At the start of the season, not many picked the Manchester Valley boys basketball workforce to be contenders within the county. But the Mavericks produced a season that shocked many, ending 12-10 general and 9-3 within the county, good for second place.
The Mavericks earned the highest seed in Class 3A East Region I and host Westminster on Tuesday within the regional semifinal.
Markel Brown has been a dominant inside power for the Mavericks and talked to the Carroll County Times concerning the workforce and season. (Editor’s notice: some questions and solutions have been evenly edited for readability):
I don’t assume lots of people have been taking a look at Manchester Valley as a contender early within the season, however what clicked with this workforce?
Plenty of us performed AAU basketball over the summer time collectively. So that basically helped us come collectively as a workforce. We all got here to follow on time and labored laborious in follow. That’s what received us to the No. 1 seed.
Was there a sport or second within the season the place you guys realized, ‘We can accomplish something special this year?’
Beginning of the season, we noticed our schedule and our coaches stated we might win areas and be the No. 1 seed. We all labored laborious in follow to go after that.
Among your massive wins this yr have been two towards Century. You hadn’t overwhelmed them earlier than, then swept them this yr. What did that imply to you guys?
That meant quite a bit for us. Coach [Chris] Wunder was joyful that we beat them. We’ve all the time needed to beat Century and this was the yr we did it.
With all of the weapons on the workforce, how do you describe your function and what you convey to the desk?
My function is to get a bunch of rebounds and assist the workforce out. Kick the ball again out to the shooters and hope they make their pictures.
You have been additionally a standout in soccer, sort of alongside that very same mildew on the defensive position and as tight finish, get within the trenches and do the soiled work, was there a number of carry over from soccer to basketball?
I actually put a number of time within the weight room, that helped my quite a bit in basketball season.
How lengthy have you ever been taking part in basketball?
About six years.
What received you into it?
I noticed all my pals taking part in basketball, so I needed to play, too. It appeared enjoyable after which I actually loved the game. And hopefully I can play in school.
Have you talked to any faculties about it?
I’ve narrowed it right down to Stevenson and Frostburg St., each for soccer, however I used to be speaking to the Stevenson coaches and if I’m going there, I might have the ability to play basketball, too.
Looking on the playoffs, you draw Westminster first. You beat them twice already. They say beating a workforce 3 times is hard, however what do you propose to do to perform it?
At follow we targeted on their level guard, Chance [Byrnes] and tried to simulate what he does. Then we’re going to attempt to cease Jah [Donald] within the paint and on boards.
When you realize you’re going up towards a man like Jah that’s a very good rebounder, does that make you wish to convey your sport to a better stage.
The previous two occasions we performed them, Jah anticipated me to not shoot 3s, so he’d keep within the paint and my teammates would kick the ball to me and I’d shoot 3s. Then on protection, guarding Jah, my objective is to power him to take exterior pictures, then field him out and hold him off the boards.
Finish this sentence: The Mavericks will win a regional title if …
we come out laborious from the beginning, not make any excuses and simply exit to win gams.
Who’s going to win the NBA Finals this yr?
I don’t actually have an NBA workforce, however I believe the Celtics. I observe school a bit extra, I’ve been watching Maryland quite a bit. They simply beat Purdue.
Can they make a run within the NCAA Tournament?
Yeah I believe they will get fairly far if they arrive out to play.
Are there any gamers you take a look at, professional, school or wherever, that you simply attempt to mannequin your sport after.
I attempt to be like Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. He can shoot and get boards and dunk and every thing.
Where’s the most effective place to eat on the town?
I wish to eat at Cinco de Mayo. Chicken quesadilla.
If you could possibly go to wherever on the earth, the place would you go?
I’d return to Puerto Rico. It’s very nice there, that’s the place my Godparents are from.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com