Waldorf, MD – The Huntingtown High School’s Boys basketball team traveled to North Point High School to face the Parkdale Panthers from Prince George’s County as a part of the James Chapman Holiday tournament.

The Hurricanes came into Thursday’s contest 5-1, winning five straight since dropping the season opener to St. Charles. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, that run came to an end and Huntingtown lost to Parkdale 57-54. “No excuses, you lose a game like that you know that you should come in and, as long as you do what you practice, you should come out of here with a win. But we didn’t today,” said Huntingtown Head Coach Tobias Jenifer after the game.

The Hurricanes started slowly, going into the half down 14-points 29-15. “At times like that there’s not much you really can say,” said Jenifer, I knew for a fact we weren’t playing like ourselves, we weren’t playing Hurricane basketball. We weren’t pressuring the ball, we weren’t finishing layups. The little things that we’re used to doing and that we’ve done all season, we got away from. I pretty much told them to go back to playing our game in the second half.”

The Hurricanes listened to their coach and battled back, bringing the game to within five at the end of the third period, down 39-34. Huntingtown then took the lead with five minutes left but lost it with time running out. The Hurricanes had multiple opportunities to regain their lead but were unable to finish up to the last shot when they missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have tied the game.

Coach Jenifer stated after the game that they were missing several players, only dressing eight for the contest. “We’re used to getting up and forcing the tempo a little bit, but we couldn’t today because we had such low numbers. You win some you lose some, it’s a tough one to lose, but the thing I keep telling my guys is these games at Christmas don’t dictate playoff seeding. So, at the end of the day, I think we’ll be alright. We can definitely learn from this.”

Charles Contee led the ‘Canes, scoring 13 points all in the second half. Close behind him were teammates Kedrick Frink and Ralph Proctor, scoring 12 each.

Coach Jenifer ended our conversation by stating, “If we could have put together at least half of something like that [second half performance] in the first half, I think that we run away with the win. But, credit to Parkdale, they were searching for their first win of the season and, I hate that it had to be us, but credit to them. They came prepared, they were ready, they were hungry, and it showed.”

Parkdale improved to 1-3 on the year and the Hurricanes fall to 5-2, though they’re still 2-0 in the region. Huntingtown’s next game after the tournament is Jan. 4 at Leonardtown.

Contact Jerold at staffwriter@thebaynet.com.