A “CLASSIC START” FOR DOUGLASS

by Derek Toney

The Walbrook/Douglass boys’ basketball game got a new look Tuesday. Then, the Ducks got off to a “fresh start.”

After arguably its worst showing in recent years, No. 11 Douglass rebounded with a 67-54 victory over the fourth-ranked Warriors before a packed gym on Gwynns Falls Parkway. The senior duo of Omar Strong and Justin Berry combined for 42 points for the Ducks.

The contest between west Baltimore rivals, separated by two miles, was named the Rose Backus Davis Hamm Classic in honor of Hamm, who served as principal at both schools before retiring from the city school system at the end of last school year. Hamm was honored before the game with proclamation from City Council member Belinda Conaway (District 7).

Douglass (2-2) wasted little time making sure it would be the trophy’s inaugural home, opening up a 15-point halftime margin. The Ducks felt they had something prove after an embarrassing 24-point loss to Digital Harbor Saturday at the Function in the Junction Mixer at Walbrook.

“I told them we didn’t attack the zone, and that’s going to be our forte from here on out,” said Douglass coach Rodney Cofield. “We had to get into the gaps, what we really had to do is be patient. We weren’t patient at all on Saturday. We took quick shots instead of the best shots.”

“Anybody can have a bad moment,” said Berry referring to Saturday as Digital Harbor’s brother tandem of George and Justin Jackson pelted the Ducks for 61 points. “As seniors, we had to put the team on our back tonight. Everybody counted us out. We had the best record in the city last year and we’re getting counted out after three games.”

Douglass will definitely have to be reckoned with in the ultra-competitive City league especially with Strong, a five foot, eight inch dynamo and Berry, a guard/forward. The Ducks were in attack mode against the Warriors’ zone Tuesday, building a 24-9 advantage midway in the first half after a three-point play by Berry. In the waning moments, Strong fell on a baseline drive but was able to pass the ball to Dwayne Brewer, who hit a three-pointer giving Douglass a 32-17 lead at intermission.

The Warriors (3-2) chipped away in the second half as sophomore Roscoe Smith’s three-pointer from the right corner, cut the Ducks’ margin to 43-35 early in the final quarter. A tip-in by forward Robert Eubanks on the ensuing possession pushed Douglass’ back to double-digits for good.

Smith led Walbrook with 16 points and Donte Stuckey and Dashion Knight each added 11. Walbrook coach Kelvin Bridgers, who came up with the idea of dedicating the game, had a pretty good inclination that Douglass would be motivated especially after Saturday’s performance. The Warriors and Ducks have combined for three state championships since 2002.

“I think we didn’t play well at all. I thought Douglass came out with a lot of energy and a lot of pride,” said Bridgers, whose team host surging and 16th ranked Digital Harbor Thursday. “Eventually, they were going to bounce back and tonight we were the ones they bounced back on.”

The Ducks received some needed component inside play from Eubanks, Marquis Johnson and Kemp McCray. Though his team’s prospects improved dramatically, Cofield said Douglass still need better execution on offense.

“We practiced on all zones Monday, 1-3-1 and 2-2-1,” said Strong, whose team travels to No. 5 Mervo Thursday. “I think we bounced back pretty good after one day of practice.”

Douglass 67, Walbrook 54
Walbrook: Smith 16, Stuckey 11, Knight 11, Snow 1, Matthews 3, Brisoce 4, Johnson 6. Totals 18 13-18 54.
Douglass: Strong 20, Berry 22, Simms 7, Smith 4, Johnson 5, Gardner 3, Brewer 5. Totals 19 26-38 67. Halftime: Douglass 32, Walbrook 17.

Walbrook 7 10 13 24-54
Douglass 17 15 9 26-67