Story
Football-strong Dwyer proves itself in hoops by beating Nevada powerhouse on national TV
Thursday, March 31, 2011
by
Jeff Greer
BETHESDA, Md. - It took Dwyer basketball coach Fred Ross a minute to think about it, but he eventually came to a conclusion.
Dwyer's 70-61 win over Nevada basketball powerhouse Findlay Prep in an ESPN nationally televised game Thursday afternoon was the biggest victory in Dwyer program history.
It might have even made up for Dwyer football's devastating - and controversial - loss on ESPN to Cleveland-Glenville back in September.
"Winning a state championship is always good," said Ross, whose team won a Class 5A state title March 5 and has won three crowns since 2004. "But to be on a national level, playing on one of the ESPN channels and beating a team like Findlay Prep, it is our biggest win."
The quarterfinal win in the ESPN Rise National High School Invitational means No. 6 seed Dwyer (33-1) will play Virginia power Oak Hill Academy (28-3) at 5:30 p.m. Friday on ESPN2. Oak Hill, the tournament's No. 2 seed, routed United Faith Christian of Charlotte, N.C., 86-52.
The winner of Friday's semifinal games play on ESPN 2 p.m. Saturday.
Dwyer's powerful football team appeared on ESPN for the first time ever in September, losing after officials refused to give the Panthers what appeared to be two last-second, game-winning touchdowns.
Thursday was the first time Dwyer basketball had ever played on national TV, and the Panthers drew a team that has been on the big stage plenty.
Findlay Prep, which won the past two ESPN Rise Invitationals, was the tournament's No. 3 seed and boasted a roster full of big-name recruits, including McDonald's All-American Myck Kabongo and top-25 prospect Nick Johnson.
None of that mattered in Bethesda-Georgetown Prep's packed-but-small tin box of an arena, nor did the fact that the Panthers had merely a handful of fans in the stands.
Dwyer withstood two second-half runs and pulled away in the fourth quarter. The Panthers were outrebounded, 44-24, and their two star post players - 6-foot-7 Penn-bound forward Greg Louis and 6-10 blue chip center Joel James - played just 30 combined minutes because of foul trouble.
But guard Jacoby Brissett, a football star who played in that September game and who has signed to play quarterback at Florida in the fall, carried his team. Vic Adams added 12 points and guard Montel Williams hit two huge three-pointers, helping both senior guards get some much-needed exposure as the frenzied April recruiting period starts up.
Yet from start to finish, it was the Brissett Show. On a court with Kabongo, Johnson and Findlay Prep's other big names, Brissett was the best.
He had 30 points and five rebounds, scoring in every possible way. His reputation as a big-time football player preceded him, too.
"He's a big kid," said the 6-3 Johnson, who was charged with guarding Brissett for much of the game. "When he gets you on his hip, he keeps you there."
Brissett putting on such a performance wouldn't surprise people in Palm Beach County, but his 30 points caught the attention of the out-of-town media.
The 6-4 senior has leaned heavily toward playing just football in college, but he admitted it's hard to ignore how much he loves basketball, especially after games like Thursday's.
"Coach Ross was just telling me to play basketball (instead of football)," said a smiling Brissett .
But it's football he'll play when he leaves for Gainesville in June. New Gators head coach Will Muschamp even said this week that Brissett will vie for the starting quarterback spot when he arrives.
But Thursday was about basketball and Dwyer entered the game a heavy underdog.
Findlay Prep coach Mike Peck even noted that Dwyer was "a football power." In comparison, his Henderson, Nev., school is literally a basketball player factory.
The Findlay Prep team lives together in one house, and attends school at the nearby Henderson International. It's a place for recruits who want to play big-time college basketball.
That's what made the win so big for the Dwyer team, who proved themselves a basketball power on a national stage.
"They may be more known for their football than their basketball," Peck said, "but those are some tough hombres."
.
User Comments:
GTRGrad commented on March 31, 2011 at 10:55 p.m.: report abuse
Proud of you Dwyer - all of you. What a game for Jacoby. This kid has proven he has that rare ability to not only lead his teams to win, but to will them to win. I honestly forsee Jacoby winning the starting QB job at UF by year two for certain.
panther commented on March 31, 2011 at 10:55 p.m.: report abuse
Simply the Best! The announcers made every excuse for Findlay. Dwyer kicked Butt!
freddy P commented on March 31, 2011 at 11:10 p.m.: report abuse
yeeeaaa BOY!!! congrats to my father and the SUPER UNDER DOGS!!! Dwyer!! D-Block baby.....they always hate on the florida boys but today we reign SUPREME!! win lose or draw, im so proud of my high school and proud of my city!
