Young-less Friendship Struggles with Potomac's Quartet
Ron Bailey, Publisher
It helps to have four horses, and hurts when your primary one isn't running.
January 8, 2009 - Without its point guard Brandon Young, one of the best players in the District-Maryland-Virginia area, Friendship Collegiate (DC) struggled last night at Potomac (MD), losing 79-59.
Given Potomac's veteran roster, one boasting a quartet of standouts, the outcome, given Young's absence due to a sprained ankle, while regrettable, shouldn't be a surprise.
Potomac was led by senior forward Antonio Jenifer's 20 points. Expect him to attend a top junior college, such as S. Idaho, Indian Hills, Butler or Independence next season.
His teammate, Devin Miller, a senior swingman, dropped 14 points. Normally a starter, Miller came off the bench and instantly provided outside shooting and energy. According to his coach, Terrence Oxendine, Xavier, UMass and Providence have all expressed interest in Devin, who could attend prep school, a four year institutions, or junior college next year.
Floor leader Da'Ron Wiseman, playing off the ball for much of the contest, supplied 15 points, and controlled the show when necessary, particularly in the fourth quarter, when Friendship reduced a 20+ point deficit to 14. Wiseman, awaiting test scores, is getting major attention from Mid Eastern Athletic Conference/Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association member institutions, with Frederick CC and other Maryland jucos also in the hunt.
Da'Ron 'Mush' Wiseman: A tough, gritty point guard, Wiseman can hit spot up jumpers, drive, and drop off. Capable of defending, in college he must do so consistently, as well as show he's dangerous off the bounce with his left as well.
Last but not least is David Brockenberry, a physical force inside who provided eight points. Illustrating his blue collar nature is the fact David may have an opportunity to play both football and basketball at the Division II (CIAA) level.
For the season, the quartet, per Oxendine, averages each contest 16 points/seven assists (Wiseman), 17 points/five rebounds (Miller), 13 points/10 rebounds (Brockenberry), and 17 points/six caroms (Jenifer); numbers that highlight their impact.
Friendship's coach, Clinton Crouch, was frank when asked what missing Young, a consummate playmaker who can defend and score, one that will play in the Big East at DePaul next year, meant: "We were 8-0 before he got hurt. He went down in a double overtime game, and now we've lost two in a row...He gets everyone involved".
Senior Kristopher Harris, a swingman supplied 13 points for Crouch, as did senior perimeter guy Lewis Bell. Senior guard Curtis Symonds, Jr. chipped in 10 points. It's not that Friendship didn't try and compete, the team just wasn't as cohesive, sans Young.
The game seemed to turn for good late in the first half, when Friendship, trailing only nine saw Miller hit a two and with but 37 seconds to play Wiseman score a fast break and-one. Back to back steals and subsequent lay ups by Potomac produced an insurmountable 42-26 halftime lead for the Wolverines.
Friendship is now 8-2 while Potomac stands 5-2.