And then there were two.
Just a short couple of weeks ago the UCBAC Chesapeake Division for girls basketball was crowded with four teams tied or within a half game of each other.
After Thursday’s action, two teams, Aberdeen and Joppatowne, have pulled away and with 6-1 division records, appear to be headed for a possible winner-take-all meeting next week in Aberdeen.
The Mariners will visit the Eagles on Feb. 11 at 6:45 p.m.
Aberdeen and Joppatowne each took care of their own business and interests Thursday night with lopsided wins over previous title contenders.
Aberdeen pulled away for a 76-53 win over visiting Fallston (4-3), while Joppatowne did the same, beating visiting C. Millton Wright (3-3), 63-37.
In Aberdeen’s win, the Eagles fell behind in the first quarter and trailed 19-16 at the close of it.
A full court press by the Eagles turned out to be the right call on the night as numerous Cougar turnovers led to Aberdeen outscoring the opponent, 23-12, in the quarter.
Aberdeen continued the pressure in the third quarter, that ended with Nia Alleyne banking in a long three-point basket at the buzzer.
Alleyne’s basket gave the Eagles a 60-40 lead as they entered the final eight minutes of play.
The Eagles outscored the Cougars, 16-13, in the final quarter as well, leading to the 23-point win.
Aberdeen was led by LaKeia Hayden, who scored 21 points (four three-pointers), while adding three assists and three steals. Ayana Stewart added 13 points, two assists, two steals and one rebound, while Alleyne finished with 13 points and seven rebounds.
The Cougars did a decent job containing freshman Brionna Jones, who still managed 11 points, 11 rebounds and nine blocks.
Fallston was led by Rachael Holehouse’s 12 points and Lindsay Garnett’s 10 points.
Jones leads Mariners
Zameria Jones scored 17 points to lead three Mariners in double figures in the win over CMW. Jones also had five rebounds and four assists.
Brittany Thornton added 13 points and nine rebounds, while Shakara Head had 12 points and 17 rebounds.
Kourtney Lewis-Orr had eight points and eight rebounds and Tyanna Whyte had seven points.
Katie Provonche led the Mustangs with 16 points.
Panthers claw Warriors
Visiting Perryville (3-5) picked up a Susquehanna win, beating Havre de Grace (2-6), 51-31.
Candace Knight scored 11 points to lead the Warriors, while Megan Appold had nine points and Krysta Breeden had six points.
Elks smash Cobras
Host Harford Tech (5-3) was slowed a bit by division leading Elkton (8-0), which knocked off the Cobras, 65-43.
Alanah Galloway pumped in 19 points to pace the Cobras, while Brittany Chavis scored 10 and Maria Kalambihis added nine.
The Cobras trailed at the half, 37-18.
Patriots get a win
The John Carroll Patriots made it three wins in their last four games last week, beating a resilient Chapelgate team, 46-35, on the road.
Miranda Ripken led the Patriots with 13 points and Amanda Wolfe added 12 as John Carroll saw seven players score in a balanced attack.
Eagles lose
Harford Christian fell behind early and lost big Friday night as host Elkton Christian rolled to a 63-38 win.
The Eagles trailed by 11 after one quarter, but cut the Elkton lead to eight by the half. Harford, however, scored just two points in the third quarter to spell defeat.
Susan Swehla’s nine points led the Eagles and Courtney Grant added seven points. Amber Guertler also had 13 rebounds.
Other score
Patterson Mill (3-4) picked up a Chesapeake victory, winning at Bel Air (0-6), 62-42. No further details were made available.