Oakland Mills storm past No. 19 Mount Hebron

For 16 minutes Wednesday evening, Mount Hebron High boys’ basketball team appeared to have Oakland Mills right where it wanted them. The No. 19 Vikings had the tempo in its favor with a 21-16 halftime advantage, and the Scorpions were mired in early foul woes.

Like most of the teams in the Howard County league have found out, it’s only a matter of time before Oakland Mills finds traction and takes command. The No. 10 Scorpions pulled away from Mount Hebron for a 68-49 decision in Ellicott City.

Senior center Greg Whittington had a game-high 22 points for Oakalnd Mills and Marcellus Ajiboye added 15. Deonte Moses tied Whittington for game-high honors with 22 points for Mount Hebron (7-3 overall), and Malik Gilmore finished with 10.

In winning its 12 straight league decision since last season, Oakland Mills (11-0 overall, 8-0 Howard) remained a game clear of Glenelg (7-1) and two ahead of Mount Hebron and River Hill (both 6-2). The Scorpions virtually own a two-game lead over Glenelg based on their head-to-head win last month.

Trailing at halftime, Oakland Mills surged ahead for good within the first couple of minutes of the third and owned a 45-40 advantage entering the fourth. The Scorpions outscored Mount Hebron, 23-9, earning their 10^th double-digit decision.

Kerry Bethea and James Peters contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively for Oakland Mills, which host winless Long Reach Friday evening. Mount Hebron hosts Glenelg Friday.