The Playoff Push; #RingSZN

A look at the 30 games involving the 57 area teams remaining in the MPSSAA playoff picture.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

4A North Region I

3 #15 Mervo (14-5) @ 2 #11 Dulaney (16-5) – This matchup between the Lions and Mustangs will be one of three games on Tuesday night that will feature a pair of top 15 teams, and the only one in the 4A classification. The Lions made to their third Final Four appearance in school history last year, its first in 42 years, before falling to eventual 4A state champion Eleanor Roosevelt, 69-61. Mervo is looking for its first trip to College Park in 13 years, after making four trips in a ten year period from ‘98-07. Neither the Lions or Mustangs have ever advanced to a state title game.

The Lions have gone 12-2 since New Years Day, with losses to New Town and Woodlawn. Mervo, like Dulaney, received a pair of their respective five losses to non-MPSSAA members, with the Stangs losing to Wildwood Catholic NJ (19-7) and Boys Latin, and the Lions losing to Monsignor Bonner PA (18-5) and Olympic NC (21-6). The Lions average 79.8 points per game (83.0 since January 1), while the Mustangs have limited all but two opponents to 61 points or less.

The Lions are led by junior Ryan Conway, who leads the Baltimore area in scoring, averaging 27.3 points per game, while adding 4.5 assists and 3.9 steals per game. Cam Byers, the Lions 6’6 senior, averages 19.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, with junior Jaylin Webster averaging 11.8 points and steam leading 4.6 assists per game. The Mustangs are led by 6’5 senior Will Thomas, who is averaging 22.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Thomas, who missed all of last season with a Jones fracture in his foot, surpassed the 1,000 career point mark in the Mustangs regular season finale win over Thomas Johnson, when he scored a season-high 35 points.

4 Perry Hall (10-12) @ 1 #16 Parkville (19-3) – After the Knights of Parkville saw a historical season on the gridiron, their cagers are putting together one of their finest seasons in the program’s history on the hardwoods. With a win over the Gators on Tuesday, the Knights would notch their first 20 win season since 2007, while they look for their first Final Four appearance since 2008, their only state semifinal berth in the last 33 years. The Gators, who won back-to-back 4A state titles in ‘17 and ‘18, are a shell of those editions, but did give the Knights a test in their only meeting of the season, before coming up just short in a 61-56 loss on December 19th.

Knights senior guard John Godinez was named to the Baltimore County All-County 1st Team last week, and averages 18.7 points and 3.7 assists per game. Godinez, who averaged 11.7 points per game as a freshman at Pikesville, and 11.2 as a sophomore, has amassed 1,290 career points, including his two years in Parkville. Jordan Strickland, the Knights 6’4 senior, was named to the All-County 3rd Team, and is just one of four players in the county to average a double-double. The Knights also feature juniors Malk Scipio and Darius Tilghman. The Gators 6’3 senior Tim Adidere was named to the All-County 2nd Team.

4A East Region II

3 #35 Broadneck (15-7) @ 2 #33 Leonardtown – The Bruins are coming off of their first Final Four appearance in 33 years, advancing to their first state final in their program’s history, before falling to Eleanor Roosevelt in the 4A title game. The Raiders are having their best season in their history, and look to their first Final Four. The Raiders went 14-9 in 2018, following a nine year run of going 62-143 (.302). The Bruins, who started 2-5 (lost 4 of those by 5 points or less), have since gone 13-2, which includes a 62-61 overtime loss to regular season league leader Annapolis, 62-61.

The Bruins are led by 6’9 senior Logan Vican, who surpassed the 1,000 career point mark earlier this month. Vican came up big in last year’s post-season, scoring 18 points in the Bruins county title loss, then adding 19 points and 10 rebounds in the state semifinal win over Richard Montgomery. The Raiders are led by seniors Eric Long and Troy Herbert, with Long averaging 14.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, and the 6’3 Herbert averaging 12.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per clip. Defense is a strength for both, as the Raiders allow only 51.2 points per contest, while the Raiders limit opponents to a paltry 52.5 points per game.

