Ohio State’s offense looked anemic and turnover-infested with its defense unable to match up with Maryland, as a 34-7 first-half run from the Terrapins (8-1, 1-0) launched them to a dominant 83-59 win over the Buckeyes (5-3, 0-1) to open Big Ten play for both schools.

Guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the charge for Maryland, collecting 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Forward Derik Queen followed with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Devin Royal paced Ohio State with 18 points in the loss. John Mobley Jr. picked up 15.

First Half

There was nothing slow and steady about how the Terrapins started from behind the 3-point line.

Maryland opened the game 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, including two swishes from NBA distance for Gillespie. His second long-range make catalyzed a 16-2 run, which Tafara Gapare put an exclamation point on with a tomahawk slam and another triple. Maryland led 25-8 less than 10 minutes into the game and the Buckeyes never got back in the race for victory.

The Terrapins rattled off a 6-0 run to make it a 20-point lead at 31-10 before the under-eight media timeout. They already held an 11-0 edge in points off turnovers at that time. Ohio State finished the first half with 12 turnovers to Maryland’s two.

When the lead was cut to 31-12, the Terrapins took off on another 9-0 run to push their advantage all the way to 28. That made it an extended 26-4 jaunt for Maryland over a span of roughly 10 minutes.

Maryland rattled off another 8-1 stint to make it an extended run of 34-7 and obtain their largest lead of the first half at 48-15, maintaining the edge at 50-17 entering the locker room.

Second Half

Maryland hit cruise control for most of the second half. Forward Julian Reese and Gillespie combined for five points to start the period and make it a 55-17 ballgame for the Terrapins.

A 3-pointer from guard Selton Miguel broke the 40-point threshold for Maryland’s lead at 63-23. Ohio State started chipping away a bit to try and make it a more respectable final scoreline and gain some momentum for its next game, getting its first two threes of the contest from Mobley and Meechie Johnson Jr.

Johnson hit a layup with 10:22 remaining to reel the lead back in to 30 at 68-38. Bruce Thornton and Mobley combined for a quick five to slice it to 73-47.

Another Mobley triple made it a 78-56 ballgame but it was about 10 miles short and 10 hours past being enough as Maryland coasted to a 24-point win.

What’s Next?

Ohio State returns to Value City Arena for its second Big Ten game of the season against Rutgers before returning to nonconference play. Tipoff is at noon Saturday on FS1.

Game Notes

• Center Aaron Bradshaw remains out for Ohio State while being investigated for a domestic dispute. Senior guard Ques Glover and freshman forward Colin White also remain out with injuries.
• The Buckeyes had twice as many turnovers (12) as they did made field goals (6) in the first half.
• It took more than 23 minutes of game time before Ohio State scored four points in a row against Maryland.
• Ohio State started 0-of-10 from 3-point range before Mobley hit the team’s first triple with 13:39 remaining in the game.
• Maryland’s 33-point halftime lead was the largest in a Big Ten game since the 1996-97 season.

As the 2024-25 high school basketball season tips off, Maryland is once again showcasing some of the most competitive and talented teams in the nation. From powerhouse private programs competing on the national stage to dominant public school squads chasing state championships, this year promises thrilling action across the board.

At the top of the rankings, Bullis School leads the pack with a star-studded roster, while Bishop McNamara and Georgetown Prep are poised to challenge for top honors. With standout players and championship aspirations, these 25 teams are set to make waves on and off the court this season.

Led by UCONN signee Eric Reibe, Adrian Stevens (Marquette) and Darren Moore (Stonehill), the Bulldogs are among the country’s finest and the favorite to repeat as Interstate Athletic Conference (IAC) champs.

The Mustangs look to challenge national heavyweights Gonzaga College (D.C.) and Paul VI Catholic (Va.) in the rugged Washington Catholic Athletic Conference with a young and talented roster led by Qayden Samuels, the top junior in Maryland.

The Little Hoyas will be Bullis’ biggest obstacle in the IAC with Division I recruits Akbar Waheed (Boston College), Tyler Garrett (Dartmouth), Carter Berg-McLean (Loyola), Patrick McDonough (Army) and Dylan Gassaway (Naval Academy).

After ending last season with the Maryland Private Schools Tournament crown, the Stags may be ready to return to prominence in the WCAC with senior wing Cole Bowser (Furman) and junior guard Ashton Meeks.

The defending Baltimore Catholic League Tournament champ Panthers will look to their backcourt, led by junior Jasiah Cannady to challenge for supremacy in the BCL and the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) A Conference.

The reigning MIAA A champ Gaels will rely on seniors Joe Green and Brandon Holmes (Towson signee) and junior guard BJ Ranson for another title run under legendary coach Pat Clatchey.

The Cougars, under second-year coach Tony Martin, are poised for a serious run at the MIAA A and BCL championships with a deep front court and seniors Rodney Scott and Mario Tatum in the backcourt.

Michigan State recruit Cam Ward, the state’s top senior, is back for the Lions who’ll seek a second straight Class 2A state championship.

The Eagles will challenge Mount Zion Prep in the Metro Private School Conference (MPCS) with senior post Bryce Adams and versatile junior Khalid Norcome.

With arguably the country’s sophomore in 6-foot-9 Baba Oladotun, the Bengals have designs on the Maryland Class 4A title this season.

The defending MPSC champ Warriors have one of the most talented rosters in Maryland with Maryland pledge Christian Jeffrey, Bobby Montgomery (Texas-El Paso) and Emmanuel Kanga (George Mason).

