Boys Basketball: Friendly 56, Gwynn Park 43

***Be sure to click the VIDEOS link above for highlights and interviews***

By James A. McCray III
Prince George's County, Content Editor

Across all demographics of basketball, three words are uttered in every huddle, every practice, every minute of a tight game, defense wins championships.

The age-old saying is a staple of the basketball world and in the Friendly Patriots boys' basketball gymnasium Friday night, the saying held very true in a 56-43 victory over the Gwynn Park Yellow Jackets.

Friendly (19-2 overall, 18-1 3A/2A/1A League) guard Mike Gonzales converted two consecutive steals into baskets during a 9-0 scoring run to end the third quarter as the Patriots stymied the Yellow Jackets throughout the second half only allowing 15 second-half points.

The momentum gained from the ending of the third quarter allowed Friendly to push ahead for the 3A/2A/1A League regular-season championship proving once again, defense does win championships.

"That was big because I think it got our team hyped and confident," Gonzales said of the late third-quarter efforts. "We knew that if one team could do it, then the rest of the team could do it. I think everybody followed in my footsteps."

"I think Mike was really, really excited about his opportunity to be a part of what was going on in the second half," Friendly head coach Rob Garner said. "In order for us to win a championship, we had to believe in the motto, defense wins championships."

"Mike Gonzales, in my opinion, may be one of the best defensive guards in the county," the coach continued. "The offensive players get the recognition, but he does a great job because 90 percent of the time he leads with his defense. ... I was excited for Mike to come out with those steals."

Gonzales also led the Patriots on the offensive side scoring a team-high 12 points along side teammate Justin Strong's respective 12 points as well.

"We came out with that run and picked up momentum," Strong said. " ... We never let up."

Although Friendly went into the halftime down one point, 28-27, the defensive intensity in the second half was noticeably higher and in turn paid huge dividends for Friendly in the form of a league regular-season title.

Friendly's defense was evident in the fourth quarter as well as it did not allow a Gwynn Park field goal until 1 minute, 55 seconds remained in the contest, Gwynn Park's only field goal in the final quarter.

"In order for us to win a championship, we had to believe in the motto, defense wins championships," Garner said. "At one point in time in the huddle, we had to make it known to the kids that if we were going to win this [game] we had to get some defensive stops."

Gwynn Park (17-5 overall, 16-2) guard Brandon Ford was injured in the early seconds of the second quarter after taking a nasty fall on a lay-up attempt and did not return to the game after scoring eight first-quarter points.

However, the Yellow Jackets found success down low as post-player Corey Anderson scored a game-high 13 points in the loss.

Friendly now has newly added championship aspirations after its win and now will travel to Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School Wednesday night for an opportunity at winning the Prince George's County championship.

"The globe expands now," Garner explained. "Now, we are just not playing for Ft. Washington. Now, we are not just playing for our family and friends. We are now playing for the whole county. We are playing as representatives of the entire 3A/2A/1A. ... Winning the conference was just one of our goals. We are going to go to Wise wanting to win the ball game."

E-mail: James A. McCray III

Friendly 56, Gwynn Park 43
Gwynn Park   --   18   10   6   9; Anderson 13, Ford 8, Thomas 6, Woodard 5, Coates 4, Hall 4, Blue 3

Friendly         --   17   10  12  17; Strong 12, Gonzales 12, Brooks 8, Hood 6, Bentley 6, Latson 4, Thomas 3, Baltimore 3, Duckett 2