by Derek Toney

Though it has several impressive wins on its regular season resume, Mount Carmel High boys' basketball team knew a victory over St. Mary's would have special meaning. The Cougars got what they wanted Tuesday evening.

In a rematch of last season's MIAA B Conference championship game, No. 16 Mount Carmel edged No. 17 St. Mary's, 59-57, before a packed audience on Old Eastern Avenue.  

Stanford McNair and Dwayne Wheeler led Mount Carmel (15-1) with 14 points, and Troy Franklin added 13. Nicholas Groce' led all scorers with 25 points for the Saints (11-6), and Trey Quinn had 15.

Franklin, a senior point guard headed to Towson University, came up with a late steal and layup for the game winner. He had another theft with 1.9 seconds to secure a little bit of revenge. St. Mary's denied the Cougars a second consecutive championship with a 76-70 decision at Johns Hopkins University.

"I think it's something they looked forward to," said Mount Carmel coach Tom Rose, whose team has won eight consecutive decisions. "St. Mary's is a very good team, and we had to overcome a lot."

The Cougars trailed by 13 points in the opening half, but rallied to take the lead by halftime and had a 48-40 heading into the final quarter. The Saints, playing their third game without senior guard Josh Morgan-Green (out for six weeks with broken left hand), fought back and pulled even. The Saints had possession with the game tied before Franklin (seven assists and six steals) swiped the ball from Ronnie Hoffman and went in for the decisive score.

Despite the loss, St. Mary's coach Brian Koncik has been impressed with his team's play in Green's absence. The backcourt of Groce' and sophomore Marcus Snipes has flourished while Quinn, playing against Mount Carmel's Marcanthony Franks, a six-foot, eight inch senior center, had eight rebounds and four assists.

"We had two or three possessions where we were careless," said Koncik. "Mount Carmel is great at every position. It's a huge difference with experience."

Groce, a 5-10 junior guard, put the Cougars on their heels with 14 points including four three-pointers in a 21-8 first quarter lead for the Annapolis school. Mount Carmel adjusted defensively the Saints' backdoor cuts, outscoring the visitors, 25-9, for a 33-30 halftime lead.

"We had to pick up pressure on the defensive end," said Rose. "Our success hinges on making defensive stops and getting up and down the court."

The Cougars will host St. Paul's School Friday evening, then travel to Severn School for a Saturday afternoon league match. With the win over St. Mary's finally on its ledger, Rose said Mount Carmel can't afford to be complacent.

"We have to stay focus," said Rose. "They understand this is their last run."

Mount Carmel 59, St. Mary's 57
St. Mary's: Snipes 5, Groce 25, McNeil 2, Hoffman 8, Dovb 2, Hercules 2, Quinn 13. Totals 20 11-15 57.
Mount Carmel: Groom 1, Wheeler 14, Small 2, McNair 14, King 5, Franklin 13, Franks 10. Totals 26 1-8 59. Halftime: Mount Carmel 33, St. Mary's 30.