Largo, MD – The Baltimore City Community College men's and women's basketball teams captured the 2010 MD JUCO Conference Championship. Head coach Terry Maczko and the Panthers (16-11; 7-7 MD JUCO Conference) defeated MC-Germantown 65-57 in front of a packed arena. While the Lady Panthers (20-0; 10-0 MD JUCO Conference) and head coach Renard Smith maintained their unblemished season by seeking revenge against Allegany 56-48.
The Panthers continued their scorching hot play throughout the tournament which included defeating teams they lost to during the regular season. BCCC started off by winning against the College of Southern MD 87-76 in the first round, number one seed Cecil College 80-75 in the quarterfinal round, Frederick Community College 68-61 in the semifinal round and then defeating MC-Germantown in the championship game.
The Panthers men's team took the court first which they won in dramatic fashion as freshman guard Byron Westmoreland (Mervo/Baltimore, MD) led all scorers with 22 points, five rebounds, two blocks and three steals. The championship game most valuable player Calvert Townes (Joppatowne/Joppatowne, MD) finished the game with three points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Townes intensified the crowd not only by his defensive pressure but how this captain leads his team to victory.
Sophomore and NJCAA All-American John Williams (Mervo/Baltimore, MD) recorded his 15th double-double of the season ending the game with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots. Williams was also selected as part of the 2009-10 All-JUCO Conference Team.
The Lady Panthers closed out the night against Allegany College and showed the crowd why they were number one in the conference all season. This was the game that everyone had been waiting for since last year BCCC lost to Allegany by one point in the 2009 conference championship, 51-50. Of course this year's team knew in their hearts that the outcome was going to be different and in favor of the Lady Panthers.
The two teams did not meet during the regular season due to the snow storm; however, that's what made this game more interesting. BCCC started off slow and had a tough time playing their style of game which allowed Allegany to dictate the tempo. However, freshman point guard Tanira McClurkin (St. Frances/Baltimore, MD) laid it all out on the floor and led all scorers with 14 points.
The women's championship game most valuable player award was given to first year player Ciarra Lucas (Old Mill/Baltimore, MD). Lucas recorded her first double-double of the season and when it counted the most finished the game with 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Since the athletic teams name changed from the Red Devils to the Panthers these championships are definitely one for the books. Not only the Lady Panthers are creating a story of their own by going undefeated in conference play and throughout the tournament, the Panthers men's basketball team started their conference season with a 0-6 record to finish the year at 7-7 and of course the rest is Panther history.
The last year the men's and women's basketball programs won dual state championships was back in 1998 under hall of fame coaches Roger Dickens and John Rhames.
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