The boys came out of the break ready to go in their division. While the Poolesville and Clarksburg games were moved to later in the month, these games stayed on track with JV played Watkins Mill and Northwest again although their schedule was supposed to end against Seneca Valley. They made the most of it, winning all three games. Their final record was eleven-to-four and their record in the division was seven-to-one with their only loss to Seneca Valley. Varsity struggled a bit more during the first game coming out of the break, but found their rhythm against Watkins Mill, making their record in the division four-to-four at this time and their overall record ten-to-five with five more games to play.
Seneca Valley Feb. 4
JV:
Leading the entire game but almost getting sent to overtime set the whole gym on edge. JV pulled it off, 59-56 but it got down to the wire.
The starting five for this game lined up on the court, Jacobi Wilson, Marco Pomegne, Jasola Ladipo, Nate Kellner and Julio Emperado. Kellner took the jump ball and the game was underway. Pomegne had the first game points with a three and Wilson followed it up by making two free throws. Chance Richards, Caden Shiflett and Connor Gittins saw their way off the bench this quarter with Richards having a layup. Kellner had a layup and Wilson had both a layup and a three. The fouls were flying as the team returned from their breaks with both teams earning a bonus. The score exiting the first quarter was 16-13.
The second quarter saw some of the Kellner-Shiflett chemistry that we are all in love with, with Kellner assisting Shiflett with a layup. Kellner had a layup, Pomegne had a layup with an “and one” and made the free throw. The team was strong on defense and both teams saw a bonus this quarter. They only allowed ten points, making the score going into halftime 31-23, Hornets up.
Kellner started the third quarter off with a layup and had another one later on. Richards had a layup assisted by Shiflett while Shiflett had a three. Only Damascus had a bonus this quarter, meaning the boys were doing a better job keeping their hands to themselves. The scoring going into the final quarter was 43-39, Seneca inching closer and closer.
Richards and Kellner started the fourth off strong with a layup completed by Richards, assisted by Kellner. Kellner then had a layup of his own. Emperado had a jumpshot, Wilson had a three and Pomegne converted his own steal into a layup. The team then went on a free throw spree with Ladpio making one of his two, Shiflett making both of his and then Ladipo getting fouled again and making one of two again. The double bonus was back this quarter and the game was getting closer and closer. Varsity was itching to get going and was slowly creeping out of the locker room, hoping JV could hold onto the win without needing overtime.
JV was able to do just that, holding Seneca off by just three points. It was a good revenge game for them as they lost to Seneca the first time around, by quite a lot.
V:
Losing in overtime at home isn’t how the boys wanted to start their time back from break. Playing out oh-so similarly to the first time, the boys lost 59-53, making it their fourth divisional loss and second to Seneca this season.
The starting five was the familiar feeling we needed coming back to the warm gym. Avery Richardson, Jayden Thompson, EJ Simpson, Ethan Ray and Tony DeStefano lined up with Ray taking the jump ball. Simpson had the first points of the game with a jumpshot and Ray followed it up with a three. Simpson made one out of two free throws, Ray has a layup, Richardson has a layup followed by a steal. DeStefano had a layup and Devin Quarles had a layup to end the quarter. Seneca was leading by one point ending this quarter, 15-14.
The second quarter was slow for the Hornets with only seven points being scored. Ray made three of three free throws, Richardson made a layup as did Thomspon. Although the Hornets were limited on scoring this quarter, they allowed Seneca to score the same amount of points they had in the first quarter, making the score 29-21 going into halftime.
Thompson started the third off with a layup which Ray followed up with a three. Simpson made one of two free throws and assisted in another layup. Thompson had a layup and the scoring ended there for the quarter. The score was 38-31 entering the final quarter.
The Hornets stepped it up defensively this quarter while still making their comeback offensively. Ray started it off with a layup, followed by two free throws from Thompson and a jump shot from Ray. Ray got fouled and made one of his two free throws, Simpson made a layup, got fouled and made the free throw. Thompson had a layup and Ray finished it off with three free throws to send it into overtime, tied at 47.
