One thing the Glenelg Country boys basketball team can count on in every game is its relentless team defense.
Playing for first place in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association BConference at rival St. Paul's on Wednesday night, the No. 14 Dragons clamped down when it was needed most to come away with a tightly contested 46-44 win over the Crusaders.
Kevin Boyd followed a missed shot to give the visitors the 46-44 advantage that proved to be the difference. Trailing 30-26 at the half, the Dragons limited St.Paul's to four field goals and 14points in the final 16 minutes.
Glenelg Country, which got a team-high 16 points from guard Cesar Jove-Vives, improves to 9-2 overall and 6-0 in league play.
"It was all about defense. I've been talking about defense since I first hit the ground at Glenelg Country," said Dragons' first-year coach Kevin Quinlan, who praised the defensive work of Boyd and Ben Jordan. "My philosophy is you can always hang your hat on defense. If you're tough, you give great effort, it's always going to be there, and that's something I've tried to instill in the guys -- that we're a defense-first program."
The Crusaders (10-4, 7-1) got a game-high 21 points from Nigel Sydnor.
--Glenn Graham
No. 8 Oakland Mills 68, Mount Hebron 49: Greg Whittington scored 22 points to lead the visiting Scorpions (11-0) past the Vikings.
Gilman 55, Severn 47: Ryan Ripken had a game-high 32 points to power the host Greyhounds (7-10) past the Admirals.
Girls
No. 2 Seton Keough 62, No. 7 St.Vincent Pallotti 32: The host Gators (11-4) settled down in the second half and ran a halfcourt-trap defense to extend their 25-14 halftime lead.
Achiri Ade scored 17 points for Seton Keough.
No. 8 Roland Park 52, Mercy 36: Lauren Edwards scored a game-high 21 points to power the host Reds (8-4) past the Magic.
No. 12 Woodlawn 80, Kenwood 22: Janelle Lane totaled 21 points to lead the host Warriors (7-2) past the Bluebirds.
Mount de Sales 54, Maryvale 33: Gabby Cha scored 25 points to lead the visiting Sailors (8-3) past the Lions.
Wrestling
Perryville 33, Aberdeen 31: Shay Velez (112) got his 100th victory for the Panthers.