Warriors Explode in Second Half Behind Smith

Ron Bailey, Publisher

January 26, 2008 – Baltimore’s Walbrook Warriors, coached by Kelvin Bridgers, used a 47 point second half to defeat Baltimore first division foe Edmonson 69-45 yesterday evening at home. Leading the Warriors in their second half domination – they outscored Edmonson by 20 points in the third and fourth quarters - was sophomore swingman Roscoe Smith.

Smith, a six foot seven inch swingman many believe to be the best Baltimore-area public school player, only scored two points in the first half, yet was still an integral part of Bridgers’ attack. Two of the main beneficiaries of Smith’s presence were sophomore perimeter player Howard Matthews and junior guard Dante Stuckey, who scored eight and 13 respectively.

Smith (right), not only guarded the beefy Darius Morris, but guards as well.

“I thought what happened was, by Roscoe being on the perimeter” noted Walbrook’s coach, widely considered one of the best in the Charm City “and they giving him all the attention, it opened up the middle for ‘Woo-dee’ (Matthews) to get easy shots”.

Smith went further, lauding Matthews by saying “He opened a hole up for us” in Edmonson’s defense, “helping us get our shots (later)”.

Upon the third quarter and his team only leading 22-19, enter Smith and a 29 point second half offensive barrage, helping him to 31 points for the game.

“Really, I knew I had to take more shots” said Smith, a player wise in both the mental and physical aspects of hoops. “I knew if I didn’t, we were going to lose. And I had to attack the basket more”.

Roscoe started to score against Edmonson’s 2-3 zone from both the foul line – a point Bridgers stressed at halftime - wing, and baseline. Realizing that scheme had been solved, Edmonson’s coach, Darnell Dantzler switched to a man to man alignment, with little success.

Smith’s third quarter play epitomized his impact: With the score standing as a 26-21 Walbrook advantage, Roscoe went to work, scoring 12 consecutive buckets from all over the court, including a pair of nice mid-range turnaround jumpers and baseline alley-oop slams, along with a fast break dunk and soon thereafter, a stick back.

Walbrook's team and coaching staff, including Kevin Bridgers (blue shirt, to the right).

His prodigious display didn’t stop there, as in the fourth quarter Smith’s assault on the rim continued, with the fans treated to more alley-oop dunks, and fast break treats, in addition to good passing and defense.

Edmonson is 10-6 overall, and 3-2 in Baltimore City Division I league play, and was led by junior guard Jerome Smith (15 points) and senior center Darius Morris (12 points).

“We can win it all. City and state” excitedly opined Smith of Walbrook - now 8-7 generally, 2-0 in league play - and the team's chances for success going forward. If he continues to perform in the manner he has, Walbrook’s team as a whole play to play their capabilities, and the entire crew follows Bridgers’ instructions, that could possibly occur.

Notes:

Stats don’t mean everything: Sophomore Darius Graces only scored three points, but was key, particularly in the first half by defending and getting out in transition.

Two-sport guy: Edmonson’s Darius Morris is a Division I football recruit.

Words and Sports: Walbrook’s Physical Education Department mixes vocabulary with athletics, by over the course of the year mixing a collection of high-level words into their daily teaching.