Writer: Nicki Kupchan
After both capturing their first-ever state championships last season, Blake and South River High School entered week two of the Capitol Hoops Summer League looking to prove they can remain among Maryland’s elite despite losing star talent. Blake graduated 6-foot-10 standout Baba Oladotun, whose elite scoring and playmaking helped lead the Bengals to a 25-3 record and a 4A state title. South River also lost its senior “big three” of Jaden McDuffie, Jamie Finn, and Jonah Hall. With both teams searching for new stars and a chance to establish themselves as long-term powerhouse programs, the matchup is bound to provide valuable insights.
Starting the game, Blake’s Wale Oladotun hit two quick threes to put the Beglas up 6-3.
Blake’s hot shooting beyond the arc continued with Nas Wilson and Oladotun knocking down two more threes to put the Bengals up 12-4 with 11 minutes to go.
After a much-needed timeout, South Rivers Dom Bailey knocked down a three to slow down the Bengals’ momentum. However, Wale Oladotun responded with another three-pointer, going 4-4, putting the Bengals up 21-7 with 8 minutes left in the half
With 5 minutes left in the half, the Bengals continued to dominate both sides of the ball, shooting above 60 percent from 3pt and holding the Seahawks to a total of 11 points.
As the final minutes of the half closed, the Seahawks were having immense trouble finding their 6ft 10 big man Nick Pitt on offense, who was being swarmed by an array of much smaller but relentless Blake defenders.
At half, Blake was up 44-23 largely due to their 58 percent shooting from beyond the arc and their relentless pressure on defense.
Starting the second half, Blake picked up where they left off, with Joe Okutoi making multiple tough layups to extend the Bengals’ lead to 50-23.
As the half progressed, Bengals Liam Dola at 6 ‘5 continued to play aggressive and hard defense against talented 6′ 10 forward Nick Yarder, preventing the Seahawks from mounting any form of a comeback with 10 minutes to go in the second half.
As the game progressed, Seahawks guard Hank Oxendine took matters into his own hands, getting to the free throw line at will and closing the deficit to 14 points.
But the Seahawks’ momentum did not last, with South River being down 16 with 4 minutes to go in the second half.
Blake successfully held onto their lead, winning 80-66, with key contributions from Wale Oladotun scoring 17 and shooting 5 for 8 from three, and from 6ft 5 Dola Lai, who played incredible defense on much bigger 6ft 10 Nick Yooter, forcing him to shoot 2-6 from the field. Overall, Blake had much more energy than South Lake, outhustling them on both sides of the ball. This win crowns Blake as the ultimate Maryland public-school powerhouse going into next season.