Vote: Who was the Top Player at the 2024 MPSSAA Boys Basketball State Championships?
Championships were won and lifetime memories were made as the best public school boys basketball players and teams competed for state championships last weekend at the University of Maryland's Xfinity Center.
There was no shortage of heroic performances, but we have settled on 10 players who may have stood slightly above the rest and invite you, with your vote, to help us select the Top Player at the 2024 MPSSAA Boys Basketball State Championships. Voting ends March 24th at 11:59 p.m.
Congratulations to last week's Maryland Boys Basketball Player of the Week: Ja'Von Tyler of Smithsburg.
Here are the nominees:
Cameron Albury, Northeast: Albury helped author one of the greatest rallies in Maryland state boys basketball finals history. The 5-8 senior guard finished with 25 points, 15 in the final frame, including the lead basket with 19 seconds left as Northeast won its first state title with 69-66 win over St. Charles in the 3A title game.
Xavier Buchanan, St. Charles: Buchanan, a 6-2 senior guard, had the best scoring effort of Championship Weekend with 31 points on 10-of-15 shooting with seven rebounds in the Class 3A state final. His effort, unfortunately, may be forgotten after St. Charles blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead and lost to Northeast.
David Dorsey, Frederick: Dorsey, a 6-6 forward headed to Shippensburg University, had 14 points and eight rebounds for the 4A state champ Cadets. His back-to-back 3-pointers, with a block sandwiched between, sparked a scintillating 71-39 run over the final 28 minutes of regulation against Whitman.
Chase Foster, Edmondson: Foster, 6-9, finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks as Edmondson defeated Cambridge-South Dorchester for its second consecutive Class 1A state championship. The skilled sophomore made his presence felt on both ends in the critical fourth quarter.
Jalen Johnson, Largo: Johnson’s second half shooting was a big reason Largo won its first title since 2008. The 6-2 sophomore guard had 17 points (three 3-pointers), five rebounds, three assists and three steals in the Lions’ 66-52 win over Carver Vo-Tech in the Class 2A state title game.
Shamar Johnson, Northeast: Johnson finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds as Northeast overcame a 14-point deficit in the final seven minutes of regulation in the Class 3A final. His steady play on both ends helped keep the Anne Arundel County school in position.
Ivan Quijada, Frederick: Quijada, a 5-11 senior shooting guard, saved his best performance for last for the Cadets Saturday. The Hood College commit finished with 17 points (five 3-pointers), six rebounds and four steals in Frederick’s 74-49 victory over Whitman to win the Class 4A championship.
Shamar Taylor, St. Charles: Taylor had 22 points in the Class 3A final, helping St. Charles wiped out a 12-point first half deficit. The 6-foot senior was left struggling for words in the postgame press conference after the Spartans collapsed in the final quarter against Northeast.
Cam Ward, Largo: Ward showed why he’s arguably Maryland’s best Power 5 prospect as an underclassmen. The 6-foot-8 junior forward/post finished with 28 points, 16 rebounds, six blocks and five steals as Largo won the Class 2A state title with a win over Carver Vo-Tech.
Elwyne Wordlaw, Frederick: Wordlaw, a 5-10 senior guard, masterfully directed an impressive Cadet effort in the Class 4A final. The Shepherd commit finished with 19 points (nine-of-14 shooting) and three assists in a little over 21 minutes as Frederick won its first title since 1982 with a rout of Whitman.
