Goss’ home court debut sparks Carvers Bay in first round of playoffs
With losses in the first round of the Class A playoffs in each of the past two seasons, Carvers Bay wasn’t about to take Scott’s Branch lightly Tuesday night.
The Bears erased any fears of another first-round defeat early as they raced out to a 17-point lead in the first quarter and maintained at least a 20-point edge for the entire second half to get past the Eagles 73-46.
“We’ve had two years of losing in the first round and this was nice to finally get away from that,” Carvers Bay coach Jeff Mezzatesta said. “That’s sort of what the kids were echoing was we have to get out of the first round. There were a lot of nerves and a lot of tension because they were really worried about the first round.”
Carvers Bay (16-8), the runner-up in Region VIII-A, now has the task in Friday’s second round of traveling to Denmark-Olar, the top-ranked team in Class A that features a large frontcourt.
“I know they’re not satisfied,” Mezzatesta said. “We’ve got No. 1 in the state at Denmark-Olar next and they’re very good.”
Carvers Bay has been bolstered for its playoff run by the return of 6-3 senior guard D.J. Goss, a team captain who was expected to be one of its best players this season. He missed all but the final two games of the regular season with a broken foot suffered during football and was playing in his first home game of the season.
“I’m glad D.J. got to play,” Mezzatesta said. “That just meant a lot to me, and that’s sort of what the kids rallied around towards the end was we wanted to get D.J. back home.”
Despite a few early turnovers, Carvers Bay opened up a 20-3 lead in the first quarter and Goss was a catalyst.
He had three consecutive Carvers Bay baskets early in the first quarter and added a three-point play late in the quarter to record nine first-quarter points and give the Bears their 20-3 lead.
“I’m very happy and excited to get back with my boys,” Goss said. “You can tell it’s not there yet. I’m not reaching my potential and peak yet. I’m hoping we keep going and I’ll get better and better. I’m working hard every day.”
A 10-0 run early in the third quarter pushed the Bears’ advantage to 22 points at 31-9. Dijon Goss had a pair of inside baskets in the run and Arkel Williams added a dunk on an offensive rebound.
The lead was extended to 27 points later in the second quarter and was 23 at the half. It surpassed 30 points on a Williams dunk midway through the fourth quarter.
Scott’s Branch (11-11), the third-place team in Region VII-A, traveled with only eight players as three were absent because of what Eagles coach Kenneth Proctor said was a decision by the school administration. Chauncey Aiken was the only Eagle to score in double figures with 10 points.
Carvers Bay received 17 points from Williams, 16 from Dijon Goss and 11 from D.J. Goss, who hopes his return will spark the Bears to an upset Friday night and prolonged playoff run.
“I can say that I’m the heart,” Goss said. “I’m not saying I’m the best player but I’m the heart. I lift their spirits up and keep everybody on point and in check.”
▪ SCOTT’S BRANCH (46): Chauncey Aiken 10, Marquez Hunt 9, Malik Green 7, Brian Tindal 7, Christavious Johnson 6, Marquise Thomas 4, Amonte Brown 3.
▪ CARVERS BAY (73): Arkel Williams 17, Dijon Goss 16, D.J. Goss 11, Jeremiah Greene 9, Malik Reed 4, Quevon Dickerson 4, Janaz Sumpter 4, Jaquan Reed 3, Tyrek Reed 2, Marquise Goss 2, Quade Goss 1.
Scott’s Branch | 7 | 11 | 14 | 14 | — | 46 |
Carvers Bay | 21 | 20 | 16 | 16 | — | 73 |
▪ 3-point goals: Scott’s Branch 4 (Hunt, Brown, Tindal, Johnson); Carver’s Bay 0. Team fouls: Scott’s Branch: 17. Carvers Bay: 15. Fouled out: Malik Green (SB). Technical fouls: SB coach Proctor.
▪ Records: Scott’s Branch 11-11, Carvers Bay 16-8.
Alan Blondin: 843-626-0284, @alanblondin
This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 11:31 PM with the headline "Goss’ home court debut sparks Carvers Bay in first round of playoffs."