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Welcome to Dragon's Lair Update, the only show dedicated to Howard Community College
Athletics. This month Howard takes on Baltimore City, Region 20 basketball heats up, and Coach
Anderson's Dragon battle Frederick. We'll start with Men's Basketball, Howard squares
off against Baltimore City. Mark Zinno anchors our coverage.
Thanks Diane, I'm here with Howard's Assistant Coach, Ty Alexander. Howard enters the game
with an 11-4 record. 3 Dragons are averaging at least13 points per game this season. Balance
on offense combined with defensive energy has catapulted Howard to the top of the region.
Coach Ty what have first fifteen games taught you about this team?
Well we maybe 11-4 but we have not competed for 40 minutes yet this season. Basketball
is played in two halves not just one.
Baltimore City is an NJCAA Division 1 program that competes in Region 20. The Panthers are
in the midst of an up and down season, thats unfamiliar territory for a program that's
used to dominating. Baltimore City may be 7-8, but their wins over ASA, Chesapeake,
and Cecil prove the Panthers can still beat anyone you put in front of them. Baltimore
City has a balanced scoring attack of their own, 5 different players are averaging 8 or
more points per game, Coach Ty, what's the defensive game-plan?
First we must box out, second do not allow your man to go middle, and last play hard
for 40 minutes.
Howard battles the Panthers next, Let's go to the Dragons Lair
The first half was all Howard. Omari Ringold
piled on 16 points to give Howard a big lead heading into the locker room.
Omari played his butt off in the first half. He knocked down shot, attacked the basket,
and made plays all around.
Second half, Brian Kelly and the Panthers all fired up. Kelly attacks the rim, banks
it in, Howard's lead is now 5.
Kelly fakes left, Jaz'mon Harris doesn't buy it, Kelly goes back to his right hand....
passes it in to John Majors.... back out to Kelly... Majors, up against Ajenifuja... Brelin
Elliot there for the put-back, 5 unanswered points for Baltimore City.
Howard led by as much as 14 in the first half, now it's a 2 point game... Ajenifuja for 3...
Terry Harris grabs the rebound and pushes it ahead in transition... Harris keeps it,
ties the game, terrific effort from the freshman out of Kenwood High School.
Brian Kelly, up against Tiger Warford... Kelly goes right, drops it back to DaJuan Dent,
nice bounce pass to Elliott, he lays it in. Baltimore City is on a 12-0 run.
13 minutes on the clock, 43-41 Baltimore City.... Jeff James, bounce pass to Connor Gaskins
Ty: When the play breaks down Jeff and Connor show how well they know each other and play
a two man game to get a bucket.
Swarming defense from Gaskins and Warford, Connor Gaskins with the rebound, goes to Warford...
he scans the court, to James.... what a pass from Jeff James, he finds Davis all alone
in the corner and Davis knocks it down.
After coming out flat, Howard is re-focused, 52-45 Dragons. Jeff James, another beautiful
pass, this time to Ringold... here comes the three... it's off the rim and tapped in by
James.
Ty: I love to see that from all my players, not giving up on a play.
10 minutes, 54-47 Howard, Davis goes right into the heart of the Baltimore defense. He
gets to the rim, and-one bucket from the Calvert Hall graduate
7 minutes remaining, Jaz'mon Harris passes to Connor Gaskins.... he attacks the basket,
takes it on the chin and maintains his composure, Gaskins makes em pay.
Ty: Here's our motion offense, nice rip through by Connor Gaskins.
Tiger Warford handles the ball for Howard, he goes left, stops on a dime, inside to Maurice
Thompson, drops it back to Warford and he buries the three pointer.
Xavier Richards drives it inside he's turned away by Maurice Thompson...
Ty: Get that out of here!
There's an example of Howard's trademark defensive energy.
5 minutes on the clock, 64-52 Dragons... Kelly looks to make something happen, takes on 3
defenders... Jaz'mon Harris emerges with the ball, charges ahead in transition, Harris
to Ajenifuja, he gets it to go.
