Raiders Win Thriller – Suitland Represents Well In Defeat

Ron Bailey, Publisher

February 11, 2006 – Last night, Suitland’s fabled and notoriously hot gymnasium was the site for some equally hot on-court action between Prince Georges 4A rivals, Suitland and Eleanor Roosevelt. The game would be decided upon in the final minutes, with Darnell Dodson (19 points) scoring the game’s last five points, producing a 58-55 Roosevelt Raider victory.

Darnell was the game’s leading scorer, closely trailed by Suitland’s Cliff Dixon (17 points). The Ram’s Michael Lewis (12 points), Chris Mast (10 points), Jerome Barnes (8 points), and Kyle Jenkins also contributed offensively.

From a Roosevelt perspective, Sean Hawkins (11 points), Jourdan Morris (7 points) and both Brandon McDonald and Tim Morton (6 points) supplied notable offensive input.

Both team’s coaches were proud of their player’s effort. Roosevelt’s Brendan O’Connell was “happy with the way we showed poise there, down with about three (minutes) to go”. His counterpart at Suitland, Tyrone Massenburg, shared “I’m definitely proud of the way we came back. That they had the character to come back” especially after a disappointing loss to C.H. Flowers, earlier in the week (see i95Ballerz.com for details).

This battling spirit was exhibited by all of his players, not just the most well known. For instance, Massenburg indicated Jenkins “stepped up” to the challenge presented by Roosevelt’s “denying” Lewis, Suitland’s primary ball handler, the ball. “He played great tonight. He handled the ball, played defense, and rebounded”, said Massenburg. .

In fact, the consensus of those involved with Suitland Ram basketball was a feeling of pride in the way the team battled, from beginning to end. In no way shape or form do they feel this loss was detrimental to their playoff designs.

Cliff Dixon opined that the outcome fell the way it did, because “They (Roosevelt) made good shots” at opportune moments, and that loss “doesn’t deflate our spirits. It’s like a whole new season” coming up as the playoffs are looming.

Lewis shared “I feel good about it (the Ram’s performance) we gave it our all, and next game we are going to go out and pull it out, and we are going to get ready for the states (playoffs)”.

Suitland’s Barnes, a four year Ram player, felt his team “played together, and all our potential came out”. He went on to say “This was our best team game …we made the extra pass”.

That pride in their performance extended beyond those on the court. Several parents expressed their satisfaction with the effort, but though not the result. Mr. Mike Lewis, Sr. for one, wanted to see a win, but said “As a team the kids played good…I was glad to see the kids hang in there, and play together”.

Dodson was the contest’s high point scorer, but his contribution extending beyond just putting the ball through the hoop. Coach Brendan O’Connell of Roosevelt lauded Darnell’s “inside-outside” offensive contribution, as well as his defensive flexibility. In sum, O’Connell would say “Tonight was a great example of what a great player he is. He did it all”.

During the course of the game, Dodson at various times defended Suitland’s leading scorer last night, center Cliff Dixon, and their diminutive yet dangerous point guard, Michael Lewis – who is a threat to score from virtually any point on the court. Darnell shared after the game that in defending Dixon the Raiders designed a team-wide game plan. “He’s an offensive threat, so I tried to focus on boxing him out from the post, so the help side D(fense) could come over, and we did a good job on the backside”, he said.

Individually, Dodson has prepared for such challenges. “I know because of my size (6’6”), I’m going to have to guard a lot of post players”, he said. “So I’ve been working on getting stronger so I can defend the post”.

As with Suitland, the Raiders benefited from a total team effort as well. Morton and Hawkins, both centers, established themselves down low. Hawkins would repeatedly score deep in the paint, many times through contact. The back-to-back baskets around the four minute mark of the 3rd quarter exemplify his rugged inside play.

In a similar vein, Morton also supplied an interior presence when inserted into the game. Tim would excitedly score the first half’s final bucket via an open court dunk. He and his teammates then sprinted off the floor for intermission, as the bucket dead locked the score at 30-30. “I just had to come out with energy”, he said when asked about his overall play, then adding “He (his coach) always expects a lot of me”.

O’Connell applauded Morton for “finishing inside” and indicated the young guy “was great coming off the bench”. In his eyes, Hawkins more or less did what he does. “He’s tough to guard down there, he’s hard to handle” he said. “He’s real good around the basket”.

With the ball game essentially starting over at halftime, both squads started the third quarter exerting great effort, with bodies flying around and the fans really starting to get involved. Both teams scored 14 points apiece during the period.

With playoff seating on the line and a tie score of 44-all, the excitement in the gym was palpable to start the fourth and final period. Kyle Jenkins, late in the quarter made the first shot of a one-and-one opportunity, bringing the score to a 55-51 Ram advantage.

Suitland would score no more. Hawkins sank two free throws and soon thereafter, with 1:15 to play, Dodson sank his three pointer – the biggest of the day. That long ball gave the Raiders a one point lead.

Both teams would not be able to score, going back and forth, until Dodson’s last second dunk. When the final buzzer sounded, the Raider fans in attendance went bananas, as their team congratulated Suitland, and celebrated their way off the court.

Such an emotional loss, on Senior Night no doubt, could be detrimental to some programs, especially in light of the second season approaching. Suitland’s Massenburg did not provide an end of season speech to the team afterward, but girded them for the upcoming playoff challenges. “If we can get the effort we got tonight, we can make a run for it” he said. Dixon went as far as to say “I hope we see them (Roosevelt) again”.

And he just may. Both teams have the potential to go deep into the state tourney, in which somewhere down the line, they would face one another again. In fact if the Rams don’t go 2-7 from the free throw line, the outcome last night could have possibly been different. You never know, the local basketball community may be treated to a rematch.

Odds and Ends:

Massenburg on the Seniors (there are six of them) and His Team’s Development: “It’s a whole new starting five from last year. Three of them weren’t even here last year. To get to the point where they are now, it makes you feel good. They all have had good high school careers, and I think they all will make good college players.

Jerome Barnes’ Shout Out: Barnes shouted out to the Elite Barber Crew – “Drew, Meatty, Ray, Tony…Shannon too. Additionally, he wanted to acknowledge “Everybody else up there as well”.

Coach Massenburg

Mike Lewis

Tim Morton