COLLEGE PARK - For Gwynn Park, Friday served as a little bit of redemption.
The Yellow Jackets were knocked out in the 2008 2A boys basketball state semifinal on a buzzer-beater by Winters Mill's Devon Lesniak.
Gwynn Park didn't let things come down to the buzzer this time, beating North Carroll 69-36 in Friday's 2A state semifinal at the Comcast Center.
The Yellow Jackets, who are making their 20th Final Four appearance, will face City in today's 2A state final.
"I thought our players really executed the game plan," Gwynn Park head coach Mike Glick said. "We were fortunate we got off to a good start and I think that was the key to the game."
Meanwhile, Friday marked the end of a historic run for the Panthers.
North Carroll had won 18 of its last 20 games and was fresh off last Saturday's emotional win over Walkersville in the 2A West final. The regional title was the Panthers' first since 1985.
However, the Yellow Jackets' athleticism was too much for North Carroll to handle. The Panthers got behind 11-2 just over two minutes into the game and trailed by 17 at halftime.
"We didn't prepare enough for their athleticism," NC senior forward Danny Hoffman said. "We didn't box out, they got offensive rebounds and second chances, and that's how they won the game."
Gwynn Park outrebounded North Carroll 47-25 and held the Panthers to just 28 percent shooting from the field. The Yellow Jackets had 22 offensive rebounds.
Hoffman (18.6), Brian Kron (10.4) and Charlie Clark (10.2), who all came into the game averaging double-digit points, were held to just 23 points combined.
"We've been doing it all year with Charlie and Danny, trying to get it inside," NC coach Chris Vaughn said. "Brian's been able to hit the outside shot when it's open.
"That was our game plan and it didn't really work out. They matched us height for height and their athleticism really took care of business."
Even though the season didn't end exactly how the Panthers had planned, Vaughn was able to reflect on North Carroll's special run after the game.
"I let the kids know ... you never look at the end result, you have to look at the whole journey," Vaughn said. "These kids did something that no team has done at our school for 25 years. They've got a lot to hang their hats on ... and we accomplished a lot this season."
Gwynn Park (69): Mike Hemsley 16, Brandon Ford 15, Tion Barnes 12, Chris Hardy 6, Brian Hall 6, Brian Blue 5, Eric Batts 4, Daniel Henry 3, Kevin Miles 2.
North Carroll (37): Danny Hoffman 10, Charlie Clark 8, Brian Kron 5, Steven Bosley 4, Trevor Walzl 3, Cody Mewhirter 2, Tyler Janowitz 2, Kyle Blackiston 2.
Halftime: Gwynn Park, 36-19.
Reach staff writer Matt Zenitz at 410-857-7896 or sports@carrollcountytimes.com.
