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Ford lifts Gwynn Park to win over Oakland Mills in Maryland 2A South region final
Ford lifts Gwynn Park to win over Oakland Mills in Maryland 2A South region final
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Sunday, March 7, 2010
Gwynn Park junior Brandon Ford has a term for those clutch plays when a game is on the line. Like his steal and layup with 2 minutes 26 seconds left in overtime, or his drive and bucket that drew a foul 30 seconds later -- two plays that helped the Yellow Jackets to a 79-75 overtime win over Oakland Mills on Saturday in the Maryland 2A South region final at Wise in Upper Marlboro.
"It's just mad stuff," Ford said. "Adrenaline, whatever you want to call it. I call it mad stuff."
Ford had a game-high 33 points -- including 18 in the fourth quarter and overtime -- to help Gwynn Park (19-5) advance to the state semifinals Friday at Comcast Center against North Carroll.
Ford's crucial plays over a 60-second stretch -- the steal and layup, then another nice drive and bucket that drew a whistle (he missed the free throw) and finally a crucial rebound in a crowd -- helped Gwynn Park's increase its lead to six with 1:28 remaining.
And when the lead was cut down time and again, Ford knocked down 4 of 4 free throw attempts.
"I just didn't want to lose," Ford said. "My teammates were just telling me to take over and they have trust in me, so I took it upon myself."