Gwynn Park (17-8) has been itching for the opportunity to play for a championship all season, after losing the Class 2A state final last year. But before the Yellow Jackets can play in Saturday's championship game, they will have to beat Baltimore City's Digital Harbor in a semifinal, set for a 7 p.m. tipoff Friday at the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Prince George's County teams have not had much luck facing off against Baltimore schools in the past decade, and the Yellow Jackets are aiming to change that.

"They are a very good team and a team that is similar to us," Glick said of the Digital Harbor. "They had an up and down regular season and had a tough schedule but they responded and got better as the season went on. Our work is cut out for us, but we're up to the challenge because we've been there before."

With most of last season's roster returning this winter, including three starters, the Yellow Jackets appeared poised for a strong regular season. But they struggled until late January, when they began to hit their stride. Entering Friday's contest against the Rams, the Yellow Jackets have won eight out of their last nine, including a 52-48 victory before a raucous crowd last Friday at previously unbeaten Oakland Mills in the 2A South Region final.

Much of the team's success has revolved around the play senior guard Brandon Ford, who has committed to play for Howard University next season.

"Right now we feel like we can't be beat," said Ford, who is averaging 18 points per game and has a team-high 53 steals this season. "Last year, we felt like we left it all on the court. We still feel as though we have to take every game like our last. We learned from last year to keep our head. Teams try to rattle us, and when we lose we beat ourselves."

The Rams enter the game at 14-7 in their first season as a Class 2A school, moving up from the 1A classification. Coach Johnnie Grimes said the team had to go through some adjustments but said he believes the Rams are ready for the challenge.

"We realized since we've moved up that the competition has gotten tougher," Grimes said." We had a few transfers and a lot of people wanted instant gratification, but we didn't get it. But going through a schedule in which we played five of the top 10 schools in Baltimore City, and getting our bumps and bruises, proved that we have made the sacrifices to get better as the season went on."

The Rams rely on guards Daquan Cook (14 points, seven rebounds, six assists per game) and Kevin Smith (12 points, five rebounds, eight assists) along with swingman Antonio Manns (16 points, 10 rebounds). The Rams avenged a regular season loss by rolling over Edmondson, 80-55, in the 2A North Region final.

Perhaps a key factor in Friday's game will be the play of senior guard Daniel Henry (10.6 points per game), who has played an increasingly significant role in the past month. Henry led the Yellow Jackets with 21 points in the pressure-packed 2A South Region final victory over Oakland Mills.

Gwynn Park senior forward Tion Barnes (15.1 points, 8.3 rebounds per game) said the team is on a mission.

"The feeling is good for us, but we're never forgetting that game we lost [last season] against City," Barnes said. "I put that game on me because I didn't play with heart that game and I'm not trying to let that happen again. It's still not out my system because we haven't won the state championship yet. Our confidence level is above the roof right now."

thampton@gazette.net

2A Boys State Semifinals

Gwynn Park (17-8) vs. Digital Harbor (14-7)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Comcast Center, College Park

Players to watch:

Gwynn Park: Brandon Ford (18 points per game, 3 assists per game); Tion Barnes (15.1 ppg, 8.3 rebounds per game); Daniel Henry (10.6 ppg).

Digital Harbor: Antonio Manns (16 ppg, 10 rpg); Daquan Cook (14 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg).