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Lipscomb set to shine
By Michael Sudhalter
msudhalter@hcnonline.com
Three years ago, Hasan Lipscomb was a 14-year old a week into his freshmen year at O.P. Walker High in New Orleans.
He figured that’s where he would stay, playing sports with friends in his native city.
Hurricane Katrina changed those plans for Lipscomb, now a senior running back for Cy Ridge High.
His mother, Aretha Lipscomb, heeded the warnings and evacuated Lipscomb, his three brothers and two sisters to stay with family in Houston, just hours before the hurricane hit New Orleans.
“We left at midnight, winds started pushing at 3,” he said.
Lipscomb only brought a few clothes and some other basic things with him to Texas.
“I thought I was going to be back (in New Orleans) soon,” Lipscomb said. “God just painted a better picture for me. That’s the way I see it.”
“Texas is a big state, and they have a lot of football pride. If I’m on a big stage, I might as well show everything I’ve got.”
Lipscomb was grateful that none of his family or friends were hurt or injured during Katrina, but the roof collapsed and water made his house untenable. He was, however, able to recover some possessions during a visit the Crescent City.
“I feel blessed,” Lipscomb said. “I thank God all the time that I got out safe. A lot of the football players (from New Orleans) don’t have the opportunity that I have.”
Lipscomb has made the most of his time in Texas. He finished with 208 carries for 1,622 and 26 touchdowns for the district-champion Rams (11-2, last season) and committed to the University of Minnesota.
Last Friday, he scored both of Cy Ridge’s touchdowns in a 24-13 season-opening loss to Humble at the Berry Center. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Lipscomb finished with 17 carries for 99 yards on the ground.
Cy Ridge travels to Klein (0-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Rams coach Gary Thiebaud said Lipscomb has adjusted well, both on and off the field.
“He had to start all over. It was quite an ordeal for the family, being uprooted like that,” Thiebaud said. “He came in and adapted well to the situation. He’s very popular in school with the kids and the teachers.”
Thiebaud said Lipscomb has “explosive speed” but praised his work ethic during the offseason on improving his flexibility, strength and maturity.
Lipscomb plays alongside quarterback Russell Shepard, an LSU commit who’s widely considered to be among the top football players in the nation.
“It’s awesome,” Lipscomb said. “A lot of teams only have that one dynamic player in the backfield. When you have two threats to worry about, that’s amazing.”
Lipscomb, a three-year varsity player, had a chance to return to Louisiana and commit to LSU, the defending national champion.
But the opportunity to make an immediate impact at Minnesota, a school he won’t visit until October, was too much to pass up. Lipscomb’s played running back since he was 7 and awaits the day when he’ll be in the Golden Gophers’ backfield.
“They’re missing a dynamic player in the backfield, and I feel I can be that,” Lipscomb said.
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