March 14, 2009 is a date that will be remembered in Baltimore City basketball. In a 9 ½ hour period, three boys’ teams won Maryland state championships.
With the state tournament underway, can Charm City once again rule roost in a couple of weeks?
Tough might be an understatement describing the Class 2A North Region. City College won the state title a year, Lake Clifton has moved down after winning the 3A crown, and Digital Harbor is in 2A after claiming the 1A title a year ago.
Two years ago, Randallstown was on verge of a fourth straight state title, and recently battle Milford Mill to the wire in the Baltimore County finals. Douglass won a pair of crowns in the last decade.
And then, you have Edmondson, which won its first city championship. Oh yeah, it’s that thick.
The Knights are the No. 1 seed and should host Randallstown in Tuesday’s quarterfinal round. The Rams have rebounded this season after taking a step back in 2008-09, but will have a tall order winning on The Alameda.
It should set a rematch between City and Lake Clifton Thursday. The Lakers won, 69-61, during the regular season as Josh Selby went for 41 points.
In the other bracket, No. 2 seed Edmondson will host Douglass. The Red Storm is riding high off the city title win, but can they manage being the target? This will be the best quarterfinal match.
If Edmondson gets by Douglass, Digital Harbor will be next on Athol Avenue. The Rams lost to the Red Storm at home for the division title and a berth in the city title game. Digital Harbor may have arguably the city’s best all-around player in Davon Usher.
I’m going chalk for the semifinal round with Lake Clifton at City and Digital Harbor at Edmondson. City has a budding guard tandem with Nick Faust and Mike Cheatham, but Selby and an inspired supporting cast gets the win.
If Daquan Cook, a transfer from St. Frances Academy, is available, he’ll definitely give Digital Harbor some added firepower for Edmondson. Justin Jackson hasn’t had the senior year I thought he would have, but Thursday could be his mea culpa.
Like the previous meeting, it’ll come down to the final seconds and Rodney Pratcher, Stanton Kidd and the Red Storm finds a way to advance, leaving us with Edmondson and Lake for a trip to the state Final Four at Comcast Center.
Patterson will be the best hope for the city out of 4A. The Clippers host Dulaney in the quarterfinals, then it gets a little tricky.
Patterson, the No. 4 seed in the North Region, likely will have to go to No. 1 seed Urbana (18-2 overall) in Frederick County. If the Clippers win, they’ll get either No. 2 Perry Hall or No. 3 Woodlawn for the region crown.
Akil Carr has been one of the area’s impact players this winter and the Clippers, who knocked off Digital Harbor during the regular season, can play with anyone. The question is whether Patterson has the maturity to win two road playoff matches.
It took Dunbar just 14 seasons to collect 10 state titles, but the Poets have the last three seasons without another. The Poets should find their way to the South Region finals as the No. 1 seed.
They will likely host No. 2 Surrattsville from Prince George’s County next weekend. Dunbar, led by Derrell Edwards and Corey Spence, has only lost one region playoff game in east Baltimore in 17 seasons.
Milford Mill, which nearly ended Lake Clifton’s perfect run last season, is the favorite in the 3A North Region. They could have an interesting quarterfinal matchup with Aberdeen, a team that like to runs.
The Millers should get through, and get by either North Harford or Mervo in the semifinals. A showdown with Parkville will be looming in the region finals.
