Springbrook Proves Why They Lead the Division
Springbrook's Demetrius Austin and Deshaunt Walker defend against Joe Emerusabe of Magruder.
Photo by: Paolo Galli / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Deshaunt Walker of Springbrook was an effective player against Magruder with nine points in the win.
Photo by: Paolo Galli / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Springbrook went on a lightning quick 11-0 run to start the second quarter and Magruder never recovered.
Photo by: Paolo Galli / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Written by: Marc Bastow
SILVER SPRING, MD - Every once in a while a final score is a true reflection of a game. Such was the case last night in a battle of 4A East boy's division rivals, as Springbrook High School defeated Magruder High School 68-32 behind a game high 20 points from junior Miles Jackson. The win improves Springbrook's record to 13-1 (6-0) while the loss drops Magruder to 9-5 (5-2).
The game was an important one for both teams, as Magruder stood one game behind Springbrook in the 4A East standings heading into the evening's contest. Indeed, Magruder's only division loss came in a 63-56 loss to Springbrook back in early January.
Magruder Coach Dan Harwood made a key strategic decision after the loss, opting to change his line-up by inserting freshmen Jake Epps and Nick Griffin at the starting guard positions. Harwood was looking for better movement from his team to open up easier shot opportunities, and with four ball-handlers on the floor at the same time, fewer turnovers.
"We wanted a little better offensive efficiency," said Harwood before the game. "We may give up a little on the rebounding end and in size, but the better the ball movement, the better the shooting." The strategy worked as his team reeled off six straight wins to keep within striking distance of the Blue Devils.
For the two-time defending Maryland 4A Blue Devils, they are just looking to improve game by game. Coach Tom Crowell's team is gliding through the county, yet his team's wins don't seem to please everyone.
"We've had a lot of close games where we're winning by 6 or 7 points, and everyone wants to know what's wrong with Springbrook? We miss a lot of easy shots, like put-backs, but tonight we didn't."
Springbrook's Deshaunt Walker opened up the scoring with a two-pointer, and Magruder's Tim Harwood (13 points) answered on a break-away layup to tie the score, but that was as close as Magruder got the rest of the night, as Springbrook opened up an 11-5 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The Blue Devil's set a blistering pace, and only a few missed layups on the inside kept the game close.
Harwood, who came into the game averaging 19.4 points-per game, was harassed from the start by junior Devon Pestano, who followed him around every inch of the court, through every screen and pick.
"Tim is the heart and soul of the Magruder basketball team, and if they get Spencer Datt off, it's double trouble," said Crowell. "Closely guarding (Harwood) was part of the game plan," added Pestano.
With Harwood off his rhythm and their freshman guards playing against the experienced Walker and Pestano, it didn't take long for Springbrook to extend their lead. A quick 11-0 run to start the second quarter was highlighted by a Pestano feed to a streaking Miles Jackson, who finished with a thunderous dunk.
Magruder's Keegan Harrington answered with a jumper to break the streak, but Pestano found Jackson yet again for a layup, and by the time the half ended Springbrook was ahead 28-11.
Pestano, an All-Met running back, is another in a line of football players throughout the county finding their basketball rhythm and flow. He was a force on both ends of the floor, hounding Harwood on defense, and handling the ball on the offensive end.
The Pestano to Jackson combination worked all night long, as Pestano dished off a total of 12 assists, 5 to Jackson, who turned three more on the night into easy dunks.
If Magruder had any hopes of climbing back into the game they needed a quick start to the second half, but it did not work out that way. The Colonels turned the ball over on their first two possessions leading to easy baskets at the other end by Springbrook, and despite two time-outs within the first five minutes of the quarter, the Blue Devils were clicking on all cylinders, extending to a 46-21 lead at the end of the third quarter.
It was the kind of night where Tim Harwood, who was shooting 92% from the free throw line (73-79) coming into the game, missed three of four, and the rest of his teammates struggled as well.
The fourth quarter was a formality, yet Springbrook, still working hard as Crowell orchestrated from the bench, continued their assault on the basket.
Pestano finished his evening with a gorgeous no-look left-handed pass to Demetrius Austin for an easy layup, while senior center Samin Ogunjobi took over on the inside, muscling his way to 5 fourth-quarter points in just under 3 minutes on the court.
So Springbrook moves on, and with this win widens their 4A East division lead to two full games over Magruder. The only question remaining is how good this team, which has a completely new starting five from last year's State Championship team, can be the rest of the season.
Crowell took a stab at that question, and the answer might concern the other coaches." I think we can play a heck of a lot better. I'm always pushing for perfection, but I do think we can play a little better (than this evening)."
Given how they played last night, that is a scary thought for every other Montgomery County team.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Miles Jackson, Springbrook: Jackson tallied a game-high 20 points, with four coming on dunks.
Devon Pestano, Springbrook: Pestano dished out a variety of perfectly placed assists, and stuck with Tim Harwood all night long.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Deshaunt Walker, Springbrook: A very quiet, but effective, 9 points
Tim Harwood, Magruder: A quiet night, but still the team leader and a guy who never lost his poise or composure despite being face guarded, bumped, and sometimes held, the entire night.
THE GAME CHANGED WHEN:
Springbrook went on a lightning quick 11-0 run to start the second quarter, building a 22-5 lead. Magruder never recovered.
NEXT GAMES:
Springbrook at Blair, Wednesday January 25 @ 5:15 pm
Gaithersburg at Magruder, Wednesday January 25 @ 5:15 pm
