Class 4A
No. 10 Lake Clifton (19-5)
vs. Sherwood (18-8)
When: 9 p.m. today
Where: U. of Maryland, Cole Field House
Outlook: Second-year coach Herman Harried's Lake Clifton is in the state semifinals for the first time since the Lakers won a title with Shawnta Rogers (now at George Washington) in 1995. Sherwood, coached by Mel Laughner for the 27th year, is in its seventh playoff appearance but first in 12 years. Coming off last weekend's win over Gaithersburg, last season's Class 4A state champ, the Warriors are in quest of Laughner's second state title (he also won in '79). The Warriors are led by 6-9 Newport Prep transfer Tank Wahlmann (16.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.3 blocks) and 6-7 Sean Prather (18 points, 11.6 boards, 2.3 blocks). The Warriors also have 6-5 Brian Hill (12.7 points, 4.5 boards, 3.6 assists). Wahlmann has a full scholarship to Rider University, and his 165 blocked shots are a school record. Harried's teams are characterized by balanced offense and relentless defense. But depending on who has a hot hand, it is not unusual for Harried to allow any one of his players the freedom to take over a game. Lakers swingmen Teione Carroll (6-2) and Javis Wiggins (6-4) have the ability to take control and put up big numbers offensively, as do guards Andre Mouzone, Dale Byrd, or even Kenneth Purnell. The Lakers rely on 6-8 rebound specialist Brandon Haughton under the boards, where he averages more than 10 a game.
Class 3A No. 6 City (19-6)
vs. Gwynn Park (12-13)
When: 3 p.m. today
Where: U. of Maryland, Cole Field House
Outlook: City is making its third straight playoff appearance in coach Daryl Wade's four seasons, having reached the state semifinals and the state final, respectively, the last two seasons. Gwynn Park, making its 15th state appearance, won the school's 10th state title 11 years ago. Coach Steven Matthews' Yellow Jackets have a five-game winning streak since losing to last year's champ, Friendly, which did not make it out of Gwynn Park's South region. Gwynn Park's 6-8 Sharrod Ford (6.3 points, 6.2 rebounds) and 6-2 guards Seth Mitchell (12.9 points, 9.2 boards) and Charles Ford (14.8 points, 4.2 assists) lead the way. The Knights, who defeated Thomas Johnson in last year's state semifinal, own an eight-game winning streak. The brothers Galloway, Todd (18 points, 6.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds) and Ryan (12 points, 6.1 rebounds), lead City, along with 6-4 Dominic Fulcher (12 points, 4.3 boards), Jermaul Akanbi (10 points, 4.3 boards, 4.1 assists) and 6-6 Austin Baker (11.4 rebounds).
Class 3A
No. 20 Aberdeen (21-5)
vs. Thomas Johnson (25-1)
When: 5 p.m. today Where: U. of Maryland, Cole Field House
Outlook: Aberdeen is in its 14th playoff appearance, having won titles in 1951 and 1976. The Eagles, on a four-game winning streak, are led by 6-2 guard Bill Guy, who averages 19 points a game, Tylan Gatling (13 points) and 6-3 forward Stephon Watson (17 points, 12 rebounds). Coach Tom Dickman's Thomas Johnson, is in quest of its seventh state title in its 12th playoff appearance. The Patriots, who have a 75-game winning streak in the Central Maryland Conference, lost their only game of the season to the nation's No. 1-ranked team, Virginia's Oak Hill, and have a victory over No. 13 Calvert Hall among their wins this season. Chris Williams (17 points, seven rebounds), Michael Foreman (15 points, five boards, four assists), Adam Dickman (10 points, four assists) and Marcus West (13 points, five rebounds) lead the team from Frederick which Dickman has coached 25 years.
Class 2A
No. 1 Dunbar (22-3)
vs. Central (21-5)
When: 7 p.m. tomorrow Where: U. of Maryland, Cole Field House
Outlook: Dunbar, in its seventh state semifinal berth, is seeking its sixth state title and the second for third-year coach Lynn Badham. Led by LaFonta Johnson (18 points, seven assists), 6-6 Dontaz Dean (16 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, five blocks) and a supporting cast of 6-5 Pierre Tucker (10 rebounds), Arnold Bowie and Leonard Ferguson, the Poets have won six straight games. But this matchup with Central, from Prince George's County, is a rematch of last year's title game, which the Poets won. The Falcons, on a nine-game winning streak, are led by Sean Brooks (17.2 points, 14.3 rebounds), 6-4 Bernard Boley (11.2 points, 8.9 boards) and Bruce Haigler (10.2 points, 10.5 assists). Central is in its third state tournament appearance in the past four years -- its seventh overall -- and has won four state titles, the last three seasons ago.
Class 2A
No. 17 Edgewood (19-7)
vs. Einstein (16-6)
When: 9 p.m. tomorrow Where: U. of Maryland, Cole Field House
Outlook: Coach Bob Slagle's Rams are in their 12th playoff appearance, having won state titles in 1975 and two seasons ago. Einstein, from Montgomery County, is in only its second playoff appearance, last reaching in 1983. The Rams of Harford County have won nine straight games, led by G Jonathan Booker (13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, three assists), 6-3 F Chris Suber (10.1 points, 11.2 boards) and G Eric Butler (12.1 points, 4.1 assists). 6-2 F Shannan Maynar (eight points, eight rebounds) and G Antwon Smith (8.6 points, 4.4 boards) make the Rams a balanced squad. Einstein, with new coach Richard Saunders, counters with 6-4 C Pierre Bowery (15.8 points, 4.1 boards), G Eduard Mclean (12.1 points) and G Vernon Sumner (12.6 points, 8.5 boards, 8.3 assists). Einstein has won six of its last seven games.
Class 1A
Pikesville (17-7)
vs. South Hagerstown (21-3)
When: 5 p.m. tomorrow Where: U. of Maryland, Cole Field House
Outlook: New coach Craig Amos' Pikesville team has won six straight, including an upset of last year's Class 1A champ, Forest Park. But South Hagerstown, coached by fourth-year Bob Starkey, averages 70 points and has won nine straight games and is led by 6-5 players John Schaebly (15.7 points, 6.2 rebounds) and Mike Lee (11.4 points, 6.9 boards), along with 6-4 Randy Reeder (8.5 points, 6.9 boards). The Hagerstown team also boasts G Frank Lawton (9.3 points, 6.3 assists) and G Charles Rowell (9.7 points, 4.3 boards, three assists) in a balanced offense that has won by an average of 20 points. Pikesville relies on sophomore Clement Sorgho, who is 6-4 and averages 23 points and seven rebounds. Teammate Jermaine Sawyer, who is 6-3, contributes 24 points and 15 rebounds, followed by Tavon Cloude (14 points, nine rebounds). Andrew Braver and Steven Watson are team captains, with Braver and Cloude the only senior starters.
Boys basketball playoffs
At Cole Field House
State semifinals
Today's games
Class 3A
City vs. Gwynn Park, 3 p.m.
Aberdeen vs. Thomas Johnson, 5 p.m.
Class 4A
Meade vs. Oxon Hill, 7 p.m.
Lake Clifton vs. Sherwood, 9 p.m.
Tomorrow's games
Class 1A
Oakland Mills vs. North Dorchester, 3 p.m.
Pikesville vs. South Hagerstown, 5 p.m.
Class 2A
Dunbar vs. Central, 7 p.m.
Einstein vs. Edgewood, 9 p.m.
State finals
Saturday's games
Class 1A, 1 p.m.
Class 3A, 3 p.m.
Class 2A, 6 p.m.
Class 4A, 8 p.m.
Pub Date: 3/11/99