Maryland 2A boys basketball: Gwynn Park’s season ends on a sour note in loss to Digital Harbor

Posted by Michael Glick at Mar 11, 2011 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

Maryland 2A boys basketball: Gwynn Park’s season ends on a sour note in loss to Digital Harbor

As the final minutes ticked off the clock, there was no sobbing on the sidelines for 13th-ranked Gwynn Park. The game’s outcome had long been decided. Coach Mike Glick donned his black suit jacket well before the postgame handshake, which was interesting only for the unusually high number of tournament officials chaperoning both teams.

The Yellow Jackets fell behind early, then were routed in the second half, losing 75-45 to Digital Harbor of Baltimore in a feisty Maryland 2A semifinal on Friday night at Comcast Center.

Five days after knocking off undefeated Oakland Mills in an emotional regional final, Gwynn Park was unable to muster another big victory. The Yellow Jackets (17-9) trailed 11-6 after one quarter and 29-18 at halftime before things quickly unraveled.

Then, midway through the fourth quarter, Gwynn Park guard Daniel Henry and Digital Harbor guard Kevin Smith engaged in a lengthy staredown under the basket. That was followed by several players on both teams exchanging shoves and menacing looks. Henry and Smith were assessed technical fouls and Gwynn Park was assessed a team technical foul, apparently for having players come off the bench.

The game finished without further incident, though there was plenty of tension.

“I’m not used to it, we’re not used to being in that situation,” Glick said. “We’re usually very resilient and can get back in games. It was a weird feeling. I was glad we kept our composure and were able to shake hands at the end.

“We were thoroughly outplayed in every aspect of the game. It doesn’t detract from our season, but it’s tough to end our season on this note.”

Henry led Gwynn Park with 15 points. But leading scorer Brandon Ford, who entered averaging 18 points, was held to a season-low two as Digital Harbor played a box-and-one defense on him.

“We studied the film on YouTube, that’s all we had,” said Rams Coach Johnnie Grimes, whose team is trying for its second state title in three seasons. “It worked.”

Digital Harbor (15-7) advanced to Saturday’s 6 p.m. final against Easton, which defeated South Carroll, 69-52.

Gwynn Park eager for shot at 2A state title

Posted by Michael Glick at Mar 8, 2011 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

Wednesday March 9, 2011

Gwynn Park eager for shot at 2A state title

Yellow Jackets return to Comcast Center with a purpose

by Terron Hampton | Staff Writer

Gwynn Park High School boys' basketball coach Mike Glick said that if the Yellow Jackets are going to win the Brandywine program's first state title since 1988, this will be the year.

Gwynn Park (17-8) has been itching for the opportunity to play for a championship all season, after losing the Class 2A state final last year. But before the Yellow Jackets can play in Saturday's championship game, they will have to beat Baltimore City's Digital Harbor in a semifinal, set for a 7 p.m. tipoff Friday at the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Prince George's County teams have not had much luck facing off against Baltimore schools in the past decade, and the Yellow Jackets are aiming to change that.

"They are a very good team and a team that is similar to us," Glick said of the Digital Harbor. "They had an up and down regular season and had a tough schedule but they responded and got better as the season went on. Our work is cut out for us, but we're up to the challenge because we've been there before."

With most of last season's roster returning this winter, including three starters, the Yellow Jackets appeared poised for a strong regular season. But they struggled until late January, when they began to hit their stride. Entering Friday's contest against the Rams, the Yellow Jackets have won eight out of their last nine, including a 52-48 victory before a raucous crowd last Friday at previously unbeaten Oakland Mills in the 2A South Region final.

Much of the team's success has revolved around the play senior guard Brandon Ford, who has committed to play for Howard University next season.

"Right now we feel like we can't be beat," said Ford, who is averaging 18 points per game and has a team-high 53 steals this season. "Last year, we felt like we left it all on the court. We still feel as though we have to take every game like our last. We learned from last year to keep our head. Teams try to rattle us, and when we lose we beat ourselves."

The Rams enter the game at 14-7 in their first season as a Class 2A school, moving up from the 1A classification. Coach Johnnie Grimes said the team had to go through some adjustments but said he believes the Rams are ready for the challenge.

"We realized since we've moved up that the competition has gotten tougher," Grimes said." We had a few transfers and a lot of people wanted instant gratification, but we didn't get it. But going through a schedule in which we played five of the top 10 schools in Baltimore City, and getting our bumps and bruises, proved that we have made the sacrifices to get better as the season went on."

The Rams rely on guards Daquan Cook (14 points, seven rebounds, six assists per game) and Kevin Smith (12 points, five rebounds, eight assists) along with swingman Antonio Manns (16 points, 10 rebounds). The Rams avenged a regular season loss by rolling over Edmondson, 80-55, in the 2A North Region final.

