If the purpose of high school sports is to be an extension of the
classroom, the Elkton High School boys basketball team have already graduated
with honors after their 69-64 win at Edgewood tonight in the Maryland State
Playoffs.
“The took it all away from us,” said Coach Steve Smith, “Now we have it
back.” Smith was referring to the nineteen wins the Golden Elks had to give
back when it was learned Raimek Taylor was ineligible to play.
The Taylor situation got even worse before it got better, his suspension
was reduced in time for him to join his Elkton teammates in the playoffs.
Before
the “readjustment” of wins and losses the Edgewood and Elkton squads were
evenly matched in talent, playing record and in prior matchups. The first quarter of tonight’s tilt played out that way with
the Rams holding a 13-11 lead. In
the second frame, Edgewood made a sustained run to go into halftime with a
10-point lead.
Coach Smith implored his team during halftime to make their own run and
made a defensive switch to a zone he declined to name for fear his next
opponent might make an adjustment.
The speech worked and the new defense worked. Elkton outscored Edgewood
27-9 in the third period to erase their deficit and grab a lead they would
never relinquish.
As each team fought to extend their seasons and playoff runs, it was
free throws from the charity stripe that played an integral role. While the
Rams made only five of ten foul shots in the second half, the Golden Elks
knocked down eleven of thirteen.
Edgewood’s Van Rolle led the Rams with 19 points, while Elkton had four
players in double digits. Malachi
Seney led all scorers with 20 points and Sterling Cruz added in 18 points.
Next up for the Golden Elks is Patterson Mill on the road in Bel Air in
the Sectional Semifinal on Thursday.
02-28-12 Elkton v Edgewood HS Basketball Playoffs - Images by Eclipse Sportswire
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