MILLTOWN — A mark of a good team is to pull a victory out of the jaws of defeat, and that is exactly what Saint Mark’s boys basketball team did Jan. 6 at home against Laurel. A mid-range jumper from Jorden Jones sparked a 13-0 run in the game’s closing minutes as the Spartans defeated the Bulldogs, 65-54.
Deshawn Copes found himself all alone under the basket to give Laurel a 49-43 lead, their biggest of the afternoon, as the clock neared the four-minute mark of the final quarter. But Jones got those points back with his jumper, and things took a definite Saint Mark’s turn after that.
Immediately after that field goal, the Spartans forced a turnover and got the ball to freshman Tariq Warner, who swished a three to pull Saint Mark’s to within one. Another steal resulted in a bucket for Damon Jones, and the Spartans had the lead. Alassan N’Diaye, Damon Jones and Christian Taylor each hit shots to put Saint Mark’s on top, 56-49.
Brock Hill ended the Bulldogs’ scoring drought with a three-pointer to cut the Spartans’ advantage to four, but Saint Mark’s was determined not to lose this one at the free throw line. They hit 9 of 10 in the final minute and change to seal the win, compared to 6 of 12 in the first three quarters and much of the fourth.
Saint Mark’s did not shoot or handle the ball with its usual aplomb throughout most of the game, but they were able to stick with Laurel. In the opening quarter, Mike Friend hit a transition layup after a Bulldogs turnover just seconds before the buzzer, putting the Spartans on top, 15-13. Threes from Chad Dohl and N’Diaye helped the Spartans stay close at the half as Hill and Kei’shaun Copes did damage inside for Laurel, who led by three at the break. Laurel held that lead throughout the third except for a few seconds after Warner’s first three-pointer put Saint Mark’s on top late in the quarter.
Friend led the Spartans with 16, and Damon Jones had 11. Saint Mark’s (9-1) remains home for a game against Christiana on Jan. 9 at 7:15 p.m.
For Laurel, Kei’shaun Copes had 13, and three players — Jeremiah Mizzelle-Hopkins, Khalid Burton and Hill — all had 11. The Bulldogs (3-5) stay on the road for a battle with Sussex Academy on Jan. 9 at 5:15 p.m.
Photos by Mike Lang.
