By Richard Kellam

Lake Clifton defeated Edmondson 57-52 for the Baltimore City Public Schools title last week, both are classified as 1A in the MPSSAA census.

Lake Clifton, ranked #7 in the Baltimore Sun top 15, is also the State’s top rated 1A, the Lakers are top seed in North II. Edmondson if you recall paid a visit to Crisfield High School in 2020 for a State 1A quarterfinal. The contest ended in a chaotic outbreak as spectators rushed the court the game was called midway into the third quarter.

The Red Storm rates a #13 spot in the Sun poll they are the #1 seed in North I. The majority of the top 15 are private schools. In the MaxPreps Maryland Top 25 all of the first 20 are private institutions.

Lake Clifton and Edmondson were both 4A when the State allowed the City schools to join the MPSSAA. Due to circumstances beyond our control the schools have been downsized over the past 20 years, both have gradually dropped down to 1A. Still the two City rival’s enrollment is more than double that of Crisfield. Edmondson checks in at 642 students, Lake Clifton 577 compared to the Crabbers 254. Lake has won a State title in all four classes since 1995, 7 overall. Edmondson 2 crowns, 2A in2013, 1A the following year., both schools could still successfully compete at the 4A level.

Mountain Ridge of Frostburg is the West Region I top seed and #4 in the State 1A poll. Boonsboro West II, Frances Scott Key South I, Chesapeake Math & IT South I, Patterson Mill East I are the other top boys 1A seeds. Coppin Academy is the only team competing in the girls North II Region. North I has but two teams, Forest Park #1. Allegany West I, Catoctin West II, Western Tech South I, Chesapeake Math South I Havre de Grace East I, the remainder of the girls’ top seeds.

Bayside boys champ Wi-Hi holds the top seed in 2A east Region II, Queen Anne’s whom the Indians defeated in the Bayside clash is #2, they will most likely meet again. Queen Anne’s the girls’ Bayside titlist is the #1 in 2A East, Parkside #2. James M. Bennett is the boys 3A South II top pick, Decatur #3. The Seahawks girls who had their unbeaten record snapped in the Bayside tilt leads 3A South Region II; Bennett is third.

Two years ago, the Crabbers were gearing up to defend their 1A East Regional title. CHS finished the 2019 regular campaign with a 20-2 record tied for first in the South, Wi-Hi won the coin toss however. The Crabbers rolled through Sectional play downing St. Michaels 116=13, Washington 100-56 and Cambridge-SD 66-46 then traveled to Havre de Grace to defeat the then unbeaten Warriors 72-66 and earned a trip to College Park. Where the Crabbers fell to Southern Garrett finishing 24-3.

The Sectional formant was dropped in 2020 and each class was divided into 8 regions. In 2020 CHS shook off some early season losses, the Crabbers stood at 6-4 Jan. 9 but rallied to win their final 10 regular season contests including victories in the playoffs over Mardela, Pocomoke and Cambridge-South Dorchester. The triumph over the Vikings was especially sweet, it avenged an early season loss at Cambridge and gave the Crabbers the Regional crown. CHS finished 22-5 following the encounter with Edmondson in the State Quarters.

Crisfield compiled a 2-17 record this year their worst since the ill fated 2016 season. It was payback for Bayside rivals this season following a year of inactivity. The Crabbers dominated Bayside 1A teams the past 2 years, 24-1 against 1A competition in 2019 and 20, 39-9 since 2017. Crisfield won 7 straight against Washington and Pocomoke, 5 in a row over Snow Hill. This year Crisfield’s only hope rested with the playoffs, but the boys were defeated by the Warriors last Friday in Pocomoke.

College Park finals next week

The State finals will be held this year at University of Maryland on March 10 & 12. State Quarterfinals will be at the top seeds home court, the State semifinals will be held at various Western Shore Class 4A schools March 8 & 9. The State championship games for all classes will be held the same day for both boys and girls.