BMOREHOOPS

By Derek Toney

Jimmy Hamilton knew he had to get off to a quick start for Milford Mill High’s boys’ basketball team in Thursday’s Class 3A state semifinal. He did just that, and the Millers are on the verge of a championship.

The Millers routed Stephen Decatur, 69-41, at the University of Maryland’s Comcast Center. Milford Mill will play Thomas Stone for the state championship Saturday at 3 p.m. at Comcast.

Hamilton, a senior forward led all scorers with 16 points to go with a game-high 12 rebounds for Milford Mill (24-3 overall). Cedrick Johnson led Stephen Decatur (21-5) with 14 points and five rebounds.

The Millers led wire-to-wire to earn its first title game berth since 1994 when they claimed the Class 1A crown. Hamilton scored eight in the opening quarter as Milford Mill gained a 12-4 lead.

“I just tried to do my job, rebounding and finding the open man,” said Hamilton, who transferred to the Baltimore County from St. Frances Academy at the beginning of last season, “and take advantage of scoring opportunities.”

Stephen Decatur made a run in the second quarter, pulling to within 16-12, but Isiah McCray single-handedly quashed the hopes of the Eastern Shore school. The junior guard, who missed most of the second half of Saturday’s North Region title game against Parkville after hurting his back in a collision, scored seven points off the bench.

The Millers led 28-15 at intermission and were on cruise control. Milford Mill coach Albert Holley saw his squad limited Johnson, who was averaging 20 points a game, limited to just 12.

“We played well in spurts,” said Holley. “We kind of understood what they wanted to do, our job was to take it away from them. We did a better job of that in the second half.”

Next for Milford Mill is Thomas Stone, which routed Blake from Montgomery County, 76-53, in the other semifinal. After nearly upending Lake Clifton in last year’s region championship, the Millers are 32 minutes away from completely erasing that memory.

“They’re a powerhouse,” said McCray of Thomas Stone, “but we’re ready to take on the challenge.”

State Class 3A semifinal
At Comcast Center
Milford Mill 69, Stephen Decatur 41

Milford Mill: Hamilton 8-15 0-2 16, Hanner 3-7 2-7 8, Goode 4-8 1-1 9, Branch 4-5 1-2 9, Johnson 1-2 1-2 3, Jackson 1-2 0-0 2, Cormier 1-3 0-0 2, McCray 4-10 1-2 9, Fulp 1-2 0-1 2, Jones 1-1 1-2 3, Reid 1-1 0-0 2, Miller 2-2 0-0 4, Richardson 0-1 0-0. Totals 31-59 4-16 69.

Stephen Decatur: Johnson 4-12 4-7 14, Engle 1-9 1-2 4, Andrews 2-7 0-1 4, Foreman 2-8 0-1 3, Lubeski 1-2 1-1 3, Wilson 0-0 2-3 2, Swistak 1-1 0-0 2, Purnell 2-5 0-0 5, Powell 2-6 0-0 4, Henry 0-1 0-0. Totals 14-49 9-16 41.

Milford Mill 12 16 21 20-69
Stephen Decatur 4 11 14 12-41

MILFORD MILL INTERVIEW

March 12, 2009 was a historic day for Baltimore City basketball. Charm City collected five state championships with Lake Clifton boys, City Colleges boys and girls and the girls and boys squads from Digital Harbor.

If not a lucky bounce on a three-pointer by Springbrook that forced overtime with Walbrook in the boys Class 4A semifinals, the city likely would’ve made it six. Five squads are again headed to the final weekend of the state public season.

Can B-more do it again?

BOYS STATE FINAL FOUR
When: Friday (2A & 1A semifinals); Saturday (finals)
Where: Comcast Center, University of Maryland

Class 1A semifinal: Dunbar (17-5) vs. Allegany (23-0)

Time: 3 p.m.
Road to Comcast Center: Dunbar defeated Northwestern (57-40), IBE (90-43) and Surrattsville (48-43) to win South Region; Allegany defeated Fort Hill (80-44), Southern-Garrett (50-34) and Williamsport (72-58).

Why will Dunbar win: After winning 11 titles in their first 14 seasons in the MPSSAA, the Poets have failed the last four trips to College Park. They’re simply due. The veteran backcourt of seniors Corey Spence, Nathan Ayers and Derrell Edwards is arguably the best in the city.

