Cardinals Take Down Defending Region 20 Champs

CCBC Catonsville's men's basketball team pulled off a triumphant win on Wednesday night, defeating Chesapeake College 82-75.

Facing the defending Region 20 champions, the Cardinals saw four players score in double-digits as they outlasted the Skipjacks in a shootout.

Wednesday's contest started slowly, as both teams combined for just 28 points in the first ten minutes. Leading 15-13, the Cardinals began to pull away thanks to a flurry of scoring. However, Chesapeake surged back into the contest and trailed by three at the half.

Down 41-38, the Skipjacks took the lead early in the second half. Catonsville responded with another offensive push to retake the lead, but the Skipjacks kept closing in. Sophomore forward Albright Obode (Plainfield) brought the crowd to its feet with a pair of massive dunks, including a Kobe-to-Shaq-styled ally-oop from freshman guard Di'Quan Green (Carver Vo Tech). Sophomore guard Jo-Nathan Kelly (Strawberry Mansion) put the Cardinals ahead for good late in the second when he nailed three consecutive three-pointers. Catonsville would rally from there, holding off the Skipjacks until the final buzzer.

Kelly celebrated his birthday with a game-high 20 points. Sophomore guard Jamal Lee (Cristo Jesuit) added 17 points and six rebounds, while sophomore guard Jason Ogbolu (Calvert Hall) scored a career-high 16 points. Obode tallied another double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Next up, the Cardinals face the Community College of Beaver County on Friday, February 2.