With just over a minute left in Friday’s 6B Regional Quarterfinal game between Potomac and Brooke Point, all the momentum was with the host Black Hawks. After trailing most of the game, Brooke Point had just tied it at 56 after a basket by junior power forward Reeko Harris.
Potomac’s senior-laden team didn’t lose its composure. With under a minute left, senior forward Dominic Mack attacked the lane and delivered an and-one basket with 49 seconds left. Then, after a Brooke Point basket, senior guard Harlem Lyons hit three-of-four free throws down the stretch to ice the game and give Potomac a 62-61 victory.
Coach Anthony Mills’ Panthers (18-7) now advance to face Patriot in the Regional Semifinals next week, with a trip to States at stake.
“Some of the guys you’re talking about are four-year guys who have been in this position before,” said Mills, when asked about his seniors after the game. “We just continuously believe in them, telling them, preaching to them that their leadership is what’s going to get them through these moments.”
“You could see it down the stretch, our leadership got us there.”
That, as well as Potomac’s trademark pressure defense. The Panthers’ length gave Brooke Point problems all game, forcing turnovers that led to Potomac offense. While better in the first half–the Panthers held the Black Hawks to 37% shooting in the first half, as opposed to 59% in the second–that length and defense again came up clutch late.
With 10 seconds left Brooke Point (13-12) had a sideline in-bounds play down 60-58, senior guard Braydan Woods, who was guarding the in-bounder, got a tip on the lob pass. Lyons jumped up and corralled it, then hit two of his clutch free throws to wrap up the victory.
“Our pressure didn’t really do what we expected it to do–it did a little bit, but not what we’re accustomed to it doing,” Mills said. “Gotta take your hats off to this [the Brooke Point] coaching staff, though, Jason John is phenomonal.”
Down 35-28 at half, the Black Hawks slowly clawed their way back into the game behind star senior guard TJ Wilkerson and the 6’7″ Harris. His team down 46-37 late in the third, Wilkerson delivered four quick points and found junior guard Zion Garver open for a three to cut the Potomac led to five going into the fourth. Harris was huge as well for Brooke Point, scoring 13 of his team-high 17 points in the second half.
The Black Hawks couldn’t overtake the Panthers, however. Lyons led the way for Potomac with 19 points, while Mack added 13. Mills showed faith in both by leaving them in at various points of the game despite foul trouble, and it paid off in the end. Senior Evan Fleming, contributed 10 points on the night. Yet another senior, Medwyn Opoku Arthur, had a nice game as well, with eight points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The Panthers have nine seniors on their roster, making them an experienced, dangerous opponent for just about anyone. Coach Mills will need them to again perform well in the clutch next week against Patriot if the Panthers are to advance.
–Chris Jollay