THE FINAL SHOWDOWN
LAKEWOOD VS BEECHFIELD CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
On Monday, I was asked to cover a basketball game, and while I didn’t know much about the teams, I was familiar with a couple of individuals. Although, what I witnessed was beyond anything I expected. Beechfield faced off against Lakewood Middle School in their championship game, and tip-off was at 7pm at THEE Western Senior High School (Baltimore, MD).
The moment I walked through the doors, I could feel the tension in the air. But as a Western Dove, that feeling wasn’t unfamiliar — it’s the kind of intensity that never leaves that gym, a constant reminder to everyone who steps inside: “bring excellence, or don’t come at all.” And excellence was exactly what both teams brought.
The atmosphere was electric. The stands were filled with excitement from families, friends, classmates, and cheerleaders; and the DJ took the crowd to another level!
Both teams warmed up with basic drills, but you could tell they were locked in. Lakewood wore matching facemasks as a mental tactic, while Beechfield stayed focused, quiet, and strategic.
The game began with Lakewood winning the opening tip, but it didn’t take long for Beechfield’s Combo Guard, Bryson Vaughn, to drive to the basket and score their first bucket. For the next hour, both teams played with passion and smarts — blocking shots, firing passes, taking chances, putting pressure on the ball, and recovering quickly. I haven’t seen two middle school teams this locked in mentally, physically, and emotionally in years.
The scene felt like a throwback to my Mt. Royal Rec days, when Melo and the crew dominated against Devin Watson and his guys. It reminded me of why I fell in love with this game: the intensity, diving for loose balls, driving to the basket, and the bond between teammates. Basketball is more than just a game — it’s about picking each other up, pushing through the pain, and working together as a family.
The atmosphere shifted in an instant with every big play. In the fourth quarter, with less than two minutes left, Beechfield’s point guard Ivyon Garrison fouled out. The gym was buzzing with tension. Lakewood then committed a technical foul, sending Vaughn to the line, but he missed both free throws. Lakewood grabbed the rebound and scored, making it 43-41. -- Traveya Brown
FINAL SCORE:
Lakewood: 43
Beechfield: 41
