as a player.  He was no longer just the big kid that could rebound and work hard, he became the big kid who had to have the ball if Jefferson wanted to win games. 

Spencer practically perfected the art of simplicity as a post player.  He found success in 4 ways... the hook shot, rebounding, playing defense, and simply pivoting properly and effectively past defenders.  This put Spencer on the map as one of the best post players in the area.  His shining moment was certainly his game winning shot at rival Woodson HS as he helped his team to victory.

His senior season was a huge success as he averaged 14 points and 12 rebounds helping Jefferson to one of it most victorious seasons in recent memory and in the process receiving All-Liberty District Honors.

His success didn't end there.  Spencer graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School (ranked #1 in the U.S.) with over a 4.0 GPA and a perfect score on his SAT's.  Through his hard work on the court and in the class room, one of Spencer's life long dreams finally came true, the opportunity to play basketball at Harvard University.  Both of Spencer's parents graduated from Harvard as well as several other family members.  He grew up always wanting the Harvard experience, now not only will he be getting that, but achieving his dreams of playing there as well.