“This prepares us for the state tournament because we are playing on a big floor and we have a crowd and the competition is the best,” Wright said.

New Town is familiar with playing on the larger court in front of a crowd, as the Titans have been to the state tournament the past two years, winning it in the school?s first year of varsity play.

“We get those two wins without Peju Awodipe,” Wright said. One of the Titan?s best players, Awodipe is still working towards getting back in the lineup after recovering from an ACL injury.

In the win over Southside, New Town forward Brittany Spencer had 21 points and 10 rebounds. The Titans win was extra sweet because Southside knocked New Town out of the state tournament last year.

“It was exciting to beat them because we wanted a second shot,” Wright said “We figure we could meet up with them again in the state tournament if we make it that far.”

Closing the academy Saturday, Riverdale Baptist got its second win, 38-35, over City and Western downed Milford Mill, 62-34.

In Thursday action at the Mayors Basketball Academy, Milford Mill downed Southside, 56-44, and Riverdale Baptist defeated Western, 68-63.

In the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland?s A Conference, Seton Keough made waves with back-to-back wins Friday and Saturday over McDonogh and Mount de Sales, respectively.

The Gators (13-3 overall, 8-2 IAAM) topped McDonogh, 54-50, at home Friday and sophomore center Asya Bussie led the team with 19 points and 18 rebounds. Guards Katelyn Fischer and Arika Ullman along with forward Ayana Lee each had nine points in the win.

McDonogh (12-2, 8-2) had senior guard Brittany Mallory leading the way in the game with 26 points.

Boys Basketball

After losing his leading scorer two weeks ago, Walbrook coach Kelvin Bridgers said his team needed to do some “soul searching” this weekend.

Apparently, the Warriors (10-1) found what they were looking for at the Basketball Academy at Morgan State. Without 6-foot-8 forward Kevin Thompson (ACL injury), Walbrook won a pair of games in the talent-laden showcase.

“I?m feeling a little better now than I did four or five days ago,” Bridgers said, referring to his team?s loss at Lake Clifton last Tuesday.

Walbrook defeated Woodlawn Friday, 38-24, behind 12 points and 11 assists from senior guard Rupert Rose and an eight-point, ten-rebound performance from freshman Roscoe Smith.

Smith also had a double-double ? 10 points, 12 rebounds ? in Walbrook?s 41-38 win over Randallstown Saturday.

“Unbelievable for a kid that just last summer was playing 14-and-under AAU basketball,” Bridgers said.

Rose led the way with 12 points in the three-point win.

Walbrook assistant Chuck West said the “game was won on the boards and in transition play.” He also gave credit to winning the turnover battle, and grabbing offensive rebounds.

With Thompson out, Smith?s play inside will be key in winning the rebounding edge.

“I think the biggest thing is that it gives us that level of confidence,” Bridgers said of the wins over the weekend. “Confidence that we?re meeting adversity right now without [Thompson].”

While the two wins this weekend were key in keeping team morale up, Bridgers knows there is a long road ahead to reach the team?s primary goals – City and regional crowns.

He pointed at Douglass, Lake Clifton and Dunbar as key hurdles to overcome. Dunbar, off to a slow start, made a coaching change last week.

“I?ve got a lot of confidence in their [new head coach Darnell] Dantzler,” Bridgers said.

Beyond Walbrook?s primary goals is a state title. And Bridgers feels that Thompson could return by then.

In the meantime, though, Walbrook can breath a sigh of relief, leaving Morgan State with a pair of wins and keeping their goals within reach.

“To come out of there with two victories was huge,” Bridgers said. “Particularly Randallstown.”