In February 2010, the Yellow Jackets were flying high, leading the County 3A/2A/1A League and feeling like a deep run in the playoffs was ahead.

And it was.

The Yellow Jackets advanced to the Class 2A state title game, where they lost to Baltimore's City College High. Fast forward to Tuesday night's game at Surrattsville, and the Yellow Jackets were beaming with the same level of confidence, albeit in much different circumstances.

Gwynn Park has not enjoyed the same amount of regular season success this year. Still, the Yellow Jackets left Surrattsville High's gym feeling like they had their swagger back after a 72-68 victory against the Hornets. In beating the County 3A/2A/1A League co-leaders, Gwynn Park showed as much resolve as it has the entire season.

"We're back," Yellow Jackets' senior Tion Barnes said with a big smile. "Everybody has gotten together and everybody knows their roles. These are like my brothers out there."

Gwynn Park (12-7) has won three in a row and seven of its last nine and is now 11-4 in the league. Surrattsville dropped to 15-4 overall and 12-3 in the league, and the Hornets have lost two of their last three games.

Yellow Jackets' senior guard Brandon Ford exploded for 32 points, 19 of which came in the second half, as Gwynn park turned a five-point lead entering the fourth quarter into a 16-point cushion before Surrattsville staged a furious comeback in the final minute of the game. Barnes scored 16 points, including six points by way of three huge slams that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Ford said the turning point for the Yellow Jackets came with back-to-back losses to Friendly and Frederick Douglass on Jan. 28 and 31, before the team's recent win streak.

"In the second half of the Douglass game, we fought back from 20 points, although we came up short," Ford said. "In the Friendly game, we were down big again and our comeback jumpstarted our momentum. Ever since then, we have been rolling. We're peaking at the right time and we're not losing again this season."

"We played with great composure tonight, which was the best we've shown all season," said Gwynn Park coach Mike Glick. "I really see us turning the corner and it started last week. We're very focused. I think losing took a toll on us, but it was that losing that has brought them together."

The tone in the Surrattsville locker room was not nearly as optimistic. The Hornets had solid performances from guards Alexander Noble (18 points) and Chaz White (17 points), but most of the lineup struggled.

"I think inconsistency is how you describe our last week," said Surrattsville coach Roderick Moore. "It's tough to win in P.G. I think we're inconsistent across the board."

Hornets' senior Raymond Baldwin was held to just nine points and has struggled not only from the field but also from the free throw line in the Hornets' last two losses. Forward Gamari Mayfield got off to a slow start, scoring all eight of his points in the second half.

"Lately, we've been playing as individuals and we've got to turn it around in these last three games and get the momentum back heading into the playoffs," Noble said.

"We have to get back to playing together, it's as simple as that," Hornets' guard Will Johnson said. "I believe we can do it."

Gwynn Park 72, Surrattsville 68

Gwynn Park 19 12 15 26 -- 72

Surrattsville 13 13 15 27 -- 68

Gwynn Park: Brandon Ford 32, Tion Barnes 16, Daniel Henry 9, Brian Hall 4, Marcel Boyd 4, Nick Walton 4, Jarius Hawkins 2.

Surrattsville: Chaz White 17, Alexander Noble 18, Raymond Baldwin 9,Gamari Mayfield 8, Larry McCollum 5,Avery Jasper 2,Juwan Strothers 4