Pace to play key role in Richard Montgomery-Springbrook clash

Two of county’s best boys basketball teams meet Friday in Silver Spring
by Adam Gutekunst Staff writer

Just hours removed from a convincing 54-31 win at Kennedy High School on Friday, the Richard Montgomery boys basketball team was back in the gym working on its shot — in dodgeball. As 1990s hip-hop music blared down from the speakers above, coach David Breslaw weaved his way in and out of his players, flashing a smile as he laughed alongside his undefeated (14-0) team. The 8 a.m. practice started off with yoga, followed by 15 minutes of shooting work, before ending with two spirited games of dodgeball — a nice reward, Breslaw said. “We’ve thrown a lot at them this year and we’ve been relentless when it came to practice, so this was much needed,” Breslaw said. The relaxed practice couldn’t have come at a better time for the Rockets, who will spend most of the week preparing for Friday’s scheduled 7 p.m. game against Springbrook, a team that may be the greatest threat to Richard Montgomery’s unblemished season. The contest in Silver Spring will not only feature two of 4A’s top teams, but will pit two contrasting styles of play against each other in what could prove to be one of the most entertaining games of the regular season. The Rockets have been praised by county coaches for their offensive discipline and patience in letting plays develop. Led by senior guard Renzo Farfan, Richard Montgomery’s offense is a methodical series of passing and cutting until the best shot presents itself. The ball often finds its way to 6-foot-5 senior forward Nick Jackson, who is just as adept at finding the open man as he is getting physical in the post. The Rockets’ patience and discipline has continually given them the advantage over athletically superior teams, Breslaw said. “It’s huge because we are not the fastest team,” Breslaw said. “We’re not the biggest team. We’re not the quickest team. We’re not the extreme in any respect. We have higher than average IQ — I would make that claim. So that’s our advantage.” Friday evening, the Rockets may be running into 4A’s most athletic team in Springbrook, a group that thrives in the up-and-down pace of a transition-heavy game, but is very capable of locking down a half-court opponent with the intense, gritty man-to-man defense they’ve been known for over the last few decades. Running the show for first-year coach Darnell Myers is senior point guard Donovan Walker. Walker has dazzled opponents this season with his quickness and ability to finish at the rim, but also has proven himself to be an elite game manager and lockdown defender. Those two assets may come in handy against a Richard Montgomery team that likes to keep games in the 40s and 50s. The key to the game is lost on neither involved party. Whichever team is able to establish its pace from the opening whistle will have an advantage in a game that Myers called “two heavy hitters going at each other.” “I’ve seen [Richard Montgomery] play twice and I just think we’ve got to play Springbrook basketball,” the Blue Devils coach said. “If we can get out and run then we’re going to do it. But I think lately we’ve been playing very good half-court defense. That’s what we believe in, is playing defense and doing the things we can do to stop teams.” View all Announcements & Events