Great Mills, MD – Going into its Jan. 30 SMAC girl’s basketball game, Great Mills was the heavy favorite versus the less-experienced Chopticon Braves. However, the Braves proved to be all the Hornets could handle. Neither team ever held a lead that was greater than 10 points.
The first quarter started and ended with both teams trading shots and establishing their defensive game. The score was 13-10 Great Mills. The players were all fighting for position, and the defenses were having an easy time slowing down the other’s offense.
In the second and third quarters however, a switch was thrown, and the offenses sprang to life. Each team had its own threats and they were key. For Great Mills senior forward India King came out and recorded her season high in points with 22. Both scoring attacks were very balanced, many players scored for both teams.
The third quarter ended with Chopticon in the lead 43-37.
In the fourth quarter, Great Mills clawed their way back, tying the game with 23 seconds left. All quarter, they had been trying but every time they got close, Chopticon scored in quick succession. Finally, the inexperience cost the Braves.
Freshman Madeline Gregory had to inbound the ball to give Chopticon the final possession. She was unable to, and was called for a 5 second violation. Great Mills took over, and King drove and nailed a floater to end the game. The buzzer sounded ending a tremendous game in which both teams left it all on the court.
Senior Blackwell-Boyden of Chopticon was quoted after the game saying “ We know how much heart this team has, and how much potential we have.” She led her team in scoring with 17 points, and sophomore point guard assisted her with 13 points of her own. Great Mills was led in scoring by King, with 22 points. The point guard, junior Dar’Neisha Brice also contributed 14 points.
Contact Max Tayman at news@thebaynet.com
