Largo and Lake Clifton both won 2A semi-final games on Friday evening at the Comcast Center. However, the two games will be remembered for different reasons.
Largo 61 Easton 44
It was the third consecutive season that Easton won a regional championship and landed at the Comcast Center. It was the third consecutive year that Easton lost in the state semi-finals. Take nothing away from Easton, Largo played as close to a perfect game as any team has so far in the state semi-finals. Derrick Colter was sensational, hitting four first quarter 3-pointers, and drained a shot from full court to end the third quarter. The star point guard would finish with 26 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Largo’s Michael Graham also played a tremendous game scoring 18 points on 9-11 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds. Easton was led by Shyheim Washington’s 13 points and five rebounds. Easton’s star point guard Jah’Sheme Ringgold was held to eight points and five turnovers.
Lake Clifton 46 South Carroll 34
Lake Clifton certainly didn’t make any new fans on Friday evening. The Lakers held a 14-11 advantage heading into the second quarter and held the ball just inside the half court line — FOR THE ENTIRE QUARTER. For 7:35 seconds the Lakers held the ball as South Carroll refused to break their 3-2 zone and come out to play man versus the Baltimore City school. After 7:35 of boredom the Lakers made their move and stepped on the sideline turning the ball over without even getting a field goal attempt. South Carroll promptly came down court and star forward Gavin McTavish buried a 3-ball to tie the score as time expired. There were three possessions in the quarter, two field goal attempts, zero personal fouls, and the whistle blew only one time.
When looking at the box score for this game it looks like a box score of one half of play. Lake Clifton would again stall for the entire fourth quarter as they had the lead and would walk away with a double digit victory. The team’s combined for only 63 field goal attempts, eight assists, 43 rebounds, zero blocked shots, and three steals — IN THE ENTIRE GAME. If you compare those stats to the other 3A semi-final, Largo versus Easton the differences are staggering. In the Largo game there were 96 field goal attempts, 56 rebounds, 20 steals, and eight blocked shots.
With the victory Lake Clifton sets up a date with Largo. Largo has athleticism, experience, and a lot of savvy and it will be interesting should Lake Clifton take a lead at any point if they try to employ the same tactics. The game is at 6pm Saturday.