5 South River (10-13) @ 1 #25 Annapolis (19-4) – The Panthers prowl on Anne Arundel County came to an abrupt halt in the county title game, when they were drubbed by Northeast, 64-42, ending a 11 game win streak versus county competition. Still, the Panthers, who have earned a state record 28 Final Four berths, are the favorites in the region, with a 18-3 record versus MPSSAA opponents this season, and 16-2 versus county competition.

The Seahawks have gone 4-13 since a 6 game win streak that stretched just past the new year, though one of the victories came against Annapolis in their first meeting (85-77). The Panthers crushed the Seahawks in their second outing together, 92-62, Valentines Day. The Panthers, who average 71.2 points per game, are led by senior Craig Pratt, who will vie for Anne Arundel POY honors. Pratt scores 23 points in the Panthers 30 point win over the Seahawks. Malik Carroll, a 6’4 senior, gives the Panthers an inside presence.

4A East Region I

3 Arundel (13-10) @ 2 Howard (12-10) – Despite their pedestrian record, the Wildcats of Arundel have won 8 of their last 10 games, after starting 5-8, with the losses coming to county champ Northeast, and defending county champion Broadneck. The Lions are having their best season since 2009, following a decade that saw a 71-163 (.303) record. Junior Cooper Haberern leads the Lions, averaging 16.4 points per game.

5 Meade (10-13) @ 1 #39 North County (17-5) – The Knights are are on the verge of recording their best season in the program’s history, this following a forgettable 4-19 season. After starting 5-11, the Mustangs have won 5 of their last 7, including a dominating 82-49 opening round win over Old Mill. O’Meech Wilson leads the Knights, averaging 17 points per game. TJ Speight leads the Mustangs, averaging better than 18 points per game. The Raiders swept the two game regular season series, including the Knights 64-61 close call two weeks ago. In both meetings, the Mustangs trailed by double-digits after one quarter (16-6, 13-2), only to outscore the Knights over the next three quarters and still fall short.

The Big Picture in 4A; The defending 4A state champion Eleanor Roosevelt Raiders are still the favorite to repeat here, despite getting throttled in the PG championship game at the hands of Oxon Hill. Though the Raiders odds may have loosened, the Raiders (20-3) have received a late wake-up call. The winner of 4A North Region I – Dulaney, Mervo, or Parkville, would rank up there with the two MoCo top 25 powers, Springbrook and Richard Montgomery, and Annapolis, as the #1 contender to dethrone the Raiders. The winner of Dulaney/Mervo will likely head to Parkville on Thursday night for the regional final. Broadneck could be a sleeper for a semifinal spot, but first the Bruins have to get past 17 win Leonardtown, then likely have to go on the road to beat Annapolis to advance to the quarterfinals.

3A North Region I

4 #24 Franklin (18-5) @ 1 #1 Poly (21-2) – The Engineers dropped a spot in last week’s Max Preps national rankings, from #18 to #19, despite a convincing 61-44 victory over Lake Clifton in the Baltimore City Championship game. The Engineers, who are riding a 26 game win streak versus MPSSAA competition, are looking to become the second school, and third team, to win four straight state titles, joining the Dunbar Poets teams from ‘03-06 and ‘10-13.

Poly possess three probable All-Met selections, in 6’7 Marquette commit Justin Lewis, 6’4 swingman Brandon Murray, who scored 44 points in the Engineers win over arch rival City College, and three year starting point guard Rahim Ali, who has directed the three-time state champs to 65 wins in the last three years. The Engineers last post-season loss was in a sectional semifinal in 2016, versus Woodlawn, 85-66. Since, the Engineers are 16-0 in the post-season.

