Owens Leads Patriots To Victory Over Falcons
STERLING, VA - Senior Jordan Owens scored a personal high 24 points to lead Park View to a 71-52 victory over the visiting Briar Woods Falcons. Park View coach Mike Koscinski praised Owens' breakout game, "He never worries about shots. He just plays hard. So tonight, I was glad to see him score a lot, too." Even though Owens led all scorers, his biggest contribution may have been the energy and intensity on both ends of the floor that helped the Patriots shut down Falcon leading scorer Miles Tate and withstand several counterattacks.
"We knew Miles was going to come out real hot," said Owens. "We have been talking about him all week, and I knew I had to lock him up." Miles did not heat up until late in the game as Owens and Ryan McCarter combined to frustrate the sophomore sensation, who finished with a season low 8 points. Owens scored 16 in the first half, many times getting his own rebounds. Offensive rebounding sparked the Patriots in the first half as both teams were missing shots in a very physical game.
The Patriot defense fed off of Owens' and McCarter's energy. Brandon Lee combined with visibly hobbled J.R. Shooks to fend off slashers in the paint, which upset the Falcons guards as they went to the basket. McCarter finished with 22 points.
The Patriots jumped out to a 7-0 lead to begin the game, but Falcons coach Mike Benson calmed his young team down in a time out, and the lead stayed under 10 points until the fourth quarter as the Falcons began using the physical play against the Patriots to get to the free throw line. The Patriots led 33-27 at the half as the Falcons refused to go away.
Both teams got into a slump in the 3rd quarter, which began to heat up as it closed 49-42. Miles scored 4 straight points in the 4th frame and looked able to lead his team back from their first double figure of the deficit of the night. The Falcons entered the second half determined to rebound better, which gave the Patriots fast break points. In the 4th, the Patriots were able to use this tactic with abandon, outscoring the Falcons 22-12 to finish with the 19 point victory.
"I knew Briar Woods were going to keep coming back, they are well coached, and they are fighters," said Koscinski. "They are going to win a lot of games in this league this year."
Philip Hardy led the Falcons unusually balanced scoring attack with 14 points, while Yves Kuame added 11. The Falcons fell to 2-3 in the district and must face Broad Run on Monday. The Patriots improved to 2-1 in the Dulles and will travel to Freedom.
