The Gwynn Park High School boys' basketball program has won a county-best 10 state titles in its illustrious history, but it has been 22 years since the Yellow Jackets last hoisted a state championship trophy.

This weekend, the Yellow Jackets (19-3) will try for title No. 11 after winning the 2A South Region title with an overtime victory against Oakland Mills on Saturday. Gwynn Park will take on North Carroll (18-5) in a state semifinal at 7 p.m. Friday at the University of Maryland, College Park's Comcast Center.

Defending state champion City College (21-2) takes on Easton (18-4) in the other Class 2A boys' semifinal game.

The Yellow Jackets return to the state semifinals for the first time since 2008, when Winters Mill hit a buzzer-beating shot to slip past Gwynn Park, 58-56, in the semifinals. Winters Mill went on to win the state title.

It's the second trip to the state semifinals for the Brandywine school under coach Mike Glick, who said this season's circumstances are different than those two years ago.

"In 2008, we were senior-dominated and very experienced," Glick said. "This year we have a bunch of younger guys that are contributing to this team."

The Yellow Jackets are battle-tested this season. The team won a thrilling 79-75 decision against Oakland Mills in the region final on Saturday, and doesn't count on just a few players for most of the team's production, like the 2008 squad did.

The Yellow Jackets are led by juniors Brandon Ford (19.8 points, four rebounds, three assists per game) and Tion Barnes (14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds per game, 28 blocks for the season), and seniors Mike Hemsley (13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists), Brian Blue (five points, 4.5 rebounds, three assists) and Curtis Hardy (six points, 4.5 rebounds).

Also adding key contributions for the Yellow Jackets have been sophomore guard Eric Batts, junior guard Daniel Henry and sophomore forward Marcel Boyd .

Ford said that the team possesses certain intangibles.

"It's really like a brotherhood on this team," Ford said. "I love these guys. It's just the way we have bonded this season. We have really grown in our time together. Everybody on the team is on the same page and we are all friends."

North Carroll runs a slow-paced offense that thrives on off-ball screens, back cuts and discipline.

The Panthers are led by 6-foot-5 forward Danny Hoffman (18.6 points, 11.3 rebounds per game), junior forward Charlie Clark (10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds) and senior guard Brian Kron (10.4 points, 2.5 rebounds).

"I think we've gotten to this point because of how well we play together," said coach Chris Vaughn. "Everybody plays a role on this team. We lost last year's regional final game and the region final the year before that."

An interesting coaching matchup could occur if Gwynn Park and City College advance to Saturday's 6 p.m. title game.

When Glick coached at Archbishop Spalding prior to joining Gwynn Park, he had regular showdowns against City College coach Mike Daniel, who then coached at Towson Catholic. Glick said he has a winning record against Daniel in head-to-head meetings.

2A Boys State Semifinals

Gwynn Park (18-3) vs. North Carroll (20-5)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Comcast Center, College Park

Players to watch: Roosevelt: Brandon Ford (19.8 points per game, four rebounds per game, three assists per game); Tion Barnes (14.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg). North Carroll: Danny Hoffman (18.6 ppg, 11.3 rpg); Charlie Clark (10.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg)

E-mail Terron Hampton at thampton@gazette.net.