By Phil Murphy
Senior Multimedia/Content Editor
Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area

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Coaches across the Northern Region frequently tie defensive performance to overall success.

The Warhawks just mean it more.

Madison -- the region-leader in points per game allowed -- frustrated the Stone Bridge offense, and weathered a late Bulldog run, to win, 52-40, in the Liberty District opening round to secure a Northern Region tournament berth on Tuesday night.

"It's a great feeling knowing we have that regional spot locked up," said Warhawk junior Trevor Swinley, who scored a game-high 16 points. "Now we're just concentrating on winning the district championship.

"It's great that I was able to get the game-high. [It's my] first time this year."

Added Madison coach Chris Kuhblank: "We didn't play our best offensively. Part of it was we were trying too hard and part of it was the do-or-die elimination game and they didn't want to go down.

"We lead the Region in points per game allowed at 45. If we keep that up, we can do some damage."

And the Warhawks have kept it up -- for four seasons.

For the fourth-consecutive year, the Liberty District Defensive Player of the Year is from Madison, as senior Omi Ogolo was announced as the winner at the district meetings over the weekend.

Ogolo was preceded by Drew Smerdzinski last season, Robert Schenk in 2006-07 and Warren Edney (Fairfield) as the Liberty's top defensive player the year before that.

"That's a goal that we have every year," Kuhblank said. "We talk about it with a different player every year. I can tell you right now, T.J. Ehrsam and Trevor Swinley are the [next] two guys we're going to try to get it."

Added Ogolo, who scored nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter: "I think we just play good defense. We don't even think about it. We just go out and play defense. It feels good to continue the tradition: Drew Smerdzinski last year, Robert Schenk actually called me the other night to congratulate me, he won it two years ago.

"It just feels good to continue the tradition. Hopefully, T.J. Ehrsam or Trevor will have it next year."

With such pointed aspiration -- and the Warhawk effort on the floor -- a fifth-straight winner next year would be of little surprise.

Madison only allowed two Stone Bridge field goasl from a half-court offense in the first half.

Of the 15 Bulldog points in the first and second quarters, none came from the free-throw line and 12 points came in transition. Only a 3-pointer by sophomore Ryan Lowdermilk and a jumper from the elbow by junior Richie Berry came from an offensive set.

That lack of production -- moreover the minimal time of possession -- resulted in defensive impatience and consequential foul trouble for Stone Bridge.

Senior Michael Prince and Berry each had three first-half fouls.

"We had some plays where we got in a rush on offense and had turnovers," said second-year Bulldog coach Sonny Green, whose team trailed by four with possession at one point in the fourth quarter. "They're a well-coached team and I knew they were going to control the tempo. We would have to be patient and take opportunities when we should."

Added Kuhblank: "The only way we can compete is if we play defense. The first quarter, the pace was too fast. We were up, 15-9, but the pace was too fast. We don't want that. We can't win that way.

"We have to dictate the tempo."

For Madison to continue in the district tournament, it will have to have a repeat performance of its regular-season finale against top-seeded Woodson.

The Warhawks, who beat the Cavaliers by 14 points last Friday, face coach Doug Craig's crew on Wednesday at South Lakes at 5:45 p.m., with a berth in the Liberty District final on the line.

"Tomorrow, we have to take good shots and we have to defend," said Kuhblank, whose team is 51-6 at home in his six seasons. "I like Trevor Swinley on [Liberty District Player of the Year Stephen] Stepka. He played a hell of game here the other night in this gym.

"The other thing, we're 11-0 in this gym this year ... We have to learn to play on a bigger court on a neutral court ... I wish were able to play in a smaller gym, in smaller gyms we do very well. Everybody we play is a play is a small gym -- our out-of-district games, Herndon, O'Connell, small gym.

"We have to do a better job, no matter what."

Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com


Stone Bridge    9    6   12   13  --  40
Madison          15   7   11   19  --  52

Stone Bridge -- Brown 5 4-4 15; Prince 1 6-8 9; Lowdermilk 2 0-0 5; Wright 2 0-2 4; Ingersoll 1 0-0 3; Berry 1 0-0 2; Tripp 1 0-0 2. Team totals: 13 10-14 40.
Madison -- Swinley 7 2-4 16; Clarkson 6 2-3 14; Ogolo 3 5-5 11; Reichl 2 2-3 6; Hilburn 1 1-3 3; Ehrsam 0 2-2 2.
Team totals: 19 14-20 52.
Three pointers -- Stone Bridge 4 (Berry, Prince, Lowdermilk, Ingersoll); Madison 0.