Beyond Banners

ABOUT THE FILM

Beyond Banners is a story about what people celebrate, and what gets left behind. People talk about making it out of where they’re from. But in Brandywine, Maryland, people stayed. They invested in the next generation and built a public school basketball dynasty in the process.

Most dynasties get publicized. This one hid in plain sight.

Today, that legacy is being tested. The community has changed. The support systems that once held everything together are thinning. The film moves past trophies and headlines to ask a deeper question. When the weight of a legacy is this heavy, who steps up to keep it alive?

CREATIVE TEAM

The Beyond Banners™ team brings experience from Amazon and Netflix.

Andre Jackson – Brings creative storytelling experience from industry.

Sue O’Hora – Credits include When Wire Was King.

Everett Ray – Known for bold, emotional visual cinematography.

Henry Gretzinger — Animator with credits on The Last Dance, bringing dynamic motion design and visual storytelling.

Daniel Bowie — Editor with credits on Basketball County: In The Water, specializing in narrative pacing and documentary storytelling.

Jeremy Zunk – Sound Mixer with work featured on HBO and PBS.

Barrinton Baynes – Digital Curator specializing in archival preservation.

Championship Coaches

Tim Carney (1968)
Larry Gandee (1969, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1980)
Owen Johnson Sr. (1983)
George Leftwich (1987, 1988)

Howard Matthews

For more than three decades, Howard Matthews shaped generations of young athletes and built the feeder system that fueled Gwynn Park’s rise.

Steve Matthews

Howard Matthews’ youngest son, Steve took up his father’s mission and led Gwynn Park to unprecedented heights, keeping a fading dynasty alive for the generation that followed.

Larry Gandee

Steve Matthews

Coached Gwynn Park for 12 years, reaching eight state title games and winning six. His leadership and success laid the foundation for Gwynn Park.

FEATURED VOICES

Tubby Smith

Randolph Childress

Dr. Ida E. Jones

Hall of Fame coach reflects on how basketball helped a rural Black community navigate integration and find its voice.

Dr. Ida E. Jones

Randolph Childress

Dr. Ida E. Jones

Provides historical grounding that frames this story through race, equity, and grassroots leadership.

Randolph Childress

College basketball legend shares how one coach’s belief helped guide his path to the NBA.

Neil Greenberger

Randolph Childress

Washington Post Sports Editor connects the unexpected rise of Gwynn Park after it had long been ignored.

Lou Wilson

Neil Greenberger

Lou Wilson

Legendary rival coach recalls the clashes that carved out pride, grit, and lasting respect.

I LIVED THIS STORY…

I was coached by Steve Matthews. I saw the wins and the quiet pride that came with being a Yellow Jacket. I watched teammates earn scholarships and make deep tournament runs, but few outside our community noticed.

I graduated from Gwynn Park in 1998. Years later, I realized our basketball legacy had been overlooked. No one else was going to tell the story, so I had to.

This is more than a film. I’m walking in my life purpose.

It’s my way of honoring history and leaving something to inspire future generations.

SYNOPSIS