Omari Ringgold puts his skills on display, explodes into the paint...and what a move
by Ringgold.
Ty: Nice hesitation. A.I. baby!
Keaton Mack goes to his left, inside to Majors... tremendous energy on defense from Howard,
they force another turnover... Ajenifuja, long bounce pass hits Ringgold on the run,
Omari Ringgold throws it down, 22 point night for the Centennial High School grad.
Final minute, Baltimore City brings a press, Ringgold beats his man, keeps his head up,
and he hits Ajenifuja in stride.
Ty: We executed Coach Smelkinson's offense. This was just a good win for our program and
it should give us confidence going down the stretch.
Howard wins 83-66. Lets send it down to Matt Stovall.
Julian this was a huge win. We haven't beaten Baltimore City in a very long time what are
your thoughts after this game?
Uh this a great team win. I feel like everybody from 1 to 15 put all the effort into it and
we really like, we really needed this win to move up in the standings and its just a
great team win.
Omari in the second half Baltimore City got off to a big run then you all really took
control. What did it take to regain control of the game?
Uh the coach just getting on us, then we uh we played the press, which was a 2-2-1 press
and that really opened things up for us and got us a lot of turnovers. So that was a game
changer.
So how has Coach Smelkinson helped you in your first year here at Howard?
Uh skill work. We do a lot of shooting in practice, we do a lot of dribble ball handling,
uh defense, really forces me to play defense to the best of my ability, thats definitely
gotten better, and he just stays on me make sure I'm not taking any shortcuts. Just really,
he's a good coach.
Julian defensively are you happy with the way the team's playing right now?
Um bit.. We're kind of in the middle. Um we got a lot of work to do and this is a great
win and we're just going to keep pushing every single day and just get better on D. We're
only going to get better so..
Uh theres a big game coming up against CCBC Dundalk, how do you feel going into that game?
This is real important. They're number one, we're number two right now and in order to
beat 'em we need to be on top. We need to beat 'em so I feel like this is real important
to us and its at home so we got the full advantage. So I'm- I'm ready for it.
Omari how amped up are you for this game?
I'm real excited. I'm real excited. We got to have a big uh practices, two practices
before the game. We have to practice good and I'm ready we're all ready. So... Lets
go. (laughs)
Congratulations on the win gentleman. For Dragon's Lair Update I'm Matt Stovall.
Up Next, the biggest game on Howard's schedule, one of the biggest match-ups in recent memory.
The Dragons face-off against CCBC Dundalk. These two schools are D-2 Region 20 rivals,
the Dragons are the defending champions, Dundalk has the Region's second best record. These
Region 20 games are crucial, these are the games that determine the seeding in the region
tournament and you have to win your bracket in the Region 20 tournament to advance to
Nationals. There are no at large selections.
Dundalk is 13-2, they enter the game ranked 8th in the national poll. The Lions have won
3 straight, Coach Ty, what can we expect to see from Dundalk?
Well Dundalk is a small, scrappy, high energy team, they love to pressure you full court
defensively, they crash the boards very hard, and they get a lot of second chance points.
Four Dragons scored in double figures against Baltimore City, who is going to be the x-factor
against Dundalk?
I'll give you two. First Tiger Warford and Connor Gaskins. Tiger brings energy for us
off the bench, he's capable of knocking down big shots. Connor Gaskins brings scoring and
the ability to rebound. Connor is just a basketball player, he's a big man with guard ability.
A Region 20 win is on the line, Howard takes on Dundalk next, Let's go to the Dragons Lair.
First half, Dundalk turns it over, here come the Dragons in transition, Omari Ringgold
drives it, turns and goes to Jeff James... Kendall Danglade gets it back for the Lions....
Danglade goes to Malachy Onwudiegwu, he goes left, baseline drive, 6-4 Dundalk...
Jordan Myers inbounds to Denzel Dulin... Myers
sneaks behind Dulin and buries the open look.
Dundalk is pressuring us, this is something we went over in practice. Jeff should have
made the easier pass to Connor or Julian, then we could have got into our offense.
