First-round games: Crossland (9-11) at Surrattsville (8-12), Saturday, 7; Bladensburg (6-16) at Wilde Lake (12-9), Saturday, 7.
First-round byes: River Hill (21-0); Gwynn Park (20-2); Centennial (15-6); Douglass (13-8); Long Reach (15-6); Mount Hebron (15-6).
Team to beat: No. 11 Gwynn Park. Although they are in an unusual position -- seeded second behind No. 14 River Hill -- the Yellow Jackets are looking for their fourth consecutive state title and have defeated River Hill in the region tournament each of the past three seasons. Gwynn Park averages 68.9 points per game behind four players who average at least nine points per game, led by forwards Lakia Barber (15.1 ppg) and Teresa Neely (12.1 ppg).
Watch out for: River Hill. This might be one of the best teams in school history. The Hawks feature a balanced offense -- led by guard Keisha Eaddy (22.2 ppg) and center Brittany Gordon (19.1 ppg) -- and four seniors whose experience could prove invaluable.
Notable: Guard Vanessa Lamison and forward Shadara Peters give fourth-seeded Douglass a strong 1-2 punch, but the Eagles face a difficult road if they want to advance to the state semifinals for the first time since 1998.