Ray opened up overtime with a three, following that up with one of two free throws. Richardson had a steal and a layup and that was the end of the Hornets scoring. The game played out eerily similar to the first time with Damascus losing once again.
Watkins Mill Feb. 6
JV:
After a rough start, the boys bounced back to take the win on the road in their final road game. Finding that team chemistry, they worked together so efficiently to win 65-44.
The starting five was the same as the previous game with Wilson, Pomegne, Ladipo, Kellner and Emperado lining up on the court. Kellner took the jump ball and we were off. Wilson started the game off with a jumpshot, the first game points, which came off a steal. Ladipo had a steal which resulted in a three from Pomegne and Kellner had a layup. Shiflett, Owen Hawkins, Richards and Jayden Fernando saw the court this quarter with Shiflett making two free throws after getting fouled and Fernando having a jumpshot to end the quarter. The boys were trailing going into the second quarter, 16-11.
The second quarter was on the slower side for the team with them only scoring 12 points. Watkins Mill scored the same amount of points, maintaining the distance between the two. Ladipo had a jumpshot, Pomegne had two steals and two three’s back to back. Kellner ended the quarter with a layup, making the score 28-23 going into halftime.
The third quarter saw a momentum shift in Damascus favor. The boys put on a show with Pomegne starting it off with a three. Wilson followed it up with a layup and an “and one” before Kellner took a charge. Wilson made one of two free throws and Shiflett made both of his. Pomegne had another three, Ladipo had a steal which Wilson converted to a layup, Shiflett had a three and Wilson made his two free throws. The quarter ended with a jumpshot from Pomegne and one out of two free throws from Hawkins. The defense this quarter was through the roof with the boys holding WM to only four points. The score at the end of the third was 45-32.
The final quarter saw every player get off the bench and into the game. Wilson started it off with a layup, Pomegne had a steal and Shiflett had a layup. Kellner had a steal resulting in a layup from Shiflett, showing off that chemistry. Pomegne had a steal resulting in a layup from Ladipo, bringing the sophomore buzz. Ladipo made one of his two free throws after getting fouled and this is when the bench players got in on the action. Gittins had a layup, Muhammad Fofana had his first three of the night and Kenny Ansah hit a three as well. Fofana finished off the night scoring wise with another three.
The boys had some amazing moments this game, as they looked unstoppable with beautiful plays that just flowed. This was by far the team’s best game chemistry and play making wise.
V:
A good old dominant win was just what the boys needed to bounce back in the division. Bringing home the W, 77-35, the boys showed they know what’s up.
The starting five changed for the second time this season. Kyree Jackson joined Richardson, Thompson, Ray and DeStefano. Ray took the jump ball and we were off. DeStefano was on fire this first quarter, with the first game points through a layup. He followed it up with another layup, Thompson had a steal and then a layup. Ray made two free throws, Thompson hit a three, Ray had a layup, DeStefano made both of his free throws and a layup with an “and one.” DeStefano then made one of his two free throws and followed it up with a layup. Ray had a three and Thompson finished it up with two free throws. DeStefano finished the quarter as the lead scorer and scored more points than the entire WM team with 12 points. The score ending the quarter was 25-11, Damascus up.
The second quarter saw the energy stay up. Ray started off with a three followed by a jumpshot by Thompson. Dorain Green made his way in the first quarter but made his mark this one. He had a steal followed up with a three. Jackson had a layup with an “and 1”. Ray made two free throws, Jackson had another layup with an “and 1” and Ray had a jumpshot. Ray then had a block, Richardson had a layup and DeStefano laid it in for another two points. DeStefano had a steal, Thompson had a layup before Ray slammed it in with a dunk. Ray finished the quarter with four for four free throws. The score at the end of the quarter was 54-19 with defense making its mark.
Jackson started the quarter off with a layup, Ray followed it up with a layup, followed by another layup with a made “and 1”. Jackson had another layup. Richardson hit a three, Thompson had a layup, Jackson had another layup and Richardson finished the quarter with a jumpshot. The boys kept it moving this quarter, making the score 72-27 entering the final quarter.