Julian Davis, to Connor Gaskins in the high post, he goes right, beats his man off the
dribble, and-one.
This shows how versatile Connor is as a player.
Davis, back to Gaskins in the high post, gives it to Jeff James, and he buries the hook shot.
Myers goes to Damon Cornish, they move it left, keep it moving along the perimeter...
Jordan Myers hits the open three. 10 minutes left in the first half, Myers, guarded by
Tiger Warford... Warford keeping Myers in front of him, Myers goes for the crossover,
loose ball....
Man good defense, he picked his pocket. There's that energy Tiger brings off the bench baby!
Dundalk is presenting some problems with the press, the Dragons struggling to get it across
half-court... Cornish gets a hand on it, Dulin keeps it inbounds, the hustle play produces
another turnover... Cornish gets to the line, these turnovers turning into points for Dundalk.
The Lions are on an 8-0 run, Myers, inside to Brodgen... he attacks the basket and gives
Dundalk their biggest lead of the game.
The Lions attacking the rim hard once again, this time Sean Tarver does the honors.
Cornish see's Onwudiegwu open on the weak side, he scrambles into the paint and banks
it in...
32-26 Dundalk, 15 seconds till half, Brian Haley pulls up, Umbori Watson follows through
with a scrappy put-back bucket.
Just an all around terrible half from our guys. They were being selfish, they weren't
making the extra pass, they were lazy on defense, and last not communicating.
36-30 Dundalk, Julian Davis, to Jazz Harris... he goes to Jeff James... pump fakes, bounce
pass to Kayode Ajenifuja, he takes on three defenders, gets the ball back and makes em
pay. It's a four point game.
Howard's on a 6-2 run, Harris gets inside and does some damage with the runner.
Nice teardrop floater by Jazz Harris. (sphhh)
Julian Davis drives inside, draws 3 defenders, frees up Ringgold for three and Howard takes
the lead.
On the other end of the floor, what a play by Jeff James, here come the Dragons.... Davis,
deep ball to Harris, 2-on-1, gets to the rim.
Howard's energy on defense set that up, tremendous play by Jeff James.
Damon Cornish brings it up for Dundalk, nice pass to Watson... Gaskins and Ringgold are
there defensively, lay-up no good. Ajenifuja pushes it ahead to Davis... he throws the
lob, Connor Gaskins with the haymaker.
Put some beef on that burger by Julian Davis, Sportscenter baby!!
Howard has a 10 point lead and all of the momentum, Myers, stripped by Warford... here
come the Dragons... Ajenifuja with the hammer, and the Dragons Lair is rocking.
Mark, woooo, man, he took me back to the Jordan days when he played at Carolina for Dean Smith.
8 minutes remaining, Denzel Dulin wants the ball, driving, cut-off by Gaskins, Ajenifuja
, Dulin retreats, then storms into the paint. Big time play from the sophomore out of Queens.
Howard's lead down to 7, Ian Vazquez comes off the bench and delivers a long range three.
Timely shot from the Harlem native.
3 minutes left, 68-62 Dragons ... Davis looks to get inside, drops it back to Ajenifuja,
he sinks the straight-away three.
Julian made a great one on one move to force Kayode's man to come help.
Dundalk has scored 4 unanswered, Myers to Dulin... he knocks it down.
Other end of the floor, Dundalk's on a 7-0 run now, Ringgold takes it inside, finds Harris
in the corner, he goes to Ajenifuja from the same spot, here comes the three... heads up
hustle play, Ajenifuja gets his own rebound and puts it home.
1:26 to play, 73-69 Howard... James goes to Ringgold in the corner... he fakes, attacks
the rim, and hits them with a reverse lay-up.
Omari with that Dwayne Wade, that's why he's our leading scorer.
On the other end, Myers, up against Jazz Harris... Myers goes right, Harris stays with him and
knocks it loose.
44 seconds on the clock, Dundalk down by 6, Akil Charles, guarded by Julian Davis... goes
to Myers, raises up to shoot, for three... Ringgold gets the ball, 3 on 1, Howard takes
down the number 8 team in the nation.
