The John Carroll boys basketball team prides itself on responsible play on defense and efficient play on offense with every player doing his share.
In Wednesday night's 63-57 home win against No. 3 St. Frances, the No. 6 Patriots proved the point.
Building a 10-point advantage late in the first quarter, John Carroll was able to stay a step ahead of the Panthers with most of its second-half points coming at the foul line. The Patriots, who handled St. Frances' pressure throughout and effectively spread the floor, made 33 of the 46 free throws to keep a safe distance.
Guard Rodney Elliott scored a team-high 16 points and fellow guard Kamau Stokes added 13 for the Patriots. The defending Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference and Baltimore Catholic League champions improved to 10-1 this season. The Panthers, who reached both title games against John Carroll last year, fell to 2-2.
"I'm proud of our guys. Our issues are knocking down more free throws, making layups and valuing the basketball. If we can tighten those ends up, I think we could be as good as anybody in the country. But we have a long way to go with such a young group," John Carroll coach Tony Martin said.
A jumper from Stokes followed by a follow basket by Mike Owona (nine points) gave the Patriots a 16-6 advantage with 1:02 to play in the first quarter. Their biggest lead would grow to 13 late in the third quarter and early in the fourth and the Panthers, who got a game-high 18 points from Daquan Cook, would never get closer to six points.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Dayshawn Wells finished off a baseline drive and Michael Warren came back with a 3-pointer in the right corner for the Panthers that cut the Patriots' lead to 50-37 with 4:01 to play, but John Carroll took care of the basketball and made enough free throws to win. In the second half, the Patriots made just four field goals (one in the fourth quarter) while hitting 23 of 35 free throws with St. Frances committing 32 team fouls in the game.
Martin also was quick to credit the consistent team defense — mostly zone — which made the Panthers work for every basket.
"Our defense, we think it's as good as anybody's around. It's something we pride ourselves on — that's part of who we are at John Carroll," he said.
Seven Panthers scored five or more points with Wells finishing with nine and Tevon Saddler adding eight.