Garner Propels Springbrook Into Division Lead

C.J. Garner looks for an opening. "He never gets tired," Blue Devils Coach Tom Crowell said. Garner has scored 100 points combined in his past three games. (By Toni L. Sandys -- The Washington Post)

It never looked like C.J. Garner was overextending himself. Springbrook's prolific junior guard insisted he broke a sweat on a few fast-break sprints downcourt. Otherwise, though, Garner generally made things look easy, be it driving to the basket, shooting with either hand, blocking a shot or setting up a teammate.

Garner scored 14 of his game-high 31 points in the fourth quarter, including a six-point flurry in 30 seconds when the 20th-ranked Blue Devils were briefly threatened before pulling away for a 79-59 victory over visiting Blake last night in a meeting of Silver Spring rivals to determine the Montgomery 4A East Division lead.

"He never gets tired," Springbrook Coach Tom Crowell said. "I always ask, 'Do you need a breather?' And he says he never gets tired."

Garner's stamina was especially important this week as the Blue Devils (12-1, 6-1) won three games in five days. After a loss to No. 17 Magruder last week followed by a season-low four points in a victory over Churchill, Garner said he felt he needed to improve his play. And he did, totaling 100 points in three games -- 38 in a victory over Walter Johnson, 31 over Sherwood and 31 last night.

Garner's scoring started slowly last night as he had as many blocks and rebounds (two each) as baskets in the first quarter. It was Othello Banaci's eight points that helped the Blue Devils to an early lead.

Blake rallied and cut the deficit to 35-31 early in the third quarter before Springbrook scored 12 consecutive points to take control. Still, after a tip-in by Chris Penn, the Bengals (9-3, 5-2) were within 55-43 and had momentum as Crowell called timeout.

On the ensuing inbounds play, Eric Johnson threw a long pass to Garner for a layup. Steals by Micah Perry and Banaci led to Garner baskets and it was 61-43. Garner finished 12 of 19 from the field and had five rebounds and four assists.

"C.J. dominated us tonight," Blake Coach Marcus Wiggins said. "He played twice as good as our best player. He dominated us on the court, effort-wise and getting after it on the run. He was a superior player tonight."

No. 20 Springbrook 79 Blake 59 Balanced Attack: Springbrook got a strong outing from C.J. Garner, but also plenty from its other starters, with each scoring at least eight points; forward Eric Johnson had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Tough Stretch: Blake is in the middle of a three-game run against opponents with a combined record of 29-7. The Bengals beat No. 17 Magruder, lost last night and play Paint Branch (9-3) on Friday.