River Hill claims 2A South title

Long Reach captures 3A East; Fallston falls

All season, River Hill has prided itself on its defense. The Hawks have allowed fewer than 40 points per game and coach Teresa Waters’ young team has found ways to win despite not having a lights-out shooter or a high-scoring offense.

The defensive-first mentality carried over into the Hawks’ home game against Calvert on Saturday afternoon with the Class 2A South region championship on the line. Only this time, River Hill got a lights-out performance offensively from junior guard Kennedy Clark, who scored a career-high 23 points — including 12 on four 3-pointers in the second quarter alone to give the Hawks a comfortable lead — en route to a 54-40 victory.

It’s the Hawks’ first regional championship since 2013 and sixth in program history. They will play Hereford Friday at 3 p.m. at Towson University’s SECU Arena for a shot to win its first state title since 2006. River Hill is 4-1 in state semifinal games.

LONG REACH 67, J.M. BENNETT 48: When you start from the bottom, as Long Reach coach Kelli Cofield did when she took over a three-win Lightning program nine years ago, it gives you a greater appreciation for the top. So as Cofield clutched the 3A East region championship plaque Saturday evening moments after securing a 67-48 win over J.M. Bennett — earning the program its second straight region crown — she was making sure to soak in the moment.

The sister combination of seniors Jaelyn Swann (21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks) and Lyric Swann (20 points, 4 steals and 3 assists) put on a show against the Clippers in this year’s region final. The two combined to hit 10 3-pointers.

QUEEN ANNE’S 54, FALLSTON 39: Chantel Curry had 13 points and freshman Allie Book had 11 points, but the Cougars (12-12) fell to the Lions (22-2) in Class 2A East.

Boys

ST. JOHN’S (D.C.) 74, NO. 5 MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH 65: LSU-bound James Bishop scored 36 points in his final high school game, but the Gaels (28-10) fell to the Cadets (26-12) in the third place game of the consolation bracket of the Alhambra Catholic Invitational at Frostburg State. Mount Saint Joseph went 0-3 at the tournament.