Tuesday evening in the quarterfinal round of the Falconers’ Summer Basketball League at Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, the Yellow Jackets did little to alter that reputation as they fell to Suitland, 29-24.

Gwynn Park (4-5) managed only two points from rising senior Marcel Boyd in a sluggish third quarter. The Yellow Jackets, who dressed only six players for the game, did get 10 points in the game from rising senior Jarvis Hawkins, however. Suitland managed only two points in the third period as well on a layup by Dequan Doyle.

“I thought we played as good game,” Hawkins said. “I know it was tough with only six players. But we stayed with them. It was a good summer. I think we have a lot of good players coming back, and we have some players moving up [from the junior varsity team]. This whole summer league was a good experience. I think we learned a lot about working together. I think we can win the [2A South] region again. I’m confident we can do that again.”

Hawkins scored the Yellow Jackets’ first three points and later added the first four points of the second quarter, which ended with the score tied 10-10. Hawkins had a conventional 3-point play late in the fourth quarter to bring the Yellow Jackets within one at 23-22 with 2 minutes, 19 seconds remaining. But Suitland’s Keyshawn Miller countered with two buckets and Lamont Reed had one as the Rams pulled away in the final 2 minutes to advance to Wednesday’s semifinals against top-seed Riverdale Baptist.

Wednesday’s semifinal games were played after The Gazette went to press. The championship game is scheduled for 8 p.m. today at Riverdale Baptist.

Gwynn Park summer coach Spencer Way commended his undermanned squad for its effort on Tuesday and throughout the summer.

“We were a little sluggish in spots, but when you only have six players that’s going to happen,” Way said. “We tried to slow it down. We just had too many turnovers in key situations late in the game. But overall, I thought it was a good summer for these guys.”

Yellow Jackets’ rising junior Tracey Hudgens spent the previous two seasons with the junior varsity squad, but he expects to be part of the varsity team this coming winter. Hudgens connected on two jumpers in the second quarter, including the team’s only 3-pointer of the night during an 11-3 run that gave the Yellow Jackets their last lead of the game at 15-13 with 2 minutes left in the first half. Those buckets were quickly offset by two jumpers from Miller, which gave the Rams an 18-15 edge at the intermission.

“I think this summer showed me how much harder I have to work,” Hudgens said. “I watched the varsity games last year and they’re a lot better than JV. I have to improve my strength and conditioning, and I need to become more aggressive on the floor. It’s a lot tougher playing with only six players. You don’t get to rest. [Suitland] had some good shooters. I tried to stay with [Miller] but he got away from me a couple of times.”

tblack@gazette.net