Perhaps a key factor in Friday's game will be the play of senior guard Daniel Henry (10.6 points per game), who has played an increasingly significant role in the past month. Henry led the Yellow Jackets with 21 points in the pressure-packed 2A South Region final victory over Oakland Mills.

Gwynn Park senior forward Tion Barnes (15.1 points, 8.3 rebounds per game) said the team is on a mission.

"The feeling is good for us, but we're never forgetting that game we lost [last season] against City," Barnes said. "I put that game on me because I didn't play with heart that game and I'm not trying to let that happen again. It's still not out my system because we haven't won the state championship yet. Our confidence level is above the roof right now."

thampton@gazette.net

2A Boys State Semifinals

Gwynn Park (17-8) vs. Digital Harbor (14-7)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Comcast Center, College Park

Players to watch:

Gwynn Park: Brandon Ford (18 points per game, 3 assists per game); Tion Barnes (15.1 ppg, 8.3 rebounds per game); Daniel Henry (10.6 ppg).

Digital Harbor: Antonio Manns (16 ppg, 10 rpg); Daquan Cook (14 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg).

Gwynn Park boys capture 2A South title

Posted by Michael Glick at Mar 4, 2011 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

Friday March 4, 2011

Gwynn Park boys capture 2A South title

Yellow Jackets earn hard-fought victory against previously unbeaten Oakland Mills

by Terron Hampton | Staff Writer

It technically was just a game.

But Friday's contest between the Gwynn Park High School boys' basketball team and Oakland Mills for the 2A South Region title played out more like a prize fight. In a closely contested battle with multiple momentum swings - and with University of Maryland coach Gary Williams among the capacity crowd - Gwynn Park handed the Scorpions their first loss of the season, earning a difficult 52-48 victory in Columbia.

"It was the craziest place I ever played in my life," said Yellow Jackets' guard Daniel Henry, who thrived in the charged atmosphere. The senior scored a game-high 21 points, outpacing Scorpions' star forward Greg Whittington (19 points). Henry also led the way for Gwynn Park Wednesday night, when he scored 20 points in a 76-62 semifinal win at Glenelg.

"I just wanted to take it to the rack," said Henry, whose clutch drive to the basket for a 3-point play with 1 minute, 7 seconds remaining in the game gave the Yellow Jackets a 49-47 lead that they never relinquished.

As he has done in the absence of junior guard Eric Batts, who has missed two-thirds of the season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Henry set the pace for the Yellow Jackets, who also got a huge game from star senior guard Brandon Ford (17 points).

"Our season changed when we lost Eric Batts for the season and we lost our third scorer," Glick said. "With about three weeks left in the season, Daniel stepped up and really helped us out offensively."

The Yellow Jackets trailed by seven points on two occasions in third quarter before fighting back to take their first lead since the second quarter on two free throws by Henry. Oakland Mills went ahead again, taking a 47-44 lead with 1:19 remaining the contest. But the Yellow Jackets shot well from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, starting the quarter 12-for-13, which kept them in the back-and-forth affair.

Gwynn Park (17-8) has won eight of its last nine games, and now turns its attention to the state semifinals. The Yellow Jackets will take on 2A North Region champion Digital Harbor at 7 p.m. March 11 at the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. Digital Harbor rolled to an 80-55 win against Edmonson in the 2A North final on Friday.

Gwynn Park 52, Oakland Mills 48

Gwynn Park (17-8) 5 14 17 16 - 52

Oakland Mills (25-1) 7 14 17 10 - 48

Gwynn Park: Daniel Henry 21, Brandon Ford 17, Nick Walton 4, Tion Barnes 6.

Oakland Mills: Joe Kiely 15, Greg Whittington 19, Kerry Bethea 6, James Peters 4.

Gwynn Park upends No. 10 Oakland Mills, 52-48, in Md. 2A South final

Posted by Michael Glick at Mar 4, 2011 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

Md. boys' basketball roundup

Gwynn Park upends No. 10 Oakland Mills, 52-48, in Md. 2A South final

Video

Gwynn Park beats Oakland Mills, 52-48, for the Maryland 2A South Region title

Daniel Henry's 22 points led all scorers as Gwynn Park advanced to the state tournament with a 52-48 win over Oakland Mills in the 2A South Final.

» LAUNCH VIDEO PLAYER

From Staff Reports

Saturday, March 5, 2011; 12:21 AM

Daniel Henry saw an opening on the left wing and drove to the basket. As a defender banged into his body, the Gwynn Park senior guard deftly banked the ball in the basket and then converted a free throw for the biggest three-point play of the Yellow Jackets' season, and they held on for a 52-48 victory over 10th-ranked Oakland Mills in the Maryland 2A South region final before a sold-out crowd of 1,500 in Columbia.

"I knew they couldn't guard me, so I wanted to take it to the rack," Henry said. "I didn't want to lose."

In a rematch of last year's regional final that was emotionally charged from the opening tip, neither team led by more than seven points. Gwynn Park (17-8) trailed most of the way before rallying for its third regional title in four years and ending Oakland Mills's season with its only blemish against 25 victories.

