Experience Helps Olasewere Get Jump

Jamal Olasewere began last season on Springbrook's varsity with his head in the clouds. How cool it was, he thought, that he was playing with the big boys while his sophomore classmates remained on the junior varsity.

After a few weeks of getting scant playing time behind the Blue Devils' upperclassmen and being pushed around in practice, Olasewere was humbled, and returned to the junior varsity to get some playing time. It was probably the best move that could have happened.

Now, Olasewere is varsity-ready. Bethesda-Chevy Chase found that out last night the hard way, as he scored a season-high 23 points to lead No. 7 Springbrook to a 62-36 victory over the defending Maryland 3A-runner-up Barons, who struggled with injuries to key veterans.

"It was a bit of a struggle for me" last year, the 6-foot-3 Olasewere said. "I got tossed around by the big boys at practice, but it was very effective. It taught me a lot."

Throughout elementary and middle school, Olasewere was accustomed to being one of the biggest kids on the court, always able to play with his back to the basket. Now, though, he knows any success in high school, and perhaps college, will require skills on the wing.

Olasewere showed nice form on a three-pointer early in the second quarter and a mid-range jumper in the fourth quarter, but was very aggressive underneath, scoring five baskets on offensive rebounds.

If Olasewere continues to develop, he will make Springbrook senior guard C.J. Garner (15 points), one of the top guards in the area, that much tougher to defend.

"The word's getting out on him," Springbrook Coach Tom Crowell said, "but he still has some maturing to do."

B-CC (3-2), meantime, was playing its first game without senior guard Austin Cooley, who fractured two bones in his right hand in last Friday's 56-51 loss to Damascus. He is scheduled to have surgery this morning, according to Barons Coach Steve Thompson, and will be out indefinitely.

The Barons also were without senior guard Jordan Wheeler, who suffered a facial gash in gym class earlier in the day, but should return later this week. It left B-CC with only one senior.

Still, the Barons trailed only 28-24 early in the third quarter, before their inexperience left them without dependable scoring options. The Barons went nearly eight minutes without a field goal, as Springbrook (5-0) went on an 18-2 run to take control.

No. 7 Springbrook 62 B-CC 36 It doesn't get easier: B-CC next faces Paint Branch, perhaps the Montgomery 3A/2A/1A front-runner on Friday night, while Springbrook hosts defending Maryland 4A runner-up Magruder. Come a little closer: After making just 2 of 11 three-point attempts and scoring 24 points in the first half, Springbrook shot just three from behind the arc in the second half and put up 36 points. No. 7 Springbrook 62 B-CC 36 It doesn't get easier: B-CC next faces Paint Branch, perhaps the Montgomery 3A/2A/1A front-runner on Friday night, while Springbrook hosts defending Maryland 4A runner-up Magruder. Come a little closer: After making just 2 of 11 three-point attempts and scoring 24 points in the first half, Springbrook shot just three from behind the arc in the second half and put up 36 points.