Montgomery County Curbs PG’s Final Four Effort
Ron Bailey, Publisher
March 9, 2007 – In the Washington, D.C. area, Maryland has become probably the number one source of hoops talent in the area, with Prince Georges County the top supplier. Its northern cousin, Montgomery County produces its own share of players, but generally is regarded as more of a hotbed for gridiron players.
Thursday saw that convention thrown on its head, as previously undefeated Largo ( 24-1) fell to Bethesda-Chevy Chase (22-3) 75-62, while Magruder (20-5) bested Eleanor Roosevelt (18-7) 63-61, in the Maryland State Championship semi-final 3A and 4A classification games respectively, held at the University of Maryland’s Comcast Center.
Bethesda Chevy-Chase, led by Ohio University-bound senior Maurice Pearson (26 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks, 3 steals) and deploying various zone defense alignments to send Largo home, despite losing 38-35 at halftime: Increased defensive activity and their ability to solve Largo’s 2-2-1 press allowed the Barons to outscore Largo 11-10 during the third quarter.
Mauice Pearson, shooting a late game intentional foul, dominated.
In the opinion of Louis Howard, Largo’s coach, that period was key as “It was our lowest scoring quarter all year”. “My point guard (senior Maurice Colter) ended up with 26 points (along with 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 5 steals), but we had to do everything off the glass”.
Conspicuously absent, was high scoring senior Kwame Morgan (12 points – 10 in the first half – 5 rebounds 1 block, 1 assist).
“That 2-3 zone really closed the middle up” said Morgan afterward. “That’s where I get most of my points”.
Largo's coch, Lewis Howard, with Maurice Colter (1), Kwame Morgan (32) and Maurice Sutton (25). The Lions faced as similar state semi-final defeat, two years ago.
According to Bethesda-Chevy Chase coach, Steve Thompson, his staff tweaked the team’s zones to do just that by packing it in and relying on their length. Resultantly “We were going to give up some three’s (three point shots)” he said, but secured the lane in the process.
Coming into the battle, much of the speculation was how Pearson would play against junior Lion frontcourt man, Maurice Sutton (6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal). Pierson felt differently, saying “It really wasn’t a challenge at all” in terms of a one on one battle.
As MoCo fans do, BCC brought many supporters to the Comcast Center.
He did feel motivated by the match up’s jurisdictional angle. “Montgomery County doesn’t get too much credit” he stated, “so it was good to play someone from there, in this game”.
Junior guard Austin Cooley (13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 5 steals), along with senior forwards Jon Gregg (7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal) and Jordan Herrera (11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal) also had key contributions for the Barons, who take on River Hill Saturday for the 3A title.