Different approach guiding Gophers
Glen Burnie cleans up performance, playing with more energy in playoffs
Rare is it that Glen Burnie’s home crowd does not bring the electricity and energy for its boys’ basketball team, especially come playoff time. However, a 5 p.m. Friday Class 4A East Region Section I quarterfinal matchup with Severna Park did not pack the arena, so the Gophers were required to bring their own energy early on.
No worries there. Mekhi Simmons scored six points in the opening minute and finished with 21 points and 20 rebounds to pace four Glen Burnie players in double figures, as the Gophers came with high energy and an unstoppable transition game and defeated the visiting Falcons, 82-59.
The No. 3 seed Gophers travel to Meade Monday at 5 p.m. to take on the second-seeded Mustangs. It was a loss to Meade on senior night that sparked a turnaround for coach Mike Rudd’s squad.
“We are not the same team we were in early January, or even a few weeks ago,” Rudd said. “We played atrocious against Meade on senior night and had to clean up a few things regarding our team chemistry,” Rudd said. “We struggled after that against Old Mill, but even losing by a lot, our boys competed in the second half and that led into our performance against North County the other night. We came out with a ton of energy and guys were cheering each other on.”
Simmons wasted no time jumpstarting Glen Burnie (15-8), hitting three field goals in the first 62 seconds, forcing Severna Park coach Paul Pellicani to take a quick timeout.
“We were trying to make a statement tonight and get prepped up for Meade on Monday,” Simmons said. “We came out there and played defense and got rebounds and got into transition and shared the ball pretty well.”
The Falcons (4-19) responded well and kept the game within one late in the first quarter, but the Gophers responded by going on a 24-2 run deep into the second that placed the Falcons in a 20-point hole they could not get out of.
“They got their transition game going early and often and that was the difference,” Pellicani said. “It was like trying to stop the tide from coming in. They controlled the boards and they just pushed the ball.”
Simmons had 11 points in the second period, and Kennedy McKissic took the baton in the second half, scoring 15 of his 17 points after the break. He added seven rebounds and four assists and Rakeem Felder had nine points, four assists, four blocks and four steals.
“It is all team and we just like to share the ball and get everyone involved,” McKissic said. “Coach doesn’t care who scores, he just wants the W.”
The game sped up in the fourth, with the teams combining for 53 points in the quarter. Kody Milton led the Falcons with 20 points, including 15 after the break. Jordan Hallet added 13 points and six rebounds and Jack Thomas had 14 points.
“We have had teams with better records, but I have never had a team play this hard for 23 games,” Pellicani said. “We have played better than our record indicated, and it is not for a lack of heart or effort. These boys stayed with us and stayed with the program and were a pleasure to coach.”
Braeden Cavey added 11 points for the Gophers. Nick Maddox scored 10 and Dominick Williams had eight points and five rebounds. They get a third crack at the Mustangs on Monday.
“I asked the guys ‘Why did it take 20 games to get it together?’ But, you just cannot coach team chemistry,” Rudd said. “A lot of guys have accepted their roles and I am very proud of the job my coaching staff has done. It has taken us a while to gel, but we are going to go over there on Monday and give it everything we have.”