The guys came out with a lot of energy in the 2nd half, We gotta keep building off this
win.
Let's send it down to Matt Stovall.
Kayode incredible win. What are your thoughts after this one?
Uh we came out there and we made a statement. Uh they were number one we were number two,
we had to come out there and show them that we deserve that number one spot.
Jeff what does this win say about your team?
Well we're fighters. We were down at half time and we knew when we went in, we fought
to get what we deserve.
Kayode what did Coach Smelkinson say, um you guys were down then had a big comeback.
Um they said that we had to pick up the energy. Um we were... Our defense leads to offense,
so if our off- if our defense is slacking you know there getting in the lane and everything
then our offense won't really produce. So once we picked it up on defense then it just
transitioned to offense and easy buckets, lay ups, getting fouls, everything.
Jeff this is a big game. This is the biggest game you've been a part of you think since
you been here?
Yeah I feel like this definitely one of the biggest, probably the biggest game I've been
a part of. They were number one, they were ranked in the nation and I felt like we finally
stood out; we get- we should get the recognition that that we deserve.
Kayode how does it feel? I know they were ranked coming in, did you guys know that coming
in?
Oh yes we definitely knew it. We felt uh a little disrespected that uh coming off of
nationals last year we weren't you know ranked and they were. So today we had to go out there
and show them that we were supposed to be in that ranking.
Terrific team win gentlemen. For Dragon's Lair Update I'm Matt Stovall.
Its a pleasure to welcome the Head Coach of the defending Region 20, District 15 Champions,
2004 Howard County Player of the Year, Mike Smelkinson. Welcome Coach.
Thanks.
Assess your team's performance against CCBC Dundalk.
Well I think we played a tremendous second half. We came out a little flat in the first
half and we were down at halftime but we really played with a enormous amount of defensive
energy in the second half, which lead to easy points for us. So, thats what type of team
we are. We feed off of our defensive energy and we we're able to be successful with that
in the second half of the game.
So what did you say at halftime?
Well we-we- we expressed some uh displeasure with some of the guys uh energy level in the
first half. Uh we thought we were not going- following the game plan and we were not taking
care of the ball, um we weren't getting the ball inside, so we weren't scoring many points,
and uh Dundalk was doing a good job of driving the ball to the basket; they have some pretty
good players. So we just uh tried to refocus the guys on doing what we asked of them, but
at the end of the day it was just the defensive energy that really picked it up for us.
As you said this was a huge game because its a big win for the conference and its a big
win for the region. So how does this define the character of your of your team with this
big win?
Well I think it showed that um we have some fighters on our team and uh to not play a
very good first half and then respond and look like a totally different team in the
second half, uh it shows that we can turn it on and play with anybody in the country
when uh you know when we want to. So the- the goal now is trying to play like that for
40 minutes, for a whole game, and if we can do that then we think that there's nobody
that can beat us.
Now how did it feel to have the HCC Radio broadcast this for the first time in our history?
It was great. It was.. it added to the atmosphere um... It was you know, hopefully we can keep
building on it and do that for more games.
Now I heard mom's cooking happened earlier that day for the pre-season. So how did mom's
cooking help prepare this team for this game?
Well it gave us protein and energy, some of the guys were piling on the spaghetti, but
um it was great. Uh you know... The guys uh we got 'em all in the back classroom and had
some chicken parmesan and my mom you know.. hopefully she'll do that more often for us
now.
Well I'll tell you what, the staff their mouth was watering and somebody was running down
the hallway, where's a microwave? Where's a microwave? Cause it was kind of gone. So
we followed the-the-the- the path of the smell.
Yeah.
So that was great. So tell us a little bit more about Baltimore City and what did this
teach you about your team?
The Baltimore City game, that was a big one too because um we- I had never beaten them
um this is my third season. So this was the first time that we'd beaten them and they're
a Division I uh JUCO team in our conference. So they can offer some more things than we
can offer; money and things like that and we've actually lost a couple recruits to them.
