BY JUSTIN RICE
They're not Batman and Robin, but Orange basketball seniors D.J. Brown and Quintin Hunter give the Hornets a dynamic duo.
In last night's Region II quarterfinal, when Orange topped Potomac Falls, 75-66. Hunter, the Hornets' leading scorer, had a quiet night. But the team fed the ball to Brown early, and he got Orange off to a fast start.
"We're a team. But I think when you add me and D.J. into it, we kick it more and bring more energy," Hunter said. "And then the whole team starts to step up."
Brown had a game-high 23 points--including five 3-pointers--and Orange never trailed. The Hornets play at Broad Run tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Region II, Division 4 semifinals. The winner of that game clinches a state tournament berth.
"It's a blessing," Orange coach Keyo'de Rogers said, "to have two guys that can score like they can. D.J.'s picking it up at the right time of the year, and I don't think he's ready to turn it in yet."
Hunter had seven last Friday in the Jefferson District final against Western Albemarle while Brown led the way with 15. And last night Hunter had 13, deferring instead to the hot-shooting Brown.
Brown had Orange's first seven points and the Hornets led 17-8 after the first quarter. He added eight more in the second--including a pair of 3's--to build a 34-25 advantage at the break.
"I was just feeling it early," Brown said. "I don't know what it was. I was just feeling it."
Brown's 3-pointer from the top of the key to start the fourth put Orange up 57-40. Rogers thought the game was in the bag, but the Panthers managed one last gasp.
A 69-53 Orange lead evaporated with a series of misses and turnovers, and Potomac falls cut the deficit to 71-61 with 1:23 remaining.
But in came Hunter and Brown, settling the pace and slowing the Panthers' push.
"They're the crutch because they're experienced," Rogers said. "We seem like an old team, but even most of our seniors haven't seen a lot of court time. But [Brown and Hunter] have.
"They have the experience and know how to slow it down, how to settle the pace, and they've done a good job leading this team."
Leading this team, by preaching a team approach. In the fourth, Orange beat Potomac Falls' press with the pass, and junior center Romie Powell scored 10 points, standing on the receiving in of unselfish passes inside.
"Quintin and D.J. have been talking about team ball, and they're responding," Rogers said. "And they're responding at the right time.
"We have a lot of guys stepping up, playing well on both ends of the court. It's hard to focus on two guys, with the other guys playing as well as they are."
Potomac Falls | 8 | 17 | 15 | 6 | -- | 66 |
Orange | 15 | 17 | 20 | 21 | -- | 75 |
Scoring
Potomac Falls (15-11): Kevin Bartnick 19, Jack Clem 2, Kyle Owens 5, Bryce Owusu 8, Lucas Mihailobich 4, Greg Woodlies 11, Micky Mangenhaffer 4, Gregory Graves 11, Brian Griffin 2. Totals: 24 14-20 66.
Orange (16-10): Quintin Hunter 15, Spencer Jerrell 5, Tyler Seal 8, Travis Braxton 3, Mike Nixon 4, Wayne Wright 3, Romie Powell 10, D.J. Brown 23, Chad Galimore 2, Robert McBrayer 4. Totals: 27 13-17 75.
Three-point goals: Potomac Falls 4 (Bartnick 2, Owens, Clem), Orange 5 (Brown 4, Jerrell)
Justin Rice: 540/368-5045
Email: jrice@freelancestar.com
| REGION II, DIVISION 4
POTOMAC FALLS 66 |