Kenneth Sumpter Jr. Named March 2017 US Army Impact Player of the Month

Kenneth Sumpter Jr., a member of the basketball and football teams at Havre de Grace High School in Harford County, is the US Army Impact Player of the Month for March!

Sumpter, a senior, is the third recipient of the award from Harford County. He was nominated for the award by Brian Eberhardt, who coaches both basketball and football at Havre de Grace.

"All four years he has been an example of what a student-athlete should be," Eberhardt said. "He's truly an extension of the coach on the floor. I've never seen him put down a teammate ever. He leads by example - Kenneth is always the first guy at practice and the last to leave."

Sumpter has made a major impact for both programs at Havre de Grace.

A guard, Sumpter was a four year member of the Warriors' varsity basketball team. He surpassed 1,000 career points scored in a 32 point and 12 rebound effort against Perryville on Feb. 10. Sumpter averaged 23.7 points a game this season for Havre de Grace, which finished 18-7. He also set the school record for career three-pointers made.

The Warriors reached the Maryland Public Secondary School Athletics Association 1A North regional final, where they lost 81-77 in overtime to the eventual state champion, Fairmont Heights. Sumpter scored 31 points in his final high school basketball game.

Sumpter was equally productive for the football program as a wide receiver and safety. He hauled in the game winning pass to down Perryville and retain the Susquehanna Bowl for Havre de Grace with under a minute in the game. Havre de Grace reached the MPSSAA 1A state championship at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Though the team lost in the final to Fort Hill, Sumpter still excelled, catching a touchdown pass.

"It was a surreal feeling, getting to play in a college stadium. It was a really big test, I'd never been on a big stage like that before," Sumpter said. "I learned how important it was to stay poised, and I did my best to carry that to basketball season."

Sumpter's athletic talent has been matched by his prowess in the classroom.

He holds a 3.54 GPA while taking seven classes at the AP level. Sumpter has not gotten lower than a B in any of his AP or honors classes, and has been on the honor roll throughout his entire education. He tutors fellow students in algebra, and also plays the trumpet for both the symphonic concert and jazz bands.

Sumpter is also a recipient of the MPSSAA's Minds in Motion Award, which highlights student athletes that hold at least a 3.25 GPA while playing a sport. He's also been a member of the National Society of High School Scholars since 2015.

"It comes from my parents. They set a level of expectation that school is first, then sports," Sumpter said. "I kept that mentality throughout high school- paying attention in class and getting good grades was just expected."

Sumpter is also active in his community. He sings in the choir, plays trumpet, acts as a junior usher and is also mentor at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Sumpter has helped put together food packages for the less fortunate during the holidays, and has also assisted the Harford House with the preparation of temporary housing for homeless families in transition.

"Helping out others gives me a satisfaction knowing I'm making an impact in someone's life that could really use it," Sumpter said. "Putting together a food basket during the holidays for someone who is going through a tough time is just a great feeling- seeing them smile is all I need."

Sumpter is in the process of figuring out where he wants to attend college next year. He plans to play basketball at the collegiate level and has received interest from multiple NCAA D3 schools, as well as a few D2 programs.

The Impact Player of the Month Award is given to an individual who has impacted their team in a positive way, both on and off the field. Nominations will be accepted from any high school that reports scores to CSZ year-round, and can be submitted by parents, coaches, teachers or fellow students. Each honoree will receive a custom trophy from Crown Trophy and the opportunity for a videotaped award presentation at their school with a member of the U.S. Army.

County Sports Zone would like to thank the U.S. Army for sponsoring the Impact Player Award!

To watch Kenneth get presented his award, click here!

Congratulations to Kenneth!