The No. 1 Patterson boys basketball team doesn't need any extra motivation.
The Clippers have proven themselves to simply be that good this season.
But going up against the team that knocked them out of last year's regional playoffs — Urbana — had to give them some added incentive. It was apparent early in Friday's Class 4A North regional title game at Morgan State University.
The Clippers were far quicker, brought more size and had All-Metro sophomore point guard Aquille Carr — who scored 43 points — on their side. It was plenty enough for a dominating 93-55 win over the Hawks from Frederick County to earn the program's first regional championship.
Patterson (24-1) advances to the Class 4A state semifinals to meet the winner of the South regional title game between Prince George's County schools C.H. Flowers and Eleanor Roosevelt. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Comcast Center.
"We just came out angry from last year, so this game was all about business," Carr said. "We weren't playing around — we knew we had to get it done. I'm just happy right now and can't wait."
In last year's regional semifinal, Urbana came away with a 76-69 win on its way to a state tournament appearance.
This time, it was all Patterson.
Carr showed he was in top form early, as he scored 22 in the first half.
He opened the game with two steals that resulted in easy layups, as the Clippers took a 6-0 lead Later in the quarter, he hit a 3 pointer; converted a three-point play; and drove the middle of the lane, split two defenders and finished with an improbable underhand scoop while being fouled.
It was the first of three jaw-dropping inside moves for Carr, who smiled at the stunned crowd and then made the free throw to give the Clippers a 21-7 advantage with 2:07 left in the quarter.
With senior guard Rickey Meekins hitting from the outside and also getting to the basket, adding 15 of his 21 points in the first half, the Clippers enjoyed a 48-23 lead at intermission and were never threatened by Urbana, which finished the season 15-9.
Sophomore forward Myrek Lee-Fowlkes added 10 points for Patterson.
"We understood from the beginning [that] our season is Nov. 15 to March 12, and this was just one step in the right direction," Patterson coach Harry Martin said. "So they understand, there was no reason to celebrate because we know out ultimate goal is to win the state championship."
U -- Erichsen 9, Merkel 20, Disciulio 6, Atmonavage 5, Bing 3, Lane 3, Liang 2, Johnson 2, Deegan 3, Byrd 2. Totals: 21 5-9 55
P -- Meekins 21, Carr 43, Williams 6, Lee-Fowlkes 10, Marshall 5, Woodard 5, Carter 2, Taylor 1. Totals: 28 26-36 93
Half: P, 48-23.