Maryland high school basketball news and notes (2/27/2024)

In 2002, Juan Dixon led the University of Maryland to its first - and only - NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship.

Another Dixon helped Severn School to a rare victory Saturday.

The Admirals defeated Gerstell Academy, 62-46, in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference final at UMBC as Dixon’s son, Corey, a freshman, contributed four points, seven rebounds (team-high), three steals and two assists.

It was the first basketball championship for the Admirals winning the Maryland Scholastic Association Armstrong Conference B Division title in 1993. Severn’s other title came in 1966.

The Admirals did not drop a league match - 18-0 including playoffs - this season started four underclassmen Saturday including Dixon, a 6-foot-3 guard, who’s bigger at this stage as a freshman than his father who started his high school career at Lake Clifton in Baltimore City before transferring to Calvert Hall, a private school in the Baltimore suburbs.

After a stellar career at Calvert Hall, the elder Dixon became arguably the greatest player in Maryland history, finishing as the all-time leading scorer (2,269 points) and was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2002 Final Four. Dixon played in the NBA for nine seasons and was Coppin State men’s basketball coach for six seasons.

Instead of trying to follow in his father’s footsteps, Corey Dixon chose Severn, which is in the MIAA's middle tier, not Calvert Hall, which is in the A league as well as the history-rich Baltimore Catholic League.

“Severn was the best fit for me,” Corey Dixon said to the Severna Park Voice. “I really liked the school and coach gives us the freedom to play an up-tempo offense and pressing defense.”

With Dixon, sophomore Sean Harvey, juniors Daniel Growney and Jacob Randall back next season along with four other letterwinners, Severn coach Mike Glasby believes the future is ultra-bright.

“We are building a solid program at Severn,” said Glasby, who completed his sixth season. “We try to get the players and parents to tour our school and open their eyes to Severn School. Parents are blown away by our academics and campus.”

Bullis rises to repeat.

It was hardly a surprise that Bullis and Georgetown Prep were the two standing for the Interstate Athletic Conference championship Saturday. After escaping on their home court in their previous meeting, the Bulldogs distanced the Little Hoyas in the second half for a 70-52 victory.

“That last game scared our guys. Got their full attention,” longtime Bullis coach Bruce Kelley said to the Washington Post. “I think we were the best version of ourselves today because they put the fear into us.”

Bullis eked out a 51-49 win over Georgetown Prep Feb. 6. In the first meeting of the season, the Bulldogs jumped on the Little Hoyas, building a 19-point halftime cushion en route to a 63-49 road win.

Leading 30-25 at halftime Saturday, Bullis outscored Georgetown Prep, 24-15, in the third for a commanding double-digit advantage. Junior forward Adrien Stevens had 14 points for Bullis, and Eric Reibe and Old Dominion-bound forward Caden Diggs combined for 25.

It was the second straight IAC crown for Bullis, and ninth under Kelley’s leadership since 2005. The Bulldogs will be the top seed for the Maryland Private Schools Tournament.

Empty handed at WCACs

The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference tourney, arguably the biggest event in the DMV postseason, was disappointing for Maryland squads.

With McDonald All-America guard and South Carolina recruit Madisen McDaniel unable to play due to injury, McNamara’s girls’ bid for a first title since 2020 fell short against St. John’s (D.C.).

The Cadets won their third straight crown with a 45-41 win at American University. McNamara will be the top-seed for the Maryland Private Schools Tournament.

On the boys’ side, DeMatha fell to Gonzaga (D.C.) in the semifinals. Paul VI (Va.) defeated Gonzaga in the finals Monday at American University to complete an undefeated run in WCAC play.

Final stops on private postseason road

The Maryland Private Schools boys tourney starts Wednesday at St. Vincent Pallotti with first round action. The quarterfinals are Saturday back at Pallotti.

The quarterfinals are Monday at Archbishop Spalding. Bullis, Georgetown Prep and Clinton Grace will be the top three seeds with the fourth coming from the Baltimore Catholic League.

Spalding, Mount Carmel, St. Maria Goretti and John Carroll are in play for the spot, heading into this weekend’s BCL Tournament. The highest finisher will advance.

The girls tourney starts Monday at Riverdale Baptist.

Here's the schedule of games.

Wednesday Feb. 28

Boys first round at Pallotti

No. 13 seed Lanham Christian vs. No. 12 Sandy Spring School, 5 p.m.

No. 15 seed Takoma Academy vs. No. 10 Severn, 6:45 p.m.

No. 14 Glenelg Country School vs. No. 11 Riverdale Baptist

Saturday March 2

Boys second round at Pallotti

No. 9 Rock Creek-White vs. No. 8 Bishop McNamara

Lanham/Sandy Spring winner vs. No. 5 Mount Zion Prep

Glenelg Country/Riverdale winner vs. No. 6 DeMatha

Takoma Academy/Severn winner vs. No. 7 St. Andrew's Episcopal

Monday March 4

Girls quarterfinals at Riverdale Baptist

No. 7 Holy Child vs. No. 2 Bullis, 3:40 p.m.

No. 6 Riverdale Baptist vs. No. 3 St. Frances, 5:20 p.m.

No. 8 Rosedale Christian vs. No. 1 Bishop McNamara, 7 p.m.

No. 5 Mount Zion Prep vs. No. 4 Elizabeth Seton, 8:40 p.m.

Tuesday March 5

Boys quarterfinals at Archbishop Spalding

McNamara/Rock Creek winner vs. No. 1 Bullis

Lanham Christian or Sandy Spring/Mount Zion winner vs. No. 4 seed (Baltimore Catholic League representative)

Glenelg Country or Riverdale Baptist/DeMatha winner vs. No. 3 Clinton Grace

Takoma or Severn/St. Andrew's winner vs. No. 2 Georgetown Prep

Wednesday March 6

Girls semifinals at Elizabeth Seton

Mount Zion Prep/Seton winner vs. Rosedale/McNamara winner

Riverdale/St. Frances winner vs. Holy Child/Bullis winner

Boys semifinals (site to be determined)

Friday March 8

Girls championship (site to be decided)