Huskies run out of gas vs. defending champions
COLLEGE PARK — Patterson Mill’s ride to the school’s first appearance in a boys basketball state final was derailed in a major way Friday inside the Xfinity Center.
The Huskies (19-8) got off to a fast start, but Fairmont Heights (20-8) was just too tough. The Hornets, the defending Class 1A state champions, took control with a strong second quarter androlled past the Huskies, 72-49, in a 1A semifinal.
“You can’t be in a situation when you play a team that’s, that good wothout bringing your A game,” Huskies head coach Jeroud Clark said. “Tonight we had 25 turnovers, you turn the ball over like that against a team like that and you’re gonna be a bad spot. I think that kind of sums up the game.”
The Huskies opened with a fast pace, pushing the action. Senior Rashawn Clowney had three strong drives for points and the first two gave Patterson Mill a 4-0 lead.
However, Rashawn Clowney didn’t score again and he played just a little bit more, suffering a knee injury that forced him out in the second quarter.
“Downthestretch, the last four game’s, he’s been our leading scorer. He’s probably one of the more dynamic kids on the floor on both teams tonight,” Clark said. “Then he goes down, now were rotating kids in and it meant everything.”
Fairmont Heights, which struggled early with its shooting, found itself trailing the Huskies, 10-8, with 2:40 left in the first quarter. The Hornets scored the final five points of the quarter to lead, 13-10.
The Hornets also scored the first six to begin the second quarter and the lead quickly grew to19-10. Patterson Mill slowed the game, but Fairmont Heights didn’t seem fazed.
Turnovers aided the Hornets, 25 by the Huskies, which led to 35 Hornets points. A 3-point shot from Shemarri Miles and a three-point play by Mandell Quigley (11 points) pushed the Hornets lead to 29-17.
Thescorewas33-19 as time ran downinthe half. The Huskies should have had the last shot, but a turnover gave the ball back to the Hornets and they scored five points in the final three seconds.
Yearlarndo ReedII, the tallest player onthe court at 6-foot-6, drained a 3 as time was running out. On the inbounds pass, Kimani Benjamin (17 points, four steals) stole the ball and scored on a short jumper.
The five-point spurt sent the Huskies to the break, trailing 38-19.
Benjamin stole the ball and scored again to open the second half as the Hornets zeroed in on the win.
Max Elliott added 12 points and a teamhigh eight rebounds for the Huskies, whohad had all 14 players see action, including junior Nathan Roussey who scored five points. Senior Dale Harris also scored five points.