Franklin is having its best season since winning it all in 1948. Yes, 1948, when it saw the Indians made their one and only trip to the Final Four. Four of the Indians five losses were one or two possession games in the final two minutes. The Tribe is led by 6’3 senior Ben Murphy, who was named to the Baltimore County All-County 1st Team, and senior guard Chandler Johnson. The Indians average 76.9 points per game, fifth best in the MPSSAA. The Engineers 16 game post-season winning streak began with a 86-43 rout of the Indians in the opening round of the 2017 playoffs.

3 #10 Woodlawn (19-4) @ 2 #6 City College (21-2) – The Black Knights of City College have played second fiddle (or third, to Lake Clifton) to Poly all season, but are likely the biggest threat to the Engineers ‘Connect 4’, as they and IMG are the only teams to come within single-digits in the Engineers 21 wins. Last season, the Knights suffered a heart-wrenching 65-64 loss to the Engineers in the regional quarterfinal, before the Engineers took their final four games by an average of 20.8 points per game. The 2014 Black Knights were the last Maryland public school to crack the national top 25 rankings, before the Engineers entered the list of juggernauts this season.

Woodlawn earned a berth in the Baltimore County title game, before falling to New Town, 69-52.  The Warriors faced the Black Knights over the holidays, losing 57-48, after staking a 28-20 halftime edge, and before surrendering both 25 points and the lead in the third quarter. The Warriors are led by senior guards Tyray Cooper, who was named to the Baltimore County All-County 1st Team, and Kameron Downey, who was named to the 3rd Team. The Knights are led by senior Nic Carrington and 6’1 junior Ahmed Harrison, who will both vie for individual post-season honors. The Black Knights have limited opponents to 47.8 points per game this season, third best in the MPSSAA.

3A North Region II

3 Edgewood (12-11) @ 2 #63 Bel Air (16-5) – The Bobcats closed the regular season having won 10 of 11 games, with its only loss coming to #46 CM Wright. The Rams are going in a different direction, going 6-9 in their last 15 games, after starting 6-2. The two met in mid-December, with the Rams pulling out a 56-53 win over the UCBAC Susquehana division winners. The Bobcats are led by post Cam Miller, while the Rams are led by Travis Dean, who averages 12.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

4 Kenwood (10-13) @ 1 #46 CM Wright (17-6) – The Mustangs, who have won three regional titles in the last five years, including winning the 3A state title in 2016, are riding an 8 game win streak, with wins over #30 Havre de Grace, Joppatowne, Bel Air, and Elkton, who have a combined 65-24 record. The Mustangs are led by 6’2 sophomore Jordan Stiemke, who averages 17.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, including three games with 25 points or more. The Bluebirds, who began their season at 0-6, have steadied the ship a bit, posting a 9-7 record since New Year’s Day.

3A East Region I

3 #36 Centennial (18-5) @ 2 #34 Marriotts Ridge (16-6) – This matchup is just one of the four of 56 games outside the ‘Groups of Death’ – the 3A North Section I and 3A South Section I, that feature a pair of teams with at least 16 wins. Both the Mustangs and Eagles finished a game back of Howard County champion Reservoir in the regular season standings. The Eagles have advanced to three Final Four’s over the last decade, including winning the 3A title in 2015. The Stangs, meanwhile, are looking for their first trip to College Park, and are two wins away from matching the program’s most wins in a season.

The two met in the season opener, with the Mustangs holding off the Eagles, 60-55. Junior John Miller leads the Mustangs, averaging 16.1 points per game. Miller was instrumental in the Mustangs win over Reservoir two weeks ago, limiting the Gators POY candidate Bobby Hill to 2 points. Senior Joey Sedlacko, the Eagles only returning starter, paces their balanced attack, averaging 15.4 points per game, with junior combo guards Bryson Baker and Shane Taylor adding 10.7 and 10.6 points per game, respectively. The Eagles have the three best quality wins in the county, with victories over Reservoir, Annapolis, and Oakland Mills, but also have a pair of losses to River Hill, and a 1 point loss to Laurel.

