Mariners Hang On, Defeat Bobcats to Claim Men’s UCBAC Title, 61-55
By Paul Taylor
The Joppatowne Mariners claimed the UCBAC Championship over the Bel Air Bobcats Wednesday night by a score of 61-55. The Mariners led nearly the entire game, but never by more than eight points. The Bobcats kept it close and forced the Mariners to hit free throws in the waning seconds to seal the title.
The Mariners led 12-8 after one quarter as Gary Blackston and Sir Nicholas Phillips led the team with four points each. J.D. Bruck hit a three pointer to keep the Bobcats within two possessions, in what was a very fast-paced but well played opening quarter.
Bruck hit two more threes in the second quarter and got some help from his offense. John Gallina scored four points and Jahari Carmichael poured in a three pointer of his own. The Bobcats used a late run offensively and a couple of stops on the defensive end to tie the game at 24 at halftime. Jermaine Head Jr. had five points in the quarter to lead the Mariners.
Joppatowne started getting the offense moving in the third quarter. After making some changes on defense that forced some Bel Air turnovers, the Mariners swelled their lead to eight just minutes into the second half. However, Bruck hit another three pointer and Gallina got going underneath the basket for the Bobcats. The Mariners led by three after three, 43-40.
The lead remained in the Mariners’ hands for the entire fourth quarter. Bel Air got within two several times, but the Mariners’ quick strike offense would counter and increase the lead every time. Finally, with about two minutes left in the game, the Bobcats had cut the deficit to two once again. C.J. Simmons came up with a steal, but the Mariners forced a turnover before Simmons crossed half court. The Mariners converted the ensuing offensive possession into a basket, and the Bobcats were not able to get any closer than two the rest of the way. The Bobcats did force the Mariners to hit six free throws in the games’ final moments to salt the win away.
—————1—–2—–3—–4—–FINAL
Bel Air——–8—–16—–16—–15—–55
Joppatowne—–12—–12—–19—–18—–61
Bel Air
John Gallina 16 pts.
J.D. Bruck 15 pts.
C.J. Simmons 8 pts.
Chris Murdock 7 pts.
Jahari Carmichael 7 pts.
Tom Keller 1 pt.
Joppatowne
Sir Nicholas Phillips 18 pts.
Gary Blackston 16 pts.
Jermaine Head, Jr. 16 pts.
Khalil Gore 5 pts.
Rashaad Gore 4 pts.
Will Veney 2 pts.
Huskies Roll to UCBAC Title, Defeat Cougars 58-14
By Paul Taylor
The Patterson Mill Huskies used a fast-paced offense and a suffocating defense to defeat the Fallston Cougars in the Ladie’s UCBAC Title Game, 58-14. The Huskies led 18-3 after one period and 32-6 at halftime.
Junior Qalea Ismail poured in 16 first half points, helping her team out to a huge halftime lead. The Huskies hit a couple three point attempts and forced several Fallston turnovers to build that lead. Ismail added six more in the second half and finished with a game high 22.
Megan Rielly hit a three pointer in the first quarter and led the Cougars with five points.
The Huskies have earned a first round bye in the MPSSAA Playoffs. The Cougars will travel to North East in Cecil County. The winner of the Fallston/North East game will travel to Bel Air and take on the Huskies in the second round.
——————–1—–2—–3—–4—–FINAL
Patterson Mill—–18—–14—–11—–15—–58
Fallston————3—–3—–4—–4—–14
Patterson Mill
Qalea Ismail 22 pts.
Khayla Mitchell 11 pts.
Chyna Latimer 8 pts.
Gabby Chenoworth 7 pts.
Samantha Herman 6 pts.
Sia Barnes 4 pts.
Fallston
Megan Rielly 5 pts.
Logan Gasior 3 pts.
Carly Laubach 2 pts.
Alisa Schmidt 2 pts.
Kristin Shock 2 pts.
Way to go Joppatown
I get that Guthrie has made a defense before about the spelling of Joppatowne from a historical perspective, but he cannot deny that the school is named JOPPATOWNE with an E. It’s the students of the school’s team that won the game, not the people in this historical location.