LaPlata, MD – Head coach Terry Maczko and the Panthers (13-11, 8-7 MD JUCO Conference) redeemed themselves from an early season lost against the College of Southern MD (11-13; 7-7 MD JUCO Conference) by beating them 87-76 in the opening round of the MD JUCO Conference Tournament.
The Panthers controlled most of the first half with immediate spurts in scoring that lead to a 10 point lead in the contest within nine minutes of the game. However, their lead was trimmed down from College of Southern MD's (CSM) top player Rob Shannon. Shannon finished the game with a game high 30 points.
The Panthers began to turn the ball over and found the game momentum quickly turning into the direction of the Hawks. In the first half alone, BCCC committed to 13 turnovers.
After several mental mistakes and controlling the ball better on the offensive side, the Panthers were able to regroup from once being up 10 points, they found themselves down five points at the halftime which read in favor of the Hawks 39-34.
In the second half, the Panthers stepped up their defensive play and eventually tied then lead for the first time in the second half by three points. The lead increased with Byron Westmoreland (Mervo/Baltimore, MD) and Stevie Williams (Arkadelphia/Arkadelphia, AR) breaking down the Hawks defense with hard drives to the basket. BCCC was up as many as 11 points in the second half on turnovers and fouls committed by CSM and the Panthers found themselves with the momentum in their court.
With five minutes left in the game, the BCCC began to increase their defensive pressure which shut down the primary scorers for the CSM Hawks who lead the team in the regular season conference game. The Panthers continued to increase their lead and finished with an impressive victory winning by 15 points.
Freshman forward Carlos Smith (Forest Park/Baltimore, MD) scored a team high 21 points with four rebounds and three blocks sophomore guard Calvert Townes (Joppatowne/Joppatowne, MD) finished the game with 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.
A very impressive outing coming off the bench were freshmen forward Recardo Singleton (Miracle Academy/Russellville, SC) ending the game with eight points, two assists and three steals and Wyatt Smith (John Carroll/Aberdeen, MD) finishing with five points, 10 rebounds and two assists .
Sophomore and NJCAA All-American John Williams (Mervo/Baltimore, MD) was in his usual form by recording his 14th double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Next game for the Panthers will be top seeded Cecil College in the second round/quarterfinals of the MD JUCO Conference Tournament on Friday, February 19th. BCCC lost its regular season matchup against Cecil 90-72.
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