Class 4A Girls: No. 3 Poly (23-0) vs. Gaithersburg (25-0)

Time: Thursday, 5 p.m.
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Outlook: Poly coach Kendall Peace-Able will be the first to say her team doesn't match up well with most tough opponents, but that hasn't stopped the Baltimore City Division I champions from beating all comers. Defense is the heart of their game, and they allow only 27.95 points per game -- the lowest of any team in the tournament. Only two opponents made it to 50 against the Engineers. Offensively, there are no stars but a sharp team focus, as 5-foot-7 G Blair Harding (10.9 points) is the only one averaging in double figures while 6-foot F-C Keli Alston (7 points, 7.9 rebounds) is the leader on the boards. The defending champion Trojans offer another level of challenge for the Engineers, who are seeking their first state title. Poly will need a big defensive game against a Montgomery County team that is riding a 50-game winning streak and scores nearly 64 points per game -- nine more than the Engineers. Led by 5-9 G Colleen Marshall (18 points) and 5-11 F Jackie Johnson (17 points, 12 rebounds), they are the highest ranked public school team in The Washington Post's Top 20 at No. 3.
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Pictured: Poly's Jasmine Smith

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( Patrick Smith, Baltimore Sun / March 2, 2012 )

Time: Thursday, 5 p.m.

Outlook: Poly coach Kendall Peace-Able will be the first to say her team doesn't match up well with most tough opponents, but that hasn't stopped the Baltimore City Division I champions from beating all comers. Defense is the heart of their game, and they allow only 27.95 points per game -- the lowest of any team in the tournament. Only two opponents made it to 50 against the Engineers. Offensively, there are no stars but a sharp team focus, as 5-foot-7 G Blair Harding (10.9 points) is the only one averaging in double figures while 6-foot F-C Keli Alston (7 points, 7.9 rebounds) is the leader on the boards. The defending champion Trojans offer another level of challenge for the Engineers, who are seeking their first state title. Poly will need a big defensive game against a Montgomery County team that is riding a 50-game winning streak and scores nearly 64 points per game -- nine more than the Engineers. Led by 5-9 G Colleen Marshall (18 points) and 5-11 F Jackie Johnson (17 points, 12 rebounds), they are the highest ranked public school team in The Washington Post's Top 20 at No. 3.

Pictured: Poly's Jasmine Smith

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