4 #58 Wilde Lake (15-8) @ 1 #59 Westminster (16-6) – The Owls finished second in Carroll County, handing county champion Century their only league loss. The Owls went 1-2 versus Howard County competition this season, with an overtime win over Mt Hebron, and losses to both Howard and Glenelg. The Wildcats plastered Carroll’s Manchester Valley, 79-22, in the opening round, with Marcus Mitchell scoring 23 points. Brince Shelton leads the ‘Cats in scoring, at 14.5 points per clip, with Mitchell adding 12.6 points per game. The Owls are led by Chandler Gentzel and Denio Blakey. The Wildcats allow just 49.6 points per game.

3A East Region II

3 #44 Atholton (16-7) @ 2 #22 Oakland Mills (17-5) – This Howard County matchup is another that features a pair of teams with 16 wins or more, and two Top 50 teams. The Scorpions, who won the 2A title in 2015, have advanced to 7 regional finals in the last 10 years, while the Raiders haven’t advanced to a regional final since 2009, when they earned the first Final Four berth in 27 years. The Scorpions took the only meeting between the two, in mid-December, 73-64. The Scorpions have won the last 10 games of the series, dating back to January of 2013.

With a win, Scorpions Head Coach John Browne, will notch his 250th career win on Kilimanjaro. The Scorpions are led by their ‘Big 3’ – senior Truth Norton, 6’6 junior Barry Evans, and senior DJ Hopkins. Norton averages 16.6 points per contest, while Evans and Hopkins add 15.6 and 13.3 points per game, respectively. The Scorpions average 71.9 points per game. The Raiders are led by 6’4 senior Jordan Oates, who averages 17.7 points and a league-leading 13.7 rebounds per game. Senior Raymond Brown adds 13 points per contest for the Raiders.

4 River Hill (12-11) @ 1 #20 Reservoir (18-4) – The Gators won their first county title in its program’s history last week, while recording its second-best league record in its 18th year of existence. However, the pre-season county favorites look to fulfill another expectation, another Final Four berth, following their first state final berth in the 3A title game last season. The Gators returned four key players from the state finalist team, and added 6’4 junior transfer Bobby Hill, who came in from DeMatha, and has established himself as the county’s leading POY candidate.

River Hill has had an up-and-down year, but the Hawks have gone 10-5, since starting 2-6. The Hawks have lost 8 games by 8 points or loss, including a 37-29 defeat at the hands of the Gators in their only meeting this season. The Hawks are led by junior Nick Marshall, who is averaging a league-leading 17.8 points per game. Hill leads the Gators, averaging 16.7 points and 9 rebounds per game, while fellow junior Kaleb Glasper averages 11.7 points per game, and senior Jaylen Manning adds 11 points per contest.

3A South Region II

4 Easton (10-13) @ 1 #23 Northeast (19-4) – A year after advancing to a 3A regional final at Reservoir, following a 10-12 regular season, the Eagles won their first county championship game in its program’s history, routing regular season champion Annapolis, 64-42. Northeast, which was built in 1962, beat the Panthers for the first time in the 58 years of its existence. The Eagles are led by junior Jaylin Albury, who averages 16 points per game, while 6’4 junior Darryl Sheppard adds better than 12 points per contest. After starting 6-6, the Warriors have since gone 4-7.

The Big Picture in 3A; Odds are that 3A state champion will come out of one of the ‘Groups of Death’, or ‘Regions of Death’, if you will, the 3A North Section I or 3A South Section I, with a combined 8 top 25 teams – #2 St Charles, #3 Oxon Hill, #7 Potomac, and #18 Great Mills in the South, and #1 Poly, #6 City College, #10 Woodlawn, and #24 Franklin, in the North, no matter how the quarterfinals shake out. Reservoir, Oakland Mills, Linganore, Marriotts Ridge, and Centennial, would be in the next group of contenders. A Poly-City regional final matchup could surface Thursday in the North, which would be epic. As will a St Charles-Oxon Hill winner versus Potomac-Great Mills winner will be in the South.

