Disclaimer: This will be my second year covering high school girls’ basketball. I am not affiliated with an organization, and I am not paid to do this, I just want to give a platform for our student athletes here in the state of MD. I do partner with 695 Hoops and the Central Maryland Basketball Coaches Association on certain events and publications. As an educator in this state, I have always valued Girls’ basketball, as the girls game embodies the overall team concept more. In the age of positionless basketball, AAU, amateur summer free agency, the one constant that remains is that defense wins championships and good coaches always find a way to get the most out of their student athletes.
2023- 2024 - Maryland Public School Girls Basketball - PREVIEW 3A REGION: “Road to Xfinity Center”
Last year the 3A was run by Poly and Howard all year, and we got a classic championship game. St. Charles, Oxon Hill, Poly and Howard all won their respective conferences last year. Dulaney has dropped down to 3A this year and should be competitive in Baltimore County. Howard lost their three top players, but defensively they are always locked in and are exceptionally good at late game executions. Poly lost a lot of productive seniors; however, they brought back a talented group of seniors, and they have depth. Linganore and ManValley should battle out west, and River Hill should be the favorite to finally dethrone Howard after 7 years as the HCPS champions. We have some legendary coaches in this region that will get the best out of their players. I believe it will come down to Oxon Hill and Poly at Xfinity, they both get after it on defense.
Preseason Final 4 Predication (Championship game in Bold): Oxon Hill, River Hill, Poly, Dulaney
#1 Poly: Head Coach- Kendall Peace Baltimore City
(Last year’s state championship runner up): With six seniors and other major contributors, Coach Peace brings back lots of experience. With the addition of a playmaking first-year guard, the city championship should be going through the lady engineers. It is fair to assume that the defense will be one of the best in the state as usual. Like many great coaches the ability to schedule tough out of conference games is always the perfect way to expose your team to good competition throughout the year. My prediction is that Poly will meet Oxon Hill for the championship and finish this year.
Players to Watch: London Elliott, Mickelle Lowry, Sierra Georges, Ariana Makumi, Brianna Johnson, Brianna Pope, Chloe Mills, Madison Stith, Mikayla Brown, Amelia Overton
#2 Oxon Hill: Head Coach: Devone Williams PG County
(Last year state semifinalist): For the past 2 years Oxon Hill has captured the 1A,2A,3A PG County championship. This year it will not matter; they will be the best PG County team no matter the region. With all county player of the year Madison Williams leading the way Oxon Hill could go undefeated in the regular season. Chioma Igwe is back for her senior season and should be a force down low. Juniors Damia Worthy and Dashani Coleman are key contributors as well. I love this team, because they get after it on the defensive and they are extremely athletic. Much like Howard and Poly last year in the region, my prediction is that you can pen this team in on the Xfinity floor in March vs Poly, barring injuries or any other significant setbacks. A must-see team to watch this year.
Players to Watch: Dashani Coleman, Damia Worthy, Chiama Igwe, Madison Williams
#3 River Hill- Head Coach- Teresa Waters Howard County
(Last year state quarterfinalist) After finishing with a 15-5 regular season record last year, they are the favorite alongside Hammond to win HCPS after Howard has had the reigns for so long. This team is led by three all county performers. They could very well make it to Xfinity as they have the talent. This will be a wonderful team to watch throughout the year. They also have scheduled some good out of county competition this year.
Players to watch: Camille Nesmith, Taylor Shane, Dylan Watson,
#4 Dulaney- Head Coach: Kourtney Lewis-Orr Baltimore County
(Last Year 4A Regional finalist): Dulaney will make the transition from 4A to 3A (enrollment). They finished 15-5 last year and third in Baltimore County division one. Coach Lewis-Orr has super sophomore Gabby Watson back, they have the talent to make the state semifinals, getting the mental toughness and eliminating turnovers will be the key.
Players to watch: London McFarlane, Gabby Watson, Heidi Schmidt
#5 Howard – Defending 3A State Champions Head Coach- Scott Robinson Howard County
The state champions went undefeated last year and won their seventh straight HCPS championship. This year they will have serious competition in the county. One thing for sure is that Coach Robinson will coach them hard, defensively they will be sound, and they know how to close out games. They lost three dynamic players last year; however, they still have championship pedigree. In a playoff game, I would hate to draw them in my bracket.
Players to watch: Gabby Scott, Riley Watson, Oluwadilotayanu Daniel
Other Teams to consider: Oakland Mills, ManValley, Linganore, St, Charles, South River, Severna Park
Comments