The C. Milton Wright boys basketball team kept on rolling Tuesday night, overcoming an early 10-point deficit at Aberdeen, en route to an 70-50 win in Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference Chesapeake Division play.
The win was the 11th straight for the Mustangs (4-0 league) to begin the season, while Aberdeen slipped to 6-6 overall and 2-2 in league action.
"We really just practice each day, not worry about it too much, don't worry about the record and like coach said, we're 0-0 after today," Mychal Stefanides said about the 11-0 start.
The Mustangs found themselves in an unfamiliar position early. Aberdeen, on the strength of three, three-point baskets by Jaleel Gibson, had taken a 14-4 lead just minutes into the game.
CMW tried to counter, but Stefanides watched two three-point shots roll off the rim and Corey Bays added another near miss.
A short time later, the pair hit back-to-back threes and when Bays hit another long shot, the game was tied, 15 all, with 2:32 to play in the first quarter.
"We don't start behind by 10 like we did tonight, but the maturity that they have, they really stepped up, they relaxed and calmed down and got back into their offense," CMW coach Jon Stefanides said.
Aberdeen managed to lead 19-17 after the first quarter, but the Mustangs scored nine consecutive points to open the second quarter and led, 26-19.
With just over 5:00 left in the half, CMW pulled the ball back to half court, much to the anger of Aberdeen fans.
"We've done that in certain cases, when teams want to play inside," coach Stefanides said. "People say we're trying to slow the game down, but we're actually trying to speed it up."
Eventually the Mustangs put the ball back in play and despite an offensive rebound and put back by Aberdeen's Gibson, the CMW lead was 30-25 at the half.
The Mustangs added an 5-0 run to start the second half. The 10-point lead was 11 (46-35) after three, and the half was highlighted by three crowd pleasing dunks from Dante Brown. The first was an alley-oop slam with assist from point guard Will Hazelton. Brown had eight points in the third quarter and finished with 15.
Stefanides led the winners with 23 points and Bays finished with 13. Henry Cuffee contributed six points, but it was his back-to-back baskets that boosted the lead to 16 (54-38) with 4:48 to play.
The Eagles never got any closer. Jayden Saddler scored 17 points to pace the Eagles and Gibson finished with 12. Nyshaun Greene scored eight and Maurice Carroll added six.
"They missed some open looks, but we knew that was going to change," Aberdeen coach Johnny Brooks said. "Their basketball IQ is a little higher than ours is right now. They're a good solid team."
Hughes scores 1,000th
Harford Christian took on conference opponent Calvary Baptist Tuesday and despite poor play throughout the game, the Eagles secured the 71-65 conference win.
Senior guard Sean Hughes highlighted the win by scoring his 1,000th career point midway through the fourth quarter. Hughes netted his 1,000th point with a three-point jumpshot from the right wing.
"I cannot say enough of how proud I am of Sean. We've spent countless hours in the gym for early morning and late night workouts, and it shows," HCS coach Sean Westerlund said of Hughes. "He's added so many different elements to his game since he arrived here at Harford Christian. It was great to see all his hard work coming to fruition with this accomplishment."
Hughes led the way with 21 points, 11 rebounds, nine steals and five assists. Moe Epps chipped in 17 points, nine assists and seven steals, while Paul Franco added 16 points, eight rebounds and six steals. HCS improves to 12-3 overall and 4-0 in the conference.
Panthers beat Warriors
In a battle for the lead in Susquehanna Division standings, Havre de Grace (7-2, 3-1) was beaten soundly at Perryville (7-2, 4-0), 72-52.
Krs Yancey and Jordan Hawthorne led the Warriors with 15 points apiece and Zayrron Blake added 11 points and nine rebounds.
Rams upend Bobcats
Edgewood pulled off its first Chesapeake win, beating visiting Bel Air, 69-67, in overtime.
Edgewood (5-4, 1-3) was led by Immanuel Gladden-Stokes' 17 points. Tyrone McKisset netted 16 points to go along with nine rebounds. Donavin Tilley added 11 points and Raekwon Harrison added eight points and six assists.
Bobcats coach Brent Nichols notes it was a great game with contributions from Micheal Yetter (16 points), Jake Vasques (14 points) and Jahari Carmicheal. Yetter's three, three-point baskets in regulation and overtime kept the Bobcats in it. Bel Air (4-6, 2-2) also had a solid 35 minutes of great post play from JD Bruck.
Mariners beat Cougars
Joppatowne (9-1, 4-1) kept pace with CMW, beating visiting Fallston (2-8, 0-3), 67-31, in Chesapeake play.
Jermaine Head Jr. had the hot hand for the Mariners, pumping in 24 points. Dominic Smith added nine points, while Fortune Okeigweigh and Montrell Horsey each had eight points. Okeigweigh added 10 rebounds and Rashaad Gore had 11 boards.
Hawks beat Tigers
North Harford (5-6, 3-2) beat visiting Rising Sun, 54-51, in an overtime Susquehanna contest.
North Harford led at the half, 29-14.
Brett Hurley led with 26 points, four assists and five steals. Mick Rowland had six points, including two big foul shots in OT. Andrew Klapka hit the game-winning three with 10 seconds left and finished with six points.