Marcinko, Matthews help Century boys hold off Hereford
As the playoffs fast approach, every team wants its best players on a hot streak as the road to a state championship begins.
Century’s Andrew Marcinko and Ryan Matthews might be the hottest duo in boys basketball as the regular season comes to an end. The pair combined for 70% of the scoring for the Knights on Friday, and with some key fourth-quarter free throws by both, Century defeated Hereford, 58-55, in a tough intercounty showdown.
“Really proud of our guys stepping up against a good Baltimore County team,” Century coach George Wunder said. “Playing them really gave us some different looks going into the playoffs.”
The Knights found themselves down after one thanks to Hereford’s Ryder Water. The big man finished with 11 points and slowed the pace, pounding away on the inside and forcing the game to be played in the halfcourt.
“Coach [Jim] Rhoads did a good job of shortening the game, we couldn’t run like we normally do,” Wunder said. “Tommy [Dixon] did a really good job of just being present defensively all game long. Their big guy was a load.”
With his team down in the second quarter, Marcinko woke up.
\His 10-point quarter turned the game around. With the Bulls deploying a 2-3 zone most of the game, he stepped up with confidence and shot over the zone, even making an effort to change the pace and regain control of the game.
“I was able to push the ball more and get open shots before they got set,” said Marcinko, who finished with a game-high 25 points.
Hereford was down five at halftime, but kept its scrappy play. With Water being double- and sometimes triple-teamed in the paint, the Bulls looked to Jordan Akerman.
The senior guard countered Marcinko’s 10-point quarter with an 11-point third. He was also a factor defensively, helping hold Marcinko scoreless in the frame.
The Bulls’ effort was enough to tie the game after three quarters.
“This was 100% different from what we’ve seen all year,” Wunder said. “They stayed in that zone all game long, there weren’t any easy shots.”
While the Baltimore County team wasn’t used to playing Century, the Bulls employed the strategy every team that plays the Knights turns to — make someone besides Marcinko beat them.
However, Marcinko and the Knights are battle tested. Marcinko recorded doubledigit assists in multiple games recently, and his court vision was evident again Friday. The senior found Matthews for some key baskets down the stretch to stop the Hereford run.
Matthews finished with 15 points, and as he and Marcinko hit six free throws in the final minute, Century held on to close the regular season with a victory.
“We did a really good job at adjusting and moving the ball in the second half,” Matthews said. “The ball found me and I just hit the shots.”
With the win, the Knights now prepare for next week’s playoffs. The team embraced the tight battle, closing the season with a gritty win that helped grow confidence.
“After a game like today, we’re locked in,” Marcinko said with a grin. “We’re ready for whoever we get.”
Other boys basketball scores
Patterson Mill 67, Bo Manor 39: Patterson Mill took care of business on a night full of celebration.
Before dismantling visiting Bo Manor, the Huskies’ six seniors were honored with a pregame ceremony boasting each player’s individual accomplishments. Then at halftime — the game largely in hand — Patterson Mill coach Jeroud Clark was honored for eclipsing 200 career wins on Feb. 3.
Clark, having picked up his 202nd career victory, admitted the halftime recognition was a surprise orchestrated by his wife. He got emotional having former players in attendance and receiving a commemorative basketball signed by his team.
Jackson Wheeler, Drew Pape and senior point guard Stephen Loidl had their hand prints all over Friday’s victory. Pape finished with 16 points, while Loidl contributed 11 points on three 3-pointers.
“We’ve been hanging our hat on defense all year long,” Clark said. “Today was just another one of those scenarios. Offense might not travel but we say defense always does.”
— Sam Cohn Mount Saint Joseph 82, Archbishop Spalding 54:
The visiting No. 1 Gaels (33-3) clinched the program’s 11th Baltimore Catholic League regular-season title in convincing fashion Friday with their 17th straight win. Tyonne Farrell scored 21 points, Austin Abrams added 15 and Amani Hansberry chipped in 13 for Mount Saint Joseph.
The Panthers (11-3) cruised to victory behind a school-record 57 points from senior Jahnathan Lamothe in his final regular-season home game. It was the 125th career BCL victory for coach Nick Myles, whose Panthers will be a No. 3 seed in the BCL Tournament. The Patriots (5-9) will be the No. 5 seed.
St. Frances 120, John Carroll 77: Liberty 75, Marriotts Ridge 61:
The Lions broke open the game in the second half after leading by just three at halftime. Tyler Downs led the Lions with 22 points.
Westminster 50, Francis Scott Key 38:
Ashton Stewart had 18 points to lead the Owls past the Eagles. Chance Byrnes chipped in 14 points, while Jah Donald pulled down 12 rebounds and blocked three shots. FSK was led by Jordan Fulmore and Braeden Haven with nine points each.
Indian Creek 79, Chapelgate Christian 70:
The visiting Eagles (14-19, 5-15 Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference) beat the Yellow Jackets (23-7, 15-5). Indian Creek was led by Kyndall Crawford with 20 points and 15 rebounds, Aiden Evans with 19 points and five rebounds, and Zion Robinson with 16 points and four rebounds.
Academy for College and Career Exploration 56, Joppatowne 50:
Kishann Smith scored 18 points, but the Mariners fell to the host Eagles. The game was tied at 25 at halftime.
Mount Carmel 64, Glenelg Country 51: Drew McKenna scored 27 points for the Dragons. Mount Carmel built a 39-25 lead at the half.
McDonogh 52, Loyola Blakefield 48: Rob Fields had 15 points and the visiting Eagles (15-15, 6-10 MIAA A Conference Black Division) beat the Dons (11-13, 7-9). The win was the second straight for McDonogh, while the loss was the second straight for Loyola.
Glen Burnie 55, Winters Mill 50: John Mallory scored 18 points to lead host Gophers (15-7) to their sixth consecutive win to end the regular season. Bryce Blair had eight points and Lakee Pegram added six for Glen Burnie.
C. Milton Wright 62, Elkton 50: Jordan Ross closed the regular season with a season-high 27 points in the win. Kyle Ashman backed him with 17 as the Mustangs finished the regular season 18-4.
Severn 54, Annapolis Area Christian 45:
Kingston Price scored a game-high 26 points to lead the Admirals (17-7, 14-6 MIAA B Conference) over the host Eagles (4-26, 3-17). Jonathan Perry had 10 points and Elijah Butler added nine for AACS. Severn will face St. Paul’s in the league quarterfinals Tuesday.
Girls basketball
Hereford 49, Century 34: Lauren Kraft scored a game-high 20 points to lead the host Bulls over the Knights (10-12). Lauren Orner added nine points in the win. Century was led by Mackenzie Mowder (13 points) and Mia Graff (12 points).