MIAA Semifinal Preview

Gerstell (20-10, 8-7) vs. Concordia Prep (14-11, 9-6)

When: Thursday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.

What: MIAA B Semifinals

Where: Concordia Prep School

Last meeting: Concordia 50, Gerstell 40 (Feb. 7, 2024)

Outlook: February has been very kind to the Concordia Prep Boys' Basketball Team as the Saints went from being a possible outsider in this week’s MIAA B tournament to earning the top seed in the conference’s Red Division with a 9-6 league mark. That late season surge saw Concordia capture five victories in six games, including three straight to end the 2023-24 campaign.

“We are playing well together at the right time,” Saints coach Bryan Howard said. “We have figured out how to trust each other and win as a team and not individuals. Everyone is understanding their role and committing to the defensive end. 

“We are taking pride in defending, being coachable, and approaching the game with urgency. We are depending on team basketball and believing in each other. I'm excited about what's in store for this team.”

Concordia’s reward for its strong late-season play was a bye into Thursday’s semifinal round where it will host Gerstell, who the Saints split with this season. Concordia fell to Gerstell, 54-51, Dec. 20, but upended the Falcons, 50-40, Feb. 7. 

Gerstell defeated Curley, 54-45, during Tuesday’s quarterfinal round to advance to Thursday’s contest.

With a victory Thursday, Concordia would play the Severn-St. Paul’s winner for the MIAA B championship 4 p.m. Saturday at CEI Arena on the campus of the University of Maryland-Baltimore. Severn (21-5, 14-0) will host St. Paul’s (16-9, 9-6) in Thursday’s other semifinal contest.

The Saints, who are paced this year by a deep squad that features Noah Robinson (17.8 ppg), Josh King (11.2 ppg), Damon Rowlett (10.1 ppg), Christian Okenkpa (12.5 ppg), and Presley Prettyman (10.5 ppg), won the program’s first MIAA title during the 2021-22 season when they captured the C conference crown.