State Championship Central
Six Teams Prepare for the Ultimate Goal
By James A. McCray III

Representation across the state? Definitely. Just look across the county, across all classifications and it is not hard to see that Prince George's County will be well represented at this year's state-wide basketball tournament.

Thursday, Mar. 12
Arundel (22-4) vs. Eleanor Roosevelt (23-1)
Girls 4A State Semifinal
Retriever Athletic Center, University of Maryland-Baltimore County
3:00 p.m.
The Eleanor Roosevelt Lady Raiders, the 4A South champions, will look to win its fifth consecutive state championship and that journey will begin on Thursday afternoon.
Its opponent is a familiar one in 4A East region champion Arundel, as the two teams met in last season's 4A state title game.


Thursday, Mar. 12
Fallston (24-0) vs. Largo (23-3)
Girls 3A State Semifinal
Retriever Athletic Center, University of Maryland-Baltimore County
7:00 p.m.
The 3A South champion Largo Lady Lions advanced to the state tournament and look to match its 2007 run that ended with a state title.
Head coach Ayana Ball-Ward will lead her Lady Lions against the undefeated Fallston Lady Cougars, the 3A East champs out of the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference.


Friday, Mar. 13
Pocomoke (25-1) vs. Surrattsville (21-3)
Girls 1A State Semifinal
Retriever Athletic Center, University of Maryland-Baltimore County
7:00 p.m.
In the 1A the Surrattsville Lady Hornets girls make its third consecutive trip to the state tournament.
The 1A South region champions will face the 1A East regional champion Pocomoke Lady Warriors out of the Bayside Conference.


Thursday, Mar. 12
Friendly Patriots (22-2) vs. Atholton (22-3)
Boys 3A State Semifinal
Comcast Center, University of Maryland-College Park
3:00 p.m.
The Friendly Patriots --3A South regional champions-- look to continue its bounce-back season in advancing to the state tournament.
It's semi-final opponent will be the Atholton Raiders, the 3A East regional champions out of Howard County.


Thursday, Mar. 12
Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. (20-5) vs. Thomas Stone (21-4)
Boys 4A State Semifinal
Comcast Center, University of Maryland-College Park
7:00 p.m.
The Henry Wise Pumas won its first ever 4A South regional title with its win over Eleanor Roosevelt in the regional title game.
It's first-ever state semifinal appearance will come against Southern Maryland Athletic Conference 4A East regional champion Thomas Stone.


Friday, Mar. 13
Wicomico (16-7) vs. Frederick Douglass-P.G. (12-11)
Boys 2A State Semifinal
Comcast Center, University of Maryland-College Park
7:00 p.m.
The 2A South champion Frederick Douglass Eagles will attempt to ride the wave of momentum from its regional championship victory over River Hill.
It will face 2A East regional champion Wicomico Indians from the Bayside Conference.

E-mail: James A. McCray III