Local Athletes Aid Howard University

The Howard University men's basketball team has high hopes for this season. That may be surprising after last year's 6-24 record. But a talented group of freshmen have the Bison aiming for a hoop revival.

Among the true freshman is guard Brandon Bailey, a 2011 graduate of Largo High School.

"We [freshmen] are around each other all the time," Bailey said after a win at home earlier this season against Washington Adventist. "We go out and have fun. We are like brothers. It is good to see brothers come together."

Bailey made all three of his shots from the field and had six points as Howard lost, 77-66, on Tuesday at American University.

Another newcomer is Glenarden resident Prince Okoroh, a freshman who played last season at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt. He had five points in the game against American.

Another freshman is Brandon Ford, a product of Gwynn Park High School. "The game is way faster. That is the biggest difference," Ford said of the college level.

Ford had four points against American, which improved to 5-2 with the win.

The Howard coaching staff also has deep ties to Prince George's County. Associate head coach Keith Coutreyer is the former head coach at Laurel High. One of the Howard assistant coaches is Antoine Gaither, who played at Laurel under Coutreyer and then took his place as the head coach.

"Our freshman class is all basically local talent," Gaither said of the young Bison. "We made a strategic plan to recruit the local area hard."

"Bailey is an energetic guy," Gaither continued. "He always comes in looking to make a play. Ford is just a solid player. He is a great defensive player. As they progress their minutes will progress."

Howard was 2-4 after the loss at American.

Gaither joined the Howard coaching staff prior to the 2010-11 season after being the head coach at Laurel High. He was a guard who played at Division III Gettysburg (PA) College.

"Coach Coutreyer has always had me under his wings," Gaither said. "I am trying to progress with those guys. We are trying to put substance on the court. We are one of the flagship programs here. It is an exciting time to get on the ground level and try to build something up."

When Kevin Nickelberry got the head job at Howard before the 2010-11 season, Coutreyer came to D.C. from Hampton, where he had been an assistant. Coutreyer played at Columbia Union when Nickelberry was a coach there and graduated from the school in 1992. Coutreyer led Laurel High to the Class 4A state semifinals before heading to the college level.

Howard plays its home games in Burr Gymnasium, which underwent renovations prior to this season.

"We are a work in progress, both in the building and with the team," Coutreyer said.

Another assistant coach for Howard is Travis Lyons, who played at DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville.

Minor plays in game at GW

ODU freshman Tiffany Minor (The Maret School) of Upper Marlboro had seven points off the bench in a 58-52 overtime loss on Wednesday at George Washington in women's basketball.

Minor made two of six shots from the field and added five rebounds, three steals and three turnovers. Former Eleanor Roosevelt standout Brooke Wilson had two points, four rebounds and two assists as a starter for GW, which improved to 3-3. ODU is 1-7.

Saunders aids Mason basketball

Rahneeka Saunders of Upper Marlboro had a career-high 11 rebounds for George Mason in an 88-59 win at home over UNC Asheville. The junior guard also added seven points and nine assists in the Nov. 27 game.

Upper Marlboro products meet

A pair of Upper Marlboro residents will meet Saturday, Dec. 3 when George Mason plays at Towson in men's basketball.

Robert Nwankwo is a senior center for Towson and went to Parkdale High in Riverdale.

Bryon Allen is a sophomore guard for Mason who played at St. Thomas More in Connecticut at the high school level.

Allen has split time at point guard this season with Corey Edwards, a Mason freshman. Edwards got his first start of the season in a win at home Nov. 21 against Brown.

"He does a good job of pressing the basketball," Mason head coach Paul Hewitt said of Edwards. "That does not mean we have given up on Bryon. I thought he played better tonight."

Allen came off the bench to score six points with four rebounds, three assists and one turnover in 22 minutes against Brown.

Then on Wednesday, Allen had 12 points and five assists as Mason won at home over Bucknell, 61-57. Edwards missed the game with a concussion.