2A North Region I

4 #43 Pikesville (15-8) @ 1 #4 New Town (22-1) – The Titans are coming off of their 69-52 county title game victory over #10 Woodlawn, their second county title in as many years. The Titans, who advanced to the Final Four in four of five years from ‘12 through ‘16, including winning their second and third state titles in ‘15 and ‘16, have won 32 straight games versus county competition. The Titans average 74.5 points per game, with a +24.6 point differential. That told, the Titans had to pull out a hard fought 77-71 victory over the Panthers when the two met in their only meeting this season in early January.

The Titans are led by senior Martaz Robinson, who was selected as Baltimore County’s 2020 Player of the Year last week, and 6’4 senior Andrew Mills, who was selected to the All-Met 1st Team a year ago. Titans Coach Derek Wise was selected as the county’s Coach of the Year, as well. The Panthers are led by junior guard Evan Flaks, who averages 16.1 points per game, hitting 42 of 102 (41%) shots behind the arc. The Panthers themselves average 71.5 points per game.

3 #54 Milford Mill (14-9) @ 2 #30 Randallstown (17-5) – The Rams are on a roll, having won 12 of their last 13 games, which followed a 66-63 loss to #10 Woodlawn. The Rams are led by junior guard Quentin Wells, who was selected to the Baltimore County All-County 1st Team, and 6’4 senior Chase McWhite, who was selected to the All-County 3rd Team. After starting 5-7, the Millers have won 9 of their last 11 games. Senior Jermaine Goodwyn leads the Millers.

2A North Region II

4 Dunbar (9-12) @ 1 Sparrows Point (12-9) – The Pointers have changed direction, following a three year period that saw the program go 5-60. Peyton Conn leads the Pointers, averaging 16.8 points per game. The Poets have had a chaotic year, letting go of first year coach and former Poets great, Keith Booth, midway through a tumultuous season. The Poets, 9-12, are two years removed from a 1A state title.

2A South Region I

3 #42 Westlake (13-9) @ 2 #40 Southern AA (16-6) – This matchup, between two top 50 teams, should be one of the more competitive games Tuesday night. The Bulldogs finished fifth in Anne Arundel league play, but did hand Anne Arundel County champion Northeast one of its four losses. The Bulldogs rely on their defense, limiting opponents to 51.8 points per game. The Wolverines took on a tough slate this season, posting wins over Great Mills and MIAA quarterfinalist Pallotti. Cameron Tweedy, a 6’6 senior, leads the Wolverines, averaging 19.4 points and 13.3 rebounds per game.

2A West Region I

3 Glenelg (10-13) @ 2 Liberty (13-10) – After starting 6-8, the Lions have won 7 of their last 9 games. The Lions, who finished third in Carroll County, have gone 0-2 versus Howard County competition, losing to Marriotts Ridge and River Hill. The Lions are led by 6’3 senior Peyton Scheufele, who averages 13.8 points per game. The Gladiators went 5-11 in Howard County league play, but 5-2 in out-of-league play, including two wins over Carroll County teams, with victories over second place Westminster, and Winters Mill.

4 Francis Scott Key (8-15) @ 1 #37 Century (19-3) – The Knights closed out the regular season winning 12 of their last 13 games, including a 27 point win over the Eagles. The Carroll County champions also beat the Eagles in December, 62-51. Junior Noah Riley paces the Knights, averaging 17.3 points per game, while senior Justin Wunder adds 14.7 points per contest.

2A East Region I

3 Fallston (9-13) @ 2 Harford Tech (11-11) – The Cobras head into the playoffs with a five game win streak, including wins at Joppatowne (16-7) and at Elkton (13-8) The Cobras are led by 6’2 senior Bradley Hall, who averages 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

4 North Harford (8-13) @ 1 Elkton (13-8) – The Golden Elks have played the UCBAC’s top 2 tough, but have failed to register a true quality win. The Elks lost to UCBAC champ Havre de Grace, 69-66, in their first meeting, then held a 4 point halftime lead in their second meeting. The Elks held a 10 point lead heading into the fourth quarter in their first meeting with second place CM Wright, then tugged with the Mustangs to a tie game after three quarters in their second clash.

