COLLEGE PARK, MD – The 2018 Maryland Boys state championships are set after a day of Class 1A and 2A semifinal action Friday at the University of Maryland’s XFinity Center.

Saturday’s field now looks like this:

MARYLAND STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday, March 10
1A: Dunbar vs. Fairmont Heights, 1 pm
3A: Poly vs. Milford Mill, 3 PM
2A:  Lake Clifton vs. North Caroline, 6 PM
4A: Perry Hall vs. Bladensburg, 8 PM

Here’s a look at Friday’s semifinal action:
 

2A – NORTH CAROLINE 62, RIVER HILL 48
2018 guard Joey Adams poured in 31 points as the Bulldogs continued their impressive run, downing River Hill to advance to the 2A state title game.

North Caroline was seeded #3 in its section of the 2A East Region when the postseason started, but knocked off #2 Easton and #1 seed and unbeaten Wicomico to reach the regional final, where they beat  Harford Tech to reach Friday’s game.

The Bulldogs trailed 13-11 after one quarter but took the lead in the second quarter and never relinquished it., outscoring the Hawks 14-5 in a pivotal third quarter.

2018 forward and Notre Dame football commit Ja’Mion Franklin had 11 points, while Tynaz Warner also had 11.

2018 guard Jaden Martin had 18 points to lead the Hawks, while Jacob Krouse had 14.

2A – LAKE CLIFTON 68, OAKDALE 61
2020 guard Michael Gray scored 22 points and 2018 guard Benjamin Carter 19 as the Lakers pulled away from Oakdale in the second half.

Armon Harried added 12 points for Lake Clifton.

The game was tied 30-30 at halftime, but the Lakers wore the Bears down in the second half, outscoring them 38-31.

2019 guard Collin Schlee led Oakdlae with 22 points, while 2018 guard J.P. DeLorenzo added 15.

1A – FAIRMONT HEIGHTS 72, PATTERSON MILL 49
2018 wing Kimani Benjamin scored 17 points to lead four Hornets in double figures as Fairmont Heights cruised to a return trip to the 1A title game.

The defending 1A champion Hornets led t13-10 after one quarter but blew open the game in the second, outscoring the Huskies 25-9 to take a 38-19 lead at the half.

2018 guard Darren Lucas-White had 14 points, 2018 guard Mandell Quigley 11 and 2018 guard Daron Eccles 10 for FHS.

2018 guard Rashawd Clowney had 13 points to lead Patterson Mill, while 2018 guard Max Elliot finished with 12.

1A – DUNBAR 69, CLEAR SPRING 43
2018 guard Da’Shawn Phillip scored 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting and Malik McCormick had 18 points to lead the Poets to their first state title appearance since winning it in 2013.

State appearances are nothing new to Dunbar, which holds the state record for championships and will be seeking its 16th on Saturday.

2018 forward Taivon Davis had 18 points to lead the Blazers, who got 11 from 2019 guard Michael Myers and 9 points and 12 rebounds from 2018 forward Connor Michael.