New Town Moving Past Playoff Loss to Owings Mills

New Town players and coaches may say that they’re not out for retribution when the Titans tonight at 7 p.m., but at the very least, the manner in which fell to the Eagles in last year’s Class 1A North Championship ought to provide some extra motivation.

The Titans were from overtime and a possible a trip to College Park for the state semifinals when Owings Mills guard Ahmaad Wilson drew questionable contact in the paint and sank two free throws to ice the game and oust New Town from the post season in gut wrenching fashion.

“It was very frustrating, very frustrating. [The officials] should’ve let the game be in [the players’] hands instead of them deciding the game,” said Titans guard Jalen Clarke, a senior on this year’s squad, after the game last March.

However, New Town head coach Mike Salapata said Thursday that he didn’t really want to get into what transpired last year, and added that a raucous home crowd and the desire to beat a cross-town rival should provide all the incentive his Titans (7-3) need.

“We’re just using the fact that we want to start getting some wins against some quality teams,” Salapata said. “We lost to Milford Mill, and two other games we should have won. Not to disrespect anybody else, but we gave Woodlawn and Western Tech away. We just want to beat somebody that’s on an equal playing field with us.”  

It may be smart that the Titans have put last year behind them, considering they’ll be squaring off against a markedly different squad than the one they faced around 10 months ago. Key Eagles’ contributors Kyle Thomas and Tyson Smith transferred to Milford Mill and sixth man Isaac Brown graduated.

Still, New Town will have to account for top Owings Mills scorers Wilson and shooting guard Carjahn Jenkins, both of whom possess proficient range from the outside.

The Titans, who have had their share of struggles pulling in rebounds this year, will be challenged under the glass by tall centers Austin Eber and Kevin Yrizzary and powerful forward Deshawnte Lloyd.

Owings Mills (7-3) is looking to capture a fourth win in its last five games. Like New Town, the Eagles have fallen to both Milford Mill and Woodlawn.

The Titans, who will likely see a variety of zones from Owings Mills defensively, will counter with leading scorer Josh Gerard at guard, while Devron Goodwyn and Devan Jones will look to make an impact in the paint.

As opposed to the post season last year, the Titans will have the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd -- but expect a packed house with fans from both teams.

Bottom line: you may want to grab your seat early.

Editor's Note: The Owings Mills High School basketball team's record has been updated.