It’s the Scorpions’ first title shot in 27 years
Life is good; it can also be circular. Oakland Mills dropped their season opener to Howard 55-40. Howard then stood in their playoff road to Friday’s state title game, but didn’t stand long. Oakland Mills beat Howard 56-46 to reach the finals against South River.
“It was quite a wraparound; we faced them the first and our last game,” Oakland Mills Coach Mike Coughlin said of Howard. “It felt wild how that came about.”
It’s been more than two and a half decades since the Oakland Mills girls have played in a state title game.
Oakland Mills (22-4) plays South River for the 3A state title at 6 p.m. Friday against South River, in the University of Maryland’s Xfinity Center.
Scrappiness vs. Size
It should be a game of contrasts. Oakland Mills’ tallest starter is 5-feet 8-inches. South River has four 6-footers.
However, height does not necessarily make might, and Coughlan likes his team’s chances.
“To do what we’ve done is because of the strength of the group. That’s the only way to get where we are,” Coughlan said. “They’re great together on the court, and they get along well off the court.”
Coughlan plays the hand he was dealt, which was not a tall hand. The Scorpions run a four-guard offense, because … they can, and because their tallest player is 5-feet 8-inches tall.
“They’re tremendously high IQ kids and they pick things up quickly,” Coughlan said. “We had to adapt our system to this team.”
They also adapted their schedule. Coughlan scheduled four out-of-county games: powerhouses Rosedale Christian, Mount Zion Prep, Roland Park, and Douglas.
“Those were three of our four losses, and I’m fine with that,” Coughlan said.
They learned that if they have to score, they can go to anyone.
“Four of our starters average double figures. We can go to any of our five starters at any time. All five have made a big shot at a big time. That’s the beauty of having a balanced group,” Coughlan said.
Wraparound Wins
The Scorpions dropped their season opener 55-40 to Howard, then won four straight before losing to Roland Park. One of sports’ greatest life lessons is that it teaches you to put losses in your rearview mirror, then take a ball peen hammer to that mirror so you don’t think about them again. The Scorpions rolled through the rest of their season and the playoffs with an 18-2 record.
They avenged their season-opening loss to Howard with a 56-46 win to reach Friday’s state title game against South River.
Under Coughlan, their two-year record is 38-12.
Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Sure, they play pretty good offense, scoring 58 points per game, but their rip-out-your-spleen-and-pour Drano-in-the-hole defense will be their key to Friday’s state title game. They give up only 39 points per game. They hammer the boards for 35 rebounds per game and average 13 steals.
“We try not to make it easy,” Coughlan said.
About South River
By the time teams reach a state title game, everyone is good and South River is no exception. In February Coach Mike Zivic tallied his 300th career win. Their roster boasts four players around six feet tall – the same height as WNBA player Caitlin Clark. So far, two Seahawks have committed to play college ball: Skylar Woodyard at St. Mary’s and Karlee Hawkins at Frostburg State.
The Seahawks doubled Oxon Hill with a 82-41 win, and their first title shot since 2005.
Oakland Mills has taken down taller teams more than once this season.
“Yes they’re taller than us. A handful of teams we faced this season were big. Our team is used to it. We’re all willing to do what’s needed to help rebound.”
Coach has been here before
Experience matters. He has been through this before. Not so long ago, Coughlan coached the Reservoir boys team to a state final. They didn’t win, but the experience has been a huge help this time around, he said. He knows what the itinerary looks like and how to prepare for it.
And preparation in general is high on the Scorpions’ to-do list. Because Coughlan loves it, his players do, as well.
“I love preparing, watching film, being around the kids. I love practice,” Coughlan said. “The preparation is what’s fun for me. Watching the kids grow and develop is the best part for me.”
This article was written by freelance reporter Randy Wyrick.
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