One of the season’s first big matchups in high school boys’ basketball happened on Dave Baker Court at Seaford High School last week between the Blue Jays and visiting Laurel Bulldogs. The Blue Jays pulled away in the final moments of the fourth quarter for the 59-53 win.
“This was a total team effort of playing together. They shared the basketball and after the game the players felt good because they played as a team,” said Seaford head coach Vince Evans.
Seaford’s Jordan Smith blocks the shot of Laurel’s Khalid Burton in the second half of the boys’ basketball game played at Ben Sirman Gymnasium in Seaford. Photo by Lynn Schofer
The teams opened up with aggressive defenses, playing tight man to man, and Laurel’s Keishawn Copes’ push to the basket gave him two and a foul. Inside the paint the teams pushed for positions and sophomore Mikey Matthews’ second effort put Seaford in the lead. The emotions were high and Seaford handed points to Laurel on a technical foul, switching the momentum and the Bulldogs took advantage to close the gap 18-17 at the end of the first quarter.
Evans said, “One of those games you don’t need a motivational speech. In my opinion Laurel is the team to beat in the South, they have really good players.”
In the second quarter, Laurel scored first from the foul line while Seaford continued to pull in offensive rebounds for points. Junior Enoch Duprey saved a ball from going out of bounds resulting in a basket to tie the score. The physical scrappy play from both benches kept the crowd loud, led by the cheerleaders from both teams. Seaford led by three points but two turnovers tied the game, led by Laurel’s Za’Bryan Eley. In the final seconds of play Seaford suffered a turnover but held on to a 31-28 half-time lead.
In the third quarter the teams continued to play with high energy and a blocked shot by Seaford’s Kahmari Hopkins ignited the home crowd. Laurel’s Asante Lofland sunk a three-point basket and Eley, who led with 15 points in the game, added three points and the lead by Seaford dwindled to three points for a 45-42 score to the end the third quarter.
In the final quarter, Seaford was strong on the offensive rebounds while Laurel’s tenacious fight kept both teams even on the court. Dupreys’ two straight plays changed the momentum of the game, scoring on a strong move to the basket and then a pass to Jordan Smith who connected with Vincent Evans for a 51-45 lead.
“I gave him a great big hug, there were things he did in the game that won’t show up in the stats or box score but he was key and phenomenal,” said Coach Evans.
Laurel’s Jeremiah Hopkins and Lofland narrowed the game. The teams were whistled for some fouls in the closing moments of the game and two turnovers by Seaford were costly. Laurel pulled to within two points with 26 seconds to play in the game. On an inbound pass Seaford stepped on the line, committing a third turnover but the Bulldogs’ travel gave the ball back to the Blue Jays. Seaford closed the game down with inside play and rebounds led by Mikey Matthews. Laurel sent Seaford to the foul line in the final plays for the Blue Jay 59-53 win.
Coach Evans said after the game, “The number one factor was rebounding.” Evans said the team was outrebounded in their first game of the season and this game the Blue Jays totaled 29 total rebounds in the game.
Evans, who rotated seven players all game said, “We played physical and with heart. Omari Nichols, Enoch Duprey, Mike Matthews, and Areon Purnell hit the glass, Meat (Vince Evans III) controlled the tempo, Jordan Smith played hard the entire game, and Uriah Taylor-Brown gave us valuable minutes. Total team effort.”
The teams will move to holiday break and play in the Governor’s Challenge tournament. Seaford and Laurel will both play Cambridge-South Dorchester, which is a powerhouse in the Bayside Conference.
