E.R. Returns To MD’s 4A Final Four

Ron Bailey, Publisher

March 5, 2007 – Last season, the Eleanor Roosevelt Raiders boasted the most talented team in Maryland class 4A high school ball, only to lose a heart breaker in the state’s championship game, played at the University of Maryland’s Comcast Center.

After graduating six athletes – five of which went on to play various levels of college ball – the expectations for this year’s Raider crew were tempered at best, despite the continued presence of future University of Pittsburgh student-athlete, senior swingman Darnell Dodson and bruising senior big man, Sean Hawkins.

Early in the season, the team seemed to meet those pedestrian expectations, muddling through the season and losing games they were capable of winning. Then came their cross-state match up with Virginia’s Freedom-Woodbridge (both are presently ranked in the top 10 of i95Ballerz.com’s Power Poll).

Since that stunning victory, the Raiders have rattled off nine straight victories, including Saturday’s 72-54 MPSSAA 4A South Boy’s Regional Finals victory, over Prince George’s County 4A regular season champion, C.H. Flowers.

In addition to Dodson’s 31 points, along with 12 and nine from fellow seniors Apache Martin, and Hawkins respectively, Roosevelt continued their defensive resurgence, in addition to receiving a solid performance from senior back up center, Mike Mongelluzzo (1 point, 8 rebounds).

“Mike came in and played great” said Coach Brendan O’Connell, of Mongeluzzo’s play. “He gave us some terrific rebounds, helping us when Sean got in foul trouble”.

Dodson agreed, stating “He stepped up pretty big”, while Hawkins noted that due to his foul trouble “we needed him to help neutralize (Flowers’ senior center, Daniel) Thompson (9 points)”.

Roosevelt's players and coaches enjoy the moment after their 4A South Final victory.

Flowers’ head coach, George McClure noted the play of Roosevelt’s frontcourt in defending Thompson, and added that his pivot man also “had a bad night”.

Senior guards Darren Clark (12 points) and Jordan Brooks (11 points) scored in double figures for the Jaguars from Flowers.

Collectively, McClure was impressed with his opponent’s ability to defend. “Roosevelt played very well…Their half court defense is excellent” he shared.

That desire to strap up has steadily evolved this year, according to O’Connell, who noted “Everybody has played their role, and bought into it”.

Glenn Farello, another one of Roosevelt’s talented coaches, elaborated further. “We were 2-4 at one time” he said. “We lost at (PG 4A rival Wise), and I had a meltdown. From then on, we started to play better defensively”.

It was the Freedom-Woodbridge game, where the Raiders more or less blended defense with offensive execution. “They just started playing” afterward, said Farello. “That was really the first time they played loose. They matured”.

The Raiders take that focus yet unflappable playing style into Comcast Center and against Montgomery County’s Magruder High School this week. If they win, it’s on to the title game.