It’s that time of year again folks. Brackets have been released for the Maryland boys state basketball tournament, click here to view them The top four seeds in each region were decide based on conference records. Remaining teams were put in to a hat and randomly assigned a seeding.
The major problem with this system is that you could have the 5th and 6th best teams in a particular region playing each other in the first round while a team who has the worst record in the state could receive a bye in the first round and play at home in the second round. Ever since they went to this system about 10 years ago many people have voiced their frustration.
The four #1 seeds in the 4A are Magruder (west), Springbrook (north), Arundel (east), and Flowers(south). Defending 4A state champs North Point are the #3 seed in the East. This means that they will potentially have to travel to Arundel for the 4A North championship. The most refreshing news about the 4A seedings is that Magruder and North Point are on opposite sides of the bracket, meaning if the two favorites out of the 4A meet, it will be for the state championship.
Last year’s runner-up in the 4A, the Patterson Clippers out of Baltimore are now in the 3A. And Patterson got screwed with the their blind draw seeding. Patterson is the 15th seed out of 15 teams in the 3A North. While many people consider them the favorite to win the 3A championship there is no possibility that they can play even a single home game. #1 seeds in the 3A are the defending 3A state champs Milford Mill (north), South Hagerstown (west), Centennial (east), and Thomas Stone (south).
Defending 2A state champs, Digital Harbor out of Baltimore City are now in the 3A. They are the #6 seed in the most loaded region of all four classifications, the 3A north. This years top seeds in the 2A include South Carroll (west), Lake Clifton (north), Patterson Mill (east), and Gwynn Park (south). Many consider Lake Clifton the favorite in this class, but coach Mike Glick has become a familiar face at the Comcast Center with his Gwynn Park Yellow Jackets.
Top seeds in the 1A include Dunbar (south), Kent County (east), Smithsburg (west), and Western STES (north). The biggest favorite to win any state chip are the Dunbar Poets out of the 1A. They have the Maryland state record for most high school basketball championships.
As always Capitol Hoops will be at as many playoff games as possible, bringing you highlights and write-ups. We will also be selling DVDs of all games we attend (with the exception of the state championships, we are not allowed to sell DVDs of those per state rule) so if you miss any games you know where to come to see highlights or buy DVD’s.