Howard High Handles Hodgson, 70-52

Howard's Eric Shelby (#11) works against the defense of Hodgson's Parris Ridgeway-Higgs (#3). (Photo by Rob Tornoe)

In their last game of the regular season, the Hodgson Vo-Tech Silver Eagles (14-7) boys basketball squad proved unequal to the task of containing the Howard High Wildcats (13-6), losing at home 70-52 in front of a packed house.

The first quarter seemed to promise a tight, hotly contested game, with the Wildcats eking out a 14-13 lead. It was at this point that Howard’s defense took control, holding Hodgson to only 6 points in the second quarter, and building a solid 30-19 advantage heading into half-time.

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First-year Wildcats coach Chris DiMascio was unambiguous about his team’s strategy. “We were packing it in, defensively, forcing them to take outside shots,” said DiMascio, adding “That helped us to focus on getting as many 1st rebounds as possible.”

DiMascio’s strategy paid dividends as the game progressed into the second half. Using a well-disciplined 2-3 zone almost exclusively in the second half, not only did Howard force Hodgson into many ill-considered three point attempts, but they also succeeded in getting Silver Eagles junior forward Austin Brunswick and junior center Joel Brokenbrough into early foul trouble. With Hodgson trailing by 11 points with 7:28 left in the game, Brokenbrough drew his fourth foul, rendering him somewhat passive for the rest of the game.

The Wildcats’ large lead was as much a function of their late offensive surge as it was of their defense. Junior forward Sharif Brown (who led all scorers with 21) and senior guard Eric Selby (16 points) dominated offensively down the stretch, penetrating to the basket repeatedly, drawing fouls and exacerbating Hodgson’s predicament.

When asked what he thought was the biggest difference in the game, DiMascio did not hesitate. “Foul shooting,” he said. “We made almost every shot from the free throw line.” While Howard wasn’t quite that perfect, they were 16 for 22 from the charity stripe, compared to Hodgson’s 4 for 10 performance in the same category. With two games left on the schedule, the Wildcats are aiming for a bid to the Delaware State High School Basketball Tournament. “I think that this win solidifies us, it gives us a real good shot,” said DiMascio.

While the mood was completely different for the Silver Eagles after the game, Hodgson coach Ed Sobocinski kept things in perspective. “We just didn’t match their intensity,” he said, adding “We need to get over it, practice, regroup, and play like there’s no tomorrow, because that’s how it will be in the Tournament.”