The best Maryland sportswriting of 2018

It’s been a wild year in Maryland sports, with some inspiring highs and depressing lows. For our last story of 2018, let’s remember some of the best stories told about the Terps this year.

We’ve already written about our favorite moments, but so many of these stories are about what happens behind the scenes. They’re about what makes sports (and college sports in particular) special. Here are some of our favorites. Let us know in the comments what stood out most to you this year.

Our best stories

Why Matt Canada’s offense can be a game-changer for Maryland football
Jared Goldstein broke down what Canada, then the Terps’ newly-hired offensive coordinator, would be bringing to College Park. (When it worked, it really worked.)

In basketball and academics, Kristen Confroy has left her mark on Maryland
Justin Fitzgerald on the Terps’ senior guard, who’s now in medical school.

Maryland baseball alums have relished their time in MLB organizations
Alex Murphy on the professional journeys of Adam Kolarek, Brandon Lowe, Mike Shawaryn and LaMonte Wade (Lowe made his MLB debut this year, joining Kolarek on the Rays)

Maryland track & field is building, and the NCAA Championships are the next step
Thomas Kendziora details the challenges and successes of Andrew Valmon’s team.

Reflecting on Jordan McNair’s heartbreaking death
Thomas Kendziora on how tragedies force us to appreciate life.

Injuries forced Caleb Henderson to end his playing career early. Now he’s starting his football coaching journey.
Thomas Kendziora profiles the quarterback who didn’t pan out at Maryland, but is entering a new chapter.

A National Signing Day look at Maryland basketball’s 2019 class
Lamar Johnson

From around the beat

Some families go the distance to support Maryland men’s basketball team — The Baltimore Sun
Don Markus writes about families who travel thousands of miles to watch every Terps game.

A hug on the mound put cancer survivor Billy Phillips at ease before his Maryland debut — The Washington Post
Scott Allen on the left-hander’s triumphant return to the mound after beating leukemia.

Coaching brotherhood: Maryland men’s lacrosse coaches past and present have a unique bond — The Diamondback
Scott Gelman on the relationships between John Tillman, Dave Cottle and the late Dick Edell.

From the Top: Adam Hughes. Journeys in Collegiate Coaching — AVCA Volleyball
Megan Kaplon on how the Terps’ new head coach got here.

Maryland’s Kasim Hill and his 12-year-old sister have each other’s back — The Washington Post
Emily Giambalvo details the bond between the Terps’ quarterback and his younger sister, who has down syndrome.

In grief and in defiance, the Terps’ line holds — The Washington Post
Emily Giambalvo on how Johnny Jordan, Ellis McKennie and other Maryland players have handled life without Jordan McNair.

Before he became a leader for Maryland soccer, Paul Bin had to confront his depression — The Diamondback
Joe Catapano on everything Bin overcame to be here, and how his whole team helped him along the way.