Game MPSSAA Class 3A Girls Basketball State of round Round 3

Poly got off to a somewhat slow start against the Gators, struggling early in the first quarter to find their rhythm on both ends of the floor. The team had difficulty getting their offense going, and the Gators were able to take advantage of that early momentum. However, once the first quarter came to an end, Poly began to settle in and find their groove. The players started communicating better, moving the ball more effectively, and working together as a unit. As the second quarter progressed, Poly slowly chipped away at the deficit and built confidence with every possession. Their defense tightened up, forcing tougher shots and creating opportunities in transition. The momentum really began to shift late in the half when Poly knocked down a huge three-pointer right at the halftime buzzer, energizing both the bench and the crowd. That moment seemed to spark the team and gave them the boost they needed heading into the locker room. When Polytech came out for the second half, they looked like a completely different team. They played with intensity, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose. Their ball movement improved, shots began to fall, and the defense continued to apply pressure. From that point on, Poly showed dominance on the court, refusing to back down and never giving up as they fought their way back into the game and took control.

On Thursday evening, the 22-2 Poly Engineers faced off against the 21-4 Reservoir ‘Gators in the 3A Girls Basketball state championship. The second round of the state bracket featured the ‘Gators knocking out the top-seeded Edgewood Rams in a 17-point victory, while the Engineers took down the defending state champion South River Seahawks 39-34. Baltimore Polytechnic opened the game with five made free throws from junior guard London Elliott to put them ahead, but the blue and orange quickly responded, going on a seven-point scoring run. Elliott finished the quarter having contributed all nine of her team’s points, but they trailed by one after eight minutes. In the second, the ‘Gators dominated even more. After Poly briefly retook the lead, Reservoir went on a 12-4 scoring run that lasted for the final 5:38, led by four points from sophomore forward Blythe Pietryka and three from Chloe-Theresa Nguena, before junior Annie Wethington nailed a deep three with seven seconds left on the clock, allowing the ‘Gators to take a 22-17 lead into the locker room. With a five-point deficit at the break, Poly head coach Kendall Peace-Able explained that, in the locker room, she focused on where her team had room for improvement to come back and win the game. “We talk about where we need to place emphasis,” Coach Peace-Able said. “In the first half, our shots were a bit rushed. We had to go into our bag… doing what the game needed.” This message was exactly what the team carried onto the court. Early in the third, the Engineers began a full-court press defense, allowing the team to come within one point of the lead within three and a half minutes. It took 4:42 for the ‘Gators to score their first points of the quarter, with Chloe-Theresa Nguena contributing four of the team’s eight points in the half. By the end of the third, the Engineers had regained the lead, outscoring their opponent 16-8, capping off the dominant quarter with a catch-and-shoot three from London Elliott. In the fourth quarter, the navy and orange continued to dominate. The Poly defense held their opponents to just seven total points, with just two coming from the field. Meanwhile, the Engineers added 21 points to the scoreboard, led by ten more from Elliott, plus six from senior Kachella McGuire and another four from junior Skylar Brown. By the time the final buzzer went off, the Engineers had secured their third state title in the last five seasons, defeating the ‘Gators 54-37. Despite the loss, Reservoir head coach Deb Taylor remains thrilled with how the season played out. “We graduated two all county players last year and people thought we would be down. Instead, we won our first county championship and made school history… no other Reservoir team has made a state championship,” Coach Taylor said. With the win in their pocket, London Elliott, who contributed 24 of her team’s 54 points, had a simple message when thinking about the future. “Don’t doubt us.”