Severn boys basketball to play for 1st title in 31 years
The last seconds of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference semifinal counted down, and for the first time, Jacob Randall had a reason to smile.
The junior jostled senior Kingston Price, who joyfully struck the basketball down as hard as he could. Their eyes were only on their teammates and the ensuing celebration. Off to their side, nestled between championship banners hung boys basketball, dusty and untouched in decades, with just two dates printed in the top left corner: 1966 and 1993.
On Thursday, daylight finally peeked through that door. Severn was able to settle down and conquer St. Paul’s in the second half, 43-33, for one reason: fun.
“It was tense in that first half. We knew we had a door to push through. We could feel those eyes [of the crowd] on us,” Admirals coach Mike Glasby said. “But just having our guys focusing on having fun and enjoying the moment, that was the most important thing.”
The Admirals return to the MIAA B Conference championship game for the first time since 2017-18, where it fell to Gerstell — its opponent once again 4 p.m. Saturday at UMBC. It’s a dream players like Price had been working for since the dark, empty days of the canceled 2020-21 season.
“This is something we wanted for years. Last year, we felt like we might’ve had it,” said Price (20 points, 13 rebounds, three assists), “but some things slipped through. This year, it does feel like finally we’ve made it where we’re supposed to make it.”
When the Crusaders did get shots off, it was like the ball itself rebelled against them. Simple layups and 3-pointers alike refused to fall. When Randall laid down his second-straight basket in the fourth, the whole Severn gym knew it was over.
“I’m proud of our guys — of the work they’ve put in and the work they still have to do,” Glasby said. “It’s not just the season, but a culmination, to get to this point.” Other boys basketball scores: Liberty 61, Century 59: The ball hung around the rim for what seemed like an eternity.
A packed Century High gym watched and awaited the fate of Aaron Bald’s putback that would decide the end of another classic between archrivals.
Bald’s shot finally dropped into the hoop at the buzzer. Century fans were left speechless, while the Liberty student section stormed the floor in celebration after the Lions’ win Thursday night.
“I’m so happy for that kid,” Liberty coach George Sinnott said. “He’s a captain, a senior and now he’ll have that memory for a lifetime.”
With 4.7 seconds left, it was really anyone’s guess as to who Liberty would turn to. Sinnott was armed with the trio of Alex Thompson, Cole Jernigan and Tristian West, all three capable of making the game-winning shot.
“I like our chances against anyone in that situation,” Thompson said. “We have three guys that can do damage when the other team leaves one of us open or makes a mistake.”
Thompson took the shot but it wouldn’t fall, but Bald was there for the rebound and buzzer-beating putback that ended a scoreless last two minutes of the fourth quarter. The senior was in the right place at the right time.
“I’m looking for the rebound,” Bald said recalling the final sequence. “Just trying to make an impact on the game.”