Morien Perry, a 6-foot-5 senior center, gives Joppatowne its first presence in the post in four years, according to his coach, Bernie Robinson. Perry averages 15 points, 10 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game, and has led Joppatowne to an 11-3 record in his second season after transferring from Kenwood.
What's your favorite part of the game of basketball?
Working with my team and winning. I want to win a state championship. Whatever it takes to win, I'm willing.
What do you want to do with your basketball career?
I want to go to the NBA, but that's kind of out of the question. I just want to go to the next level and take things one step at a time.
What do you most want to improve about your game?
I'd like to improve on my outside shooting. I'd like to take a couple of threes once in a while. I made two in a game while I was at Kenwood, but things changed when I came to Harford County last year. They changed for the better. I didn't shoot threes. My coach this year would let me shoot a three-pointer, but I know what a big man's role is, playing in the paint and dunking.
How good is this team?
We're pretty good. We have the leading scorer in the county, Jeff Pettiway, right now. He's averaging 19.5 points a game. I've been allowing him to get the ball a lot, and he tells me he's going to need me a lot this year. He scored 38 against Potomac in the Christmas tournament. He and I are kind of carrying the team right now.
What's the most spectacular dunk you ever made for Joppatowne?
It was [Jan. 19] at Edgewood. I got a one-handed dunk and that kind of sealed the deal on the game. It put the team away for us. Everybody started jumping up and down and everything. That was my most spectacular dunk. I love to dunk the basketball. I've been dunking since the 10th grade.
Are you a college basketball fan?
Yes. The Syracuse Orange is my team. I don't have a favorite college player right now, but I'm a big Carmelo Anthony fan. His 15-game suspension was deserved because he threw the punch. It was a little extreme, but you have to take the consequences.