The Great Mills Hornets came tearing into Monday's match with seven straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 18.6 points) and they left with even more momentum. They came out on top against Laurel by a score of 57-50. Given Great Mills' advantage in MaxPreps' Maryland basketball rankings (they are ranked 47th, while Laurel is ranked 137th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Great Mills got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Vontez Culpepper out in front who scored 13 points along with eight rebounds and five steals. Culpepper continues to roll, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Jermaine Davis, who scored 13 points along with five assists and three steals.
Laurel's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Jermaine Taylor, who scored 15 points. Taylor is absolutely dominating the point category: he's posted at least 15 every time he's taken the court this season. Amadou Kaloga was another key contributor, scoring 13 points.
Great Mills' victory was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 8-1. Those victories were due in large part to their offensive dominance across that stretch, as they averaged 66.2 points per game. As for Laurel, they are on a four-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 3-4.
Great Mills will be playing at home against McDonough at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. That game will pit two of the most dominant guards against one another: Tyrik Petway and DeAndre Dorsey. As for Laurel, they will head out on the road to take on Eleanor Roosevelt at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday. Eleanor Roosevelt is coming into the game on a four-game losing streak.
