To know how far the River Hill High boys basketball team has come, simply look at the Hawks? 4-19 record in coach Matt Graves? first season just three years ago.
“I think it was just the building blocks of what my JV coach andI wanted to build,” Graves said of the team?s first season. “The kids have really taken to it. It starts in the ninth grade and by the time they get to me, they know what to expect.”
This season, Graves? Hawks have completely bought into his defense-first mentality and his Princeton-style offense. The result: River Hill has reached its first-ever state tournament with a 21-5 record and will face Mervo (18-7) in the Class 3A semifinals today at 5 p.m.
“I always tell my kids offense wins games and defense wins championships,” Graves said. “And here we are in a championship setting.”
The team?s success comes down to each player understanding his role as an integral part in winning. In an offense based upon screens and back-door cuts, the Hawks have a balanced offense behind standout senior guard Tommy Brenton. The 6-foot-4 Brenton, who averaged 20 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in the regular season, was named the Howard County player of the year by the league?s coaches.
“The team really centers [itself] around Tommy,” Graves said. “But as the season has worn on, the kids have really filled into their roles.”
The Hawks start three guards ? sophomore Michael Campanaro, junior captain Zach Serleth and Brenton ? and two forwards ? 6-foot-2 senior Daniel Hostetler and 6-foot-3 junior Kevin McCarthy. Brenton is the tallest of the team?s starters.
“I don?t really look at height that much, because I know the fundamentals ? will really take height out of the question,” Graves said.
The athletes are there. Both Campanaro and Hostetler were All-Examiner football players, and Hostetler is headed to Georgetown on a lacrosse scholarship. Physically, the Hawks should match up well with Mervo, which also stresses defense and is centered around 6-foot-3 forward Byron Westmoreland (18 points, 9.2 rebounds per game).
“Defense is our pride and joy,” Mervo coach Daryl Wade said. “If you can?t stop another team from scoring, you can?t win.”
The Hawks are 17-0 when they hold the opposition to 40 points or less. The Mustangs average 50 points per game. Don?t expect either team to crack the 60s, but if one does, expect that team to win.
“We have to go out there and cherish and value every possession,” Graves said.
They?ll also cherish the moment. Despite this year?s history-making playoff appearance at River Hill, competing in this type of atmosphere won?t be unusual for Graves. He played in the 1986 state title game with runner-up Walt Whitman.
“It was a different venue at Cole Field House, but I still get those chills back in my spine thinking of playing,” Graves said. “It?s nice to come back here and coach.”
