BALTIMORE, MD — For the fourth straight year, the Baltimore Poly girls basketball team has won the regional championship. And for the second straight year, that title has come at the expense of the Atholton Raiders.
The Engineers (23-3) defeated the visiting Raiders (22-2), 58-49, behind a combined 23 points from seniors Jayda Pearson (12) and Aneah Young (11) on Monday night for the 3A East regional championship.
"We wanted to be powerful on the boards and get the rebounds, and we also wanted to contain their shooters," said Young, who also led the Engineers with nine rebounds. "We were different last year. We played differently last year ... This year we had a different strategy and we approached it differently."
Last year, Poly edged Atholton in double overtime.
"It was going to be a competitive game. Playing away you have to battle and you have to put it out there for 32 minutes," Atholton coach Julia Reynold said. "I'm really proud of my girls. They didn't give up and they showed a lot of heart the entire game ... this team holds a special spot in my heart."
Atholton's top post player, senior Kalere Caldwell, was sidelined with a concussion for the game, which was the Raiders' 19th straight on the road.
"I have learned so much from these girls and they have met every challenge head on, and that's what I am most proud of them for," Reynold said. "Playing on the road since December is grueling and tiring, but they've stayed together and stayed composed."
In the Section final on Saturday, Poly held Howard County runner-up Mt. Hebron to only 17 points. The Vikings were the only other team to beat Atholton this year, way back on Dec. 12.
Raiders senior Sage Mayhew scored eight points on Monday, including a three-pointer that kicked off a 10-0 run midway through the third quarter, tying the game at 33-33.
"We really worked hard to be here. The outcome wasn't good but we played our hearts out and we deserved to be here," said Mayhew, who also pulled down eight rebounds. "We had some good runs, it was just hard to hold it the whole time."
Senior Chelsea Mitchell scored a game high 21 points with 12 rebounds for the Raiders in the loss.
"We've definitely come far. There's nothing to be ashamed of. It's tough, but we can't really keep our heads down. We just kept pushing," said Mitchell, who scored her 1,000th career point in late February in the game that gave Atholton the county title. "You've got to fight through every obstacle. The bond I shared with my team … I've never played with such a great team."
Poly will now face 3A North champ Millford Mill Thursday night at 9 p.m. in the state semifinals at Towson's SECU Arena.
"We're humble, but very, very hungry," Poly coach Kendall Peace-Able said. "I wish Atholton and their seniors a lot of luck."
Baltimore Poly 58, Atholton 49
A (22-2): Mitchell 21, Vanegas 11, Mayhew 8, Burmester 5, Hart 2, Owens 2.
BP (23-3): Pearson 12, Young 11, Stokes 10, Horne 7, Ja. Porter 6, Je. Porter 6, Weems 4, Talley 2
Half: BP 25-19