Third Time A Charm for Largo

Ron Bailey, Publisher

March 17, 2008 – Having recently participated in Maryland state semifinal action in 2005 and again last year, only to fall short both times, Largo (PG County) returned to the University of Maryland’s Comcast Center Saturday with one goal in mind – winning that elusive 3A division crown, chip, belt, or whatever one decides to call a championship. This time around, Coach Lewis Howard and his group of Lions would not be denied.

From the outset of their 84-58 dismantling of Long Reach (Howard County), Largo was focused. “We just wanted to be aggressive” said Howard of his team’s ability to get to the free throw line (Largo shot 14 first half free throws, 32 for the game), though the description could also apply to the Lion’s rebounding, defense and transition game. The effects were obvious, as Largo led 19-8 by the second quarter, and 43-21 at the half.

The Lions of Largo enjoy their success.

Offensively, the team was led by senior Maurice Sutton (19 points, seven rebounds) early on, with senior Klevin Pollard (21 points, five rebounds) coming on strong in the second half. Junior Aaron Martin paced all players in rebounds (14, seven offensive and seven defensive), while also scoring 17 points.

“Aaron Martin has done a tremendous job all year” said Howard of his budding standout. “Rebounding is his thing. That’s something you can’t teach”.

“Not really” calmly replied Martin afterward, when asked if this was the best game of his career. “I just know my role and do my job”.

As did his teammates, including a backcourt unit of Pollard along with fellow seniors Darren Clark (13 points, six assists), and Donald Moses (eight points, three rebounds, two assists).

“Absolutely, absolutely” said Howard of whether his guard depth was key, a point Long Reach’s coach, Al Moraz, Jr. conceded saying “It definitely hurt us”.

Long Reach (25-3) attempted after intermission to pound the ball down low, with initial success. “We wanted to attack the glass. Obviously with a 20 point deficit you want to put points on the floor with the shot clock now running”, said the coach, who also changed his full court press periodically, with positive, immediate, results each time.

Nevertheless, Largo (23-4), met each momentum swing with one of their own, including a fourth quarter run that ballooned a 15 point lead with 5:50 in regulation to a 79-51 advantage at the 1:58 mark: The last score in that period was a memorable, as Sutton rebounded the ball and fed a streaking Pollard, who found Moses for a fast break layup.

Howard on answering Long Reach’s charges: “Long Reach is a good team…we knew they were going to make a run…Our guards were just tremendous with their ball handling and decision making”.

No one on Long Reach’s side looked for excuses. “We missed a couple of shots, but that’s not the reason we lost” honestly replied senior Obi Ukwuoma (19 points, 10 rebounds). “Largo was a better team”.

“They were fortunate enough to capitalize on every mistake” added senior Deon Queen (13 points), a player Howard revealed as a Largo defensive focal point.

Resultantly, the Lions return home from the hunt with the prey – a state championship title, its first since 1993.