Watkins Mill girls lose season opener to Paint Branch

Watkins Mill Wolverines girls basketball season opener against a tough opponent Paint Branch Panthers. The Wolverines has 2 returning varsity starters #24 Josepha Mbouma, and #22 Jewell Johnson, this is their rebuilding year, as they lost two of their high scoring players and this is the 1st year they are with out 3 four-year varsity players.

After the first quarter of the game the score is 10-17 Panthers. Guard #15 Bridgette Ocran comes into the game with her mind on winning, she took control of the game in the beginning with 12 points and 2 assists for Paint Branch in the 1st half.  Watkins Mill had a rough start with 6 turnovers in the first half. At the end of the 1st half the score is 29-14 Panthers.

The Wolverines are starting to click, shortening Paint Branch’s lead by 8 points before the 3rd quarter ends. #24 Josepha Mbouma and her team is starts to work together and play defense. Score of the 3rd 32-40 Panthers. The Panthers pulls away with the win 53-42.

Wolverines coach Ivan Hicks prediction about how the rest of the season ” I think that we will have a successful season with improvement along the way”. Our team played against a tough team that took advantage of the game and we could have played better. We are rebuilding since we are in the 1st season without three of our prior four-year players.

Panthers coach Rochelle Coleman stated the difference was their team settled down and played defense. They came out nervous but came together when it was needed.

Top stats for each team

Watkins Mill  #24 Josepha Mbouma with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals. #2 Danielle Durjan 9 points, 1 steal, #3 Dominique Walker 3 points, 5 rebounds

Paint Branch  #15 Bridgette Ocran with 17 points, 7  rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, #44 Amaka Ezeani 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, #24 Kiara Colston 10 points, 1 assist, 3 steals, #12 Jasmine White 7 points, 3 rebounds

Story and Stats by Kyle Hall

Photos taken by Jeffrey Vogt of the event can be viewed and purchased at