KELLS commented on April 1, 2011 at 1:02 a.m.: report abuse
I AGREE WIT U PANTER THEY WERE MAKIN SO MANY EXCUSE I GUESS THEY DNT NO A LOT ABOUT DWYER BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM
Landlord commented on April 1, 2011 at 8:18 a.m.: report abuse
I posted last week that if Jacoby was in a city that was known for football he would be a national recruit, the kid is as good as they come and since he plays big time football people over look his hoop game . He was phenomonal yesterday and Panther give me some dap because you called that out they gave Findlay Prep every excuse they could ,they were shocked that a football school beat them and as I always have said the talent is here we just need the recruiters to see that and the kids have to get there grades as well. Great job D-Block!!!!!!
panther commented on April 1, 2011 at 8:22 a.m.: report abuse
I missed most of the first quarter yesterday so I went back this morning to watch the first half on my dvr. Terrel Harris shut down Kabango the #2 point guard in the country then gets called D-2 talent. They called Dwyer a neighborhood team. Very condescending attitude by the announcers. while promoting Findlay kids.
Play hometown Oak Hill Academy tonight another big time national power and NBA prep school. Expect even more whistles than last night. Go Dwyer!
Landlord commented on April 1, 2011 at 8:37 a.m.: report abuse
Panther I hear the whistle blowing now ,we are a local school with local kids and thats why they were shocked ,because we dont room and board our kids . But give there coach credit he acknowledged that Dwyer was tough and the johnson kid gave Jacoby props for his game . Im so proud of our kids at Dwyer great job Fred and the assistant coaches too Nat ,Shelley and Boo I see yall boys !!!!!!
Landlord commented on April 1, 2011 at 8:38 a.m.: report abuse
Panther I hear the whistle blowing now ,we are a local school with local kids and thats why they were shocked ,because we dont room and board our kids . But give there coach credit he acknowledged that Dwyer was tough and the johnson kid gave Jacoby props for his game . Im so proud of our kids at Dwyer great job Fred and the assistant coaches too Nat ,Shelley and Boo I see yall boys !!!!!!
jttt commented on April 1, 2011 at 8:40 a.m.: report abuse
congrats dwyer u guys are tougher than a dennys steak. joell james go out for football cause all you do is slam into people. jacoby brissett you are as big time as it gets, what a beast.
player commented on April 1, 2011 at 8:45 a.m.: report abuse
I watch the game also and jacoby was the whole team lets face it and he did score 30 pts but victor adams i watch him throwing up a air ball shot off the glass and his total points came to 3pts.not 12pts, know wonder his pts. average was so high this year.
Riviera Beach commented on April 1, 2011 at 8:56 a.m.: report abuse
Jacoby showed yesterday he is hands down the best player on the team. Heck he was the team. Which gives hope for tonights matchp against Oak Hill. Louis and James barely played the second half. It was the first time I have seen Dwyer play small all year. Vic was not on his game yesterday either. If they return to normal Dwyer will have a great chance. At one point in the second quarter after Montel and Vic hit back to back threes I was like here comes that Dwyer dominance. Montel was big yesterday as well but Jacoby was legendary. I believe that should shut the haters up for good.
PBL Alum commented on April 1, 2011 at 9:07 a.m.: report abuse
Shout out to the Dwyer basketball ball team...i know, i know...I'm from PBL but gots to give Dwyer bball team alot of credit for performing on the big stage last night...congratulations to Coach Ross and rest of the staff and players..big up to Jacoby for representing this county...this is by far Dwyer's biggest win in their basketball program....hopefully young kids can look at this as an outlet to work on their game knowing they have a local school that is gaining national attention in not only football but basketball as well.......I'm rooting for Dwyer and Palm Beach County!!! 561!!!!
Huh? commented on April 1, 2011 at 9:13 a.m.: report abuse
The announcers were not knocking Dwyer for being a neighborhood team. They were actually praising them at that point. They were impressed with Dwyer and even more so because they were not a nationally recruited team.
heat commented on April 1, 2011 at 9:33 a.m.: report abuse
some observations, even when vics shot is not on he is harassing opponets and all over the court, nice coaching job by ross while his bigs where in foul trouble. james and louis, you are allowed to play defense without knocking your opponet into the 2nd row. you two guys need to help your brothers out. do u 2 enjoy sitting on the bench half the game. I dont get it. put your hands straight up PLZZZZZZZ
Fuller Wilson commented on April 1, 2011 at 10:56 a.m.: report abuse
I wonder why Myck Kabongo didn't get much floor time? Would have loved to see him do his thang. Never the less! Dwyer put a 561 style beating on those chicken heads... Coach Ross looked like a long legged pimp daddy... tight!
@fuller commented on April 1, 2011 at 11:46 a.m.: report abuse
Kabongo played couldn't do a thing against T Harris. He may have been tired, But Rivers put up 31 he played the night before!
@ Huh the compliment about neighborhood team was sincere but condescending.
bulldog commented on April 1, 2011 at 11:54 a.m.: report abuse
Excuses for Kabongo and Rivers (Winter Park) from announcers. Those two kids could have skipped the Mcdonald's event - they are both signed to Texas and Duke so the Hamburger All Star game means nothing. to them and their future. It was just an opportunity to get hurt the way those kids played in Chicago. Dwyer definitely earned that win and the coach from Findlay looked liked he was sucker punched - totally in shock. Ross is fortunate to have a kid like Jacoby because their half court offense sucks. Now take down the giant of "high school" (LOL) basketball - Oak Hill.
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