Why wont Dunbar win: First, the Poets can’t sleep on Allegany which is undefeated but haven’t faced a caliber of a team like Dunbar. Casey Roberts averages 25.5 points for Allegany. Look for Ayers, a solid defender to get the call. The bigger problem will be Saturday in the finals against either Owings Mills or Snow Hill. Owings Mills will be looking for revenge from two seasons ago when the Poets outlasted the Eagles in three overtimes for the North Region title.

Snow Hill is likely to be Dunbars final obstacle. The Eagles beat Dunbar two years ago in the state 1A semifinals, enroute to the crown and a 28-0 campaign. The Eagles have three holdovers from that squad including senior guard Keith Jackson (21 ppg., nine rpg.) and Ryan Waters (20 ppg., eight rpg.). They match up athletically, but Dunbar is a little longer with 6-foot-6 Darian Scott in the paint, and 6-4 Roderick Camphor on the wing.

Class 2A semifinal: City College (21-2) vs. Easton (19-5)

Time: 9 p.m.

Road to Comcast Center: City defeated Randallstown (93-54), Lake Clifton (60-47) and Edmondson (59-58) to win North Region; Easton defeated Queen Annes (89-58), North Caroline (64-55) and Edgewood (72-56) to win East Region.

Why will City win: The Knights survived the North Region beating Baltimore County finalist Randallstown which was playing for a fourth straight state title two seasons ago, last years 3A champ Lake Clifton and city champ Edmondson. Theyre definitely battle-tested plus theyre the defending 2A champs. The experience of Jordan Latham (17 ppg., eight rpg.) and Charles Tapper (10 ppg., 11 rpg.) in the paint compliments a young, but talented backcourt with junior Nick Faust (19.5 ppg) and Mike Cheatham. Cheatham was outstanding defensively against Lake Cliftons McDonald All-American Josh Selby in the region semifinals at Coppin State College.

Why wont City win: The Knights are considered the favorites after winning a tough region tournament, so complacency may seep in. Easton might not match up well inside against Latham and Tapper, but Eastern Shore squads are pretty tough and athletic.

Most think itll be City vs. Gwynn Park in the finals. The Yellow Jackets from Prince Georges beat rival Douglass-PG (City beat in last years state finals) three times this season, and can score led by 6-3 junior guard Brandon Ford (19.8 ppg). Gwynn Park coach Mike Glick formerly coached at Archbishop Spalding, so he has a good idea what City coach Mike Daniel will be bringing to the table. Daniel was the longtime Towson Catholic coach before making his way to The Alameda five seasons ago.

GIRLS STATE FINAL FOUR
When: Thursday (Class 4A & 3A semifinals); Friday (Class 2A & 1A semifinals), and Saturday (finals)
Where: Retriever Athletic Center, University of Maryland-Baltimore County

Class 3A semifinal: Western (18-6) vs. Centennial (17-5)
Time: 9 p.m. Thursday
Road to UMBC: Western defeated Towson (81-12), North Harford (55-30), Catonsville (57-35) and Poly (57-50) to win North Region; Centennial defeated Atholton (37-36), River Hill (48-41) and Mount Hebron (49-34) to win East Region.

Why Western will win: The Doves are simply due. This will be the fifth straight state Final Four for Western, which hasnt won a state title since 1995. The Doves are balanced as freshman guard Jannah Tucker is their leading scorer (11.3). Theyre seven-deep with size and veteran guards.

Why Western wont win: The Doves beat Largo, another 3A semifinalist, to start the season but have came up short against quality opponents all season. They needed a late push in the fourth quarter to finally upend Poly in the region finals. Centennial is a balanced squad and beat three recent former state champs to win the region title. The Eagles will try to make this a half-court affair.

If the Doves get through, theyll either match up against a much-improved Largo team or undefeated Seneca Valley in Saturday finals. The Eagles from Montgomery County are led by Virginia-bound guard Kelsey Wolfe (20 ppg., six rpg.). Largo beat Western in the 2008 3A title game.

Class 2A semifinal: Digital Harbor (19-5) vs. Fallston (18-5)

Time: 5 p.m. Friday

Road to UMBC

Why Digital Harbor will win: The Rams may have the best player in the area in Pitt-bound Asia Logan to go along with seniors Nichelle Groom and Janay Brinkley, a transfer from Archbishop Spalding. Digital Harbor knocked off defending champ City College in last weeks region finals, avenging a loss in the city title game. The Rams wont be nervous on UMBCs court, making their third state Final Four trip including last seasons Class 1A title run.

