Maryland Roundup
Magruder Turns to Schaerr, Grabs Crown in 4A West
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Sunday, March 4, 2007
Around the middle of the first quarter of its biggest game of the season, Magruder decided to overhaul its game plan. Michael Schaerr was happy to take on the extra burden.
The 6-foot-5 senior reserve was the only Colonel with a hot hand, and he became the focus of Magruder's offense. His career-high 21 points included six three-pointers and the game-winning putback in overtime to give Magruder a 43-41 victory over Quince Orchard in the Maryland 4A West Region final at Blair.
The Colonels claimed their first region title since winning three straight from 2001 to '03. They will face No. 12 Eleanor Roosevelt in a state semifinal at 7 p.m. Thursday at Comcast Center.
Schaerr's two threes accounted for all of Magruder's first-quarter points, and he hit two more in the second quarter to keep the Colonels within seven at halftime.
"After the first one, I really felt it in my fingertips," said Schaerr, who hit 6 of 10 from behind the arc.
Magruder Coach Dan Harwood noticed it, too.
"When you're a streaky shooter, all you need is that first one to get you going," he said. "Then he hit another and we just went to him."
Magruder (19-5) tightened its man-to-man defense in the second half, and Quince Orchard (16-7) struggled, going 10 minutes 13 seconds without a field goal. The Cougars scored just 16 points in the final 20 minutes, failing to convert inside or get many second chances.
Maryland 4A Girls
Old Mill avenged two previous losses to No. 11 Arundel with a 77-51 victory, keyed by an 18-3 first quarter, in the 4A East Region final at Old Mill.
The Patriots (22-4) were led by junior forward Ashley Jones, who had 19 points and six rebounds. It was only Jones's second start of the season; she earned her first on Thursday against South River. "She was the best player on the floor today," Coach Craig White said.
Old Mill advanced to play Blake in the state semifinals Thursday at 5 p.m. at UMBC. Arundel finished 21-5. . . .
Blake toppled Springbrook, 52-44, in the 4A North title game for its first regional crown in the school's eight-year history. The Bengals (17-5) had lost twice to Springbrook (20-4) earlier in the year, but used a pressure defense to quicken the tempo.