The final quarter saw all four remaining players make their way off the bench. Ellis Brown had gotten in the game during the third quarter but started the fourth off with a layup. Issac Brown got into the game in the first quarter and was strong defensively this quarter. Cole Birch got in the final quarter and also helped defensively. Kasai Hiev-Madison had one out of two free throws and a layup, being the leading scorer of this quarter. The boys ended the week on a high with the season’s second highest scoring game, behind the first time they played WM.
Northwest Feb. 9
JV:
JV brought the heat to finish out the season on a high. Winning at home and remaining undefeated at home, the boys won 47-33, beating Northwest for the second time.
The final starting five of the season stayed the same as it had been. Wilson, Pomegne, Ladipo, Kellner and Emperado took the floor for the final time together. Kellner took the jump ball and we were off. Ladipo started off with a layup assisted by Kellner before Kellner was at the line, shooting his free throws. He shot the best he has all season from the line, making his first two with ease. Ladipo followed that up with a layup, Emperado had a jumpshot and subs hit the floor. Richards, Shiflett and Hawkins hit the court. Shiflett made his mark with a three, ending the scoring for the quarter. Damascus led going into the second, 16-11.
Kellner opened the second with two more made free throws, followed up by a layup with a missed “and one.” Wilson also had a layup with a missed “and one” followed up by a jump shot. Pomegne ended the quarter scoring wise with a three and the team led going into halftime 22-17.
The boys got busy in the third with Wilson opening up with a layup. Kellner got a steal which he converted to a layup. Pomegne made two free throws before the team got fouled multiple times but did not make any of those free throws. Shiflett ended the quarter with a steal. The boys led into the final quarter of their final game, 32-20.
Kellner made one of two free throws to start the fourth, before making both of his next two. Ladipo had a jump shot, Wilson had a layup, Shiflett had a three and Pomegne had one as well. Coach Lutz subbed all five sophomore in at the end of the game, Ladipo and Pomegne already being in were joined by Gittins, Clive Mallari and Josiah Budd. All five sophomores got to finish out their time on JV together.
This game concludes JV’s eventful season. Playing 15 games, they defended “the Hive” with their lives and lost to Churchill, Wootton, Seneca Valley and Walter Johnson. They defeated Sherwood, Poolesville, Clarksburg, Watkins Mills twice, Northwest twice, Magruder, Northwood and Rockville. Their final record is eleven-to-four and keep an eye out for who gets pulled up to Varsity.
V:
A revenge game at home? Sign these boys up! They know how to show who is the boss when they have home court advantage. Beating Northwest 66-54, the boys are ready for their next two divisional games.
The starting five saw the return of Simpson alongside Richardson, Thompson, Ray and DeStefano. Ray took the jump ball and they were off. Ray started off with a layup, following it up with a jumpshot and a charge. Simpson had a block, Thompson had a three and Richardson went on a layup spree, getting three back to back to back. Ray finished the quarter off with a three and the team was leading 16-11.
Thompson opened the second with a three. Jackson entered the game in the first but made his impact this quarter with one of two free throws made. Thompson, Jackson and Thomspon again had three layups in a row. Richardson hit a three and Ray got fouled going to shoot a three, making all three of his free throws. A player on Northwest then got a technical foul and Ray went to the line to shoot. He made one of two free throws. Thompson ended the quarter scoring wise with two out of two free throws. The score going into halftime was 35-29.
Like how the previous quarter ended, the third started with free throws. Simpson made two of two and DeStefano followed it up with back to back layups. Thompson made two of two free throws, Simpson had a layup as did Ray. Thompson was at the line shooting, making one of two and Ray followed him to the line, making his two out of two off another technical foul on Northwest and ending the quarter scoring wise. The team kept Northwest locked down while advancing their lead, making the score going into the final quarter 50-38.
The boys were feeling good going into the final quarter and Ray started off with a jump shot. Simpson hit a three, DeStefano had another layup as did Ray. Ray then hit a three and Simpson had a layup. Like most of this game, Thompson closed it out with free throws, making two of two. The boys sealed the deal at home after an uncharacteristic loss to Northwest the first time.
