Rams Butt Wolverines Out of Championship Running

March 11, 2006 – Randallstown High School’s coach, Kim Rivers admitted that his Rams were well prepared coming into their Maryland State Semifinal contests against Potomac High School. His counterpart, Dwayne Shell, suggested the Wolverines lacked effort and cohesion, in their 63-42 loss. The sentiments of both fairly depict what happened last evening.

Guard Lyndon Jones (23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals) led Randallstown, while their star guard, Johnny Higgins (15 points 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block, 1 steal) and Darrell Bryant (8 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal) both contributed greatly.

Potomac was paced by their season-long leading scorer Bobby Shannon (20 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals), as well as Ricardo Pride (6 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 steals) and Brandine Thompson (6 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, 1 steal). Both Shannon and Pride scored well under their per season averages – 7 and 14 respectively – while the team shot just 23.8% from the floor, and 4.5% from the three point line.

“Our goal is to hold someone under 50 (points) for the whole game, and they barely had 40 points. So yes, this was one of our better games” said Rivers, when asked if this was one of his squad’s best defensive performances. Key to the effort though, was preparation.

After revealing that his staff scouted Potomac last Saturday, Rivers provided their defensive game plan. “The goal was to stop Shannon…and Pride”, he said in his team’s press conference. The strategy was disseminated to the team Monday, and the video tape Randallstown had on Potomac was viewed over and over by their players.

“It paid off tonight. We definitely knew what Shannon wanted to do” said Rivers. “With his penetration, he definitely wanted to go left, and Pride as well”. He also lauded his team “for doing a great job of not letting any of the other guys beat us”.

Jones was the Ram tasked with primarily defending Shannon, and he took the challenge to heart. “I took it (the game) as we were the underdog, I was checking Bobby Shannon, their best player, and I came out and played hard defense”, he said.

Rivers added that the Rams as a whole helped defend the high-flying Shannon, as each time he touched the ball, Jones received assistance. “Lyndon’s main job was don’t give any help and just stick to Shannon” he said, and as a team the Rams “were just packing it in. So when whenever he or Pride drove”, the lane would be defended.

Additionally, Higgins indicated that “We wanted to jump on them from the start, and get an early lead. That way we could keep the momentum going. That way we could not give them a chance to get back in the game”. Again, the Rams followed the script to the letter, as they led 15-5 after the first quarter, and 35-18 at the half.

Shell opined “I feel it was just a lack of effort”, in addition to “poor shot selection” that doomed Potomac. While crediting Randallstown’s defense, he also decried his own team’s decision making which entailed shooting a lot of quick shots, and not getting to the basket. The quick shots eliminated any “movement on offense”, and “caused them to get long rebounds, and push the ball”. Not driving and getting to the rim, either as a result of their decision making or the Ram’s defense, resulted in Potomac’s inability to “get to the free throw line”.

Jones had his highest point total of the season, eclipsing a recent outing of 18. Rivers emphatically labeled Lyndon’s performance, “His best game”, while a Ram assistant coach added that the young man “is peaking at the right time”. Potomac’s Pride conceded Johnny Higgins has been labeled the best player in Baltimore and “our main focus was on him. But the main focus should have been on 23 (Jones). He’s the one who killed us”.

As stated above, Pride didn’t have a game to remember. His coach, Shell, revealed that Kwame Johnson (2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal) and Pride “played with broken hands for the past two months”, but those injury concerns were not an excuse given their extensive playing time with those injuries.

Pride also did not attempt to cop a plea, saying his team had been in similar situations before but in this instance Randallstown “wanted it more. He also felt, “We came in here, undisciplined, didn’t get back on ‘d’”.

Both coaches suggested the Comcast Center presents new challenges for secondary school squads. “We’re used to a high school gym” said Shell. “And they’ve (Randallstown) been here before”. He feels the future is bright, since several of his players are returning.

Rivers agreed that his team may have had an advantage in this regard, given their experience as recent as last year when they won the 3A state title on this very court. “It’s different down here…being down here several times, I know that when you come into this arena…, and you have to come into this big space, I told my players ‘the shots are going to come off long and to box hard”, he said.

One memorable play occurred late in the third quarter, when Randallstown’s Higgins came down the floor slightly right of center on a fast break, and delivered a no-look pass between his legs to the trailer Jones, who promptly slammed the ball. Their familiarity made the play possible. “We’ve been playing with each other since we were in diapers. So I knew was coming with it, and he finished hard” said Higgins. Lyndon echoed their closeness, stating “I know Johnny like my brother”, and as such was prepared. Both of these guys will be attending an undetermined prep school next year, so their direct connection will remain intact.

After admitting his team’s foul shooting needed work, Rivers said his team will get in the gym tomorrow and do just that. He is not worried that the Rams will suffer a let down, but did mention “I usually have a day, in which I can prepare” for the finals opponent, but since they have been reclassified from 3A to 2A, that option doesn’t exist; Randallstown plays Wicomoco at 6pm tomorrow. That reality has him “slightly worried”.

If the Rams execute as they did last night, there will be no room for worry. The only problem Rivers and his staff may face might be where to put another championship trophy.

Randallstown's Pep Band

Pride (l.) and Shannon

Rivers (r.), and staff

Dwayne Shell

Johnny Higgins