Hagerstown, MD – The number three seed Baltimore City Community College men's basketball team (18-12; 7-7 MD JUCO Conference) and head coach Terry Maczko came up short against the number one seed Cecil College (22-3; 13-1 MD JUCO Conference) in what the public announcer stated at the end, “an instant classic.” The final score read in favor of Cecil 76-73.
Cecil clearly dominated the game throughout the first half of play capitalizing on BCCC's mistakes filled with turnovers, missed open layups and personal fouls. Team captains John Williams (Mervo/Baltimore, MD) and Calvert Townes (Joppatowne/Joppatowne, MD) found themselves in foul trouble early in the ball game; however, maintained their energy and will to win.
At the sound of the halftime buzzer, the Panthers were down by 19 points with the score reading in favor of Cecil 46-27. BCCC was 11-for-38 from the field and 0-for-5 from the three-point line.
At the start of the second half, the team that was on an eight game winning streak finally arrived and BCCC showcased that same pressure defense that brought them to this years' championship game and whom won the MD JUCO Conference Tournament. The Panthers knew they were going to battle to the end which the lead from 19 points had gone down to 12 and then the game was tied. However with less than two minutes left in regulation, the game took a turn with a controversial call which awarded Cecil two points and the lead.
The Panthers gave it one more try for a three point shot at the final seconds but came up short. This game was a total team effort and BCCC gave it their very best shot at becoming regional champions.
Freshmen guards Byron Westmoreland (Mervo/Baltimore, MD) finished the game with a team high 24 points and eight rebounds followed by Zafir Williams (Vaux/Philadelphia, PA) ending the game with 10 points, two rebounds and six assists.
Sophomores Williams and Townes both completed the game with nine points each. Freshman forward Carlos Smith (Forest Park, Baltimore, MD) had a strong outing with nine points, 12 rebounds, one assist and five blocked shots.
Closing out this year was definitely one to remember. The Panthers started conference play 0-6 in the first half of the season and ended as MD JUCO Conference Champions and Region XX Runner-ups.
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