It has Been a fun Year. Maryland Public School Girls Basketball
And just like that year two is a wrap. What an exciting year. We are going to miss all the graduating seniors across the state who gave us 4 years of memories. We wish them all the best of luck in their future endeavors. Congratulations to all 32 Regional winners. All my final four predictions from November 2023 before the season started are still playing except my 4A preseason prediction. Those predictions were Poly, Pikesville, and Hammond. The Clarksburg and Flowers game Tuesday is must see tv. Bethesda unfortunately must play North Point on their home court.
We love the MPSSA, but we are begging to put the semifinals and finals tourney back at SECU Towson or another neutral university like UMBC, Stevenson, College Park or even an HBCU. Then they can rotate it year by year. These regional locations are interesting to say the least and some #1 seeds have to travel to play at a lower seed actual homecourt. We are just hoping for good games and fairness to all teams at this point of the year.
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1A Region: Preseason Prediction & Current Prediction: Pikesville Panthers
Pikesville vs Forest Park
Southern vs Catoctin:
It is unfortunate that Pikesville and Forest Park have to play in the semifinals instead of the Championship game. I expect a physical game between these two top Baltimore area programs. Anyone understanding the basketball landscape knew 1A would come down to these two teams. Can Forest Park finally get over the hump of perennial champion Pikesville? We could see a rematch of the 2022 Title game between Catoctin and PHS or Forest Park could send shock waves through MD High School Basketball. The one thing we do know is that all four teams will lay it on the line. Pikesville is seeking its 4th consecutive state championship.
2A Region: Preseason Prediction & Current Prediction: Hammond Bears
Hammond vs Gwynn Park
Wicomico vs Francis Scott Key
The crazy part about the 2A is that we may get two undefeated teams in the finals this year. Gwynn Park, the PG County champion, is hot and playing with so much confidence. Wicomico, who is undefeated as well has finally showed up on our radar as a serious championship contender. FSK, in their first year up in the 2A has made the trip to the final four with a 1st year coach. So much to be excited about in Union Bridge Carroll County right now. At the end of the day, I saw Hammond in the fall league, and they looked the part back in October and they have not missed a beat since going undefeated all year. I expect the Gwynn Park and Hammond winner to take home the 2A championship.
3A Region: Preseason Prediction & Current Prediction: Poly Lady Engineers
Poly, Baltimore City’s best team will play River Hill, one of the top teams in Howard County. If a defensive game is what you enjoy. This is your style of game. Both teams will battle it out on Tuesday. This game could be won in the low 40’s. Both teams emulate their experienced coaches, who are two of the best in the state. Oakdale and Oxon Hill will compete in the other semifinal. Oxon Hill has athleticism and has played a tough out of conference schedule. Oakdale has a highly effective trap/press. I am thinking that both semifinal games will be competitive. As stated in the playoff preview article from 2 weeks ago, I expect the Lady engineers from cold spring lane to capture their 2nd state title in the last 3 years.
Poly vs River Hill
Oakdale vs Oxon Hill
4A Region: Preseason Prediction: Seneca Valley: Current Prediction: Clarksburg
Bethesda vs North Point
Clarksburg vs C.H. Flowers
North Point have become the darlings of the tournament. They went into Baltimore last Saturday and beat a tough Western Team, after going into Bowie and beating them a few days prior. North Point will play top seeded Bethesda at North point. A head scratcher right! Clearly, they will have homecourt advantage. As I mentioned before the MPSSA must do something about this in the future. Bethesda has enjoyed a solid season, can they manage the physicality of North Point, that will be the key. I expect a close game. Clarksburg must get through the pressure of Flowers. It is literally nonstop. The good thing is that they have ball handlers and they have about 3-5 girls that can punish you in the paint. If it stays a halfcourt game, give me Clarksburg. If Flowers can turn them over frequently, it may have a different outcome. I just feel that Clarksburg has played a brutal schedule this year and are battle tested. Even though I didn’t pick them preseason or the start of the playoffs, they are the best all around team. Something is telling me don’t count out North Point though.
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