Local Schools in Maryland High School Basketball State Semifinals
Dec 3, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins students unfurl a Maryland state flag during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Xfinity Center.Virginia Cavaliers defeated Maryland Terrapins 76-65. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
While the Terps are away, playing in the Big Ten Tournament, College Park is playing host to the Maryland boys’ high school basketball state semifinals. Tonight will feature the top teams from Class 1A and Class 2A and a number of local schools will be on display. The Baltimore area is an underrated hotbed for basketball talent and we’ll see some of the state’s elite talent showcased at the XFINITY Center this weekend.
Here’s a look at Friday’s tilts:
Class 1A: No. 2 Lake Clifton (24-2) vs. Allegany (20-1), 3pm
One thing Lake Clifton can boast about after making their way through the tough Baltimore City Division I league is that they are battle-tested. The Lakers knocked off city-foe and defending Class 1A champion Edmondson in the South Region final on Monday in a nail-biter. The strength of this team is their senior leadership. Derrick Green, Josh Parks, Rashad Hawkins, and Gary Jefferson are the heart and soul of the Lakers. Lake Clifton, ranked second in the area, comes into this game as the favorites, but they cannot sleep on Allegany, who is in the tournament for the 18th time.
Class 1A: New Town (16-6) vs. Joppatowne (20-3), 5pm
New Town just always seems to be in the mix come March. The Owings Mills-based school has continued to grow over the years and is developing into one of the better basketball schools in all of Baltimore County. The Titans are led by Malik Jones and Quincy Roche. This team also features former Terps guard Nick Faust’s younger brother, Rashad. New Town is looking for their second state title in five years. On the opposite end of the court will be Joppatowne, who is led by Patterson-transfer Fortune Okigweh.
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Class 2A: No. 6 Oakland Mills (22-3) vs. Oakdale (18-5), 7pm
Oakland Mills is coming off of a close overtime win over Frederick Douglass High School in the 2A South Region final, reversing their history of bad luck in the regional finals. The Scorpions feature a three-headed monster of Mamadou Ndiaye, Daniel Kiely, and St. Frances transfer Will Robinson, Jr. Ndiaye and Robinson combined for 34 points in Monday’s game and if they can get it going like that against Oakdale, the Scorpions will be hard to stop. Oakland Mills is on the rise and they’re looking to bring a state championship back to Howard County.
Class 2A: No. 4 Patterson (21-5) vs. Wicomico (22-3)
Patterson, a perennial powerhouse in Baltimore City, claimed their fourth regional crown in five years after defeating Randallstown 59-50 in the 2A North final. Seniors Dereck Oliver and Gary Blackston led the charge for the Clippers. Oliver finished with 22 points, while Blackston recorded a double-double (13 points and 14 rebounds). The dynamic duo averages 35 points per game this season for Patterson. The Clippers are aiming to take down the Indians of Wicomico for the second time this season. They defeated the Indians 60-52 back in December.
Stay tuned to the Baltimore Wire for updates on the Maryland High School Basketball Playoffs!
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