By Grant Miller

Maury’s boys basketball team defeated I.C. Norcom High School Friday night, but it was an ugly affair. Pushing, grabbing, trash talk (especially from Norcom’s front court) and questionable officiating filled the entire game. A Norcom player even grabbed Maury senior Adrean Newton literally at the buzzer, provoking him to throw the ball away in disgust.

But amidst the extracurricular play, the Maury Commodores did not lose their identity. They played tough defense. They ran the floor. They penetrated. They shot the three. And whenever things got even slightly out of hand, Head Coach Darren Sanderlin would let out a piercing whistle to steady the ship.

This game was a microcosm of the season for Maury’s boys basketball team.

Despite undergoing changes to their coaching staff and roster, the Commodores never lost their identity all season, sticking to their stingy defense while improving their offense.

During the 2023-2024 season, Coach Brandon Plummer was the head coach and 6-foot-8 Tyler Bell was their starting center. By August of 2024, Bell had long graduated and Coach Plummer left for Elizabeth City State University. There was a gap in the paint and at the head coaching position.

However, Maury soon filled those gaps. Coach Sanderlin got the head coach job in September and Plummer’s son, senior Jayvion Green, became the new starting center at 6-foot-5 (though his reach looks more like 6-foot-7).

By the way, Sanderlin didn’t just come to Maury as a stand-in. He has a strong basketball pedigree as a championship player who made the game-winning shot for Booker T. Washington High School in 1985. He then coached Booker T. Washington to another state title in 2006 with a powerhouse squad including Plummer and current Maury assistant coach VA Hoop League champion Desmond Lee. Before Maury’s second game of this season, the Booker T. Washington crowd gave Sanderlin a standing ovation.

After Maury defeated Booker T. Washington in December, Sanderlin said, “I only look at one stat, and that’s the W.” Well, this season he looked at 18 Ws and only four losses, resulting in a second ranking in the Eastern Region.

When you look at the numbers, the reason for the Commodores’ strong season is their improved scoring and steady defense, the latter of which was already a Maury staple. Last season Plummer preached defense like a religion, and his players were consistent disciples, but they lacked scoring. As a result, they averaged 53.5 points per game and opposing teams averaged 38.7 points.

This season, the Commodores averaged 67.7 points per game(a 26 percent increase) in large part because of their perimeter players. Senior Adrean “Baby A” Newton and sophomores Taberon Hawkins and Kemani Johnson all returned with better shooting. Senior Kamryn Harrell brought slashing and finishing. Every guard played strong defense.

There are still moments when the Commodores miss Bell’s height, and that may be why opponents have averaged 50.7 points per game, a 31 percent increase. But don’t get it twisted. Maury’s frontcourt still came to play. Green not only found his way in the post on defense, but he also punished other bigs with his shooting. Against Manor on Senior Night, he dropped 25 points, including seven 3-pointers.

Junior Jake Guinn’s impact didn’t often make the stat sheet, but he was the kind of high-energy, chippy big man you love if he’s on your team and hate as an opponent. He was also one of the best passers on the team all season.

Junior Kyree Demiel showed that he can run and finish with anyone in the region, and he snatched passes from opposing teams like they were his last meal.

Maury’s frontcourt was smaller this season, but they weren’t weaker. To make an NBA comparison, the Commodores transformed from the 2004 championship Detroit Pistons to the 2006 “small ball” Miami Heat in terms of playing style.

Unfortunately, change isn’t always good. The team lost a strong three-level scorer in Zachari Owens, and at home against Manor, Hawkins sat on the bench with a boot on his foot.

But if this season has been any indication, the Commodores know how to bounce back from losing a player or two. Even if it takes a few more whistles from Coach Sanderlin, the Commodores will steady the ship again and keep moving forward.