Glen Burnie Boys Basketball Off to Fast Start

Glen Burnie boys basketball is off to a flying start. The Gophers are 3-0, having beaten Northeast, Chopticon and Bluford Drew Jemison so far this season. Glen Burnie has outscored their opponents 199-147 over those three games.

The team is an experienced bunch, featuring six seniors, seven juniors and just one sophomore. The Gophers are expecting to do better this season than they did last year, when they finished 11-12.

"We lost a ton of close games early, but to the kids credit they hung in there and we steadily improved," head coach Mike Rudd said of last season.

Glen Burnie's successful start is not a shock to Rudd. The Gophers have their top three scorers from last year back in Raquan McCain (#4 pictured above), Dayvon Cuffey (#34) and Markell Watkins (#32). The trio has been terrific thus far, with all three averaging over 10 points per game.

The team's balance and multiple scoring threats has allowed the Gophers to play excellent team basketball. In particular, Rudd has been excited about how his team have passed the ball.

Glen Burnie's early season form is going to get a stern test tomorrow night however, when the Gophers travel to Meade to face the defending MPSSAA 4A state champs.

"Meade blew us out two times last year. Pete (Corriero) does an unbelievable job at Meade with his team," Rudd said. "We'll have our hands full and have to be able to handle their pressure."

Regardless of how the game goes tomorrow though, Rudd will try to keep things in perspective. For him and the Gophers, it's more important to finish a season strong than to start one strong.

"I'm going to learn a lot about my team tomorrow night, but keep in mind it's early," Rudd said. "We want to be playing our best basketball in March when the season ends."