The Fairmont Heights boys' basketball team entered Tuesday's game against Douglass at 8-5, thanks to easy victories over Enterprise and Bladensburg that came on the heels of a three-game losing streak. But with three weeks remaining before the start of the playoffs, the Hornets remain a team opposing coaches would prefer to have on the other side of the draw.
With senior guards Wesley Sweet and Brandon Lytle and forward Nasir Austin, a 6-foot-6 junior, Fairmont Heights has the potential to be a dangerous team if, Coach George Wake said, the Hornets learn to play together.
"We're not a very good team," Wake said. "We have some good individual players, but I've had to fight this team all year long about playing team offense and playing team defense. That's been this team's downfall."
That said, Wake believes it is possible for his players to unite.
"I hope so," he said. "Otherwise I wouldn't be working so hard." . . .
Reggie Williams's first season as a high school coach has not gone as well as he hoped. Although High Point has matched last season's victory total and generally been more competitive, the former Georgetown star said the season has been different than he expected.
"But I'm here trying to do the best job that I can do with what I have," Williams said.
The Eagles (2-13, 1-11 4A league entering Tuesday's game against No. 12 Suitland) have only three losses by more than 20 points, compared with 11 last season. Mezie Nwigwe and Gerald Belton are averaging 14.3 and 10.4 points, respectively, for a team that entered the week with a five-game losing streak.
"At times we have a spark and they play together, but then they revert to how they've been playing the last couple years," Williams said. "I'm just trying to get them to stay on the same page. Let's listen to what I have to say and practice how we play."
-- JOSH BARR
