Brooks's Late Burst Leads C.H. Flowers

Jordan Brooks has had better nights offensively. Averaging 22 points per game, he is one of the Washington area's top scorers. But against 11th-ranked Laurel's zone and trapping defenses, Brooks never quite got going -- until 10th-ranked C.H. Flowers needed him the most.

After Laurel pulled within five points midway through the fourth quarter, it was the diminutive Brooks who took over last night. The 5-foot-7 senior pulled up for a jumper in the lane, floated in a running shot and then passed to teammate Darren Clark for a game-sealing three-pointer from the left side as Flowers held on for a 63-55 victory in a game between Prince George's 4A league leaders before a sellout crowd of 500.

Brooks finished with 13 points, barely more than half his average, but his all-around play had Coach George McClure smiling as the Jaguars (11-1, 8-1) bounced back from their loss on Thursday to Bladensburg.

"The thing he did tonight was he made everybody better," McClure said. "Maybe he didn't score as much, but he got the ball to the right people at the right time."

While Brooks is the only key returner from last season's 21-4 team, the Jaguars have had plenty of success with newcomers and players in different roles. Senior center Daniel Thompson, a reserve last season, had 17 points, 8 rebounds and 7 blocks. Junior forward Jervan Wright, a reserve at O'Connell last season, added eight points and 13 rebounds as Flowers neutralized Laurel's Milade Lola-Charles, a 6-9 senior bound for Hampton.

In the back court, Brooks had plenty of help in a four-guard rotation. Clark, a senior who played junior varsity as a sophomore at DeMatha but missed last season because of injuries sustained in a car accident, scored 16 points. Sophomore Chaune Duffy, academically ineligible last season, also was solid.

Laurel (11-2, 7-2) trailed by as many as 13 points before pulling within 53-48 on Junior Nitcheu's three-pointer from the right side. But after the teams traded possessions without scoring, Brooks took over, scoring on consecutive possessions and setting up Clark's three-pointer from the right corner that made it 60-52 with two minutes left. "I really think we're just starting to achieve chemistry," McClure said. "We needed this after Bladensburg, just to put the ship back on level ground."

No. 10 C.H. Flowers 63, No. 11 Laurel 55 Post Player: Flowers senior center Daniel Thompson stands 6 feet 6, but long arms make him play like he is taller, Coach George McClure said. Thompson had 17 points, 8 rebounds and 7 blocks. Hot Hand: Hampton recruit Chris Tolson is considered one of the area's top guards, but it was a surprise contributor that kept Laurel in the game. Junior Nitcheu, a senior guard, scored a career-high 21 points, making four high-arcing three-pointers.