"It was the craziest place I ever played in my life," Henry said. "The craziest game I ever played in. The atmosphere was just crazy."

The Scorpions' star senior forward, Greg Whittington, finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks despite being the focus of a diamond-and-one defense that also double-teamed Whittington every time he touched the ball.

Still, it was Whittington's three-point shot from the left corner in transition that gave Oakland Mills a 47-44 lead with less than two minutes left.

But guard Brandon Ford (19 points) answered with a quick drive to the basket for Gwynn Park. After a quick miss, Henry hurried down the court, and his three-point play gave the Yellow Jackets the lead for good at 49-48 with just more than one minute left.

"We had been looking for someone to assume the [role of a] third scorer and with three weeks left in the season Daniel Henry stepped up," Gwynn Park Coach Mike Glick said. "He's been the difference our last three weeks."

Gwynn Park Puts Dagger into Oakland Mills Again!

Posted by Michael Glick at Mar 4, 2011 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

March 5. 2011

Oakland Mills, who entered the game perfect at 25-0 had a decisive home court advantage in Columbia, Maryland on Friday night. Gary Williams and the entire Maryland coaching staff were on hand to see the highly coveted Greg Whittington. Everything seemed lined up for the Oakland Mills to win the 2A South regional Championship and make the trip to the Comcast Center for the state semifinals. But Gwynn Park played spoiler behind a magnificent defensive effort and some big time perimeter shooting.

As the game started it was clear that Gwynn Park was going to have to play a disciplined game and do everything in their power to stop Gregg Whittington from exploding. Things didn't start out according to plan for the Yellow Jackets. They were held scoreless for the first 7 minutes and 11 seconds of the game. Luckily, Oakland Mills only put 7 points on the board in that span. Brandon Ford got the Yellow Jackets on the board with a 3-pointer with 49 seconds left in the 1st. From there Gwynn Park opened up their perimeter shooting as they connected for 5 trey balls over the next 7 minutes. Oakland Mills' two leading scorers, Greg Whittington and Joe Kiely had solid first halves as well as they combined for 17 of the Scorpions 21 first half points. From the get-go Gwynn Park played a diamond-and-one defense with 4 players in a zone and the loan roamer following Whittington step for step. Oakland Mills held a 21-19 lead as the game went to half.

Oakland Mills started the second half out the same way they started out Wednesday night's second half in their victory over Douglass. They got out to a sizable lead after hitting the locker rooms virtually even. Oakland Mills grew the lead out to 33-26 after Greg Whittington made a pair from the line with 2:14 left in the third. The crowd was in a frenzy and it seemed like Oakland Mills was going to run away with it but the Yellow Jackets kept fighting.. and fighting. Daniel Henry hit a running layup plus the foul with 2:08 remaining in the third. After connecting on the free throw the crowd settled down and Gwynn Park was within 4. The fourth quarter proved to be a back and forth clash as both teams exchanged buckets. Midway through the 4th Gwynn Park reeled of 6 unanswered and looked to be in control as the game was coming down to the wire. With 3:03 left Oakland Mills point guard Joe Kiely hit a huge 3 to tie the game at 44.

One minute and 7 seconds later Greg Whittington broke the tie with a deep 3 and it looked like Oakland Mills was in control. But seconds later Gwynn Park's Brandon Ford rushed the ball up the court and hit a driving layup to cut the lead to one with 1:43 remaining. On the ensuing possession Greg Whittington missed a turnaround jumper and the games MVP, Gwynn Parks Daniel Henry pushed the ball up the court and hit a difficult and 1 to put Gwynn Park up for good. After hitting the free throw the Yellow Jackets led 49-47. Oakland Mills would only score 1 more point the rest of the way and after Gwynn Park hit a couple big free throws to seal it the party started for the PG county school and approximately 400 of their fans who were lucky enough to make it into the gym.

The story of the game was Gwynn Parks trio of seniors who all stepped up and had incredible games on the biggest stage. While Tion Barnes only scored 6 points he went off for 18 rebounds and 6 blocks and was a menace inside. He gave three very hard fouls to driving Oakland Mills players that really sent a message. Oakland Mills was very hesitant to bring the ball inside in the half court setting. Almost all of their points in the paint came in transition. Daniel Henry played the game of his life as he has really stepped up under the bright lights. Henry went for 22 points on the night including 16 in the second half and seemed to hit every clutch bucket that Gwynn Park needed. Brandon Ford played a tremendous game as well, scoring 20 including four 3-pointers. The role players played their roles very well, all helping out in stopping Whittington.

The Yellow Jackets advance to the Comcast Center at University of Maryland on Friday at 7PM as they will face off with Digiatl Harbor of Baltimore who upset Edmondson on Friday night by a score of 80-55 in the 2A North Regional championship.

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