Marylands Jones Sparkles In Win

Heading into the 2002-2003 season, most basketball fans and coaches knew that Thayer Academy's Mike Jones could score points. What many are finding out is that Jones can also distribute the ball.

Playing alongside talented guard Jamaal Dixon, Jones also led his team in scoring yesterday at the Rim Rocker Classic on Long Island at Longwood High School. Jones dropped in 20 points and had eight assists (our court) to lead Thayer past Bayshore, 66-51, in a first round game.

"Things are going well," Jones said after the game. "I am just trying to get my teammates involved and make myself a better player."

Jones, who signed with Maryland in the Fall, also lifted the crowd out of its seats on several occasions with some electrifying dunks. The one dunk that almost had some fans running on the court to high five with Jones came off an inbounds pass. Jones extended his right hand high above the five defenders in the paint to rattle the rim with the dunk.

But Jones has more than hops to his game. He set up his teammates on several occasions as he drifted along the perimeter and baseline. Jones is rapidly becoming a complete player.

Thayer jumped out to a 14-7 first quarter lead. Thayer led 25-22 after the second and 54-39 after three quarters. They seem to coast through this game. Dixon also scored 15 points for Thayer.

Isaiah Stanton led Bayshore with 14 while Keith Hinnant had 13.