The Maryland Private School State Basketball Tournament returns with an expanded field, a girls division, and a slate of intriguing matchups.

After the success of last year’s inaugural boys event - which was won by Mt. Zion Prep - the tournament has expanded to 15 teams and added representation from the Baltimore Catholic League.

This year also sees the introduction of an 8-team girls bracket, with the boys and girls semifinals and championships both taking place under one roof on March 6 and March 8, respectively.

Any media interested in attending should email mdpssbt@gmail.com to request credentials.

Earning top seeds this year were No. 1 Bullis, No. 2. Georgetown Prep and No. 3 Clinton Grace Christian, with the No. 4 spot going to one of the four BCL teams who have agreed to participate (Archbishop Spalding, John Carroll, Mt. Carmel or St. Maria Goretti)  based on their finish in the upcoming BCL Tournament.

This year’s Maryland Private School boys tourney action tips off on Wednesday, February 28 with three games in the opening round at St. Vincent Pallotti (113 St Marys Pl, Laurel, MD 20707):

#12 Sandy Spring vs. #13 Lanham Christian, 5 p.m.
#10 Severn vs. #15 Takoma Academy, 6:45 pm 
#11 Riverdale Baptist vs. #14 Glenelg Country, 8:30 pm

The second round will take place on Saturday, March 2 at Pallotti, with #5 Mt. Zion Prep, #6 DeMatha and #7 St. Andrew’s taking on opening round winners, while #8 Bishop McNamara takes on #9 Rock Creek Christian (White).

The quarterfinal round will take place on Tuesday, March 5 at Archbishop Spalding (8080 New Cut Rd, Severn, MD 21144).

The semifinals will be on Wednesday, March 6 at Elizabeth Seton (5715 Emerson St, Bladensburg, MD 20710)

This year’s championship will be held on Friday, March 8 at Eleanor Roosevelt High School (7601 Hanover Pkwy, Greenbelt, MD 20770).

Here are the teams who have qualified for this year’s tournament, along with their seedings:

#1 Bullis (IAC Automatic Bid)

#2 Georgetown Prep (At Large Bid)

#3 Clinton Grace Christian (MPSC Automatic Bid)

#4 [Baltimore Catholic League Team - TBD]

#5 Mt. Zion Prep (At Large Bid)

#6 DeMatha (WCAC  Automatic Bid)

#7 St. Andrew’s (MAC Automatic Bid)

#8 Bishop McNamara (WCAC Automatic Bid)

#9 Rock Creek Christian White (At Large Bid)

#10 Severn (MIAA-B Automatic Bid)

#11 Riverdale Baptist (At Large Bid)

#12 Sandy Spring (PVAC Automatic Bid)

#13 Lanham Christian (At Large Bid)

#14 Glenelg Country (MIAA-A -NON BCL Automatic Bid)

#15 Takoma Academy (At Large Bid)

In the inaugural Maryland Private Schools Girls State Tournament, the field will be comprised of #1 Bishop McNamara, #2 Bullis, #3 St. Frances, #4 Elizabeth Seton, #5 Mt. Zion Prep, #6 Riverdale Baptist, #7 Holy Child and #8 Rosedale Christian.

Quarterfinal action begins on Monday, March 4 at Riverdale Baptist (1133 Largo Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774) with the following matchups:

#2 Bullis vs. #7 Holy Child, 3:40 pm
#3 St. Frances vs. #6 Riverdale Baptist, 5:20 pm
#1 Bishop McNamara vs. #8 Rosedale Christian, 7 pm
#4 Elizabeth Seton vs. #5 Mt. Zion Prep, 8:40 pm

The girls semifinals will take place Wednesday, March 6 at Elizabeth Seton, with the Championship on Friday, March 8 at Eleanor Roosevelt.