CLASS 3A STATE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL SEMIFINAL

Aberdeen (23-1) vs. Largo (25-1)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

Where: The RAC, University of Maryland-Baltimore County

 

Road to the RAC

Aberdeen defeated North Harford (91-56), Poly (58-54) and Hereford (71-32) to win North Region; Largo defeated Thomas Stone (68-43), Huntingtown (63-42) and Friendly (72-48) to win South Region

 

Team leaders

Scoring: Aberdeen-Bri Jones (22 points per game); Largo-Jessica Lyons (20.1 ppg.)

Rebounds: Aberdeen-Jones (14 rpg.); Largo-Brianey Winslow (7 rpg.)

Assists: Aberdeen-Lakeia Hayden (5 apg.); Largo-Taylor (5 apg.)

Steals: Aberdeen-Nia Allyene (4 spg.); Largo-Lyons (4 spg.)

 

Outlook

After cruising in the North Region finals last Saturday, Aberdeen will get a tough challenge in its first state semifinal appearance since 2003. The Harford County school will bring one of the state’s top post players in Jones to the state Final Four party.

Jones, a double-double machine all season, scored 82 points in three region games including 32 in the opener. She’s complimented by a strong supporting cast with senior Ayana Stewart (10 ppg.), juniors Nia Alleyne (12 ppg. and 7 rpg.) and Lakeia Hayden (5 ppg. and 2 apg.) and sophomore Jimmia McCluskey (11 ppg., 6 rpg.).

A perennial state Final Four entrant, Largo’s only loss this season came against Illinois 4A state champ Bolingbrook, currently ranked No. 5 nationally by USA Today. The Lions, ranked No. 8 in the Washington area, rely heavily on their backcourt led by Jessica Lyons, Brittany Taylor (17.2 ppg.) and Brianey Winslow (10.5 ppg.)

The squads share a common opponent in Poly. The Lions defeated the Engineers, 69-60, in their season debut at the Breezy Bishop Showcase at Western. Aberdeen fought off the Baltimore City school in last week’s region semifinals.

 

Coach Speak

Aberdeen’s Stacey Liles on Largo: “They’re very talented. They play an up-tempo game, they have great shooters and ballhandlers. They know what it’s like [playing in state Final Four].”

Largo’s Ayanna Ball-Ward on Aberdeen: “Their big girl [Jones] is someone to reckoned with. We’re preparing for her and trying to find ways to limit her shots.”

 

By the numbers

48: Number of consecutive home wins for Largo

3: Margin of defeat in Aberdeen’s previous state semifinal appearance (Class 2A vs. Walkersville, 40-37) in 2003

8: State semifinal appearances for Largo

14: Number of consecutive wins by Aberdeen

1: Number of losses by Largo in Prince George’s County 1A/2A/3A league play the last six seasons