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Darus Maddox, Patuxent boys’ basketball enjoy wakeup call Darus Maddox, Patuxent boys’ basketball enjoy wakeup call
(about 2 hours later)
About half an hour before the school bus carrying the Patuxent boys’ basketball team would arrive at Glen Burnie last week, the Panthers were still snoozing. Too excited for a pregame nap, senior guard Darus Maddox realized he had to be the alarm clock.About half an hour before the school bus carrying the Patuxent boys’ basketball team would arrive at Glen Burnie last week, the Panthers were still snoozing. Too excited for a pregame nap, senior guard Darus Maddox realized he had to be the alarm clock.
Maddox rousted his teammates and told them to start focusing on winning the game. After tipoff, he got louder, dropping a career high 44 points and hitting 24 of 25 free throws to lead Patuxent to a holiday tournament title.Maddox rousted his teammates and told them to start focusing on winning the game. After tipoff, he got louder, dropping a career high 44 points and hitting 24 of 25 free throws to lead Patuxent to a holiday tournament title.
With a 70-65 win over the Gophers, the Panthers claimed their eighth straight victory since losing their season opener to St. Charles by two points after two starters had fouled out and the players from the state championship football team had yet to enter the lineup.With a 70-65 win over the Gophers, the Panthers claimed their eighth straight victory since losing their season opener to St. Charles by two points after two starters had fouled out and the players from the state championship football team had yet to enter the lineup.
For Maddox, scoring has never been an issue. He averaged 25 points per game as the Panthers’ primary ball handler last year. With a 28.1 point average this season, he’s the fourth-most prolific scorer in the area thus far.For Maddox, scoring has never been an issue. He averaged 25 points per game as the Panthers’ primary ball handler last year. With a 28.1 point average this season, he’s the fourth-most prolific scorer in the area thus far.
It is Maddox’s urgency before the games and his maturity during them that’s emblematic of success for Patuxent (8-1).It is Maddox’s urgency before the games and his maturity during them that’s emblematic of success for Patuxent (8-1).
“Last year – I’m not going to lie – I did have a little bit of trust issues with my team,” Maddox said. This year “I have a lot of trust in them. I feel like if I pass to one of my teammates, they can make a good play or score the ball.”“Last year – I’m not going to lie – I did have a little bit of trust issues with my team,” Maddox said. This year “I have a lot of trust in them. I feel like if I pass to one of my teammates, they can make a good play or score the ball.”
Panthers Coach Nick Wilson said Maddox is playing fewer minutes but scoring more because the offense is moving the ball. The coach has been happy to cede the floor to Maddox and fellow senior captains Jaquan Kelley, Jason Maughan and Greg Leonard.Panthers Coach Nick Wilson said Maddox is playing fewer minutes but scoring more because the offense is moving the ball. The coach has been happy to cede the floor to Maddox and fellow senior captains Jaquan Kelley, Jason Maughan and Greg Leonard.
“I can kind of step out of the way,” Wilson said. “I had to walk into practice three or four minutes late a month ago. They had organized themselves into two groups and they were running all their stuff. They were teaching the guys that had just come in from football all the offensive sets.”“I can kind of step out of the way,” Wilson said. “I had to walk into practice three or four minutes late a month ago. They had organized themselves into two groups and they were running all their stuff. They were teaching the guys that had just come in from football all the offensive sets.”
Often before games or during halftime, the seniors are already coaching before Wilson starts to speak.Often before games or during halftime, the seniors are already coaching before Wilson starts to speak.
Instead of arguing with officials and coaches, Maddox is thanking his teammates for assists, distributing the ball more and pouring added effort into defense.Instead of arguing with officials and coaches, Maddox is thanking his teammates for assists, distributing the ball more and pouring added effort into defense.
“I feel like defense wins games,” Maddox said.“I feel like defense wins games,” Maddox said.
Before the season began, the seniors called a team meeting and explained if the Panthers wanted to go far, they each had to embrace a role. For Maddox, that meant leading by example and carrying the load by dribbling through double teams or defeating box-and-one defenses. For others, it meant stepping up to ease that load.Before the season began, the seniors called a team meeting and explained if the Panthers wanted to go far, they each had to embrace a role. For Maddox, that meant leading by example and carrying the load by dribbling through double teams or defeating box-and-one defenses. For others, it meant stepping up to ease that load.
“We haven’t added any secret weapon over the offseason,” Wilson said. “There’s a sense of pride right now that’s nice to see. It makes my job a whole lot easier.”“We haven’t added any secret weapon over the offseason,” Wilson said. “There’s a sense of pride right now that’s nice to see. It makes my job a whole lot easier.”
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