With less than two minutes remaining in the Gwynn Park High School boys' basketball team's rematch against County 3A/2A/1A League-leading Potomac on Friday night, Yellow Jackets' forward Tion Barnes leaped high toward the basket to connect with teammate Mike Hemsley's underhand lob before completing the alley-oop with an emphatic slam.

It was the last of seven dunks from Barnes as his 30-point output paced Gwynn Park to a 96-79 victory against visiting Potomac on Friday. After only scoring five points and admittedly losing his focus during the teams' first meeting, an 81-80 win by Potomac on Dec. 11, Barnes listened to his coaching staff's advice and used his athleticism to aggressively attack the basket from above.

"My coaches told me that I needed to score, to step up," Barnes said. "They wanted me to play above the rim, so I said "OK" They wanted me to take more shots, so I started taking it to the hole. I do whatever my teammates need me to do to win."

Gwynn Park improved to 10-4 overall and 6-4 in the County 3A/2A/1A League with the victory, while Potomac dropped to 9-4 (8-2). Hemsley scored 15 points and Brandon Ford chipped in 11 for Gwynn Park. Anthony Murray led the visitors with 20 points.

The Yellow Jackets dictated the frantic pace throughout, finding success in the transition game as the Wolverines struggled to get back on defense.

"That's when we're at our best, when we can limit teams to one shot, control the rebound and get out in transition," said Gwynn Park coach Michael Glick.

Potomac center Antonio Jenifer, who tallied 23 points against Gwynn Park in December, missed his second game in two weeks due to illness. The Yellow Jackets took advantage of Potomac's lack of an inside presence, scoring in the paint at will.

In addition, Wolverines' coach Torrence Okendine said his squad had some "team issues" while preparing for the game "that affected us a lot more than we thought," but declined to elaborate.

With the game deadlocked at 19 with two minutes left in the first quarter, Gwynn Park reeled off a 10-0 run to end the period and build a lead it would never surrender.

Barnes took control with his team leading 49-42 early in the second half, notching 10 points during a 16-2 spurt that put the Yellow Jackets comfortably ahead. The agile forward capped off his standout period by driving the baseline and throwing down a one-handed jam at the buzzer.

Gwynn Park maintained a double-digit lead throughout the fourth quarter. Trailing by 12 points, the Wolverines lost their cool when David Brockenberry committed a flagrant foul with six minutes remaining. Dominique Green and Tracey Barner subsequently picked up technical fouls for arguing the call, giving the Yellow Jackets six free throw attempts and possession of the ball.

Gwynn Park made three of the free throws and converted a layup on the ensuing possession, pushing the cushion to 17 points. For the Yellow Jackets, being able to coast to victory was a reward for focusing on the intangibles.

"I thought it was our best total performance of the year, rebounding, defense and intensity-wise," Glick said. "We've gotten a lot better in terms of handling pressure and rebounding the basketball."

Gwynn Park 96, Potomac 79

Potomac 19 19 17 24 – 79

Gwynn Park 29 18 24 25 – 96

P (9-4 8-2): Anthony Murray 20, David Brockenberry 12, Tracey Barner 12, Devin Miller 11, Davion Brandon 10, Dominique Green 8, Da'ron Wiseman 6.

G (10-4, 6-4): Tion Barnes 30, Mike Hemsley 15, Daniel Henry 12, Brandon Ford 11, Curtis Hardy 8, Brian Blue 7, Eric Batts 4, Marcel Boyd 4, Raymond Barnes 3, Deante Brown 2.