So it felt very good to beat 'em in our home- on our home court and um actually we took
it to 'em pretty good I think.
Especially in the second half. Now what, how did you get that momentum in the second half?
Well again I think it was just the defensive energy. We feed off of it and um you know
when.. we- we scouted them pretty good so we knew what they were trying to accomplish
and our defense just did a great job in taking away the looks that they were trying to get
and then you know rebounding and turning it in to offense.
Now what players are stepping up for you right now?
Uh Jazz has done a tremendous job. He um, ever since Ti- Tiger well got a concussion,
I think 8 games into the season and had to miss a couple games, 4 or 5 games and Jazz
stepped right in. And he's just you know, he's not shooting the ball particularly well
this year, but he's doing everything we ask of him, he's setting the tone defensively,
and really steps up takes on challenges for us.
But it seems he comes in with some big shots though?
Yeah. He you know he- he's very athletic, he's tough in going to the basket, uh his
outside shot hasn't been falling as much as it has last year, but yeah h-he's scored the
ball for us when we needed him to and there's been times and games where he's carried us
offensively.
So you've got a little bit more depth this year it seems and more height than what we've
had a-and has that been helpful?
Yeah it has. I think um certain players have stepped up and continue to step up and I always
tell the guys that, just be ready when your name is called because it might be somebody
one game, it might be somebody else the next game and just to be ready because we have
about fourteen guys who can all play. So for some its tough because, and most of the time
its freshmen who have sophomores playing above them, but when their name's called they have
to be ready.
Coach good luck the rest of the season. I hope Howard Basketball gets back to the big
dance.
Thank you.
It's time for Women's Basketball. Howard takes on Frederick in a Region 20 showdown. Mark
Zinno anchors our coverage.
Thanks Diane, I'm here with Women's Basketball Analyst Noel Webster. Howard enters the game
looking to snap a six game losing streak. One bright spot for the Dragons is rebounding.
Howard did manage to win the rebound battle in their last two contests.
Howard out-rebounded the undefeated Chesapeake
Skipjacks 65-41 in their last game. Two-sport athlete Dorothy Hinson led the way with 15
boards against the defending Region champs.
Emily Faulkner is starting to emerge as a scoring threat as well for the Dragons. Noel,
describe Faulkner's game.
Emily Faulkner looks good on the outside, she's able to hit quick threes. When Faulkner's
open she puts it in the basket, if her teammates can find her when she's open she will excel
behind the arc.
Frederick and Howard are both NJCAA Division 2 Programs that compete in Region 20. Frederick
enters the game with the Region's fourth best record. The Cougars have won 7 of their last
9 games, Noel, How does Howard go out and score the upset?
Howard needs to box out, attack the basket, and make smart plays. Frederick runs a quick
offense so Howard needs to be able to slow them down.
Howard and Frederick take the floor next,
let's go to the Dragons Lair.
The Dragons aren't wasting any time, Gina Booker connects with Emily Faulkner... she
buries the three.
Tiffany Wallace, to All-Region guard Destiny Jernigan, she finds Kendeedra Morgan open
in the corner, Morgan knocks it down. Frederick a 6-3 lead.
Tyler Virgil, up against Jae'shon Swan. Virgil passes to Faulkner, Swan goes to cover Faulkner,
no one picks up Virgil, and we're tied.
13 minutes remaining in the first half, Morgan passes it off to Jernigan... Cougars keep
the ball moving on the perimeter, freeing up Swann for the open look.
Frederick now leads by 5, Emily Faulkner is open, Gina Booker finds her, and Faulkner
puts it away.
Other end of the floor, Frederick pushing the pace, Morgan responds with a quick three.
Lenee Kimbell, one on one with Alysaa Smith-Henry...
Kimbell gets into the lane, shoots.... Dorothy Hinson is there...
When your teammate can't finish it's good to be there for the second chance point.
Frederick pushing the pace once again.
Jernigan is able to break through their defense with the drive and the fake.
