Gwynn Park falls to Digital Harbor in 2A semifinal
Cold shooting ends Yellow Jackets chance at state title
The Gwynn Park High School boys' basketball team had legitimate hopes this season of breaking the program's 23-year state title drought. But the Yellow Jackets will have to wait until 2012 to win the school's elusive 11th state championship banner, as Gywnn Park lost 75-45 to Digital Harbor on Friday night in the Class 2A state semifinals.
This season Gwynn Park had nearly its entire roster returning after last year's squad lost in the 2A state title game. But early foul trouble and poor shooting brought an end to the Yellow Jackets' championship hopes on the floor of the Comcast Center in College Park.
Gwynn Park, which has 10 state championships in its storied history, was making its fifth appearance in the state tournament in nine seasons. But the Yellow Jackets are still seeking the Brandywine school's first state title since 1988. Gwynn Park's loss means Prince George's County will go without a state champion in boys' basketball for the third consecutive season. The county's other two state tournament participants - Class 4A Eleanor Roosevelt and Class 3A Friendly - suffered semifinal losses on Thursday.
"On this night, we got beat by a better team," said Gwynn Park coach Mike Glick. "I thought Digital Harbor played great. They had an excellent game plan. We shot as poorly as we had all season. I thought they just outplayed us in every aspect of the game."
The Yellow Jackets shot just 24 percent from the field (14 of 58) and were outrebounded by a margin of 49-29.
Digital Harbor generated most of its points on the fast break as Gwynn Park struggled to get back down the floor in transition to stop the onslaught. An 11-point halftime deficit ballooned to 21 by the end of the third quarter before Digital Harbor finished off a 30-point rout.
Brandon Ford, the Yellow Jackets' leading scorer during the season (18 points per game), hit 1 of 9 from the floor and was held to a season-low two points. Senior guard Daniel Henry led Gwynn Park with 15 points and three rebounds, while senior forward Tion Barnes had nine points and seven rebounds.
"It's tough because everybody was missing shots that we normally make," Ford said. "We were missing tip-ins, it's hard. We just couldn't make anything."
The Rams got a balanced effort, led by guard Daquan Cook, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Nyme Manns chipped in 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Antonio Manns had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
"I like the unselfish play of my team at all levels," said Digital Harbor coach Johnnie Grimes. "We have balanced scoring and that's how we've been playing all year long. It's just a matter of us jelling."
Digital Harbor 75, Gwynn Park 45
Digital Harbor 11 18 24 22 -- 75
Gwynn Park 6 12 14 13 -- 45
Digital Harbor: Daquan Cook 15, Kevin Smith 8, Ronald Epps 7, Nyme Manns 15, Antonio Manns 16, Tyrone Williams 2, Gabe Shango 2, Dominic Barnes 7, Devante Conyers 2, D'Aris Smith 1.
Gwynn Park: Brian Hall 1, Brandon Ford 2, Nick Walton 2, Daniel Henry 15, Tion Barnes 9, Jarvis Hawkins 6, Jalen Harris 9, Hershel Grant 1.