Largo exhibited growth in City win

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Lions gain, lose and regain lead.

January 25, 2010 - Prince Georges County's Largo High School was rocking last night, as the Lions hosted one of the
preseason favorites to challenge for a Maryland 2A title - Baltimore's City College. Fans in attendance, of which City
was well represented were treated to a gem of a game, with Largo prevailing 72-69.

Largo was able to cobble together a 14 point, third quarter lead, before City scrapped back, knotting the score at 69
with :11.3 to go in regulation. The culprit, a 1-2-1-1 press their coach, Mike Daniel, calls 'Diamond'. What's interesting is all five City defenders crowded the frontcourt, denying entry passes, passing lanes and dribbling space.

Derrick Colter won i95Ballerz.com Man-of-the-Game honors.

"We kind of had to pick up the intensity" shared Daniel of what his press brought. "It was able to get us back in the game".

Maryland University-bound senior swingman, Nick Faust, scored 19 points for City, several of which can be attributed to steals and finishes in the comeback. Junior guard Mike Cheatham scored 20 points for the East Baltimore school, including a big and-one that tied the score (mentioned above). Junior forward Charles Tapper finished with 20 points.

Largo was led by junior guard Derrick Colter's 34 points, including 12 of 12 free throws. Those free throw attempts were produced by driving to the cup. Colter also sank a number of deep shots.

Colter on his free throw shooting: "I stepped up with confidence and made them".

City on the other hand, missed 13 of 25 free throws, a 48% completion mark.

Largo also got 10 points from senior guard Che'Von Giles, including several key jumpers, leading his coach, Lewis Howard to note Che'von is a shooter, and shooters shoot".

"We wanted to win the game in the fourth quarter" later continued Howard of Largo, now 10-3 overall, 8-1 in PG 2A league play. Asked to sum his team's play, Lewis opined "This was a good game. We had to grow up...We grew up tonight".

City is 8-5 overall, 0-1 in Baltimore City league play.

Despite Daniels' team lukewarm start, expect them to join Largo as possible state title contenders going forward.