Anne Arundel snaps Skipjacks’ win streak

ARNOLD – Joel Dearring was willing to lose a game to gain his players' attention.

The Chesapeake College men's basketball coach was unhappy that two groups of players showed up 14 and 16 minutes later, respectively, to catch the bus for Saturday's game at Anne Arundel Community College.  Dearring's response was to bench the players for as long as they were late for the bus.

"It's about personal responsibility," said Dearring, whose depleted roster fell behind early and never caught up in a 97-73 loss to the Pioneers.  "In the work world, you have to come in on time every day."

The Skipjacks – only six of whom Dearring had available at the start, including three little-used reserves – fell behind by 33-11 before Dearring began inserting his late players.  Chesapeake (12-8 overall, 7-6 Maryland JuCo) made a game of it late, getting within 79-69 with five minutes remaining, before consecutive offensive put-backs by Sean Brinson allowed Anne Arundel to regain the momentum.

Jarquez Pierce led the Pioneers (13-7, 5-6) with a game-high 23 points and teammates James Aorilio (19 points), Jalen Lester (18 points) and Keenan Chapman (15 points) also reached double figures. 

Jimmie Jenkins (18 points, five assists) and Chad Church (16 points, eight rebounds) were the only two Skipjacks to score in double figures.  Akanni Salako and Jeff Rogers added nine each, and Louis Simpson (eight rebounds) scored eight.

The Skipjacks didn't help their cause with twice as many turnovers (16) as assists (eight) in addition to shooting 8-for-30 from the 3-point line.

Chesapeake hosts Allegany College of Maryland Monday and Howard Community College Friday in 7 p.m. contests.  The Allegany contest does not count in the league standings – Chesapeake and Allegany played their league game earlier this season – while the Howard contest is a conference game.