Annapolis boys basketball has become unfortunately used to 18-point deficits like the one they faced against Southern on Friday. The Panthers are a young team, first-year coach Tim Bonnett said, and figured out early on that those kinds of margins were too much pressure.

But, they kept building their confidence and abilities in practice anyway. And on Friday, rather than letting those kinds of scores seep into their self-confidence and become their identity, the young Panthers chose to fight.

Sophomore Darrian Carter embodied that fighting spirit. From just two points scored in the first quarter to 23 by games end, the 6-foot-5 forwards initial fiery comeback lit the torch for the rest of the Panthers en route to a 60-59 finish over the Bulldogs.

I told them, teams are gonna go on runs. We can make runs, too, if we stick with it, Bonnett said. Its all mental for us because were so young and inexperienced. But they fought through it.

The Panthers displayed just how determined it was to right its wrongs in the final moments. Annapolis trailed by one when junior Reggie Dean curved around the court on his teams final possession. This was his chance, and he didnt waste it. The guard slowed his pace before charging into the paint and popping his go-ahead, game-winning layup over a horde of Bulldogs.

And even then, Annapolis didnt rest on small victories. Southern inbounded the ball, dishing to Joell Simmons to move towards his own potential winner. Carter wasnt having it. The skyward sophomore moved to guard Simmons, forcing the senior to misfire as the clock hit zero.

Its our grit and attitude, Carter said. We decided that, even though we had a bad first half to the season, we figured we can come change it in the second half. Thats what we plan on doing.

When Southern surpassed Annapolis to lead 15-12 at first quarters end, it did not look back. The Bulldogs scored 15 straight to start the second while all the heat Annapolis presented in the former frame dissipated like hot air.

Southern guard Brian Griffin popped in two points at the buzzer to toss the Bulldogs to an 18-point advantage, 36-18, at halftime.

But as much as Southern punished their hosts in the second quarter, Annapolis spirit wasnt beat. And the Bulldogs did little to change that.

The Panthers didnt speak of woe at halftime. They spoke of work, Carter said.

First quarter, we played OK. Second quarter was downhill, the sophomore said. Halftime, we came back out, showed up, played our game.

Led by Carter, the Panthers steadily cut chunks from Southerns lead, getting within 51-35 going to the fourth.

Darrians still learning how to score, Bonnett said, and Im working on building confidence with him, too. Hes just learning he can be dominant when he has the ball in his hands,

Carter got to work. When he didnt get baskets, teammates rushed in to back him up. Freshman guard Nysean Harris with a 3-pointer, for instance. Even as its once-healthy lead crumbled away, Southern played erratic, taking inaccurate shots or turn over the ball.

Bonnett and his staff stress being active. His Panthers let their hands go limp in the first half, the coach said, allowing the Bulldogs to collect plenty of skip passes and plenty of 3-pointers. Once Annapolis focused on its hands, it couldnt be stopped.

We [also] figured out how to stop their top guys. They were doing everything credit to them, they played a great game, Carter said. But we decided we wanted to play defense. Close out on shooters and stop them from driving up.

With 2:08 left, Annapolis got within three points. But they werent interesting in tying. Harris shuffled up to the arc and fired. For a split second, the court went quiet as Southern watched their lead die.

Then, the gym split open with sound. And Annapolis led for the first time since the first quarter at 58-57.

It felt great, like the energy the crowd gave us, Carter said, we were just able to get back in the game.

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Annapolis boys basketball shows grit and promise in rally over ... - Capital Gazette