OM gets big half from Kiely

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Oakland Mill's Scorpions end up stinging Central.

March 1, 2011 - Most attending Oakland Mill's (MD) 2A South Maryland playoff matchup with Central (MD), most assumed highly recruited senior forward Greg Whittington would propel the home team to victory, and at first blush one could say he did, as Whittington ended up with 15 points in the school's 77-55 victory. Though under his 24 points per game average, fifteen points is nothing to sneeze at.

But the truth is Whittington scored none of his points in the first half, as he faced a box and one defense in which Central rotated primary defenders on him - adding to the scheme's effectiveness, they played him physically and aggressively.

"It's a struggle" replied Whittington afterward, when asked of Central's choice of defense. "But you have to work through it".

If not for the work of senior guard Joe Kiely who scored 19 of his 26 points in the first half, undefeated Oakland Mills (24-0) would likely have lost: Kiely consistently drove to the hoop and finished or shot three pointers. His play was sensational.

"I just tried to get to the basket" said Kiely of his first half play. "We had to keep our composure".

While Kiely's first half work allowed Oakland Mills to endure Central's first half runs - despite leading 17-9 at one time, the former was only ahead 29-28 at the half - it was their 1-2-2 zone press sealed the deal in the second stanza.

Joe Kiely attacking the tin.

"That press caught them off guard in the second half" said Oakland Mills' coach, Jonathan Browne. "They got a few steals...then they did what they do", specifically getting out in transition and scoring recalled his Central counterpart, Lawrence Pugh.

Senior forward Tony Clark scored 13 points for Central, while also manning the boards. Sophomore guard Calvin Lovitt led Central with 24 points, including several three pointers, while freshman Devon Taylor chipped in five.

Up next for Oakland Mills in playoff action is Douglass (MD), a contest set for Wednesday evening. Central (9-13 ) is done for the year, but left Oakland Mill's Columbia, MD gym with their heads high. "I give all the respect to them, they are a good team" said Pugh, in his first year as head coach at the Capitol Heights school. "But we had the game tonight. Our guys competed".

Recruiting Note: Joe Kiely has been under-recruited, as the 6'0", athletic point guard hasn't received any firm offers before this game. Now, that has changed - Goldey-Beacom College (DE) tendered that scholarship opportunity or will soon so, according to Kiely and other sources.