Boys Basketball

One of the key components to Arundel's consistent success in recent years has been how players have been able to take on expanded roles as their careers have progressed. Wildcats senior power forward Ryan Hill is the perfect example. Hill gained some experience by moving up to the varsity team as a sophomore, earned more time as a junior while averaging 4.3 points and 3.5 rebounds, and has now taken his game to a higher level with a breakthrough senior season. As the team's go-to player inside, Hill, a 6-foot-4 power forward and captain, is averaging 13.7 points and 7.0 rebounds for the No. 9 Wildcats (14-2)

Basketball is on the rebound, nationally and in Anne Arundel County. More college and professional games are on television almost every night, and more kids are taking an interest in it and wanting to find their way onto a court. That's one of the main reasons boys basketball continues to grow in popularity in the Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks leagues. There are five age groups, and there's no question how much local kids like to play the game. "I think [it's about] physical fitness and the college games that are on just about every night someplace on TV," said Ron Mox, a county recreation and sports supervisor.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR DaJuan Summers McDonogh Summers not only broke out at McDonogh this season, but nationally as well. The 6-foot-9, 225-pound power forward is considered to be one of the top 100 players in the nation by a number of publications and rating services, who also have him ranked in the top 15 at his position. The spotlight on Summers started shining at the end of last summer when he sparkled at Nike showcase events and with the Cecil-Kirk Amateur Athletic Union team. Summers followed up his big summer with a standout high school season, leading surprising McDonogh (23-6)

Edmondson boys basketball coach Darnell Dantzler was caught in the moment Thursday night at Randallstown, emotionally accepting one hug after the next while his players were in the background loudly celebrating. In the past four years, the Red Storm had successful seasons come to an end in the region championship game with each opponent going on to win the state championship. But this time, it was Edmondson's turn. This time, it was seniors Darius Walker and Isaiah Tripp and Darius Hubbard and Myrek Lee-Fowlkes making big plays, hitting important shots and making clutch free throws at the end to lead the No. 5 Red Storm to a 73-63 win over Randallstown to claim the Class 2A North region championship.

His players sat silently in the corner of the locker room. Much like he did when he was a player at Maryland more than a quarter century ago, Archbishop Spalding boys basketball coach Derrick Lewis measured his words carefully before speaking. "I lost a bunch of games over a long career, but I never gave up," Lewis said in a low, but forceful voice. "A lot of you guys gave up tonight. " A few minutes before, Loyola embarrassed the Cavaliers, 69-49, on Senior Night. Lewis used the loss as an opportunity to give his players a bit of a history lesson, recalling his junior year in College Park, which was Bob Wade's first season as coach.

Edgewood and Joppatowne opened their boys basketball season Tuesday night with a wild one between the two Harford County neighbors. Visiting Edgewood beat the Mariners, 50-49, on a foul shot with five seconds left. The next night, C. Milton Wright had an easier time beating its cross-town rival Bel Air. The southern Harford rivals were tied Tuesday evening at 49 with five seconds left when Edgewood got its game-winning free throw. Edgewood's Thomas Dillard led all scorers with 17 points.

The Edgewood Rams (17-3 overall, 12-0 Chesapeake ) wrapped up their upper division schedule with a 63-47 road win over the C. Milton Wright Mustangs (10-9 overall, 7-5 Chesapeake) on Friday. Troy Anderson and Van Rolle led the Rams in scoring with 12 points apiece, while Detrick Matthews had 10 points in the victory. Mychal Stefanides had 17 points for CMW, and teammate Will Hazelton had 13 points. The Rams will take on Patterson Mill for the UCBAC championship Wednesday at Harford Tech.

The Dunbar boys basketball team has had its share of success at the state level in recent years, winning the past two Class 1A titles and making regular visits to Comcast Center. But the No. 7 Poets, once the dominant player in Baltimore City year after year after year, have been hankering to again become kings in their own backyard. With a balanced offensive performance and relentless team defense that typified their season, the Poets knocked off defending champion and No. 2 Patterson, 65-61, on Tuesday to capture Baltimore City's Division 1 championship at packed Hill Field House at Morgan State.

As I noticed a few days after it was published, and as was pointed out to me by North Harford head coach Jeff Burrows, I wrote in last week's column that Havre de Grace was the reigning UCBAC boys basketball champ, when it is actually North Harford, since the Hawks beat Havre de Grace in last season's conference final. My apologies, Hawks. Anyway, I'll keep this short, since this is about the busiest week of my entire year. The boys basketball power poll has had some slight changes since last week, and here they are (please take into account that the rankings were laid out before Wednesday's games)