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Montgomery notebook: Brandon Simpson keeps eye on Seneca Valley’s competition; Paint Branch girls peaking at the right time Montgomery notebook: Brandon Simpson keeps eye on Seneca Valley’s competition; Paint Branch girls peaking at the right time
(about 7 hours later)
Seneca Valley’s Brandon Simpson didn’t get to lace up this weekend because of the snow storm that postponed Friday’s game against Poolesville.Seneca Valley’s Brandon Simpson didn’t get to lace up this weekend because of the snow storm that postponed Friday’s game against Poolesville.
Still, the junior found a way to get his high school basketball fix — not with the Screaming Eagles, but as a spectator for the Linganore-Urbana game.Still, the junior found a way to get his high school basketball fix — not with the Screaming Eagles, but as a spectator for the Linganore-Urbana game.
On Saturday night, Simpson went to Frederick County as a fan and a scout, watching his friend, Urbana’s Trey Lucas, and checking out Seneca Valley’s potential playoff competition.On Saturday night, Simpson went to Frederick County as a fan and a scout, watching his friend, Urbana’s Trey Lucas, and checking out Seneca Valley’s potential playoff competition.
The Lancers — who defeated Seneca Valley, 58-52, in last year’s Maryland 3A West region final — improved to 17-1 after their 61-46 road win over Urbana. They’re the type of team the Screaming Eagles will have to beat to make a run at a state title.The Lancers — who defeated Seneca Valley, 58-52, in last year’s Maryland 3A West region final — improved to 17-1 after their 61-46 road win over Urbana. They’re the type of team the Screaming Eagles will have to beat to make a run at a state title.
“We worked so hard during the offseason that we knew where we should be and where we wanted to go,” Simpson said.“We worked so hard during the offseason that we knew where we should be and where we wanted to go,” Simpson said.
With the regular season winding down, Seneca Valley (14-4, 9-1 Montgomery 4A/3A West) is playing like a title contender having won five consecutive games and 10 out of its last 11. Its lone loss during that stretch was against No. 17 Quince Orchard on Jan. 30 — an emotional 60-43 defeat which came two days after the passing of Jim Humphrey, the father of Coach Brian Humphrey and the team’s scorekeeper. (Brian Humphrey kept the stats instead of coaching that game to honor his father).With the regular season winding down, Seneca Valley (14-4, 9-1 Montgomery 4A/3A West) is playing like a title contender having won five consecutive games and 10 out of its last 11. Its lone loss during that stretch was against No. 17 Quince Orchard on Jan. 30 — an emotional 60-43 defeat which came two days after the passing of Jim Humphrey, the father of Coach Brian Humphrey and the team’s scorekeeper. (Brian Humphrey kept the stats instead of coaching that game to honor his father).
Simpson has been integral to Seneca Valley’s success, leading the team in points (13), rebounds and assists. The Screaming Eagles have needed every bit of that production, with one of their top players, William Craig, moving to Florida and transferring to Bartow before the school year.Simpson has been integral to Seneca Valley’s success, leading the team in points (13), rebounds and assists. The Screaming Eagles have needed every bit of that production, with one of their top players, William Craig, moving to Florida and transferring to Bartow before the school year.
But lately, the 6-foot-4 guard has had help. Tristion Price, Simpson’s cousin, had a season-high 30 points in last week’s 81-74 win over Gaithersburg. Quentin Twyman, a 6-6 forward, has continued showing off his versatility and scored a team-high 24 points in the 70-58 win over Clarksburg on Feb. 1.But lately, the 6-foot-4 guard has had help. Tristion Price, Simpson’s cousin, had a season-high 30 points in last week’s 81-74 win over Gaithersburg. Quentin Twyman, a 6-6 forward, has continued showing off his versatility and scored a team-high 24 points in the 70-58 win over Clarksburg on Feb. 1.
“We wanted to go to Comcast, and we all agreed we wanted to go this year and we’re going to do whatever it takes,” Simpson said.“We wanted to go to Comcast, and we all agreed we wanted to go this year and we’re going to do whatever it takes,” Simpson said.
Last season when Tatyana McClaney subbed in, her role was to rebound and block shots. Every point she put on the board was just a bonus, Paint Branch Coach Rochelle Coleman said.Last season when Tatyana McClaney subbed in, her role was to rebound and block shots. Every point she put on the board was just a bonus, Paint Branch Coach Rochelle Coleman said.
“On offense I wasn’t really confident,” McClaney said. “You wouldn’t see me going in and taking charge.”“On offense I wasn’t really confident,” McClaney said. “You wouldn’t see me going in and taking charge.”
But that hasn’t been the case this season. Starting in the front court alongside La Salle commit Sofilia Ngwafang, the Paint Branch senior has maintained the toughness and defensive prowess that made her an effective role player, but she’s become a scoring threat too, averaging 8.9 points and contributing to Paint Branch’s balanced offense.But that hasn’t been the case this season. Starting in the front court alongside La Salle commit Sofilia Ngwafang, the Paint Branch senior has maintained the toughness and defensive prowess that made her an effective role player, but she’s become a scoring threat too, averaging 8.9 points and contributing to Paint Branch’s balanced offense.
McClaney is one of several Panthers whose roles have changed since last year’s Maryland 4A state semifinal run. LIU-Brooklyn commit Autumn Ashe is leading a new-look backcourt, with last year’s leading scorer Daisa Harris graduated and freshman Katerra Myers filling in at guard. Ngwafang, meanwhile, has continued dominating in the paint despite opposing defenses game planning around the 6-4 senior center.McClaney is one of several Panthers whose roles have changed since last year’s Maryland 4A state semifinal run. LIU-Brooklyn commit Autumn Ashe is leading a new-look backcourt, with last year’s leading scorer Daisa Harris graduated and freshman Katerra Myers filling in at guard. Ngwafang, meanwhile, has continued dominating in the paint despite opposing defenses game planning around the 6-4 senior center.
Backed by a stingy defense surrendering 39.9 points per game, the No. 18 Panthers (15-3, 9-0 Montgomery 4A/3A East) are on an 11-game winning streak and haven’t lost a Montgomery County matchup since their season opener against Damascus. The two-time defending 4A North region champions will have their hands full before the playoffs begin, with a game against Bethesda-Chevy Chase scheduled for Tuesday and their Feb. 22 regular season finale against No. 13 Whitman.Backed by a stingy defense surrendering 39.9 points per game, the No. 18 Panthers (15-3, 9-0 Montgomery 4A/3A East) are on an 11-game winning streak and haven’t lost a Montgomery County matchup since their season opener against Damascus. The two-time defending 4A North region champions will have their hands full before the playoffs begin, with a game against Bethesda-Chevy Chase scheduled for Tuesday and their Feb. 22 regular season finale against No. 13 Whitman.
“I’d like to actually win states this year. I feel like we can definitely do it — we have the keys to win the game,” McClaney said. “As long as we just keep doing what we know how to do, what we’re taught to do, I think we’ll be just fine.”“I’d like to actually win states this year. I feel like we can definitely do it — we have the keys to win the game,” McClaney said. “As long as we just keep doing what we know how to do, what we’re taught to do, I think we’ll be just fine.”
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