(Enlarge) Already committed to the University of Maryland on a football scholarship, senior standout Dave Stinebaugh showed his dedication to Perry Hall by making a huge impact playing in the paint for the Gator basketball team last winter. (staff photo by Matt Roth)

Dave Stinebaugh had no intention of playing basketball last winter.

With a football scholarship from the University of Maryland already secured, the Perry Hall High tight end/linebacker wanted to concentrate on training for the 2009 fall season with the Terrapins.

However, after some pushing and prodding from a few friends -- who played both football and basketball -- he was persuaded to play hoops after all.

Stinebaugh changed his mind after friends pointed out that the Gators lacked a credible inside presence, and that the 6-foot-4, 223-pound senior could have a major positive impact on the squad as a tenacious defensive-minded center.

Once he committed to the plan, Stinebaugh also realized that there was an added benefit, saying "it also helped me get in shape."

His coach said the benefit to the team was more obvious.

"We probably wouldn't have won half the games we did without him," Perry Hall basketball coach Erik Evanosky said.

As a member of Perry Hall's football team, the 2009 Northeast Booster Reporter Male Athlete of the Year played an even more crucial role on the field than he did on the court.

Stinebaugh committed to Maryland in June of 2008, although other schools, such as Rutgers University and the universities of Connecticut and Virginia expressed interest in recruiting him. Michigan State and Wake Forest universities were other possible destinations.

That the three-year two-way starter chose the Terrapins should make fans of the team very happy.

"He has a rare combination of size, speed and ball skills," Perry Hall football coach Keith Robinson said. "When we were in big games, he usually stepped up and made some big plays. The kids were always looking for him to do something, and he usually delivered."

Known more for his offense, the glue-fingered Stinebaugh caught 45 passes for 632 yards and nine touchdowns to spark the Gators to nine wins in 12 games last fall.

He also dominated on defense, leading the team with seven interceptions and five fumble recoveries while ranking third in tackles with 73.

"The offense we ran was one of the most complicated in the county. It helped me understand everyone else's offense," said Stinebaugh, who played football in the Perry Hall rec program for six years before joining the Gators as a freshman. "I was always able to be around the ball when things happened. "

Stinebaugh had some memorable games last year, including a 34-0 playoff victory over Frederick's Thomas Johnson High in which he hauled in six receptions for 82 yards and two scores while picking off two passes and recovering a fumble.

Moreover, he recorded 19 tackles and intercepted a pass in a 17-14 overtime conquest of Hereford. His two critical stops inside the 5-yard line in the final minutes of regulation prevented the Bulls from scoring the go-ahead touchdown.

On the basketball court, no one was happier to see Stinebaugh play than Evanosky.

"He did so many things on the court that were positive," the coach said.

Evanosky called Stinebaugh the best passing big man he has coached in a decade. He ranked second on the team in assists with 42, despite joining the team late because of football.

Stinebaugh didn't play the sport as a junior, but started on the JV as a freshman and sophomore.

"He sees the court very well," Evanosky said. "He was very good at throwing (the ball) the length of the court so we could get fastbreak layups. I never had anybody that could do that as well as he did."

Stinebaugh, however, was more crucial to the team for his defense in the paint, providing the Gators a strong inside presence as an adept shot-blocker and rebounder.

His best performances came in wins over Owings Mills (7 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 blocks), Towson (8 rebounds, 5 steals, 10 assists, 4 blocks) and Southwestern (8 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 blocks).

While playing basketball kept Stinebaugh, who played lacrosse his first three seasons at Perry Hall, in excellent shape, he also has worked with personal trainer Pete Eibner the past two years.

The extra work paid off when he ran a 40-yard dash in under 4.5 seconds in a recent workout, slicing over a second off his original time in the event.

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