The Pikesville High School girls' basketball team won the first basketball state championship in the school's 55-year history with a 61-31 victory against Smithsburg High School in the Class 1A title game at Towson University's SECU Arena March 16.
The team had never made the state final four until getting there last year and falling in the Class 1A state semifinal. This time, the Panthers advanced to the state championship game for the first time ever. The Pikesville boys' team twice reached the state final -- in 1999 and 2000 -- but lost both times.
Two years ago, the Pikesville girls' team won just four games. Since coach Michael Dukes took over before the start of the 2017-18 season, the Panthers have won 48 of 55 games during the last two seasons.
