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Bladensburg to file protest over controversial ending to region final loss to Eleanor Roosevelt Bladensburg to file protest over controversial ending to region final loss to Eleanor Roosevelt
(35 minutes later)
Bladensburg plans to file a formal protest this week following a controversial clock malfunction in the Mustangs’ double overtime loss at No. 5 Eleanor Roosevelt in last Friday’s Maryland 4A South region boys’ basketball final.Bladensburg plans to file a formal protest this week following a controversial clock malfunction in the Mustangs’ double overtime loss at No. 5 Eleanor Roosevelt in last Friday’s Maryland 4A South region boys’ basketball final.
Bladensburg Athletic Director Henry Frazier said the appeal will likely be “to no avail” after speaking with Prince George’s County Athletic Director Earl Hawkins about the situation over the weekend, but the circumstances behind the team’s dramatic defeat prevented the Mustangs from winning their first region title since 1979.Bladensburg Athletic Director Henry Frazier said the appeal will likely be “to no avail” after speaking with Prince George’s County Athletic Director Earl Hawkins about the situation over the weekend, but the circumstances behind the team’s dramatic defeat prevented the Mustangs from winning their first region title since 1979.
The dispute involves the final 7.6 seconds of the first overtime, once Bladensburg scored to take a 49-47 lead. A video recording of the sequence provided to The Post shows the clock then stopped at 7.6 seconds momentarily, re-started briefly and paused again at 7.3 seconds following Bladensburg’s field goal.The dispute involves the final 7.6 seconds of the first overtime, once Bladensburg scored to take a 49-47 lead. A video recording of the sequence provided to The Post shows the clock then stopped at 7.6 seconds momentarily, re-started briefly and paused again at 7.3 seconds following Bladensburg’s field goal.
With at least an extra second at its disposal, Eleanor Roosevelt was able to send the game into a second overtime on a put-back as the buzzer sounded and eventually came away with a 59-54 victory. Bladensburg Coach Antonio Williams said an Eleanor Roosevelt employee was running the scoreboard clock and his assistants and several fans noticed the malfunction immediately.With at least an extra second at its disposal, Eleanor Roosevelt was able to send the game into a second overtime on a put-back as the buzzer sounded and eventually came away with a 59-54 victory. Bladensburg Coach Antonio Williams said an Eleanor Roosevelt employee was running the scoreboard clock and his assistants and several fans noticed the malfunction immediately.
“When I saw the video, I was like, ‘Wow,’ ” Williams said. “That one second, it was that close from Bladensburg upsetting Roosevelt on the road. I find it odd that there wasn’t an official on the clock in the region championship game.”“When I saw the video, I was like, ‘Wow,’ ” Williams said. “That one second, it was that close from Bladensburg upsetting Roosevelt on the road. I find it odd that there wasn’t an official on the clock in the region championship game.”
[Top 20: H.D. Woodson completes perfect season; state semis next in Md., Va.][Top 20: H.D. Woodson completes perfect season; state semis next in Md., Va.]
Frazier said the school would file an appeal to ensure its concerns were on the record, but didn’t expect the result to be changed.Frazier said the school would file an appeal to ensure its concerns were on the record, but didn’t expect the result to be changed.
“Those are difficult things to prove, and there’s really nothing that’s a precedent for overturning [a result] in the past,” Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association executive director Andy Warner said when reached for comment Monday. “Officials’ interpretations and decisions on the contest are final and so we haven’t had that take place in the past.” Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association executive director Andy Warner said he would look into the situation, but “officials’ interpretations and decisions on the contest are final.”
The clock error marred what was otherwise “one of the better games I’ve seen,” Frazier added. “Both teams left everything on the court. It was unfortunate someone had to lose.”The clock error marred what was otherwise “one of the better games I’ve seen,” Frazier added. “Both teams left everything on the court. It was unfortunate someone had to lose.”
That Bladensburg (16-7) was on the cusp of its first trip to the state semifinals since former North Carolina State star and NBA player Thurl Bailey was roaming the halls was even more impressive given what happened in the regular season. The Mustangs dropped both their meetings against Eleanor Roosevelt, including a 78-47 loss in January.That Bladensburg (16-7) was on the cusp of its first trip to the state semifinals since former North Carolina State star and NBA player Thurl Bailey was roaming the halls was even more impressive given what happened in the regular season. The Mustangs dropped both their meetings against Eleanor Roosevelt, including a 78-47 loss in January.
But led by senior Prince Obike and sophomore Daniel Oladapo, they steadily improved as the winter wore on despite having just 14 boys try out for the team this year, including several first-year varsity players. Bladensburg beat DuVal and Laurel en route to the region final, and Williams said the controversy that ended the run would not tarnish what was otherwise an encouraging season.But led by senior Prince Obike and sophomore Daniel Oladapo, they steadily improved as the winter wore on despite having just 14 boys try out for the team this year, including several first-year varsity players. Bladensburg beat DuVal and Laurel en route to the region final, and Williams said the controversy that ended the run would not tarnish what was otherwise an encouraging season.
“This year was a special year. We beat everybody we were supposed to beat,” Williams said. “These guys really bought in. I’m excited for next year. The locker room wasn’t too good [Friday], but it’ll get better. I wish Roosevelt the best of luck.”“This year was a special year. We beat everybody we were supposed to beat,” Williams said. “These guys really bought in. I’m excited for next year. The locker room wasn’t too good [Friday], but it’ll get better. I wish Roosevelt the best of luck.”
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