Mack has Cobras dialed in

The junior is a low-post presence for the Cobra?s basketball team while studying computer and network technology at the Bel Air vocational school.

Mack maintains a 3.8overall grade-point average, is involved in tutoring and met with Lt. Gov. Michael Steele about school improvement as a sophomore.

A member of the National Honor Society, he hopes to run for student government president as a senior. And he gets plenty of house calls after polishing up on computer networking in school.

“I hook up computers for everybody in my neighborhood,” Mack said.

He?s considering studying computer science in college and has his sights set on going to the esteemed Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“That was my premier choice,” Mack said. “They have one of the better computer science programs in the country.”

Mack is also trying to help turn the Cobras (4-6) into one of the better basketball programs in Harford County.

“He can be real, real positive,” said assistant coach Jason Peterson, a former standout at Aberdeen. “When he says something, everybody is looking ? everybody tries to follow.”

Mack has brought a lot more to the court this season than head coach Bill Jones had planned on, particularly in rebounding, where he contributes 10 per game. At 6-foot-1, Mack often gives up height to his competition.

“He gets position, and he?s almost like a pogo stick,” Jones said.

Mack is also fine-tuning his game after beginning basketball as a freshman.

“Back then, I wanted to run point guard,” he said. “I?m trying to learn [to play down low]. [Assistant coach Joe Groszkowski] has helped me a lot with that. Especially free throws ? I was very Shaq-esque.”

He?s also polished in music, using his computer skills to edit and produce.

“I rap, sing, write,” Mack said. “I do all of it.”

He also wrote the school song, one he referred to as, “not too traditional.” Same can be said for the Cobras? basketball team, which is a blend of talents from around the county. Mack, who lives in Abingdon and went to Edgewood Middle School, can help change some misconceptions of Harford Tech, which are based upon the nature of the academics at the school.

“They?re not just carrying around bricks or automotive parts,” Jones said of the school?s students. “Once we change the focus of the school, where it?s not just for people that don?t fit for other schools, we?ll be able to attract some talent basketball-wise.”