After the pandemic halted the state event in 2020 and price Howard its total 2020-21 season, the Lions had their first alternative since 1994 to assert a state title Saturday on the University of Maryland’s Xfinity Center. In maybe their hardest matchup this season, they might solely watch their foe have fun for the primary time in three years.
“Nobody’s perfect,” mentioned Howard guard Gabrielle Kennerly, who had a team-high 15 factors. “They played harder than any team that we’ve seen this year.”
Howard (19-1) was 25-0 in March 2020 when Maryland’s athletic affiliation postponed — and later canceled — the semifinal and championship video games. The Ellicott City faculty hung a navy blue banner in its fitness center stating “PERFECT SEASON,” however the gamers had wished extra.
While the Lions graduated their stars after the 2020-21 season was canceled totally, they returned this November as dominant as ever. Their wins got here by a median of 38.3 factors, whilst they endured one other hiatus.
Between December and January, Howard County suspended sports activities for 3 weeks amid coronavirus spikes. That erased Howard’s likelihood to face robust nonconference opponents.
“We would probably have gotten to the state finals in [2020],” mentioned ahead Gabby Scott, a Towson signee. “Not being there kind of helped us be motivated.”
Entering Saturday, Howard had allowed 40 factors as soon as. But Poly (18-3) led 41-24 after three quarters as 4 gamers completed with a minimum of eight factors.
The Lions additionally didn’t rating a minimum of 55 factors for simply the second time. Coach Scott Robinson mentioned he watched Poly’s recreation movie for hours over the previous few days, however his workforce struggled in opposition to the Engineers’ zone protection, which targeted on Scott.
“We have to get used to teams that are going to be a challenge for us and that are super aggressive at the start,” freshman ahead Meghan Yarnevich mentioned. “We can’t let them get this big lead or just let them get these free points on us. We have to stay in the game and attack them right off the bat.”