GEORGETOWN — The competitor in Tyler Wade says he's just not going out like this.
After suffering through some by other members of his senior class quitting in both football and hoops, Wade has endured through two extremely tough seasons — 1-9 on the gridiron and currently 6-12 on the hardwood.
"We've just been so used to doing well and making the playoffs, but both teams are just so young," said Wade. "In football, we had one other senior. And we've only got three others in hoops."
Wade had one card left to play, and he fired the ace onto the table a bit earlier when he decided that after not playing it since eighth grade, he'll return to the baseball team.
"I just can't picture myself not playing another high school sport," said Wade, who hopes first-year coach Justin Spurr likes what he sees in the aspiring outfielder. "I had to play one more season in high school, so baseball is it. I've been practicing a lot (indoors) over the last month. And I still have my arm from football. I'm just going to do what I can to work hard in the preseason and earn my spot."
Wade has scouted the baseball team, a Division 3-4 power statewide the last few seasons, and he sees that ace righty Ryan Browner is back for one more campaign, too.
How couldn't Spurr welcome a leader to the fold? Here's a two-sport captain, who has done anything he could for both programs, including sacrificing his own game for the long-term future of the program.
"I've learned how to find the positive in working with the young guys," said Wade, who ranks sixth in the region at 17.0 points a game. "We have to get them going in the right direction. I was used to being a younger kid, looking up at people. That whole role has switched. I definitely got a taste of it in football.
"It doesn't make losing any easier. But you have to go in with the same attitude that you want to go in and make the team better."
A strong student, Wade has a tough choice ahead academically.
Part of him wants to continue competing athletically, and the likes of Emmanuel, Nichols and Regis have all been in touch for basketball.
In the back of his mind, though, Wade is thinking about the full college experience.
"I still haven't decided. I'm thinking about going down South and heading to a real university," said Wade, who has already been accepted at NCAA football runner-up Louisiana State and is waiting to hear from South Carolina and North Carolina State.
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