Montgomery County, in my opinion, is the high school sports jewel of Maryland.
And that’s not partiality because I live here and cover high school sports in MoCo.
It’s because Montgomery County often produces the most state champions and the highest-profile athletes in the state.
But when it comes to the Spring sports, Montgomery County quite frankly has a lot of work to do.
That was proven once again this past week as Montgomery County has just two remaining teams in the state playoffs – Sherwood softball and Quince Orchard baseball.
Previously undefeated Wootton boys lacrosse took its 17-0 record into the 4A/3A state semifinals and lost to Urbana – giving Frederick County its first-ever boys lacrosse appearance in the state finals.
Walter Johnson was the girls lacrosse representative from the 4A/3A and the Wildcats got waxed by Westminster from the north.
Sherwood softball will have its hand full with Westminster and if the Warriors win that game they would have to likely face Anne Arundel’s Broadneck. Undefeated Broadneck beat reigning champion Chesapeake – who no-hit Sherwood in last year’s state final – in the 4A East region finals.
No Montgomery County boys lacrosse or girls lacrosse team has ever won a state championship. Baseball has done well (Sherwood won the 4A state championship last year) but softball has won four state titles since the tournament’s inception in 1978 (Springbrook in 1982, Damascus in 1987 and 1992 and most recently Gaithersburg in 1999).
I find that strange considering Montgomery County dominates or at least does quite well in fall sports such as boys soccer, girls soccer, football and golf. Then there’s the winter sports, in which Montgomery County owns swimming and does quite well in wrestling and both basketballs. The county also handles itself in all the track sports.
So what’s up with the Spring?
Well I think there are many reasons and I’m sure ones that I haven’t even thought about.
Here’s a short list I’ve come up with…
1) Lack of junior varsity boys and girl lax until 2 years ago
2) Baltimore is the heartland of lacrosse and thus the youth leagues are more established, producing more experienced players to the high schools
3) More dedication to softball in other counties
a. Anne Arundel and Southern Maryland, in particular, have many girls playing year round and on travelling club teams. In Montgomery County, there just doesn’t seem to be as many girls who take that much interest in the sport. Not sure the of the reason.
If you would like to input your thoughts as to why Montgomery County sports stumble during the Spring please share them with me and I will continually update this piece with comments until my next blog.
Email Montgomery County Content Editor Ryan Mink at rmink@digitalsports.com
PANTHER SHOUT OUT:
I think Paint Branch deserves a little love for the Spring season it had.
The Panthers’ baseball and softball teams each reached the 3A West region finals, each knocking off region favorite Damascus in the process.
Paint Branch’s co-ed volleyball reached the county finals and the track team continues to put up big performances.
My Co-Worker’s Blogs:
T-Mac’s Tuesday Take
Altered States
Murphy’s Law
Ramblin’ Man
The Paul Monitor
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