Boys Basketball: Huskies Hold off Behnke, Indians in Matinée

After doubling up visiting North East in the first half Monday afternoon, Patterson Mill fought off 18 fourth quarter points by Indians senior Alex Behnke to close out a 64–55 victory.

Reggie Daniels and Garett Burkhead led the Huskies with 15 points while J.J. Butler scored 12. Patterson Mill (11–5, 8–1 UCBAC) head coach Jeroud Clark said it was all of his players, though, who contributed to the win.

"No matter who I put on the floor [they] knew where the ball was supposed to go on offense and [where to be on defense]," he said.

The home team jumped out to leads of 17–6 after the first quarter and 32–16 at the half. Indians (5–9, 3–6) head coach David Huff said he was proud of the comeback, but a slow start plagued his team.

"They came out real flat," he said. "For a second I thought we were going to get beat by 40."

Clark said Behnke caught his attention, even before his fourth quarter explosion, which featured three of his four 3-pointers.

"He stepped up his energy level [in the second half]," Clark said. "Once he starts making them, he tends to not start missing."

Despite a 3:30 p.m. tipoff after the weekend away from school, Clark said his team reached a new level of play.

"The first half was some of the best basketball we played all year," he said.

Butler's fourth quarter performance was overshadowed by Behnke's display. The Huskies junior point guard scored eight points, including a traditional three-point play, to hold off North East.

The Huskies remained within a game of first place North Harford, which is 9–0 in conference play and travels to Harford Tech on Monday night.

Clark added he was thankful for more than the victory: "I'm just glad that Alex Behnke's a senior."

Patterson Mill hosts Bel Air at 7 p.m. Wednesday.