The Big Picture in 2A; New Town is the favorite in 2A, making WiHi 1A in 2A, if you will. New Town could receive a test from Randallstown or Milford Mill on Thursday, but should have an easier task on Saturday in the quarterfinals, based on the re-seeding, which likely would pit them versus a 7 seed. Douglass and Thomas Stone would be the third and fourth favorites, though Stone will have to get past the Southern-Westlake winner to advance to the quarterfinals. Oakdale, Middletown, and Century are the best of the 2A West.

1A North Region II

5 Douglass B (8-13) @ 1 #5 Lake Clifton (18-5) – The Lakers look to defend their 2019 1A state title, and win their third straight state championship, winning the 2A state title in 2018. With a new playoff format, re-seeding prior to the quarterfinals, there is a chance the Lakers will face league rival Edmondson in College Park. [Let us pray] Too bad the same can’t be said for Poly-City, but I digress. The Lakers should make easy work of the Ducks, after trouncing them, 77-41, two weeks ago. The Lakers allow a paltry 46.8 points per game, second to only Poly in the MPSSAA.

3 #64 Ben Franklin (14-8) @ 2 #47 New Era (15-7) – Once City League afterthoughts, both New Era and Ben Franklin have catapulted both Patterson and Dunbar in the league standings this season, with the former pair going a combined 3-0 versus the latter pair. New Era topped the Bayhawks, 63-48, in their only meeting in mid-January, with 6’7 senior Rico Lang scoring 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. The Jaguars limit opponents to 49.9 points per game this season.

2A North Region I

4 Western Tech (9-14) @ 1 #9 Edmondson (18-4) – The Red Storm are looking to punch a ticket to College Park, after a two year hiatus from Route 1. Coach Darnell Dantzler’s Red Storm won the 2A state title in 2013, then took the 1A title a year later. The Red Storm lost to eventual state champion Patterson in the regional final last year. As mentioned, the Red Storm could face league rival Lake Clifton in College Park, after the two battled through a mid-January 45-41 slugfest, won by the Lakers, after they overcame a 10 point deficit in the third quarter.

3 Loch Raven (14-8) @ 2 Coppin Academy (14-8) – The Golden Eagles and Raiders faced one another in a holiday tournament, with the Raiders pulling out a 59-56 win. The Golden Eagles fell to Joppatowne in overtime in the sectional semifinals last season, while the Raiders lost to Western Tech by 2 in the opening round. The Raiders started 9-0 this season, but have gone 5-8 over their last 13 games.

1A East Region I

5 Perryville (11-10) @ 1 #29 Havre de Grace (19-3) – The Warriors have dominated UCBAC competition over the last two years, winning 38 of 39 games versus conference foes, and 42-4 overall. The Warriors went 23-0 last season before losing in the regional final to Crisfield, 72-66. This year, the Warriors should advance to the quarterfinals, considering the Warriors slammed the Panthers in their only meeting this season, 84-55, scoring 51 first half points. The Warriors are led by senior Gary Gibson, and their two ‘bigs’, 6’4 senior Quentin Ware and 6’4 junior Marlon Lewis.

3 Colonel Richardson (13-9) @ 2 #52 Joppatowne (16-7) – The Mariners have won 7 of their last 9 games, after already registering a win over #22 Oakland Mills in the season opener, and pulling a hard fought win at CM Wright. The Mariners are led by 6’5 senior Kyree Ellis. The Colonels come in with a three game win streak, including a 54-49 victory over second place North Caroline.

The Big Picture in 1A; The defending 1A state champion Lake Clifton Lakers are the favorite in 1A, but just slightly ahead of Edmondson, who would be slightly ahead of both Havre de Grace and Fairmont Heights. I don’t see anyone outside of these four teams winning 1A this season. The next group would consist of Southern of Garrett, Surrattsville, Joppatowne, and the Crisfield-Pocomoke winner.