First-round games: Douglass (9-12) at River Hill (4-17), tomorrow, 7; Bladensburg (3-19) at Wilde Lake (11-11), tomorrow, 7.
First-round byes: Centennial (18-3); Gwynn Park (17-5); Long Reach (17-4); Crossland (16-6); Mount Hebron (13-6); Surrattsville (11-11).
Team to beat: No. 11 Gwynn Park. The Yellow Jackets have won six region titles and advanced to the state title game four times in the past nine years, with hope that this is finally the season they break through for their first championship under Coach Steve Matthews. Gwynn Park started this season slowly, but led by George Washington-bound forward Robert Diggs (15.4 ppg), it enters with 11 victories in 12 games. A key factor could be whether the Yellow Jackets' outside shooters regain their touch.
Watch out for: Centennial. The Eagles are coming off their best regular season since finishing 16-0 in 1996 and have home-court advantage throughout the tournament. Centennial is undefeated at home, and has held opponents to just 45.2 points per game. "This team plays better defense than any team I've ever had," said Coach Jim Hill.
Notable: If Douglass can get past River Hill in a matchup of teams that met for the regional football title, talented point guard Mike Lewis will get the chance to test Centennial's defense. Lewis is sixth in the Washington area in scoring (22.9 ppg) and second in three-point shooting (3.4 per game). . . . Fourth-seeded Crossland lost three of its final five regular season games, but could get a boost if shooting guard Johvon Whitby returns after missing two games because of back spasms.