Why Digital Harbor wont win: Jess Harlee. The Fallston post was the areas top player last season leading the Harford County school to the Class 3A crown, but missed most of this past regular season recovering a torn ACL from the summer. Harlee is averaging 11 points and 11 rebounds since returning to the starting lineup, and has a solid cast including Rachael Holehouse (12 ppg., 4.1 apg.) and Lindsay Garnett (10 pts., 6.3 rpg.). The matchup between Logan and Harlee, whos headed to West Virginia, will be worth the price of admission.

The victor will play either Gwynn Park or Liberty in Saturdays title match. The Yellow Jackets are the prohibitive favorite against Liberty, making their sixth Final Four trip in 10 years. The Lions from Carroll County are making their first state semifinals in 27 years.

Class 1A semifinal: Dunbar (18-5) vs. Smithsburg (20-3)

Time: 7 p.m. Friday

Road to UMBC: Dunbar defeated Southside (111-43), Forest Park (87-11) and Forestville (64-35) to win South Region; Smithsburg defeated Manchester Valley (62-28), Catoctin (60-38) and Allegany (49-44) to win West Region

Why Dunbar will win: The Poets won four straight titles from 1999-2003, but havent been back since. Theyre itching to get back on top. Sophomore forward Michelle Wright (18.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg.) leads a young squad which four losses came against five ranked teams including city champ City College and state 2A semifinalist Digital Harbor.

Why Dunbar wont win: Its entirely new cast for Dunbar heading to UMBC after a seven-year hiatus, so nerves and inexperience could get them. If the Poets get past Smithsburg, their finals opponent will be tough with either Mardela or Joppatowne. Joppatowne has a solid resume with wins over 2A semifinalist Fallston, a pair of Anne Arundel teams (Severna Park and Glen Burnie), an IAAM program (John Carroll) and Frederick Countys Tuscarora. Junior guard Zameria Jones leads the team in scoring (17.3), but also has two 5-10 frontcourt performers (Brittany Thornton and Shakara Head) that could give Dunbar problems.

Mardela is led 5-11 guard/forward Taylor Siggers (16 ppg., 11 rpg.). The Warriors dont have impressive non-league wins, but have height and athleticism to compete with the Poets.

By Derek Toney:

Basketball comes easy for Justin and George Jackson. Its in their bloodlines.

Their father, George, Sr., played at Walbrook High in the late 1980s. He had a basketball in their hands when they were toddlers and coached them from rec to AAU.

George, Sr. died this past Tuesday from a heart attack. His funeral was Monday in west Baltimore.

The last couple of seasons, George, Sr. sat a couple of rows up behind the Digital Harbor bench along with Benatlou Rec coach Herman Johnson. Like most parents, George, Sr. wanted his sons to do better than he did.

I remember George Sr. from his days at Walbrook as a fledging reporter with the Sun. He was a solid guard for Gus Herrington. It was at Walbrook I first saw his off springs at the Function in the Junction in Dec. 2007.

It was late in regulation when I arrived, and the game was out of hand. Not knowing which team was which on the scoreboard, I assumed it was Douglass, which was ranked. I was taken aback when I went over to the scorers table and realized it was Digital Harbor, led by big games from Justin and George, won.

My immediate thought was, Who are these guys? Over the next three months, the Jackson boys made their mark on the Baltimore city hoops scene. Last year, the Rams won the Class 1A championship, bouncing back from a drubbing by Lake Clifton in the city title game.

It was easy to see how they played off each other. They could be silent for a quarter, then go on a torrid surge. Justin and George went their separate way as George, after earning first-team All-Metro honors, garnered a scholarship to Coppin State College.

Justin dealt with injuries and inconsistency, while George also had injuries and adjusting in his freshman season at Coppin. For their first time in their basketball lives, the Jacksons had adversity.

George Sr. was there, providing encouragement. Hours after he died Tuesday, Justin had his best game of the season with 30 points against Overlea in the Class 2A North quarterfinals. In the semifinals at Coppin Thursday, Justin almost single-handedly brought Digital Harbor back from a 10-point deficit late in regulation against Edmondson.

Now, Justin and George now prepare for life without their biggest fan. Once their tears dried and sadness fade, the Jackson boys will have to become men.

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