DIGITALSPORTS ALL-ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL TEAMS

by Aaron Gray
agray@digitalsports.com

They were the two biggest players in the county, they drew the most defensive pressure and they both have been named DigitalSports All-Anne Arundel County Co-Players of the Year.

North County senior forward David Ford and Severna Park senior center Brad Bald each averaged a double-double and were critical to their teams' success. The Falcons (16-8) advanced to the Class 4A East Region semifinals and the Knights (14-9) made it to the quarterfinals.

After leading Old Mill to a county championship and an appearance in the Class 4A East Region final, Patriots coach Greg Smith has been named the DigitalSports All-Anne Arundel County Coach of the Year.

Bald, a 6-foot-8 UNC-Wilmington signee, averaged 17.3 points, 13 rebounds and 3.8 blocks a game for Severna Park. He notched 20 double-doubles in 24 games and his 308 single-season rebound total was second best in school history. Bald played three seasons at Archbishop Spalding before transferring to Severna Park before his senior year.

"There was a learning curve early because Brad was in a new program and it was a new philosophy," Severna Park coach Paul Pelicanni said. "He quickly adjusted and improved immediately. His basketball IQ grew from the beginning of the season to the end."

Bald was a versatile player who could handle the ball. He used his size to gain position in the post and could also shoot from the outside. Bald led the Falcons in free-throw shooting and shot 50 percent from beyond the arc.

The 6-foot-5 Ford is a Division II college prospect and received the most votes on the coaches' All-County team. He averaged 17.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and two blocks a game for the Knights.

"I've never coached a more tenacious player when it comes to rebounding," North County coach Mike Francis said. "It didn't matter if there were three people in his way, David would tip the ball five times if he had to and pull down the rebound."

Old Mill advanced to the region final for the third time in four years. But Smith, who has been at the helm for eight seasons, said this year's squad was a little different than the star-studded teams that came before.

"This is a different team," said Smith, who has averaged 20 wins a season over the last five years in Millersville. "These guys have to work much harder where the past teams relied on those two or three players. These guys are more of a team. They put their postseason goals above themselves."

ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM

Brad Bald -- Severna Park senior center. The 6-foot-8, 200-pounder averaged 17.3 points, 13 rebounds and 3.8 blocks for a Falcons squad (16-8) that advanced to the Class 4A East Region semifinals. Bald, a UNC-Wilmington signee, recorded 20 double-doubles in 24 games. He led his team in free-throw percentage and shot 50 percent from beyond the arc. Improved his performance in time-scoring situations and was dominant around the basket.

"Over the course of the season, Brad became a very good passer and distributor once he recognized the defenses on him," Severna Park coach Paul Pellicani said. "He was also our leading free-throw shooter, which is big because he went to the line a lot."

Jordan Benson -- Arundel senior guard. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder averaged 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and two made 3-pointers for a Wildcats squad (19-6) that advanced to the Class 4A East Region semifinals. Benson, who is being recruited by several in-state community colleges, played big in the big games for Arundel. He notched 20 points or more in nine of the Wildcats' last 10 games and led the team in scoring despite three other players who averaged double digits.

"Coming into the season, people thought of Jordan as purely a jump shooter but we needed more," Arundel coach Jeff Starr said. "He really progressed into a great rebounder and defender. Jordan became more aggressive on both ends of the court and was a complete player by the end of the year."

Garee Boston -- Annapolis senior guard. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder averaged 19 points, seven rebounds and 1.8 assists for a Panthers squad (15-8) that advanced to the Class 3A East Region quarterfinals. Boston is interested in playing at the next level and made huge strides from his junior season. Always regarded as a 3-point shooter, Boston added different dimensions to his game and is more of a complete player. Shot 77 percent from the free-throw line and 84 percent during the fourth quarter.

"I really admire Garee based on what he did from one year to the next," Annapolis coach John Brady said. "We sat down with him at the end of last season and told him what he needed to work on. Garee took it to heart and went from barely playing to being among the top scorers in the county."

