Jordan Meads and Montrell Horsey packed a 1-2 punch that proved too much for Harford Tech in an UCBAC Chesapeake Division game Tuesday night.
Meads scored 21 of his team-high 28 points in the second half after Horsey notched 19 of his 23 in the first two quarters, and that combination helped host Joppatowne slowly pull away from Tech, en route to a 75-63 victory.
They teamed up for 51 of the team's 75 points, often making slashing drives that caused trouble in some form. Harford Tech (10-2, 3-2) could, at times, slow one of the duo, but the Cobras simply weren't able to control both.
Horsey gave Joppatowne (4-1, 13-1) some offensive firepower early, hoping to help the Mariners get off to a good start. He hit a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter and scored 10 out of the Mariners' 12 during one stretch midway through the second.
"Sometimes, we can start out a little flat," Horsey said. "I just wanted to make a statement."
Horsey caused problems with his quick drives, or by drilling some long threes. Joppatowne took the lead early in the second quarter, and Horsey sparked a 10-3 run that gave the Mariners a 33-23 lead.
They were up, 35-28, at the break - and that's when Meads took over. Harford Tech watched Horsey very closely on defense, often double-teaming the junior when he dribbled, which helped others get open.
Meads took advantage of some of the open space in the third quarter. He made a lay-up early in the period and later sank a three, a lay-up, another bomb plus a lay-up following a terrific long pass from Jalen Willis (eight points, eight rebounds).
Add in a three-pointer 14 seconds into the fourth quarter that gave the Mariners a 57-47 lead, and Meads scored 13 consecutive points to help Joppatowne stop a possible Cobras' rally.
"He's been doing what a senior is supposed to do," Joppatowne coach Jermaine Head Sr. said. "He just plays 100 percent on every play. He's evolved into a better player in every way."
Meads said he wanted to try to help the Mariners remain in command after a good second quarter because he knew that Harford Tech would push in the second half.
"I was just trying to give us some momentum," he said. "It was important because momentum gets us going."
The Cobras (3-2, 10-2) cut the lead to 57-51 early in the fourth quarter when Darius Dangerfield made two free throws, but Joppatowne then scored six straight points in 42 seconds and led by at least 12 the rest of the way.
Dangerfield tried to keep Tech close. He scored a game-high 30 points, 10 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as the Cobras just could not stop Meads and Horsey long enough while not hitting enough open looks of their own - especially in the first two quarters
"They have some very good guards," Tech coach Bill Jones said. "This is a tough place to play, and early on, we just didn't make our shots."
Eagles beat Huskies
Aberdeen (4-1, 7-5) kept its share of the Chesapeake lead Tuesday, winning at Patterson Mill (1-4, 4-6), 71-56. The Eagles led at the half, 32-22.
Myles Douglas scored 17 points to pace the Eagles and Jayden Saddler added 15 points
Dale Harriss scored 12 points to lead the Huskies and Dmitri Robinson scored 10.
Aberdeen will host Joppatowne Friday night at 6:45 p.m.
Rams share lead, too
Edgewood (4-1, 9-2) also has a share of the Chesapeake lead after beating visiting C. Milton Wright (1-4, 5-8) Tuesday, 55-45.
CMW had a 31-28 lead at the half.
Rocceon Harrison led the Rams with 17 points and Rayshod Hooper added 16 points in the win.
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Imran Hussain, of CMW, led all scorers with 20 points. Jack Van Syckle had six rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Mustangs.
Warriors beat Panthers
Havre de Grace (5-1, 7-3) stayed atop the Susquehanna Division standings Tuesday with its 60-45 win over visiting Perryville.
Kenny Sumpter poured in 28 points and Caprice Butler added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Cougars beat Indians
Fallston (5-1, 11-3) is also atop the Susquehanna standings after a 78-61 win over visiting North East on Tuesday.
Ethan Sommer and Ryan Cassedy scored 21 points each to lead the Cougars. Fallston, which made 12 three-point baskets, led at the half, 38-24.