February 29, 2004 Quinn Reports from BCL Tournament- Spald v CH by Jim Quinn MDVarsity.com Magazine Staff MdVarsity.com traveled to Goucher College in Towson last night to watch some of the first round action in the 33rd annual BCL Tournament. In the evening’s third game, Archbishop Spalding topped Calvert Hall 66-57 behind a 22 point, 10 rebound, 5 steal, 6 dunk and 2 blocked shot effort by 6’9” All-American forward Rudy Gay. The senior from Essex, who was selected BCL Player of the Year earlier this week, scored 16 of his points in the first half. During a three minute stretch in the second quarter, Gay scored 11 of Spalding’s 12 points. Gay had plenty of help last night as senior point guard Jesse Brooks had 8 points, 8 assists and 3 steals. Four of Brooks’ assists resulted in spectacular Rudy Gay dunks. Spalding Coach Mike Glick also got excellent performances off the bench from sophomore forward Johan Jones and junior guard Marquis Sullivan. The stands at Goucher were nearly packed for Friday’s first round. This weekend’s Tournament, which will end on Monday night, figures to be one of the best and most competitive BCL Tournaments ever. Spalding, Mt. St. Joe’s, Cardinal Gibbons, and St. Frances are all among the top teams in Baltimore. Towson Catholic, Calvert Hall, and St. Maria Goretti all have talent and have picked-up some quality wins this year. As a testament to the BCL’s depth this year, Towson Catholic, who defeated Friendly HS and Eleanor Roosevelt HS this year, only finished 6-8 in BCL play this year! Spalding came into the BCL Tournament fresh off winning the MIAA “A” Tournament earlier in the week. Spalding has won three of the last five BCL Tournaments and lost last year’s Championship game at the buzzer by one point to Mt. St. Joe’s. The Cavaliers failed to convert five tip-in attempts in the last 8 seconds of last year’s loss. Spalding jumped to a quick 8-0 lead last night against the Cardinals and led at the end of the first quarter, 18-6. The Cavaliers created numerous fast break opportunities off of Cardinal turnovers in the face of Spalding’s tough pressure defense. Calvert Hall’s talented 6’1” junior guard Ricky Harris found the three-point range in the second quarter and the Cardinals cut the lead to 20-18 before Gay became a one man wrecking crew. Over the next three minutes, Gay scored 11 points in an electrifying fashion: two crushing alley-oop dunks off of Jesse Brooks feeds; a three-pointer from beyond the top of the key; a gorgeous turnaround baseline jumper; and an offensive follow tip-in. When the dust had settled, Spalding was back up by a 32-22 measure and Calvert Hall did not get back within 10 points again until they hit a meaningless three pointer at the final buzzer. Coach Glick got a lift off the bench in the first half from 6’4” sophomore forward Johann Jones. A high energy rebounding/defensive specialist for Spalding this year, Jones played his role perfectly last night as he collected 6 rebounds and 2 steals in the first half. Jones finished with 9 rebounds and 3 steals. He also had 6 points, all three baskets off of follow-ups and transition hustle plays. Spalding also got a fine performance from 6’ junior wing guard Marquis Sullivan. Sullivan went scoreless in the first half, but had 9 points in the third quarter. Sullivan then proceeded to get Spalding’s first two baskets of the fourth quarter as the Cavaliers extended their lead to58-38. Sullivan finished with 15 points – all in the second half! Calvert Hall got some fine individual performances as well, most notably from their talented guard Ricky Harris. A quick, aggressive player with deep three-point range, Harris had 5 steals to go with his 17 points. He hit 3 three pointers Harris, who was voted Second Team All-BCL this year, will no doubt be a Division One college recruit next year. Though he didn’t shoot particularly well last night, the Cardinal’s rugged 6’5” center/forward Maurice Martin had a solid game with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block. Martin also played pretty good defense on Rudy Gay when the Cavaliers had to play in a half court set, but, all too often for Cardinal Coach Mark Amatucci, the Cavaliers were able to run in transition off of steals and rebounds. The Cardinal’s 6’7” junior Ryan Hourihan, a transfer in his first year in the Calvert Hall program, spurred a brief third quarter comeback as he scored three impressive baskets in a row: a reverse lay-up over Gay; a three point play off of an offensive rebound; and a turnaround bank shot in the lane. Hourihan finished with 9 points. With Harris, Hourihan, junior forward Calvin Wise and and sophomore guard Russell Frederick (10 points, including 2 three pointers) returning, Coach Amatucci has the nucleus of a fine team for next season. The Cardinals also reportedly have some very talented young players in their program. But last night belonged to Spalding and Gay. It was only appropriate that Gay threw down a windmill dunk with 4 seconds left as an exclamation point for the Cavalier victory!