Recap from the last week: Maryland Public School Girls Basketball
Last week we saw the 2A defending state champion Lackey fall to Largo. North Point beat a tough Broadneck team and Clarksburg slipped past a tough Seneca Valley team. They were both great games that I had the chance of attending. This week it is time to cut down some nets. we have some dynamic regional matchups. Unfortunately, most tip off at the same time. I will breakdown each region below. All my final 4 predictions are still intact after week one except Seneca. I am expecting Flowers and Clarksburg in the finals in the 4A. They both are the most complete teams in the 4A. Nothing changes with the other regions, I expect Poly, Pikesville, and Hammond to still be the last ones standing in their respective regions.
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***All Regional Predictions are in Bold***
1A Regional Predictions:
Southern-Mountain Ridge matchup will be a battle. Mountain Ridge made it to college park last year. The experience will get them through. Forest Park and Edmondson should be competitive for a quarter or so. Edmondson must match the intensity and slow the game down. Pikesville and Loch Raven will meet again for the 2nd time in less than 10 days. Loch Raven should have all their top players back. Look for both teams to lay it on the line, however the depth of PHS this year has been significant with the addition of the fab 4 freshman. The post players will decide the game. South Carroll and Catoctin will be good in the 1A West II regional, both teams play the same style of basketball. I may have to go with Catoctin as they were in the championship game just 2 years ago. Patterson Mill and Havre de grace should be interesting. Surratsville, Perryville and Snow Hill games, we can flip a coin.
2A Regional Predictions:
Hereford and New Town meet again. Last year Hereford beat New Town in the same round by 20 plus on their home court. Can New Town return the favor? Both teams are led by their star senior. The styles of play are different. New town will play man to man and very physical, but they will have to be disciplined and not get in foul trouble with Hereford’s screens and backdoor cuts. I will have to take New Town because I picked them for my final 4 pick before the year started. The Largo and Gwynn Park game is intriguing. Largo breezed through defending champion Lackey and Gwynn Park, the PG county champ is one of the hottest teams in the state. I picked Gwynn Park at the start of the tournament because of their SOS all year. PG County champion is one of the hottest teams in the state and should get out of their region. Wicomico is still one of two undefeated teams in the state. They will play Queen Annes in the 2A East II region. Fallston should win their regional as well as FSK. Also, Hammond, Eastern Tech and McDonough should win their region.
3A Regional Predictions
Oakdale and Linganore will be competitive, both teams have played a good schedule. I take Oakdale in a close one. Damascus should continue their dream season. Towson and Dulaney should be interesting. Dulaney has a lot of talent, and the expectations are high for them to make a final 4 run. Towson won the regional last year. Howard and Poly should once again win their region. Oakland Mills and River Hill, classic HCPS matchup for win it really counts. I must go with the home team River Hill, but I won’t be surprised if Oakland Mills pulls the upset. South River and Severna Park will be a great game, so messed up that one of these teams must go home. Expect a close game. I will have to take the AA County champs South River. Oxon Hill will have their hands full playing at St. Charles. This will be nip and tuck the whole way through. Give me the home team St. Charles. They have a great homecourt environment.
4A Regional Predictions
North Point and Bowie, wow I wish I could see this in person. I picked Bowie as my final 4 prediction, but North Point is talented enough to win the whole region. I am expecting a great game, I may have to take the home team in this one. I would not be surprised if North Point wins though. Flowers, Western and Bethesda should win big. Crofton will host the defending 4A champions Glen Burnie. This is a pick’em, you can never count out the heart of a champion and a great coach. Give me Glen Burnie on the road. The Frederick and Clarksburg matchup is the other marquee matchup in this region. Clarksburg has 4-5 players that can handle the rock and they are big enough to post up smaller guards. Clarksburg lost the earlier matchup in the year against Frederick, this time the game is on Frederick’s home court. This will be a physical game, but I believe the battle will be one in the paint, so I give the edge to Clarksburg. The Richard Montgomery and Paint Branch game could go either way.
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