The Smithsburg girls basketball team won all 23 games it played this season.
Ancient history. It doesn’t really matter anymore.
That’s because the Leopards and the 13 other teams of Washington County – seven girls and seven boys teams – will be entering the “real” season this weekend when the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association Basketball State Championships begin.
“Zero and zero. That’s what we are now. That’s what we told them a minute ago.,” said Smithsburg coach Todd Bono on Tuesday after the Leopards capped their season by winning the Central Maryland Conference Girls Small School Championship.
“I think we’re ready for the playoffs with the product we have, and what we’ve been doing all year. We’re not going change anything. We are who we are. Everybody knows what we’re going to do, and if you can match it, then more power to you.”
Smithsburg gets back on the trail, looking to avenge a loss to Southern Garrett in the Class 1A state semifinals.
The Leopards enter the postseason as one of four Washington County teams to earn a first-round bye in the region draw. The boys and girls teams from Smithsburg and Williamsport will have this weekend’s quarterfinal round off and will advance to the semifinals.
Smithsburg girls and Williamsport girls are top seeds in their regions, while the two boys teams are second seeds.
All games will be scheduled for the home site of the highest seed through the state quarterfinals.
The girls’ region semifinals are scheduled for March 3 with the region finals for March 5. The state quarterfinals are on March 7 and the semifinals are on March 11.
The boys’ region semifinals are scheduled for March 2 and region finals on March 4. State quarterfinals are March 6-7 and the semifinals on March 10-11.
The state semifinals will be played at neutral sites.
The state championships will be played March 12-14 at University of Maryland-Baltimore County.
Washington County’s playoff assignments are:
Girls Class 1A West Section II
Smithsburg will host the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal of No. 5 Boonsboro at No. 4 Francis Scott Key
Second seed Catoctin – also with a bye – will host the winner of No. 6 Brunswick at No. 6 South Carroll
Semifinal winners will face off on March 5 for the West II title and a trip to the state quarterfinals.
Girls Class 1A West Section I
Southern Garrett is the top seed
It will play the winner of No. 5 Mountain Ridge vs. No. 4 Fort Hill
In the other half of the bracket:
No. 7 Clear Spring travels to No. 2 Allegany (Saturday at 1 p,m.)
No. 6 Hancock travels to No. 3 Northern Garrett, (Saturday, 1 p.m.)
Southern Garrett and the game winners advance to the Section I semifinals
Semifinal winners play for Section I title and a trip to the state quarterfinals
Girls Class 2A West Section II
Williamsport is the top seed and has a quarterfinal bye
It will play the winner of No. 5 Century at No. 4 Middletown, (Friday at 7:30 p.m.)
No. 2 Poolesville has a bye
Poolesville will play the winner of No. 6 Walkersville faces No. 3 Liberty
The two byes and two game winners advance to Section II semifinals
Semifinal winners play for Section II title and a trip to the Class 2A state quarterfinals
Girls Class 3A West Section II
Linganore is top seed and has a quarterfinal bye
The Lancers will play the winner of No. 5 North Hagerstown vs. No. 4 Westminster, (Friday, 6 p.m.)
Frederick is No. 2 and has a quarterfinal bye
The Cadets will play the winner of No 6 Tuscarora vs. No. 3 Oakdale
Semifinal winners play Section II title for trip to state quarterfinals
Girls Class 4A West Section I
Thomas Johnson is the top seed and has a bye
The Patriots will play the winner of No. 5 South Hagerstown vs. No. 4 Urbana (Friday at 6 p.m.)
No. 2 Seneca Valley has a bye
Seneca Valley will face the winner of No. 6 Clarksburg vs. No. 3 Northwest
Semifinal winners play for Section I title and trip to the state quarterfinals
Boys Class 1A West Section II
Brunswick is top seed and has a quarterfinal bye
The Railroaders will play the winner of No. 5 South Carroll vs. No. 4 Francis Scott Key
Smithsburg is the No. 2 seed and has a quarterfinal bye
The Leopards will face the winner of No. 6 Catoctin at No. 3 Boonsboro, Friday, 6 p.m.
Semifinal winners will play for the Section II title and a berth in the state quarterfinals
Boys Class 1A West Section I
Fort Hill is the top seed and has a quarterfinal bye
The Sentinels will play the winner of No. 5 Northern Garrett vs. No. 4 Mountain Ridge
In the bottom half of the bracket:
No. 7 Hancock vs. No. 2 Southern Garrett
No. 6 Clear Spring vs. No. 3 Allegany.
Semifinal winners will play for the Section I title and advance to the state quarterfinal
Boys Class 2A West Section II
Poolesville is the top seed and had a quarterfinal bye
Poolesville will play the winner of No 5 Liberty at No. 4 Century
Williamsport is No. 2 and has a quarterfinal bye
The Wildcats will play the winner of No. 6 Walkersville at No. 3 Middletown.
Semifinal winners will play for the Section II title and advance to the state quarter finals
Boys Class 3A West Section I
Oakdale is the top seed and has a quarterfinal bye
The Bears will play the winner of No.5 Tuscarora at No. 4 North Hagerstown, Friday, 7 p.m.
Westminster is the No 2 seed and has a quarterfinal bye
The Owls will face the winner of No. 6 Frederick at No. 3 Linganore
Semifinal winners will play for the West Section I title and a berth in the state quarterfinals
Boys Class 4A West Section I
Thomas Johnson is the top seed and has a quarterfinal bye
The Patriots will play the winner of No. 5 South Hagerstown at No.4 Urbana, Friday, 6 p.m.
Seneca Valley is the No.2 seed and has a quarterfinal bye
Seneca Valley will face the winner of No. 6 Clarksburg at No. 3 Northwest
Semifinal winners will play for the Section I title and advance to the state quarter final
Complete brackets can be found at https://www.mpssaa.org/state-championships/basketball/boys-basketball-state-tournament-schedule-and-results/
