Published on: Thursday, March 14, 2013

Brandy L. Simms

SILVER SPRING – Magruder last Friday captured the 4A West region title with a 47-30 victory over Quince Orchard at Montgomery Blair High School.

Magruder (23-2) will play 4A North region champion Baltimore Polytechnic in the state semifinals on Thursday at Comcast Center. Poly defeated Paint Branch, 57-47, to earn a spot in the state semifinals.

“It’s a real thrill to get there,” said Magruder head coach Dan Harwood, “because you don’t get the opportunity every year to do that.”

Magruder seniors Nick Griffin, Justin Witmer and J.J. Epps combined for 38 points to lead the Colonels who advanced to the state semifinals for the third consecutive year.

Griffin, a George Washington signee, finished with a game-high 16 points and Witmer scored 14 points. Epps added 8 points in the win.

Meanwhile, Quince Orchard senior Charles Porter led the Cougars with 11 points. Quince Orchard finished the season at 18-7.

Magruder is just two wins away from repeating as Maryland 4A state champions and capturing their third state title in school history.

Thursday’s game will mark the third consecutive state semifinal appearance for the senior trio of Griffin, Epps and Witmer.

Griffin and Epps have started on the varsity team for all four years and Witmer, who has spent the last three seasons on varsity, said he looks forward to playing at Comcast Center once again.

“Going back there for the third time in a row is definitely a great honor,” he said. “I’m happy I have the privilege to do it and hopefully we can do the same thing as we did last year.”