High Point Gets It Done In OT!

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Northern PG County (MD) school snatches win on the road.

March 5, 2010 – High School basketball playoff action seemingly creates matchups that go down to the wire, and last night’s Maryland 4A South region semifinal between Oxon Hill and High Point dovetailed with that sentiment, as the latter, an underdog, prevailed on the road 74-65 in overtime. The game was hotly contested throughout.

Ced Baker attempts a floater over Joh Thompson (40) and Javon Hayden.

Leading 52-48 after senior guard Ced Baker’s (12 points) three pointer with over five minutes to play – Oxon Hill’s biggest lead of the evening – High Point redoubled its offensive focus, as coach Ron Moore could be heard imploring his team to “Get the ball to this man”: the player in question was senior forward Joe Thompson (16 points), though the sentiments could also have been directed at senior forward Javon Hayden (11 points), as the bookend frontcourt guys both excelled down the stretch in High Point’s Flex Offense.

After a pair of Hayden foul shots with 2:07 on the clock, High Point rode the Flex to a 54-all tie. Action went back and forth, with little scoring, until Oxon Hill’s senior guard, Ray Gattling (20 points) hit two free throws giving the Clippers a 56-55 advantage.

Missed free throws marked the rest of regulation, given Oxon Hill’s Baker mis-shot a pair, and High Point’s Travis Baker, unrelated, missed one.

In overtime, High Point took over, getting the ball to the rim, whether it be Hayden, Thompson or Baker, who scored eight points in the bonus period and a game pacing 29 overall.

The contest unfortunately got chippy in bonus time, several intentional fouls were assessed, but that shouldn’t minimize what occurred on the court – both schools fought hard. The outcome sees High Point take on Eleanor Roosevelt Saturday at Wise for the 4A championship, and Oxon Hill’s season ended.

Audio Extra:

Oxon Hill’s coach, Richard Little talks about the recruitment of Gattling, a lefty combo guard and his recruitment.