BMOREHOOPS

By:  Derek Toney

As Calvert Hall College’s double-digit lead against St. Frances Academy dwindled to one in the second half of Sunday’s Baltimore Catholic League semifinals at Loyola College, I leaned over to a fellow reporter on press row and said, “Here we go again.”

The Cardinals were doing what I’m come to expect the last several seasons: falling short in the big spot. There was the late regulation collapse in the closing minutes of regulation last regular season against St. Frances, followed by a disinterested showing in the rematch in the MIAA A Conference finals.

Of course, there’s the loss to Loyola Blakefield in last year’s BCL semifinals which may have been worst, considering the school’s long and rich rivalry in everything from football to X-Box. Calvert Hall was again on cue late Sunday evening.

Then a funny thing happened. The Cardinals smacked down the proverbial fat lady as she warmed her vocal cords.

Calvert Hall won the Baltimore Catholic League championship. On consecutive nights, the Cardinals beat two-time defending champ St. Frances (67-62) and tourney top-seed Mount St. Joseph (46-44), teams that have overshadowed them the last four years.

After losing back-to-back games early last week, I’ve thought the Cardinals’ legacy had been written: Good, but never as tough as St. Frances or clutch as Mount St. Joseph.

They were both at Reitz Arena, wiping out a 17-point first half deficit against the Gaels in the finals Monday, after outlasting St. Frances in overtime Sunday. I believed the Cardinals’ fate turned in overtime Sunday.

Down 62-60, Jonathan Graham fouled out and St. Frances had possession. Calvert Hall denied the Panthers, who were shutout the rest of the way. The Cardinals faced with adversity in a big game and didn’t retreat.

Though Graham has garnered most of the attention, Donya’ Jackson has been the most important player for Calvert Hall. A tremendous defender, Jackson, the BCL tournament’s MVP, developed an offensive game this season. He’s arguably the most underrated player in the Baltimore area, and will be an outstanding player for the U.S. Naval Academy.

For Jackson, Graham, Kyle Wise and Damion Lee, the senior cornerstones for Calvert Hall, it was their time and they answered the call. The last time Calvert Hall won a BCL title was in 1984 with Duane Ferrell. Back then, the Cardinals, along with Dunbar, dominated Baltimore basketball.

It’s fair to say Calvert Hall should be No. 1. Ironically, the Cardinals’ first BCL crown in three decades didn’t garner them a spot in the prestigious Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament at Frostburg State later this month. Mount St. Joseph and St. Frances will be representing the BCL. The Cardinals are finally out the shadow, and their legacy can be written.

Champions.
BCL CHAMPIONSHIP VIDEO

March 14, 2009 is a date that will be remembered in Baltimore City basketball. In a 9 ½ hour period, three boys’ teams won Maryland state championships.

With the state tournament underway, can Charm City once again rule roost in a couple of weeks?

Tough might be an understatement describing the Class 2A North Region. City College won the state title a year, Lake Clifton has moved down after winning the 3A crown, and Digital Harbor is in 2A after claiming the 1A title a year ago.

Two years ago, Randallstown was on verge of a fourth straight state title, and recently battle Milford Mill to the wire in the Baltimore County finals. Douglass won a pair of crowns in the last decade.

And then, you have Edmondson, which won its first city championship. Oh yeah, it’s that thick.

The Knights are the No. 1 seed and should host Randallstown in Tuesday’s quarterfinal round. The Rams have rebounded this season after taking a step back in 2008-09, but will have a tall order winning on The Alameda.

It should set a rematch between City and Lake Clifton Thursday. The Lakers won, 69-61, during the regular season as Josh Selby went for 41 points.

In the other bracket, No. 2 seed Edmondson will host Douglass. The Red Storm is riding high off the city title win, but can they manage being the target? This will be the best quarterfinal match.

If Edmondson gets by Douglass, Digital Harbor will be next on Athol Avenue. The Rams lost to the Red Storm at home for the division title and a berth in the city title game. Digital Harbor may have arguably the city’s best all-around player in Davon Usher.

I’m going chalk for the semifinal round with Lake Clifton at City and Digital Harbor at Edmondson. City has a budding guard tandem with Nick Faust and Mike Cheatham, but Selby and an inspired supporting cast gets the win.

If Daquan Cook, a transfer from St. Frances Academy, is available, he’ll definitely give Digital Harbor some added firepower for Edmondson. Justin Jackson hasn’t had the senior year I thought he would have, but Thursday could be his mea culpa.

Like the previous meeting, it’ll come down to the final seconds and Rodney Pratcher, Stanton Kidd and the Red Storm finds a way to advance, leaving us with Edmondson and Lake for a trip to the state Final Four at Comcast Center.

Patterson will be the best hope for the city out of 4A. The Clippers host Dulaney in the quarterfinals, then it gets a little tricky.

Patterson, the No. 4 seed in the North Region, likely will have to go to No. 1 seed Urbana (18-2 overall) in Frederick County. If the Clippers win, they’ll get either No. 2 Perry Hall or No. 3 Woodlawn for the region crown.

Akil Carr has been one of the area’s impact players this winter and the Clippers, who knocked off Digital Harbor during the regular season, can play with anyone. The question is whether Patterson has the maturity to win two road playoff matches.

It took Dunbar just 14 seasons to collect 10 state titles, but the Poets have the last three seasons without another. The Poets should find their way to the South Region finals as the No. 1 seed.

They will likely host No. 2 Surrattsville from Prince George’s County next weekend. Dunbar, led by Derrell Edwards and Corey Spence, has only lost one region playoff game in east Baltimore in 17 seasons.

Milford Mill, which nearly ended Lake Clifton’s perfect run last season, is the favorite in the 3A North Region. They could have an interesting quarterfinal matchup with Aberdeen, a team that like to runs.

The Millers should get through, and get by either North Harford or Mervo in the semifinals. A showdown with Parkville will be looming in the region finals.

By Derek Toney

Edmondson High boys’ basketball coach Darnell Dantzler said Wednesday afternoon that he though his team could win at Digital Harbor Thursday. But he added a little caveat.

“I don’t know what team will show up,” said Dantzler.

He knows now where the Red Storm will be Tuesday evening: The city title game. Edmondson punched its ticket to Morgan State University with a 67-64 victory over the Rams. (more…)

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

Photos Courtesy of Dewain Clark

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