Plenty of subplots

La Plata, Stone are dark horses in 3A South region volleyball tourney field

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

Both times, nine-time reigning regional champion Broadneck was on the brink of elimination. Not only did the Anne Arundel County power escape Leonardtown to win the region, but Broadneck used the momentum to capture back-to-back state titles.

Meanwhile Leonardtown –– which had five match points in the deciding game of the 2007 regional final against Broadneck –– was left to wonder what-if.

Had Leonardtown not blown two-games-to-one advantages in each instance –– last year's showdown coming in the semifinal round –– might it be the one with a state banner or two?

"There are a few skeletons in that closet that we have to deal with in regards to Broadneck," said Leonardtown head coach Steve Correll, whose 12-2 club is hoping to break the program's 23-year skid without a regional banner as it begins postseason action at 6 p.m. Monday in the role of the third seed versus the Great Mills-Annapolis first-round winner. That match is scheduled for 5 p.m. today. "Broadneck is still the reigning champion in 4A, and they'll be that way until they're knocked off. Our goal is to do that. But it's going to take a perfect game. We know they have a strong attack."

Leonardtown would play at second-seeded Broadneck in the regional semifinals should both knock off their quarterfinals foes as expected. The playoff rivalry has proven that home court hardly ensures much comfort, as Leonardtown had host Broadneck dangling on the ropes two years ago before losing in its gym to the Annapolis-based opponent a postseason ago.

Northern understands what being a big dog is all about, having knocked off those in their path in the past –– most recently archrival and fellow juggernaut Huntingtown.

For the second straight year, Northern boasts the top seed in the 3A South with Huntingtown relegated to No. 2. The 3A South's top two seeds were solidified when unbeaten Northern (14-0) took down visiting Huntingtown (12-2) last Thursday in four games to cap the regular season.

And both clubs are favored to meet again in Northern's gym for the regional final by the end of next week.

That was the matchup last year to decide the regional title, and Northern came away impressively with victory in the minimum three games. That ended Huntingtown's four-year reign atop the region, claiming state runner-up status the latter three postseasons of the run.

Unlike Huntingtown, Northern has state championships on its resume. The most recent of Northern's eight state golds came in back-to-back fashion during 2000 and 2001.

Northern begins its regional action at 5 p.m. Monday, playing the winner of the Chopticon-Westlake affair in the quarterfinals. The Braves-Wolverines matchup is at 6 tonight. Huntingtown also has a first-round bye and hosts the Crossland-Friendly victor in the quarterfinals at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

But all the Northern-Huntingtown hype in the 3A South does not have Hall and her club looking past the dark horses of the region in third-seeded La Plata and No. 4 Thomas Stone.

"I think La Plata can be a very scary team. They have a very strong program and are coached well," Northern head coach Devin Hall said. "In years past, they've been looked over and have really come a long way. Because there is not a rivalry there, it can be hard to get up for them.

"Stone is another one. If you're not careful, they can take it from you."

Stone (9-5) won six of its final eight regular season matches, including a five-setter in the finale against North Point. The quarterfinals presents Stone's first opponent in the form of fifth-seeded Lackey, a match scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday.

Stone will be a heavy favorite in that clash, after disposing of Lackey in three games during the regular season. That would advance Cougars to the semifinals most likely at Northern on Wednesday. During the regular season, Stone lost in straight games at Northern.

"No. 4[seed] is great compared to what we are used to from 4A," Stone head coach Doug Otten said, referring to his program's status in the 4A East before being reclassified to the 3A South going into this school year. "I would say that we are playing pretty good right now.  We seem to have a good rotation that works for us. It will be tough being in the top half [of the bracket] with undefeated Northern, but I told the team we need to take care of Lackey first. One step at a time.

"This bracket is a tough one. I told [our players] that La Plata is a good team, but we have a good chance with them and that we had chances in some games against the [Northern and Huntingtown]."

In the 2A South bracket, McDonough, the 10th seed, travels to seventh-seeded Marriotts Ridge for a first-round match scheduled for 6 tonight.

dcogle@somdnews.com