Maryland 2A Playoff Preview: Teams and Stars to Watch

The 2A class in the MPSSAA playoffs is, without question, the most competitive bracket in Maryland public school lacrosse. It features perennial powerhouses like Glenelg—the reigning state champions—along with Kent Island and Hereford, programs that are seemingly always in the mix come late May. But this year feels different. While the traditional favorites remain strong, a new wave of contenders is emerging with the talent and confidence to challenge the old guard. With elite individual players, disciplined systems, and high-stakes matchups looming, the 2A bracket is set up to deliver one of the most thrilling playoff runs in recent memory.   Century (7-5)   Quarterfinal Matchup: Kent Island   Notable Wins: Westminster, Linganore, Manchester Valley   Century has firmly established itself as the top team in Carroll County, dominating its in-county schedule with ease. Outside the county, however, the competition has been stiffer—they've taken losses to strong programs like Catonsville and Towson. Still, this is a well-rounded team with plenty of offensive firepower, led by dynamic scorers like Mikey Burns. What truly makes Century dangerous in the playoffs is their anchor in the cage, Jacob Ushamirsky. When he's seeing the ball well, he has the ability to catch fire and completely take over a game. With balanced scoring and a game-changing goalie, Century is a team capable of making a deep postseason run—and knocking off anyone in their path.   Glenelg (9-3)   Quarterfinal Matchup: Chesapeake-AA   Notable Wins: Westminster, Catonsville, Howard   Glenelg enters this postseason as the reigning 2A state champions, having taken down Hereford in last year's title game. A perennial powerhouse in the 2A class, Glenelg once again brings a championship pedigree and a proven ability to win when it matters most. While this year's roster may not be as loaded as last season's, they remain a serious threat—led by two UMBC commits, [player_tooltip player_id='128009' first='Shane' last='DuBois'] and Drew LaPointe. Offensively, they thrive on two-man games and feature a number of slick dodgers who consistently find ways to get underneath defenses. On the other end, Head Coach Hatmaker consistently has his defense well-prepared and disciplined, making Glenelg a tough out in any playoff run.   C. Milton Wright (8-4)   Quarterfinal Matchup: Huntingtown   Notable Wins: Patterson Mill, Fallston (UCBAC Championship)   C. Milton Wright has taken some tough losses this season, but those defeats came against high-level competition—and the Mustangs appear to be peaking at the right time. Their recent win over a strong Fallston squad in the UCBAC (Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference) Championship game is a clear sign they're hitting their stride heading into the playoffs. This is a well-balanced team with standout specialists at every key position. Garrett Diblasi controls the faceoff X, Braxton Marchand is a disruptive force as a short-stick defensive middie, and Zach Curry holds things down between the pipes with poise and consistency. On top of that, elite LSM [player_tooltip player_id='127999' first='Dylan' last='Sander'] gives them a dynamic playmaker who can swing momentum in an instant. With depth, athleticism, and experience, C. Milton Wright is a team that can make some noise in the postseason.   Hereford (9-3)   Quarterfinal Matchup: Stephen Decatur   Notable Wins: Towson, Catonsville, Manchester Valley   Hereford is a perennial contender with a rich tradition of lacrosse success. The program has built a winning culture, highlighted by a dominant run of six straight state titles from 2008 to 2013, another championship in 2021, and back-to-back appearances in the state finals over the past two seasons. With that recent heartbreak still fresh, this year's team is as motivated as ever to finish the job—and they have the pieces to do it. Leading the way on offense is standout lefty attackman [player_tooltip player_id='128002' first='Brady' last='Manankil'] (St. Mary's), a dynamic scorer and playmaker who will be a key player to watch as they face a vulnerable Decatur defense on Wednesday. If Hereford gets clicking early, they have the talent and experience to make another deep postseason run.   Chesapeake-AA (10-2)   Quarterfinal Matchup: Glenelg   Notable Wins: South River   Chesapeake may be considered the underdog among the eight teams in the quarterfinals, but they're a program that's been steadily on the rise year after year. Just last season, they gave eventual state finalist Hereford all they could handle in an 8–6 quarterfinal loss—a clear sign they belong in this conversation. Their upward trajectory continued this season, highlighted by an impressive win over top-10 ranked South River on May 2nd. This team has earned respect. Defensively, they're anchored by two standout poles in [player_tooltip player_id='123973' first='Cade' last='Shannon'] (Mercer) and Evan Kiracofe (McDaniel), who make life difficult for opposing offenses to find rhythm or generate quality looks. Chesapeake might not carry the hype of other programs, but they have the toughness and talent to surprise anyone in this playoff run.   Huntingtown (11-1)   Quarterfinal Matchup: C. Milton Wright   Notable Wins: Leonardtown, Marriotts Ridge, Towson (tournament game)   Huntingtown is a program that's been knocking on the door for years. They've reached the state semifinals in each of the last two seasons and came up just short in 2022, falling to Kent Island in the championship game. This year, they're hungry to finally break through and claim the title. A big part of their success starts at the faceoff X, where Tyler Hayden (Flagler) gives them a major edge—especially against teams without a top-tier specialist. They also run a relentless ten-man ride that creates chaos and forces turnovers, helping them generate extra possessions and tilt the field in their favor. With experience, grit, and a few difference-makers, Huntingtown has all the tools to make a serious run.   