After losing both regular-season meetings with Hereford, Pikesville played one of its best games in last night's third meeting for the Class 1A, North Region title.
But the final result was the same, as host Hereford held off the Panthers, 41-36.
The Bulls (20-7) advance to the state semifinals at UMBC where they will face Allegany on Friday afternoon.
It will be Hereford's first state semifinal appearance since 1982.
The Bulls had defeated Pikesville by 70-45 and 43-28 in the regular season, but last night's contest wasn't decided until the waning moments.
"They came out ready to play, and I think the kids were a little cocky," said Hereford second-year coach Trinette Tucker. "That third game is always going to be difficult."
Pikesville trailed by 38-36 with 54 seconds left after a layup by Lauren Misler. Tara Clarke then hit a free throw for Hereford, extending the lead to 39-36 with 22.3 seconds remaining.
The Bulls sealed the victory after forcing a turnover that led to a basket by Clarke with 15 seconds remaining.
The win was redemption for Hereford after losing to Rising Sun in last season's region final.
"We wanted this game for so long," said Clarke. "We came out a little tense, but by the end, we came together as a team and pulled it together."
Clarke, a junior forward, led Hereford with a game-high 17 points. Ify Osefo led Pikesville (12-10) with 16 points, and Lauri Parson added 12.
The Panthers had a 27-24 lead late in the third quarter, but Hereford forced Pikesville into seven consecutive turnovers, running off 10 straight points to lead 34-27.
Pikesville responded with a 5-0 spurt -- a free throw and basket by Joy Garrett and a score by Osefo -- bringing the Panthers to within 34-32 with 4: 40 left in the game.
"We really step it up tonight," said Pikesville coach Kenneth Lane. "They [Hereford] have had the upper hand all season, and they were more prepared. This was our first really big game."
Class 3A East
Northern of Calvert 67, Wild Lake 42: Northern (24-2) used a 22-0 run to take command over the youthful Wildecats, who missed 14 straight shots at one point.
When the run finally ended on two free throws by sophomore Sara Taliano (13 points) with 3: 35 left in the third period, Wilde Lake trailed 41-23.
Northern shot 62 percent, and the Wildecats, thanks to strong rebounding, took nearly as many shots, connecting on only 26 percent.
Class 4A East
No. 7 Meade 84, Chesapeake 31: The Mustangs (22-4) routed the Cougars for a third time this season to win the region title in Lake Shore under fifth-year head coach Phil Popielski.
Seniors Angie Creek and Katie Netherton capped off spectacular individual region tournaments as the Mustangs dominated from start to finish, shooting 51 percent from the field and out-rebounding the Cougars, 52-23.
Pub Date: 3/07/99