Howard girls basketball defeats St. Charles, 67-31, to set up rematch with Poly in Class 3A state championship game

Mar. 8—WALDORF — Howard girls basketball knew it was one game away from returning to a familiar stage against a familiar opponent.

The Lions, particularly their three seniors, are accustomed the major implications the state semifinal stage brings, but Howard opened up with some uncharacteristic nerves in Tuesday's Class 3A semifinal. But the second-seeded Lions quelled those initial nerves, breaking the game open in the second quarter to post a 67-31 win over No. 3 St. Charles.

Howard earns the right to face No. 4 Poly in Friday night's 3A state championship game at 6 p.m. at the Xfinity Center, a rematch of last year's final where the Engineers defeated the Lions, 60-37.

"We knew what we were coming into at the beginning of the season," senior Samiyah Nasir said. "Just happy to actually be here, play hard and play our game."

The Lions defeated St. Charles, 61-39, at a Christmas tournament earlier in the season and entered Tuesday's game knowing the Spartans have several capable outside shooters. Jadyn Forbes connected on a 3-pointer on St. Charles' opening possession, however, that was one of only two Spartans field goals the entire first half.

Howard (27-1) led by six after one quarter, but the lead quickly ballooned to double digits as senior Jenna Vetter connected on a pair of 3-pointers. Meghan Yarnevich, Gabby Kennerly and Nasir also added baskets during the Lions' 18-2 run. Howard ultimately outscored St. Charles 25-3 in the frame, taking a commanding 28-point halftime lead. Kennerly attacked the basket at will and led all scorers in the first half with 15 of her 20 points.

"After the first quarter I think we calmed down a little bit," Vetter said. "We figured out what they were doing and we could adjust to their play. Then we just really excelled from there."

It was more of the same in the third quarter as the Lions continued to thrive in the paint while playing stifling defense. Yarnevich scored half her team-high 22 points in the third, also making an impact as a rim protector defensively.

"I'm just proud of the girls, I thought they really played well," Howard coach Scott Robinson said. "Defensively I was really impressed with the effort. They have some girls who can shoot the ball and we got up on them, pressured them and took them out of the game. Allowing 10 points at halftime is a tribute to the girls, they worked hard and I thought they did a good job both on and off the ball. I thought we shared the ball well also."

Leading by 46 entering the fourth, Howard's reserves played for much of the final quarter. The clock quickly wound down, setting up a rematch that many expected entering the season. The Lions' postgame celebration postgame was brief as they now prepare for a familiar matchup, this time one they feel more prepared for.

In addition to their familiarity with the Engineers, the Lions strengthened their schedule this season, playing area private schools Mercy and St. Vincent Pallotti, as well as an early season test against Bonita Vista, California. They're hopeful those out-of-county challenges will prove beneficial on the season's biggest stage as the Lions hope to capture the program's second state title and first since 1994.

"It's just so exciting," Kennerly said. "I don't even have the words to express how I feel right now. I'm just very proud of everyone. We have one more game and that's what we're focusing on now."