Long Reach coach Al Moraz Jr. loves being the underdog. It worked Thursday, and Moraz hopes it works again today.
The eighth-ranked Lightning (25-2) shocked the local basketball community by toppling top-ranked Lake Clifton, 62-59, in a 3A semifinal to advance to the state final this afternoon at 3 against Prince George?s County?s Largo (22-4).
Moraz took a moment to thank the media for downplaying his team?s chances against mighty Lake Clifton (25-2), which many expected to cap a dominating season with its first state title since 1999.
“We woke up [Thursday] morning and everyone [in the media] was talking about Lake Clifton. Long Reach has no chance. And I appreciate every one of you guys doing that because it gave us unbelievable locker room material,” Moraz said. “I photocopied it all and we went over it for 15 minutes on the bus. It really inspired these young men to play an unbelievable ball game.”
The Lightning overcame a six-point halftime deficit and a 47-37 disadvantage entering the fourth quarter to play for its second title in the past three years.
In 2006, Long Reach rallied from a 15-point deficit in the first half to pull out a 54-49 victory over Charles County?s Lackey and become the first Howard County team to win a title in boys basketball since 1990.
Largo, which beat Bethesda-Chevy Chase, 73-64, in the semifinals, is playing for its first title since 1993.
“We?ve got to go back and look at the tape and try to break it down,” Largo coach Lewis Howard said of Long Reach?s win. “They?re a very scrappy team.”
Long Reach, which does not have a player over 6-foot-5, survived 24 points from Lake Clifton?s 6-foot-8 junior Cleveland Melvin.
“I just thought he had height over me, that?s all,” Long Reach?s 6-foot-5 junior Mario Lloyde said. “I tried to box him out and grab rebounds.”
Lloyde finished with 13 points, three rebounds and three blocks, and will need another big game today when Long Reach faces Largo?s 7-foot senior center, Maurice Sutton, who had 18 points and nine rebounds on Thursday.
But Long Reach is resembling the team that won it all just two years ago. It uses its methodicalattack and pressure defense led by senior forward Obi Ukwuoma, who along with junior Julius Fambro are the team?s only links to 2006.
“We just had heart and hustle,” Ukwuoma said. “As a whole team, we battled through, down 10, and won the game.”
