Paint Branch Gets Crowded Out

Milford Mill 57, Paint Branch 48

Winning a state title was just out of the grasp of Paint Branch's Amy Dodd, left. Milford Mill won its first title. (Mark Gail -- The Washington Post)

CATONSVILLE, Md., March 12 -- A large and boisterous Paint Branch crowd came to UMBC's RAC Arena for Saturday's 3A girls' final hoping to see the coronation of a Panthers team that has been one of the best in the school's successful history.

Instead, a determined Milford Mill team ended years of futility in the state tournament, upending Paint Branch, 57-48.

Senior Shawna Scott scored a game-high 21 points and senior Chelsea Jeter added 17 for the Millers (23-4), who won their first state title after losing every championship game from 1998 to 2003.

"It's a relief," Jeter said. "People didn't believe in us, so we used that as motivation. We wanted to show people that we could win at states."

Paint Branch (25-2), which was looking for its fourth championship, lost in the 3A final for the second straight year despite a team-high 18 points from standout guard Ashley Alexander.

Paint Branch's roster includes eight seniors who were part of a team that for two years dominated Montgomery County's 3A/2A/1A league. Before Saturday night, the Panthers had lost three games in two seasons: last year's state final against Gwynn Park and twice in out-of-town tournaments.

"We've been together for a long time. Some of these girls I've been with since they were in sixth grade," Coach Heather Podosek said. "We've been through a lot. They're all going to go off to college and do great things. They have a great future ahead of them. They shouldn't hang their heads for too long."

Paint Branch led for much of the first three quarters, but it could never make the run to pull away, as the Millers scrapped for offensive rebounds and steals. A quick Millers lineup caused havoc for the Paint Branch offense throughout the game, constantly hounding the Panthers with a full-court press, closing off passing lanes and forcing tough shots.

The Panthers' lead was nine points after two quick baskets on the first two possessions of the third quarter, but they did not score again for more than three minutes after that. Meantime, the Millers finally began making their outside shots.

Paint Branch led, 39-38, before senior Carlene Bryson made a three-pointer with five seconds left in the third quarter to give Milford Mill its first lead of the half. Twenty seconds into the fourth quarter, Jeter sank another three-pointer to give the Millers a five-point advantage.

Paint Branch had two field goals, nine points and eight turnovers in the game's final nine minutes.

"Basketball is a funny game," Alexander said. "We were doing good, then all of a sudden the tables turn, Milford Mill made some shots, and we couldn't come back."

The Paint Branch fans, who made up half of the near-capacity crowd inside the 4,024 seat arena, appeared to be a big spark for the Panthers and may have had a tangible effect in the first half. Shooting into a backdrop of face-painted Paint Branch students, the Millers missed 6 of 10 free throw attempts in the half, and the Panthers led, 27-22, at intermission.