Versatile Skipjacks rout Essex in state opener
WYE MILLS – Inside, outside, in transition, off offensive rebounds . . . the Skipjacks don't really care how they score. Tuesday's postseason opener was a perfect illustration of that attitude.
Chesapeake College built an early cushion off its full-court press, helping the Skipjacks to a 51-45 halftime advantage. They stretched the lead in the second half by going inside to Geran Pope, and then took control from the outside as three different players drained 3-pointers in an 11-0 run.
The sixth-seeded Skipjacks' offensive versatility resulted in a 103-88 men's basketball victory over 11th-seeded CCBC-Essex in the first round of the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference state tournament.
"We just try to get everybody involved," said Akanni Salako, who hit five 3-pointers on the way to a team-high 25 points. "We were moving the ball and everyone was in the right spot. We try to work inside first and then find everybody else."
"That just shows how much talent we've got," Pope said of the team's multiple scoring options. "If everyone does what they're supposed to do, we're going to score and reap the benefits."
The Skipjacks (17-9) matched last year's win total, hit the century mark for the 11th time this season and advanced to Friday's state quarterfinals at Harford Community College. Chesapeake will play third-seeded Frederick Community College Friday at 2 p.m. at Harford Community College in the state quarterfinals.
"We're looking forward to it," said Dearring, whose team upset Frederick at Frederick earlier this season and also defeated the College of Southern Maryland. "When the bell rings, we're going to be right in the center of the ring ready to go to battle."
Louis Simpson (18 points, 11 rebounds, six assists), Dion Bivens (15 points, 10 rebounds), and Pope (13 points, 10 rebounds) all had double-doubles as the Skipjacks dominated the boards. Chesapeake finished with a 52-40 rebounding edge and claimed 25 offensive rebounds.
Justin May was nearly the fifth Skipjack in double figures, finishing with eight points.
"It comes with being unselfish," Dearring said of his team's offensive balance. "When you don't care who scores, as long as we score, the points are going to come."
Chesapeake started fast, thanks to its full-court press. The Skipjacks forced four turnovers, which led to six points, as part of a game-opening, 14-4 run. A red-hot Salako scored half of those 14 points and had 12 of Chesapeake's first 21 points.
The Skipjacks twice led by 11 points, the last time after Simpson scored on a transition layup set up by an Essex turnover that made it 35-24. Essex, however, got back in the game with a 12-3 spurt in which Kendrick Morris scored five points, including a dunk that capped the run and pulled the Knights (9-16) within 38-36.
Essex was still within two points before the Skipjacks ran out the half with a 6-2 spurt highlighted by a Salako 3-pointer for a 51-45 lead at the break.
Pope scored eight points in the first seven minutes of the second half, including three baskets off offensive rebounds. He scored Chesapeake's last six points in an 8-1 spurt as the Skipjacks built a 66-53 lead.
"I was just going with the flow of the game," said Pope. "When I saw a rebound coming off, I was trying to grab it."
Minutes later, Chesapeake turned to its long-range attack as May, Salako and Simpson buried consecutive 3-pointers to stretch the lead to 75-57. The Skipjacks finished 10-for-19 from beyond the 3-point line.
Pope then scored on an inside layup to complete the 11-0 run as the Skipjacks stretched their lead to 77-57 with 10:30 to play.
The easy win was in sharp contrast to last Saturday's 79-76 victory at Essex, which Chad Church secured with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
"We didn't really play with passion at their place," said Dearring, who opened with the full-court press to ensure some defensive intensity. "We knew we had to up our games."
Salako thought earning a first-round home game was critical for the Skipjacks.
"There's no greater feeling than playing at home," said Salako.
Shawn Bozier scored a game-high 34 points for Essex and Arvin Jackson III added 22 for the Knights. Thomarcus Nix (13 points) and Timon Johnson (10 points) also reached double figures.
Salako and Dearring said the Skipjacks earned more than just a trip to the Elite Eight by beating Essex.
"It's just great to be playing for all of those coaches on Friday," said Salako, referring to the coaches from four-year colleges and universities who will be in attendance and recruiting for next season.
"I told the team that every game we play, the better chance they have to get paid," said Dearring, referring to the opportunity for scholarships to four-year institutions. "Everybody's value goes up every time we win."