Kimbell gets inside, passes it out to Faulkner, Howard ties the game. The sophomore out of
Palotti High School has 9 points in the first 10 minutes.
Gina Booker's at the line.... Dorothy Hinson goes up, gets two hands on the ball, and delivers
another put-back.
7 minutes left in the half, Alyssa Smith-Henry with the block, Alexis Cooper gets it to Smith-Henry....
and here come the Cougars in transition... Swan charges down the floor.
Howard needs to get in front of her, cut her off, stop the ball.
Frederick is on an 11-2 run, the Dragons turn it over... after two quick passes Smith-Henry
is one on one with her defender... she puts it away.
Down 10, Howard is looking to build momentum
heading into the locker room. The Cougars defense dares Kimbell to take the long three,
she squares up and knocks it down.
One minute till the half, Swan gives it to Morgan... she takes it to the basket, that
makes it a 13 point first half for Kendeedra Morgan.
Second half, Swan goes right back to Morgan..
she's turned away by Tyler Virgil.... Emily Faulker sends it long to Gina Booker
That's a good way to get quick points, if
you see a teammate hustling down the court just make sure you get them the ball.
Booker, up against Swan... nice ball handling, Booker gets by her, into the low post, and
one... the freshman out of Millford Mill Academy cuts the lead down to 7.
Next Frederick possession, the Cougars free
up Jernigan in the corner, 3 pointer for Jernigan.
12 minutes remaining, Caitlin Cavin lofts it up, and it's good.
Frederick free's up Jernigan in the corner
once again, same result. Cougars now on a 12-1 run.
Lenee Kimbell isolates the two defenders and her other teammate, and is able to draw
both defenders to make the assist.
Ten minutes remaining, 55-41 Frederick... Morgan finds Cavin, top of the key, she nails
it.
That was good ball movement right there.
Frederick keeps it moving on the perimeter, this time to Morgan, she works it inside and
sinks the pull-up jay.
5 minutes on the clock..... Down 16, Howard needs a stop, Swan, down low to Cooper...
Destiny Jernigan battles for the rebound and banks it in. An 18 point night from the All-Region
guard.
Even if the ball comes that far out, you need to box out, Now Frederick still has the chance
to come up with some points.
Frederick picks up the big Region 20 win 73-53 is your final.
I talked to Emily Faulkner and Dorothy Hinson after the game.
So you guys came out real fast, real strong. What was your mindset going into the game?
Uh I think we were just really excited, everyone was pumped, you know getting back into the
swing of things. So we just wanted to win.
Yeah I think um everybody wanted to win, everybody wanted this really bad. So I felt like thats
the mindset everybody had, coming out like you know leaving everything on the court,
playing your hardest, and yeah.
Ok. You guys uh got into a run in the first half and in the second half you guys kind
of had a run and then had s-spurts where you scored. What could you do to score more consistently?
Um well I think the big problem was that we were really tired. We um missing a couple
people, so that it was a like a adjustment we need to make, um and I just think we should
work the ball more.
Yeah um it all... I feel like with the consistency you know, practicing more you know it would
show up during the games, and I guess you know being in better shape so that no matter
how many people we have on the court, you know we could still keep running and you know
not stop.
What challenges did Frederick present for you guys?
They pressed the ball a lot, they were pushing really hard, and you know like I said before
we were not really prepared for that. We were missing a couple people so everyone was really
tired and winded and... So yeah, them just pressing and getting back on defense was tough
for us.
Me particularly, I had a hard time trying to get around the big girls. You know I had
to.. I keep forgetting I had to post up cause you know they're not smaller than me or my
same size, they're bigger. So I had to post up and those are some of the things I kept
forgetting to do so you know it was hard trying to get around them and rebound and you know
put shots up offensive and defensively.
For Dragon's Lair Update I'm Noel Webster.
You can watch game highlights before they make it on the show. Go to youtube.com/hccdragonsports.
Tune in Friday, March 14 for an all new Dragon's Lair Update. Thanks for watching and remember
go dragons!