PHOTO GALLERY: Perryville boys basketball eliminates Bo Manor

    The most important strategic maneuver in the Perryville boys basketball team's playoff win over visiting Bohemia Manor wasn't made by Panthers coach Charles Givens Sr.

Perryville boys basketball coach Charles Givens Sr. makes a point during his team's victory over Bohemia Manor Friday night.

    After the Eagles charged to a double-digit second quarter lead with some torrid outside shooting, Perryville's players elected to go to a man-to-man defense.
    The change enabled the Panthers to claim a 74-68 opening round triumph Friday night.
    "And do you know the greatest thing about switching to the man-to-man?," Givens asked. "(The players) did it. Not me. My thing is basically they have the right to make some changes on the floor. And that's what they did."
    Trailing 24-19 at the end of the first quarter, Bohemia Manor scored 18 unanswered points in a span of 4 minutes, 13 seconds to take a 37-24 lead. The Eagles' Brandon Sherman hit three three-pointers in that stretch and had 11 straight Bo Manor points.
    After Perryville's Tyrell Hollingsworth scored his team's first two points of the quarter, the Eagles' Corey Alexander banked in a three-pointer to put the visitors ahead 40-26 with 3:19 left before the break.
    "They took advantage of our zone," Hollingsworth said. "They were making a lot of outside shots so we had to change it and go to man-to-man. And it worked."
    Thanks to a shift in strategy, Perryville scored the final 10 points of the half to trim the deficit down to 40-36 at intermission.
    "I'm a zone man," said Givens. "My former assistant Mr. (Bob) Davis was here. He likes man-to-man so he liked that. He was probably sitting back wondering what Charlie was waiting on. The kids did that."
    Bohemia Manor managed to maintain a lead throughout the third quarter and was ahead 55-42 entering the final eight minutes,
    Consecutive dunks by Hollingsworth gave Perryville a 60-57 lead with 5:26 left.
    "As soon as I know my team is getting the rebound I try to take off real quick and yell for the outlet," said Hollingsworth.
    The Eagles tallied five straight points to reclaim the lead. Hollingsworth tied it with another dunk before Bo's Jamier Graham hit a runner. The Panthers took command with six straight points. Jack Wennersten buried a jumper, Elijah Johnson had a steal and layup, and Hollingsworth added a bucket to give Perryville a 68-64 lead with 2:36 left.
    Sherman made a pair of free throws but Hollingsworth responded two more layups, the second of which extended Perryville's lead to 72-66 with 34 seconds left.
    Hollingsworth finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals, and seven assists. Elijah Johnson scored 15 points. Tony Smith collected 15 points, six steals, and four assists. Wennersten added 13.
    "Jack came up big tonight and the Three Amigos did what they had to do as always," Givens said.
    Alexander led the Eagles with 19 and Jeff Hill had 17. Sherman recorded 16 points and Graham chipped in 11.
    Perryville is slated to host Joppatowne Monday night at 6, weather permitting. If postponed, the game would be rescheduled for Tuesday night at 6.