Severna Park Girls Hope To Turn The Corner

After a rough start to the season, Severna Park is getting back into their stride.

The girls basketball team, starting the season 2-9, reeled off a win streak to put themselves back into the postseason conversation ahead of a challenging finish to the regular season.

How the season will end is anyone’s guess, but the Falcons are enjoying this feeling of starting to turn the corner.

Despite seeing a five-game win streak end at the hands of Annapolis on February 6, Severna Park is back in contention in the 4A East I region with an improved performance and the return of some much-needed cavalry from injury.

“I think it started at the end of the Southern game … everyone is starting to contribute a little bit and that’s nice to see,” said Severna Park coach Kristofer Dean. “The biggest thing is that I’m seeing them learn and process what we talked about. Now we’re seeing it on the floor.”

One of the biggest things has been getting senior guard Maria Bragg back to near full strength after an injury to start the season. Her presence has helped bring along sophomore guard Riley Buck, who was thrust into the lead guard role with injuries to Bragg and junior Izzy Burleson.

Since Bragg’s return, though, the duo has come together in the backcourt to provide a steadying force and allow more of the team to come into their own.

“If we can get back Izzy, that would make three point guards on the floor and that would be even better,” Dean said. “That tandem is starting to really jell nicely. They’ve played great the last few games.”

Buck controlled the game against Arundel, a 52-23 win where Bragg played the experienced head and let the younger players do their thing.

It’s a role the Florida-bound lacrosse player has embraced as she pours everything she’s learned over the last three years to the next generation of Falcons basketball players.

“I look at them and think, ‘That’s me three years ago,’” Bragg said. “I try to tell them what I would want to tell myself three years ago and give (Buck) what I’ve known and learned the last three years. I just try to be the best mentor and teammate I can. I love watching them grow and learn from everyone.”

The final stretch is daunting: after Annapolis came Leonardtown on February 9, followed by Broadneck on February 13 and South River on February 16, with Meade sandwiched in there.

That stretch will tell the Falcons a lot about where they stand this season, and how they can push to finish on a high.