Jason Smith scoring 19 points and dishing off six assists is something Broadneck basketball fans have been watching for four years, but the play of Josh Grover last night is something Bruin fans would like to see become routine.
In his first varsity start in two years, the 6 feet 10 Grover scored 14 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked nine shots to lead No. 13 Broadneck to a 72-46 romp over No. 19 Glen Burnie in the season opener for both teams.
Playing on the Bruins' home court, Grover displayed great hands, a soft touch and in-your-face defense with surprisingly graceful moves for a player his size.
Several of his nine stuffs were monster-like as the Bruins raced out to a 35-17 halftime lead and led by 22 (54-32) after the third period.
Grover's play inside was a key factor in disorienting the Gopher offense that never got going.
"We couldn't have played any worse," said Glen Burnie coach Terry Bogle, whose team is the defending Class 4A East Region champion.
"The way we started kind of set the tempo. Our first five to six shots went in and out."
Smith hit his first four shots as Grover began to assert himself.
Broadneck outscored the visitors 17-6 in the first period, and the Gophers were strapped.
"Give them credit, they played well and Grover was impressive," Bogle said.
Broadneck coach Ken Kazmarek said before the season that he hoped Grover would become a factor inside as the season progressed.
"We want to bring him along slowly, and tonight he scratched the surface because I think he can really develop into an impact player," said Kazmarek.
"His 6-10 presence is definitely a big factor for us and he is moving better because he worked hard for this season. He ran cross country for the first time and that definitely has contributed to his improved [movement].
"Josh worked hard with the strength [weighted] shoes and went to four summer camps and we can see the difference."
Grover was cut as a 6-2 freshman, played junior varsity his sophomore year and got limited time on the varsity as a junior on the Bruins' 3A East Region semifinalist (16-6).
"No doubt about it, he's come a long way," said Kazmarek.
Kazmarek also praised the play of another first-time starter in junior Jamaine Young.
Young scored 15 points and had eight rebounds as he and Grover fit right in with returning starters Smith, sophomore John Williams (six points), junior Renardo Walker (nine points) and senior Eric Elston (nine points).
"Jamaine adds another dimension inside for us," said Kazmarek. "It was a great start."
Kazmarek admitted he didn't expect to win by such a wide margin and was as surprised as his counterpart.
Bogle said, "We played well in our scrimmages and came in here expecting a good game. You can't win when you don't shoot well and don't play defense, but we will get better."
Glen Burnie was led by Terry Gaither's 10 points and nine each from its only returning starters in Desmond Dailey and Rocky Newton.
* St. Paul's 62, Severn 57: Sophomore Justin Singleton scored 13 of his 28 points during a 24-13 fourth-quarter run as unranked St. Paul's (2-0) upset No. 14 Severn.
Singleton also had 11 rebounds and nine assists. Jon Dansicker had 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Crusaders (2-0).
Alhamisi Simms led Severn (4-1) with 20 points.