Boys Basketball: Improved Panthers Hope to Make a Run in the Playoffs—Beginning Tonight

Throughout the season, Pikesville coach Anthony Dorsey has consistently stressed that, regardless of any struggles along the way, he hoped to have his young Panthers in a position to surprise some teams come playoff time.

And with the playoffs tipping off tonight, Dorsey feels he has his team in a position to do just that.

Pikesville (2-20) hosts Sparrows Point (3-16) at 5 p.m tonight in the first round of the Class 1A North playoffs.

The Panthers replaced their top 10 scorers from last year’s team that went 20-4 and reached the Class 1A North final. Forward Ethan Thompson and guard Jared Kurlander are the lone two carryovers from that team.

“We didn’t really have any experience coming into the year,” Dorsey said. “But our basketball I.Q. and decision making has [significantly] improved throughout the season and hopefully that carries over into the playoffs. Because of our draw, I really think we have a chance to be able to move on in this tournament.”

Kurlander agreed.

“We’ve gotten a lot better since the start of the season,” Kurlander said. “We’ve got [seven] sophomores and they’ve really started to come into their own, especially [point guard] Jamelle Christian. We’ve also had a really good week of practice and have been gaining momentum and feel like we could maybe make a run.”

But any run would have to start with a win against Sparrows Point tonight. And even aside from the motivation of moving on in the playoffs, the Panthers are eager to get a second chance at the Pointers, who beat them, 54-52, Feb. 2 despite Pikesville holding leads after both the second and third quarters.

“We’re definitely motivated for this one,” Kurlander said. “They beat us last time, but we definitely felt like we were the better team and that they got away with one. And we’re definitely motivated to beat them.”

Sparrows Point guard Cody McVey, who tallied a game-high 25 points that night, hit what proved to be the game-winning shot with 35 seconds left in that game.

“We’ve got to stop [McVey],” Thompson said. “Their whole team is based around him so we’ve really got to step up our defense to stop him. And we’ve just got to come out strong in the first half and get a lead so we don’t have to keep chucking away in the second half and have to come back like we’ve had to a lot this year.”

And if Pikesville is able to beat the Pointers, it would move on to face New Town (14-4) in the Class 1A North quarterfinals. The Titans beat the Panthers, 73-52, Jan. 21.

But instead of looking ahead, Panthers senior forward Clayton K-Sparrow has tried to keep his teammates focused solely on Sparrows Point and, like Kurlander, is very much looking forward to getting a chance against the Pointers.

“I can’t wait,” Sparrow said. “We should have beaten them last time. But if we play hard, we should definitely come out with a win. Our record isn’t the best, but we’ve come a long way as a team. People have really developed and we’ve gotten a lot better.”