Work ethic pushes Ford to top of the county | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

North County coach Mike Francis let his junior varsity coaches run a practice during tryouts four years ago. When he returned, Francis saw a name missing from the roster.

"They cut him," Francis said. "I said, 'You can't cut him. He works harder than anyone.' I went and got him out of class and brought him back."

Cut from the team because his skills were raw, Ford promised Francis he'd work hard if given the chance.

"He wanted to work," Francis said. "I told him as long as he listened, he'd be OK. And look what it culminated to."

Four years later, Ford led the Knights (14-10) into the Class 4A East Regional. He averaged 17.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and two blocks to earn the Capital-Gazette Newspapers Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-5, 180-pound Ford was one of three players in the county to average a double-double, joining Severna Park's Brad Bald and Broadneck's Kevin Hunt. Ford was seventh in scoring and second to Bald in rebounding.

Ford received the most votes on the coaches' All-County team.

"I hustle and rebound a lot, and that's what I take pride in the most," Ford said. "Teams always try to double-team me and everything, but I always try to get my teammates involved, and I always try to hustle and rebound. That's how I get most of my points."

Following his 17-point, 10-rebound, five-block performance in the 20th annual Anne Arundel County Senior All-Star Classic on Tuesday, Ford was named the North's Most Valuable Player in his home gym.

Five Division I junior colleges were in attendance for Ford's final game as a high school basketball player, and he's got a meeting next week with three-time National Junior College Athletic Association basketball champions Independence Community College in Kansas.

Several Division II colleges are courting Ford, including Clarion and Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Ford will retake his SATs before he makes his decision on a school.

"There's a lot more to go," Ford said. "I have to improve my jump shot and ball-handling for the next level."

Francis likens Ford to former Knight Kevin Hammack, who led Citadel with 13 points and 3.3 assists during his senior season last year.

"He's getting interest from everyone," Francis said. "He's probably the most recruited player I've coached since Kevin Hammack."

Hammack earned an All-County selection in 2002 after averaging 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists for North County.

Ford finished his North County career with 13 points and 13 rebounds in a 50-39 loss to Class 4A state runner-up Thomas Stone on March 4.

In consecutive games against county foes, Ford showed his dominance. He scored 25 points and collected 16 rebounds in a 20-point victory over Southern. Three days later, Ford led North County with 23 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks in a 63-60 win against county champion Old Mill.

"David is a non-stop, hard-working kid who never quits," Francis said. "He thinks every rebound is his. He plays very hard defensively."

Ford attributes much of his success to his footwork. While he admits his jumper needs some work before playing next fall, his positioning in the post and quick feet enabled him to succeed during his senior season.

When Francis holds tryouts next season, he'll look at the roster and, again, see a name missing. This time, however, he won't be able to drag Ford out into the hall and back to the gym.

"(He can go) as far as he wants to go," Francis said. "He's a coach's dream."