In this season opener for both teams, there were high expectations going into this rivalry game. The game got off to a fast start as both teams connected on two and three point baskets. Huntingtown took the lead with 3:24 left in the first on a hook shot by center Ryan Albert, and never relinquished it. At the end of the first quarter, Huntingtown had the lead 16-15.
Patuxent opened the second quarter with a 6 minute scoring drought. Plagued by turnovers and shots that would not go into the basket, Patuxent saw Huntingtown open up a 14 point lead before junior guard Darus Maddox put a midrange jump shot into the basket with 2:31 left in the half. Patuxent went on a small run of their own going into the half and pulled the game to a 29-22 score at halftime.
Coming out of the half, Huntingtown went on a quick 12-2 run. Junior guard Brandon Eaton poured in two three point baskets, and junior center Ryan Albert scored 10 of his team high 16 points in the third quarter. By the end of the third quarter, Huntingtown had extended their lead to 22 points, leading 52-30 going into the fourth. The massive Patuxent home crowd, also known as the PaxNation, was silent and out of the game.
However, in the fourth quarter the momentum changed sides when on Patuxent’s first possession, junior guard Terrell Gross drove towards the basket, rose up, and threw down a two-handed slam dunk. This play brought the crowd roaring back, and gave Patuxent newfound life. Their defense began to pressure Huntingtown by switching to a full court press. As a result, the Hurricanes turned the ball over 8 times in the period. Darus Maddox made 19 of his 23 points in the quarter.
The closest Patuxent came to taking the lead came with 45 seconds left, when Maddox made 2 free throws to pull Patuxent into a three point deficit. However, after a foul and two made free throws, the lead was back to five. Patuxent missed a three point shot by freshman Brendan West. Senior forward Jesse Diamond gathered the rebound and was fouled. He missed both of his free throws, Patuxent sophomore Chris Pendleton gathered the rebound, sprinted to half court, and threw a desperate three that went in as the buzzer sounded. The final score was Huntingtown 63, Patuxent 61.
Huntingtown was led in scoring by junior center Ryan Albert, who scored 16 points. Junior guard Bryan Easton also scored 14 points. Patuxent junior guard Darus Maddox led all scorers with 23 points, and junior guard Terrell Gross did his share with 14 points. Huntingtown next plays on Wednesday the 10th at South River High School. Patuxent’s next game is Monday December 8th, also at South River.