ROSEDALE, Md. – Ask any basketball participant – highschool or faculty – they wish to play in March. The video games are greater. The stakes are increased. For the Rosedale Christian Academy ladies, it doesn't get any greater than this weekend.
The Panthers are enjoying for the Mid-Atlantic Impartial Athletic Convention championship. On Saturday at 3:00 p.m., St. Maria Goretti. Rosedale enters the title recreation with a 20-10 document. They’re the highest seed and beat Takoma Academy en path to the finals.
The Panthers are coached by native radio character Rob Lengthy.
That is the inaugural match for the MAIAC, which is a brand new regional league that Lengthy stated provides his program extra scheduling flexibility and the chance to play elite competitors.
Successful the primary MAIAC title would imply the world and show the naysayers incorrect.
“I'm actually excited to play within the championship, particularly with this ladies group,” guard Jaylah Speller stated. “I feel we doubted loads this 12 months and we lastly did it.
“It's actually thrilling to get this far and I feel having it as a house recreation and having lots of people right here to assist us is de facto vital for our group,” added heart London Harvey. “Successful this championship would imply loads to us.
“Meaning all the things [the players]. I've by no means seen them so packed. I've by no means seen them animated like this earlier than. They're very alive in it,” Lengthy stated. “They're locked in. They're centered.”
Rosedale gained each common season conferences with Goretti by six factors in November and early February.
The Gaels will probably be further motivated. That is Goretti's last recreation of his last season. Hagerstown College is closing its doorways on the finish of the college 12 months.
Comply with Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Fb
