Devils soaring to new depths

Versatile and deep, Springbrook still unbeaten

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007

On Thursday night at Springbrook High, the boys basketball team’s fans saluted senior guard Othello Banaci. With more than three minutes still left in the game against visiting-Northwest, Springbrook ahead by 29 points and Northwest’s Wes Parker at the line for a couple of foul shots, Banaci was replaced by Steven Johnson. As Banaci walked off the court, those in the bleachers recognized that he was essentially calling it a night. For a little while, everybody rose and applauded him.

Banaci earned the ovation. All too quickly, his partner in point guard duties, C.J. Garner, had gotten into foul trouble, so Banaci directed the Blue Devils for most of the night. On offense, he found a plethora of scorers. On defense, he isolated Northwest’s solid backcourt and forced them to make turnovers. His teammates responded by dominating the Jaguars in a 71-45 blowout.

Banaci said that Springbrook is built to overcome the loss of a key player, like Garner.

‘‘Everybody here has a role but when somebody’s out, the roles just switch,” he said. ‘‘We all have to make the adjustment. When a starter’s out, we can get over it because Coach [Tom Crowell] has five ball handlers on the floor at any time.”

By crushing Northwest in the final, Springbrook did more than just win its own holiday tournament. The Blue Devils pushed their undefeated start to the season to 8-0. Also, they exercised a well-balanced attack. While Banaci scored eight points and was named to the all-tournament team, he opened the doors for three teammates — senior guard Micah Perry, senior forward Tony Ammons and Garner — to score 14 points each. Also, senior forward Marcus Cotton got 12 and, together with another 12 from the previous game against Marriotts Ridge of Howard County, he picked up tournament MVP honors.

On Thursday, Banaci took full control of the offense early on after Garner was benched. Just over a minute into the second quarter, Garner started to drive but lost the ball and then, trying to recover it, hacked his defender. The Blue Devils’ top offensive threat, who had already made eight points and two assists, had to sit with three personal fouls. He wouldn’t be back until the fourth quarter. Since backup point guard senior Edward Sin was absent, it was all up to Banaci.

‘‘It reminded me of our preseason,” Banaci said. ‘‘We’re all out at different times so a new guy just goes in there. We’d get used to him in his new role. That toughens your bench, and you’re only as good as your weakest player.”

Covering for Garner was easy with Springbrook’s multi-faceted offense. Banaci found Perry for a few quick cuts to the hoop and a three-pointer. He also got a lot out of the frontcourt, with Ammons and Cotton controlling the interior. Ammons scored seven points in the second quarter. In the third, Cotton took a pass from Banaci and dunked it for a 42-24 lead.

‘‘When we’re clicking, not everyone’s looking at me to score,” Cotton said. ‘‘They’re looking to Eric [Johnson] or C.J. or Micah ... That gives me some chances. I can spread the floor and then score on fast-break layups. That dunk gave us some spark.”

For Northwest (5-3 record), Cotton’s dunk was like a nail in the coffin.

Not that the Jaguars ever got started, they just stalled. In the opening quarter, they converted three free throws but their first basket from the floor came with 40 seconds left, when senior center Charlie Cononie made it an 18-5 game. By night’s end, Northwest’s team-highs would be the 16 points from senior guard Martin Fernandez and 11 from Parker.

Northwest’s troubles stretched back to before the tournament. Since winning four games in a row, it lost two of three and those setbacks were by wide margins. On Dec. 21, the Jags fell to Quince Orchard by 22. Though they managed to beat Kennedy last Wednesday, they went to overtime to do it. Then came last week’s 26-point loss at the Springbrook tournament.

Now, Northwest plunges into its division schedule. On Friday, the Jaguars will host 4A West Division opponent Richard Montgomery 5:15 p.m.

Ironically, the Blue Devils want to get over the game before this Wednesday, when Class 4A East power Magruder (6-1) comes to Silver Spring. The Devils had defensive breakdowns. As a team, they made just six of 14 foul shots. The indefatigable Devils practiced that morning, then played the game, but Crowell said that they needed more discipline in moving and making switches.

‘‘In a big game, that’ll kill you and we’ve gotta tighten down,” he said. ‘‘Magruder is a monster. Sherwood: they’re loaded. It’s not that I’m not satisfied. Oh, I’m happy, but I just see what’s down the road. You can’t let happiness make you overlook what’s ahead.”