Columbia, MD – It had been six years since the last time
Mike Smelkinson was the head coach of the Howard CC Dragons, but not much has changed in terms of results as his triumphant return was enjoyed in a high scoring season opener with the Dragons starting their campaign off well with a 97-80 win over the Manor College Blue Jays.
Manor started out the game motivated, jumping out to an early lead before
Joel Webb (Forestville, MD/Wise) almost jumped out of the gym with a fast break dunk to energize the crowd. As the sole returning member from last year's Dragons team,
Deven Richmond (Bowie, MD/DeMatha) showed well as he followed up the momentum with three of his game high 20 points and the Dragons tied it up. Richmond and
Cole Harshman (Baltimore, MD/Dulaney) hit back-to-back three points and Howard began to jump ahead at 23-18.
The pesky Blue Jays would not go down easily as they fought back to a 28-26 lead, but a three pointer by
Kelvin Sellman (Temple Hills, MD/Crossland) started a Howard run including an old-fashioned three point play by
Hollique Smith-Johnson (Glen Burnie, MD/Old Mill) and then consecutive long range shots by
Michael Gray (Glendale, MD/Bowie) to put Howard up by 10. Gray, playing in his first game since March of 2018, was a productive offense scorer and a menacing defender throughout the contest.
Ahead by eight at the halftime break, the Dragons scored the initial seven points of the second half and Howard was able to go on cruise control for much of the remaining game.
Five Dragons were in double-digit points with including Williams-Day and Gray with 16 each, Smith-Johnson with 10, and
Daeshawn Eaton (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) who had 13 points and seven assists in his collegiate debut.
The Dragons will stay at home to take on Rowan-Burlington on Saturday, November 9 at 3 PM.