David Ford -- North County senior forward. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder averaged 17.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and two blocks for a Knights squad (14-9) that advanced to the Class 4A East Region quarterfinals. Ford, a Division II college prospect, was a tenacious rebounder who fought off multiple defenders and scored a majority of North County's points. Not known for moving bodies in the trenches but possessed good footwork.

"David was double- and triple-teamed all year," Knights coach Mike Francis said. "His strength was his agility and he had a motor that didn't stop. Every coach in the county knew they had to stop David Ford if they had any chance of beating us."

Kevin Hunt -- Broadneck senior forward. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and four assists for a Bruins squad (16-8) that advanced to the Class 4A East Region quarterfinals. Hunt, a Division II and III college prospect, broke two all-time school records in career steals (243) and rebounds (891). Had a quick first step and could run the court after defensive rebounds. Unselfish player was a four-year varsity performer.

"Kevin will be remembered not only for cleaning up the boards but initiating our fast break," Broadneck coach John Williams said. "He could finish around the basket and set up assists as well. Pound for pound, Kevin is one of the best rebounders I've ever seen."

Deonte Puller -- Old Mill forward/guard. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder averaged 13.1 points, seven rebounds and 2.5 assists for a Patriots squad (23-3) that advanced to the Class 4A East Region finals. Puller was a four-year varsity performer and finished his career in a third-place tie for most games played all-time at Old Mill. He was asked to play out of position this past season and flourished in the paint.

"He just meant so much to our team," Patriots coach Greg Smith said. "Deonte is very dangerous inside and he has good moves. He's been there and he battled kids bigger than him all year and we asked him to do that. I don't think we win 23 games without Deonte."

Dewey Smith -- South River senior guard. The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder averaged a county-best 20.5 points and 3.5 rebounds for a Seahawks squad (5-17) that advanced to the Class 4A East Region quarterfinals.

"Dewey took a lot of shots but we asked him to take a lot of shots," South River coach Tim Poole said. "Without him, we don't win three games this year. He was instrumental in our offense and really hustled on the defensive end."

ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM

Mike Atkins -- Broadneck forward (14.7 ppg, 7 rpg, 47 percent shooter from 3-point range)

Brendan Bald -- Severna Park junior guard (12.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2 apg)

Demetrio Fleet -- North County senior guard (17.8 ppg, 3.1 apg)

A.J. Mann -- Old Mill senior guard (10.5 ppg, 4.7 apg) 

Danny Murphy -- Glen Burnie forward (14.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg)

Brandon Riley -- Old Mill senior guard (15.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg)

Julian Watson -- Arundel senior guard (13 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.6 apg)

ALL-COUNTY HONORABLE MENTION

Brandon Belt -- Southern sophomore guard (17 ppg, 3 apg)

Chris Brice -- Annapolis sophomore guard (13 ppg, 6 rpg)

Auraum Nuiriankh -- Arundel junior guard (10 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 blocks)

Aaron Nutter -- Severna Park junior guard (7.1 ppg, 4.6 apg)

T.J. Richards -- Chesapeake senior forward (11.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg)

Tyler Rudd -- Glen Burnie junior forward (12.7 ppg, 4 rpg, 33 percent shooter from 3-point range)

Antonio Wright -- Meade senior guard (15 ppg) 

POSTSEASON ARCHIVES

Class 4A East Region finals: Old Mill vs. Thomas Stone

Class 4A East Region semifinals: Arundel vs. Thomas Stone, Old Mill vs. Severna Park

Class 4A East Region quarterfinals: Old Mill vs. Broadneck, Arundel vs. Chesapeake, North County vs. Thomas Stone, Severna Park vs. Leonardtown

Class 4A East Region first round: North County vs. Glen Bunrie, Broadneck vs. South River

Class 2A South Region first round: Southern vs. North Point

Anne Arundel County championship: Old Mill vs. Arundel