Falcons Are Nearly Perfect Through Half Of Girls Basketball Season

The Severna Park Falcons girls basketball team won’t overwhelm opponents during pregame introductions.

There is no certain candidate to play college basketball. Yet Severna Park outworks foes and their players possess great athleticism.

Those qualities were never more evident than last season when the Falcons reached the Class 3A state semifinals for the first time since 1988.

“Once you get a taste of something, you want more of that,” said Severna Park coach Kristofer Dean, whose team returned six players with varsity experience. “They know what it takes to get there. I think all of these girls that were on the team last year got that taste and they are hungry for that again.”

If Dean, a seventh-year coach, and his players aren’t talking about the final four, they should be. The Falcons have the potential to be as good as the 2023 Falcons were.

What’s the proof? Severna Park’s 10-1 start.

“It’s important to get off to a good start for the mentality of the team,” Dean said. “And I think we just have to keep improving every day. It could be the same situation as last year where we peak at the end of the year.”

Severna Park is not just winning. The Falcons are posting some impressive victories.

It started when their season opened against neighborhood rival Severn School on December 4. Severna Park rallied from a 13-point deficit to post a 43-36 victory.

“It didn’t look good in the second half with two minutes remaining,” Dean explained. “But something just clicked. They scratched and clawed their way back into the game. It’s our best come-from-behind victory in a few years.”

The Falcons also had impressive victories over Arundel, winning by a whopping 44 points, beating Long Reach by 16 and topping Patterson Mill by 11. Severna Park's loss came to Broadneck.

“It has given us a big confidence boost after we lost some very impactful players from last year,” Severna Park guard/forward Ryn Feemster said of the team’s early-season play. “We feel we can make it back that far (state semifinals) again.”

Feemster and another returning starter, sophomore shooting guard Maria Bragg should help Severna Park maintain their consistent play. Dean has built his team around those two players.

Feemster can rebound, drive to the hoop and hit the outside shot. She’s a tenacious defender and she’s a role model for the younger players, too.

“She is just a really tremendous athlete and player,” Dean said. “She can do it all and defend against anybody. And her leadership is great. She will be named a captain (as the season moves along).”

Dean continues to mold Briggs into a solid player. She’s more than capable of knocking down a top-of-the key jump and contributing on defense.

“Her athleticism is probably next to none of anybody I have ever coached,” the coach admitted.

Senior forward Maddy Sullivan, senior guard/forward Sally Trent and junior point guard Charley Coward complete the starting lineup.

Dean gets excited when he talks about the team’s depth. Junior guards Erin Hussey and Peyton Jeffers, along with senior guard Gabby Rosati and senior forward Amelila Smith, provide quality play off the bench.

“We have more size than last year,” Dean said. “The speed is still there, which is really good.”

Senior forward Kylie Curran, junior guards Josie Crockett and Abby Cover, junior forward Lena Slade and junior center Kate Behe round out the roster.

“Basketball is not the number one sport here,” Dean said. “Our players come from soccer and other sports. It takes us a little while to jell. By the end of the year, we are jelling. I think more people are realizing (after last year) that hey, ‘They are pretty good at the end of the year.' So, watch out for Severna Park.”