It's a four-team race in the 12-team Howard County boys basketball league.
After their 55-53 win over Atholton on Friday, the Howard Lions were thinking about their visit to Marriotts Ridge tomorrow afternoon. Friday's victory left the Lions tied for first place going into the week with Marriotts Ridge at 12-1 each.
Atholton and Long Reach are 11-2.
"They [Marriotts Ridge] beat us at our place, " said Howard's first-year coach, Kevin McDuffie, who was elevated from junior varsity coach. "We came out flat. We're focusing on one game at a time, but they gave us our only league loss."
Both of Atholton's losses have come at the hands of Howard (13-3), as the Raiders (12-4) lost, 66-64, in December to the Lions. The Raiders dealt Marriotts Ridge its only league loss, 75-65.
"Hopefully, we can beat Marriotts Ridge and go to the county championship, " said Howard guard Steven Cruz, who scored the game-winning basket with 28 seconds left Friday night. "We've been playing very well, and we've been getting great play from our inside players, MacGyver Biniak and Jonathan Moore. Atholton is a good team and we're probably going to see them again in the playoffs."
Howard and Atholton are in the Class 3A East region that includes Long Reach, Aberdeen and Annapolis. Long Reach has dropped league games to Howard and Atholton this season.
Girls basketball -- The county picture in girls basketball is clearer, with Mount Hebron (17-0) taking a 13-0 league mark into this week's play. Atholton (14-3) is 12-1 in league play - its only loss coming against the Vikings - with Oakland Mills (12-3) still in the mix at 10-3. The boys and girls title games will be played at 7 p.m. Feb. 26, with the first-place finisher getting the home court. If the same school is in first place in each, a double-header will take place, with the first game at 5 p.m. and the second to follow.
Glenelg wrestling -- The Gladiators will be the favorites in the county tournament set for Feb. 21-23 at Atholton High. The Gladiators knocked off Atholton in a tri-match Jan. 29 and then clinched the regular-season title at Long Reach on Thursday. The Gladiators have won 21 straight county matches.