Prep Basketball: Essex Teams Prepare for the Postseason

After mixed regular season results, the three Essex-Middle River public schools’ varsity basketball teams found out their postseason fate Sunday, as the MPSSAA held their boys and girls basketball draws. The draws, which took place at Long Reach High School in Columbia, determined the playoff seedings and first round matchups for every public high school in Maryland.

 In Maryland, every member school of the MPSSAA makes the state playoffs in every sport, regardless of record, with the exceptions of football, wrestling and golf. In addition, the schools are separated into four classifications based on enrollment figures: 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A.

Kenwood is in the 4A North region, and both Eastern Tech and Chesapeake are in the 2A North region.

 Boys Basketball

Chesapeake

Record: 6-15

Region: 2A North

First Round Opponent: 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Digital Harbor

Game Details:  Chesapeake went up against the #1 team in the Baltimore area this past week, losing to Patterson, 105-54. While the score was not a very close one, the Bayhawks gained valuable experience in the game, learning how Baltimore City teams play, and going up against one of the most prolific offenses in the country. In addition, the outstanding guard play city teams often have was on full display, as the best player in Baltimore, Aquille Carr, had 14 points and 15 assists for Patterson.

Eastern Tech

Record: 8-15

Region: 2A North

First Round Opponent: 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 vs. Dundalk

Game Details: Eastern Tech is the most fortunate of the three boys’ teams, as it came away from the draw hosting a team it's familiar with and has beaten before. The two teams previously met Jan. 7, with the Mavericks defending their home floor and winning a 62-47 contest. If the Mavericks can win the rematch against the Owls, they’ll travel to Randallstown for a regional quarterfinal matchup.

Kenwood

Record: 11-11

Region: 4A North

First Round Opponent: 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 at Woodlawn

Game Details: Kenwood’s two games this year against Woodlawn reflect just how different the Bluebirds’ first half and second half of the season have been. After starting out 7-1, the Bluebirds hosted the Warriors and lost a thrilling 68-66 contest. After dropping three of their next four, Kenwood traveled to Woodlawn, and lost an 89-60 game that was never close. They then closed the season with three consecutive losses, including one at home against a Towson team that was 5-15 at the time. If the Bluebirds can pull off a win, they’d have a long trip to a regional semifinal game, either at Westminster or Urbana.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Chesapeake

Record: 5-10

Region: 2A North

First Round Opponent: Feb. 26 at Edmondson

Game Details: While it hasn’t been able to put together too many wins this season, Chesapeake ended up with a fairly favorable draw, going up against an Edmondson team that struggled mightily in Baltimore City’s first division this season. While the talent level is about equal if not more favorable for Chesapeake, Edmondson’s experience playing against top-notch Baltimore teams gives them an undeniable advantage. 

"The quality of play is much higher in the city than the county, so I won't go out on a limb and say we will win...but I do think we can compete," Chesapeake coach Charles Scott said.

If the Lady Bayhawks do end up pulling out a win on the road, they’d have to travel to Randallstown, where the Lady Rams are the top seed in the 2A North region.

Eastern Tech

Record: 12-10

Region: 2A North

First Round Opponent: Feb. 26 vs. Lake Clifton

Game Details: Eastern Tech’s teams got the best of this year’s draw, hosting two home games. The Mavericks had an inconsistent season, never winning more than three consecutive games, but ended up with a respectable 12-10 record. They host Lake Clifton, a team that fell near the bottom of Baltimore City’s first division with powerhouse teams like Poly and Dunbar controlling the top of the standings. If Eastern Tech can win on its home floor, it would have to travel and face another Baltimore City team, Digital Harbor.

Kenwood

Record: 10-9

Region: 4A North

First Round Opponent: Feb. 26 at Dulaney

Game Details: Kenwood’s girls are on the same boat as their boys, as the Bluebirds face a team they’ve lost to twice. In the Lady Bluebirds’ case however, they fared better the second time around. After losing by 16 at home, they traveled to Dulaney and played a tough game, losing by just 8. Kenwood is hoping the third time is the charm, and with a win, it would go on to either host Westminster or travel to Woodlawn in a region semifinal contest.