Cambridge South-Dorchester advances to 1A Final Four

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Cambridge South-Dorchester welcomed Brunswick High School for the state quarterfinals in a gigantic game – the winner going to state semis.

Semaj Pinder told WMDT after the game how the team prepared before the huge matchup.”All night, we were thinking about this game, we were texting each other, saying stay to it, and never gave up on each other.”

The Vikings came out fast, looking to make history by going for the back-to-back 1A state championship. Senior forward and leading scorer Semaj Pinder had 20 points, He dominated the game by getting to his spots with ease, and making timely free throws.

He’s already thinking about the future. “We gotta defend the title. We gotta let them know we ain’t no slack.”

This is Coach Reggie Parker’s first year with the Vikings. He says the senior leadership is what pulled them through to make this deep run in the playoffs.

“We got 4 veteran guys from last year’s team: Semaj Pinder, Sterling Perkins, TJ Wilson, and Kamarion Hall. Those guys have been the backbone of this team.”

And the defense was relentless for the Vikings. They blocked many shots and suffocated Brunswick, resulting in missed layups near the rim.  Coach Parker praised his veteran led team, saying they won the game on the defensive end.

“But it started for us on the defensive end,we have enough of an experienced club, and they locked in on defense and did what they needed to do.”

One of those seniors, Coach Parker is speaking highly of, is Sterling Perkins, who was on last year’s state title team. He had 10 points, and he made it clear the team’s mindset heading into state semis.

“We just worked so hard, we seniors now, so we know everything we been here before, so we know what it takes.”

They will play Patterson Mill on either Tuesday or Wednesday.