For coach Jim Albert and Atholton, the third time was the charm. Gavin Stephenson scored 32 points, including 16 during a pivotal third quarter, as the Raiders knocked off Oakland Mills 64-54, Feb. 7 to give Albert career victory No. 400.
Having lost previously to Howard and Marriotts Ridge with the milestone on the line, Stephenson said he was doing everything in his power to make sure this was the night.
"I was thinking do it for coach, do it for the team … you don't want to lose three straight," Stephenson said. "I had to do something to elevate us so we could pull it out."
Albert, who was honored on the court following the game, said the achievement was very humbling. Yet, at the same time, the coach in his 31st year leading the Raiders was in some ways just happy to get it out of the way.
"Having it made public like it was, I think it made it a little more difficult because maybe our kids are trying harder and the other team is trying not to let it happen against them," Albert said. "So from that standpoint, I'm glad it's over.
"But I really appreciate everybody's congratulatory remarks and everything. The support has been amazing."
Oakland Mills certainly made Albert and the Raiders work for the historic victory.
Behind the play of Antonio Manns (25 points) and Nick Zayatz (17 points), the Scorpions were ahead on several occasions during the first three quarters and never trailed by more than six during that time.
Following a three-pointer by Zayatz with 2:04 left in the third quarter Oakland Mills had its largest lead of the game, 44-40. It was one of five three-pointers on the night by the senior.
"We were attacking the rim, making some plays and Nick Zayatz had one of the best shooting games of his career," Oakland Mills coach Jon Browne said. "We played hard, just when it came down to it we couldn't keep it going."
Stephenson single-handedly changed the game's momentum to close the third quarter, scoring nine unanswered points in a matter of one minute, 41 seconds. He made a lay-up, a dunk, a pull-up jumper and a three-pointer during the run that put Atholton ahead, 49-44.
"I guess I was just in the zone," Stephenson said. "I had struggled a bit in the first half, gotten in some foul trouble, but my teammates told me to keep my head and you'll be good."
Oakland Mills made a couple runs in the fourth, but never saw the lead again. In the closing minute, Stephenson capped his night by making five of six free throws to seal the game.
"He wanted to take over and I think that dunk ignited him," Browne said. "He's very good off the dribble and when he's making that step-back, he's impossible to guard. If you let him get started, you're in trouble and unfortunately we did that tonight in the third quarter."
Following the game, Albert got to celebrate No. 400 with his family and friends, noting them as key cogs that have been with him every step of the way. Included in the bunch were his two sons, Jared and Jason, whom have both played for him and more recently coached alongside him.
And as he did his best to reflect on the journey to this point, Albert couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic.
"When I first started this I never thought about 100, 200 and so on," Albert said. "Matter of fact, I didn't really even know how long I was going to do it. You're thinking I hope I just get past five years, then five comes and you think I'll try for 10 … before you know it, you're sitting here thinking where did the time go."
"But I tell you what, I've been very fortunate. I couldn't have been at a better place or surrounded by better people. That's how you get to where I am now."
Atholton 64, Oakland Mills 54
A (9-7, 12-7): Stephenson 32, Fitzpatrick 10, McMahon 8, Acker 6, Haas 6, Martin 2.
OM (5-11, 7-12): Manns 25, N. Zayatz 17, Dent 6, Huewe 2, Lee 2, J. Zayatz 2.
Half: 29-28 A.