By Derek Toney
Growing up in Baltimore, Josh Selby and Durand Johnson understood what the Dunbar-Lake Clifton basketball rivalry means. The duo helped add a footnote in the latest chapter Tuesday evening.
Before a standing room audience at Dunbar, the Lakers outlasted the Poets, 70-65, in overtime. The victory puts Lake Clifton on a favorable path to a fourth straight trip to the city title game later this month.
Selby, a senior guard, led all scorers with 32 points for Lake Clifton (12-3), and Johnson added 19. Corey Spence had 21 points for Dunbar (11-5), and senior guard Derrell Edwards finished with 16.
Selby had seven points and a huge assist in the extra period for the two-time defending city champs. After spending his sophomore and junior campaigns at DeMatha Catholic, Selby cherished the opportunity to participate in the most compelling and legendary rivalry in Baltimore basketball.
“It’s fun, playing against any rival in any league,” said Selby. “You know you’re going to bump each other, you’re foul each other and you’re not going to get the calls you want. That environment kept me going.”
Under a Poet double-team, Selby found Johnson for a layup, giving the Lakers a 67-63 lead with 33 seconds left in overtime. Johnson, a senior transfer from Parkville, gave Lake Clifton the lead for good with a three-pointer a minute earlier.
The Lakers appeared in control with a 53-48 advantage with 2 minutes, 30 seconds left in regulation, but Dunbar scored six straight, capped by a short jumper in the lane by Spence, for a 54-53 lead with a minute remaining. Selby and Spence exchanged free throws, leaving Dunbar with a 56-55 lead with eighteen seconds left.
After a Lake Clifton timeout, Selby was fouled as the Lakers tried to the inbounds the ball. He missed the first, but converted the second to tie the game. Spence missed a jumper in the lane, and the ball went off Lake Clifton out of bounds with 2.3 seconds left. The Poets lost the ball and the final seconds expired.
Selby opened overtime with two free throws, then Edwards answered with a 3-pointer for Dunbar and a 59-57 lead. Spence gave the Poets a 63-61 lead with 1:51 left with another drive, but Johnson responded for Lake Clifton with his third 3-pointer and first since the second quarter.
“The first four quarters we played great offense and defense,” said Spence. “In overtime, we just let it go with bad defensive stops.”
The Lakers, who now own victories over City, Dunbar and Patterson in divisional play, travel to Forest Park Friday before finishing with three of their last four on St. Lo Drive. Dunbar travels to Maritime Industry Friday.
Barring an upset, the other half of the city title game picture will be finalized next Friday when Edmondson visits Digital Harbor. Both teams are currently undefeated in their division.
Lake Clifton 70, Dunbar 65
Lake Clifton: Washington 8, Selby 32, Johnson 19, Fields 7, Washington 2, Fisher 2. Totals 20 27-39 70. Dunbar: Spence 21, Edwards 16, Camphor 9, Jennings 4, Scott 4, Artis 4, Parks 2, Parham 3. Totals 22 14-17 65.
Youtube Videos
Gerrard Shelley
Josh’s interview
Corey’s interview
Lake vs Dunbar