Kent Island (12-0)   Quarterfinal Matchup: Century   Notable Wins: Urbana, Stephen Decatur   Kent Island, much like Hereford and Glenelg, is a program that's always in the hunt for a state championship. Last season, they were chasing a three-peat before falling to eventual state champion Glenelg in the playoffs. This year, their only loss came in the Bayside title game against Decatur—a result that doesn't affect their playoff standing but may provide some extra fuel. This is a well-rounded team with strengths on both ends of the field. Offensively, they execute their signature weave system to perfection, consistently attacking the middle or skipping the ball to the backside for high-quality looks. Their patience and poise make them especially dangerous in postseason play. Defensively, they're anchored by a group of big, physical defenders who are tough to beat one-on-one and excel at winning ground balls. Kent Island plays with the kind of discipline, experience, and edge that makes them a legitimate title threat once again.   Stephen Decatur (11-1)   Quarterfinal Matchup: Hereford   Notable Wins: Kent Island   I wrote about Decatur last week: <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/05/fohner-march-and-geiser-the-trio-behind-decaturs-success/">read it here</a>. Stephen Decatur boasts one of the most dynamic attack units in Maryland public school lacrosse, led by the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='124338' first='John' last='Fohner'], [player_tooltip player_id='127782' first='Ashton' last='March'], and [player_tooltip player_id='127784' first='Graham' last='Geiser']. While their overall schedule hasn't been the toughest, they made a strong statement by avenging an earlier loss to Kent Island with a win in the Bayside title game. This is a team built to light up the scoreboard, and you can expect them to be involved in high-scoring shootouts throughout the playoffs. Their offense is explosive, and when they're in rhythm, they're tough to slow down. It's a real shame that either Hereford or Decatur will be knocked out early—both teams have the talent and firepower to win it all.    Sander is far from your average LSM: he's an elite athlete and a true game-changer. A rare three-sport standout, he plays goalie in soccer, showcasing the range and instincts to make difficult saves look routine, and dominates on the basketball court as a two-time Player of the Year at center. But it's on the lacrosse field where he's most impressive. Sander is a must-account-for presence in any scouting report on CM Wright. Leave your stick exposed, and he'll make you pay—whether it's a clean lift, a well-timed takeaway, or an over-the-head check made even more effective by his length and athleticism. He throws punishing hits that force offensive players to think twice before challenging his side of the field. In transition, he's not just pushing the ball—he's a legitimate offensive threat even with a pole in his hands. The Mount got a steal in Sander; he's the kind of player who shifts momentum in an instant and sets the tone on both ends.     [player_tooltip player_id='128002' first='Brady' last='Manankil'] is the focal point of any defensive game plan when facing Hereford. The St. Mary's commit is the engine of their offense, consistently creating opportunities—even when matched up against the opponent's top defender. His dodging ability is a blend of power and finesse; he uses physicality and changes of speed to either gain a step or buy time to find an open teammate. He's especially dangerous when rolling back to his left, where he thrives at getting to the middle of the field. The most impressive part of his game is his deceptive underhand lefty rip—it's nearly impossible for goalies to read and often finds the back of the net before they can react. Manankil's combination of strength, vision, and scoring touch makes him one of the most dangerous attackmen in the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='128007' first='Keegan' last='Green'] has been absolutely lethal operating within the Bucs' weave offense. The lefty is a multi-dimensional threat with a deep skill set that makes him difficult to defend. When he's dodging, defenders must stay square—give him his topside, and he'll punish you by getting to the middle of the field with ease. His quick release makes it incredibly difficult to get timely slides, and even when teams do slide on time, he consistently beats them by threading pinpoint passes to backside cutters. Green also has the ability to split quickly and shoot with his off-hand down the alley, adding another layer to his offensive versatility. A Frostburg commit, he brings a high lacrosse IQ and relentless competitiveness that makes him one of the toughest covers in the bracket. He's the kind of player who can tilt a game with just a few touches.     [player_tooltip player_id='128009' first='Shane' last='DuBois'], a First Team All-State selection last year, is one of the driving forces behind Glenelg's success and a key piece on the reigning 2A state champions. He's the kind of player who impacts the game in multiple ways and rarely comes off the field. DuBois consistently lines up on the wing for faceoffs, where he excels at winning tough ground balls and turning loose plays into Glenelg possessions. He's a force in transition, pushing the pace and creating scoring opportunities off the clear. But what truly sets him apart is his elite takeaway ability—he's a nightmare for opposing ball carriers. DuBois plays with a physical edge and sharp instincts, often stripping dodgers clean or forcing turnovers with well-timed checks. If you're matched up against him, prepare to be frustrated—and possibly bruised. Simply put, he's the kind of defensive playmaker who can flip the momentum of a game in a single shift.

The 2A class in the MPSSAA playoffs is, without question, the most competitive bracket in Maryland public school lacrosse. It features perennial powerhouses like Glenelg—the reigning state champions—along with Kent Island and Hereford, programs that are seemingly always in the mix come late May. But this year feels different.

While the traditional favorites remain strong, a new wave of contenders is emerging with the talent and confidence to challenge the old guard. With elite individual players, disciplined systems, and high-stakes matchups looming, the 2A bracket is set up to deliver one of the most thrilling playoff runs in recent memory.