In Their Own Words: Privott and Vaughan

Middletown’s Ahmod Privott and Stevie Vaughan are two of the most decorated student athletes in the area. Both were captains of their respective sports teams and both were instrumental in helping carry their squads to the cusp of a championship this winter.

Privott, nicknamed 2God, was an all-around dynamo for the Blue Dragons’ basketball team that advanced all the way to the Class L semifinals this winter. The hoopster fell in love with basketball at the age of six and transferred to Middletown as a sophomore, before elevated his game to another level the last couple of years. As a junior, he made All-State after guiding the Blue Dragons to the Class L championship game and he further improved his play on the court this winter, averaging 16.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. His sensational senior season earned him first-team All-State honors.

Vaughan was the starting goaltender for the Wethersfield/Middletown/Rocky Hill/Plainville ice hockey team that soared to new heights this season. He was born and raised in Middletown and joined an emerging group of local pucksters that banded together, bringing ice hockey to the forefront in towns better known for basketball, football, and soccer. Vaughan was a brick wall between the pipes during his senior campaign, winning 19 of his 24 starts and stopping 469 of the 504 shots he faced, earning him All-State honors for the second straight season. He also registered seven shutouts during the Eagles’ historic run, which ended in the semifinal round earlier this month. The netminder was even brilliant during the team’s 1-0 semifinal defeat, stopping 30 of 31 shots.   

The two were unable to end their high school careers with a title, but it wasn’t because of a lack of effort or desire. Their dedication, perseverance and selflessness are reflected in what they wrote only hours after their final high school games. Here are the two standouts, in their own words.
  
“I just want to start off by saying thank you to my dragon brothers, it's been a great 3 years for me. You guys shaped me into the basketball player I am today, you guys pushed me to my limits and I am extremely thankful you guys. Tyshaun, Cj, Quan, Justin, Keebo, and Av it's been a great ride and I love you guys, I wish the best for you all moving on to the next level. To MHS, I love my school man, I really do. I went from hating school my freshmen year to loving it. Transferring was the best move I've made so far in my life. I love all my fellow '17 classmates. Without you guys there would be no 2god. To the cheerleaders, thanks for being at every game you guys were able to come to. Thanks to my coaches, my mom and the rest of my family. I love you all dearly. It's been a great run, it sucks that it ended but no matter what I'm still proud of my brothers and what we have accomplished. Aaron it's your team next year get it done. They still sleep. With that being said thank you Middletown and Middletown High. 2God out.”
-Ahmod Privott

“Hi I'm Stevie Vaughan, a varsity high school hockey goaltender from a town where only a handful of people even know we have a hockey team. The game of hockey means more to me than anything, from age 7 hockey was my escape from reality. When I step on the ice I'm truly happy, just a kid with a stick, a puck, and 50 or so pounds of gear (used to keep the puck out of the net). Throughout my youth hockey career countless coaches always told me I was "too small to play goalie" and "just not good enough", I never made the A team. Freshman and sophomore year I spent pretty much all 40 games on the bench, I was the backup goalie for the worst team in the state, in my mind that made me the worst goalie in the state. After my sophomore year I almost hung up the skates for good, to never be a hockey player again. I spent countless hours in my room just thinking if that was the right decision, my brain said it made sense, but my heart wouldn't let me quit. The summer going into my junior year I decided I wouldn't let myself and my team be the laughing stock of CT hockey so I started to double up on goalie lessons with the CT Pro Crease. On the first day I showed up there was another goalie who had the same time slot as me, Will, Will Slohm. Will and I didn't speak much at first but after a few sessions we began to embrace each other's presence and started sharing our tools of the trade. 2 years later and countless hours on the ice together, I now consider Will one of my best friend and we are 2 of the best goalies in the state.

To my team: When we first came together as a new COOP I really didn't know what to expect. Last season was a heartbreaker, we had one more shot to make it into the tournament against LHK and we tied... no post season hockey for us. It was after that game where Zac, Tyler, and I decided we wouldn't ever feel that pain again. We spent countless hours playing hockey, from spring all the way up to the start of the high school season. Words cannot describe how proud I am of this team and how far we have come, from 2-18 all the way to 19-5, and playing in the semifinals. Although the game did not go the way we wanted it to tonight, I love you boys with all my heart. We are a family and always will be. For those of you who get the honor to wear that Eagles sweater again, remember what got us to where we were today. This off-season put in the same amount of effort and you will return to Yale, but not leave heartbroken.

A huge thank you to CT HS Hockey, you are incredible! You made a regular high school sport feel like a professional league, your in-depth coverage of ALL the teams in Connecticut is no easy task and I thank you for doing it. Also for putting up with the Rice bus, haha.”
-Stevie Vaughan