Even though the gym was warm as Patuxent and Great Mills met in a conference matchup this past Wednesday, the temperatures outside plummeted below freezing. It seemed that the cold had somehow gotten inside and affected both teams. After the first period, Great Mills had an anemic 12-6 lead. However, that cold touch quickly turned into the hot hand for several athletes, highlighted by Patuxent guard Darus Maddox, who led all scorers with 36 points.
Early action as the Great Mills Hornets defend against the Patuxent attack.
(Photo: Stephanie Savage)
The game started off slow, as both teams tried to figure out the other one’s strategies. Once the second quarter started, the momentum swayed to the Patuxent side as they connected on several shots in a row. Great Mills staged a run towards the end of the half, led by senior guard Trevon Porter. Going into the locker room at halftime, the score stood at 27-22 Patuxent.
The third quarter was a carbon copy of the second quarter. Both teams kept pace with one another, and the score was 43-40 in favor of the Panthers going into the fourth quarter. In the final period the Hornets came within one point of the lead before the Panthers pulled away and shut the door on Great Mills. The large crowd emptied the gym with 10 seconds on the clock, and as Great Mills ran their last play of the game, the fans departing the gym made it impossible for them to use that side of the court. The final buzzer sounded, and Patuxent was on top 65-52.
Patuxent’s Jaquan Kelley drives the lane in second half action. (Photo: Stephanie Savage)
The Panthers were led in scoring by junior guard Darus Maddox, who put up 36 points. Sophomore Terell Gross also chipped in with 9 points. The Hornets were led by senior Trevon Porter with 12 points, and senior forward Marvin Mackle with 10 points. The Hornets next play this Friday at home against Huntingtown. The Panthers next play on the road at Calvert on Friday the 9th.
