Allegany College of Maryland Triumphs Over #2 Seed Monroe College to Secure Championship Berth
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) delivered a resounding victory over the #2 seed Monroe College on Friday, March 15th, in the fourth game of the NJCAA Region 20 Division 1 tournament.
Led by the dynamic duo of Cam'Ron Brown and Lamont Jones, ACM's offense operated with surgical precision, dissecting the Monroe defense with a blend of finesse and ferocity. Brown, the maestro orchestrating the Trojans' offensive symphony, showcased his court vision and unselfish play, dishing out 11 assists while adding 14 points to his tally. Jones, meanwhile, caught fire in the second half, igniting the scoreboard with 17 points, including a trio of long-range bombs that left the defense scrambling to contain him.
However, it was Jeremiah Mobley who stole the spotlight with an explosive performance off the bench, delivering 21 points in a series of stellar spurts that ignited the ACM offense. Mobley's relentless drive and versatility were on full display, epitomized by a remarkable sequence in the first half where he seemed unstoppable, with several stellar spurts throughout the game - one stretch in the first half with about 10 minutes to go he could not be stopped; a lay up, another lay up, a 3 pointer, a steal, an offensive rebound and defensive rebound in what felt like back to back to back plays all at the hands of Jeremiah Mobley.
Tyson Oghene, continuing his remarkable career at ACM, showcased his scoring prowess by contributing 23 points, including an impressive 7-10 from beyond the arc. Oghene's performance was not only instrumental in securing the victory but also marked a historic milestone as he surpassed 1000 career points. Tyson did not visit the foul line at all this evening but he did complete something remarkable on an already historic career at ACM with reaching 1000 points in scoring. Tyson Oghene surpassed 2 milestones and records. Tyson Oghene is at 103 threes made in a single season surpassing both Tre Wortham (2019) who was second in this category with 99 made in a single season as well as surpassing Mike Renfro (1997) who tallied 102 made threes in a single season. With 201 made threes, Tyson Oghene also passed both Tre Wortham and Mike Renfro for career made threes at ACM (Renfro - 200 Wortham 194.)
Supporting the efforts of the star players, Aaron Lewis and Fidel Mpanzo provided crucial contributions off the bench, with Lewis tallying 7 points and 9 rebounds, and Mpanzo adding 5 points and 7 rebounds. The collective effort of the ACM bench, which supplied 29 points, proved to be pivotal in securing the victory.
Despite Monroe College had 6 players in double figures scoring and very poised sharing of the offensive side of this game, ACM maintained control of the game from the early stages. Jawarie Hamelin led the charge for the Mustangs with 20 points, showcasing their resilience and offensive prowess. The last lead for the Monroe Mustangs was at the 12:47 minute mark in the 1st half and the ACM Trojans didnt look back.
The Trojans had their largest lead towards the end of the game where free throws came in to solidify a large victory from Fidel Mpanzo and Lamont Jones. Coach Reams mentioned "I am proud of each and every one of my guys for sticking to the game plan and being reliable in this game." Coach Reams' bench supplied 29 points. The victory over Monroe College serves as redemption for ACM, who had suffered defeats earlier in the season at the hands of the Mustangs.Earlier this season, ACM met up with the Mustangs on Nov. 25th where the Mustangs won 77-71, and Nov. 19th where the Mustangs also prevailed early on in the season W, 80-76.
With the final score of 96-77, the win propels ACM into the championship match against the #5 seed Harford Owls, scheduled for Saturday, March 16th, at 3:00 PM. This crucial clash not only determines the Region 20 champions but also crowns the East District champions and secures a coveted slot in the Division 1 NJCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.
As ACM prepares to face off against the Harford Owls in the championship match, anticipation runs high among fans and supporters. Having witnessed the team's remarkable journey thus far, the College and Administration extend their gratitude to all who have supported the Trojans throughout the season and invite everyone to cheer them on for one last time as they vie for the championship title. The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as ACM seeks to etch their names in basketball glory.