The Lions look to again challenge Sidwell Friends School (D.C.) in the Mid-Athletic Conference with Columbia commit Miles Franklin and junior guards Karon Bailey and Lawrence Brown.

The Dons will rely on a talented backcourt featuring senior Mason Ellison and juniors Jesse LeGree and Marlon Williams for a push at the MIAA A and Baltimore Catholic titles.

 The Patriots will be a major factor in the MIAA A and the Baltimore Catholic League with senior Caden Chinnia-Falline and junior Aiden Able.

The Crusaders will be sparked by one of the more underrated talents in Maryland in 6-foot-5 do-it-all Gio Sanford.

With star Malik Washington graduating early to enroll at Maryland for football, the Cavaliers will look to Kam Carter and TJ Moultrie for another run at the top of the MIAA A and Baltimore Catholic League.

With Texas State commit Rob Fields and Jeff Exinor (Penn State football commit) back, the Eagles are poised to challenge for the MIAA A title.

The Cadets will look to go back-to-back as Class 4A state champions with seniors Emonte Hill and Dayvon Dorsey at the helm.

The Dragons may have the most talented roster in the MIAA A with Bucknell-bound guard Patrick Curtin and 6-foot-11 center Deng Jon.

The Wildebeests are the favorite to repeat as Potomac Valley Athletic Conference champions with seniors Jacob Cox and James Galant.

The Mustangs, featuring sophomore guard Keon Scott, look to get back to the Class 4A state semifinals.

The road to the Prince George’s County (Md.) crown will likely go through the Pumas, who will challenge for the Class 4A state championship.

The Black Knights are the team to beat in the Baltimore City league and will challenge for the Class 3A state title with New Mexico-bound Omarr Smith Jr.

With Davin Chandler, Tribe Wise and Zachary Baker back, the Seahawks are primed to get to the University of Maryland after a heartbreaking loss in the Class 3A state semifinals last season.

Senior point guard Darnell Dantzler Jr. looks to lead the Red Storm to another Class 1A state and Baltimore City championship.

As the 2024-25 girls basketball season tips off, Maryland’s top teams are ready to make their mark locally and on the national stage. From perennial contenders in powerhouse leagues like the WCAC and IAAM to public school champions aiming for repeat titles, the state boasts an impressive array of talent.

This year’s rankings highlight programs with Division I commits, dynamic duos, and rising stars, showcasing why Maryland remains a hotbed for high school basketball. Whether chasing state championships or vying for national recognition, these 25 teams are poised for thrilling performances this season.

With a talented roster led by University of Georgia signee Zhen Craft, Princess Moody (Providence) and Vanessa Harris (Rhode Island), the Mustangs have their eyes on the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title, and possibly a national championship.

The Panthers look to reclaim the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (IAAM) A Conference title with Amora Alton, Sydney Sutton, junior Dahni Suggs and UMBC commit Vanessa Harris from Archbishop Carroll (D.C.).

Georgia commit Megan Yarnevich and talented sophomore Ivanna Wilson Manyacka has the Bulldogs on track to challenge nationally-ranked Sidwell Friends School (D.C.) for supremancy in the Independent School League.

The Knights have a loaded roster as Sam Caldwell, who put New Hope Academy and Shabach Christian on the DMV girls hoops map, takes over.

The Crusaders will have one of the best duos in the DMV with Ariana Merely and Lola Saunders Mensah-Bonsu.

The Eagles look to 4-peat in the IAAM A as longtime assistant coach Terri Daniels takes over.

The Panthers hope for a breakthrough and reach the IAAM A finals, led by junior post Arianna Harris-Mott.

The Saints could be ready to make a push in their second season in the IAAM A with talented juniors Bailey Harris, Alexandra Vandiver and Kendall Williams.

The Roadrunners will be a tough out in the ultra-competitive WCAC with George Mason pledge Ma’Kayla Johnson leading the way.

With Brianna Pope, Alexia Smothers and London Elliott back, the Engineers look to continue its reign as Class 3A state champions.

The Coyotes hope to go back-to-back as Class 4A state champs with the sister duo of London and Destiny Turner.

The Cavaliers could challenge for a Top 4 spot in the IAAM A standings.

The Falcons will rely on Cincinnati pledge Caliyah DeVillasee and Madison Hall (Vermont) to guide them through a demanding non-league and WCAC schedule.

The Roadrunners have designs on a fifth straight Class 1A state championship with senior Mariah Jones-Bey leading the charge.

The Panthers, led by 6-foot-2 senior post London Harvey, are on the rise under second-year coach Rob Long.

The Jaguars will challenge for the Class 4A state title with junior guard Alana Joy and senior Londyn Miller.

The Reds hope to make some inroads in the IAAM A with 10 returners including all-league pick Naomi Koldobskiy.

With five returners for new coach Tiny Adams, the Cougars look to compete in a deep IAAM A Conference.

The Seahawks believe they’re ready for a run at the Class 4A state Final Four.

The Lions will lean on senior guard Safe Al-Uqdah Robinson and senior forward Riley Knackmuhs to be competitive in the ISL.

The Barons look to get back to the Class 4A championship game with senior guard Frances Doyle.

The Eagles should be the team to beat in Southern Maryland and challenge for the Class 4A title with Mya Gant and Layla Woodward.

With one of Maryland’s top underclassmen in Katie Diao back, the Rockets should be a contender in the Montgomery County (Md.) 4A league.

The Bears will try to repeat as Class 2A state champions with forward Sara Yarnell leading the way.

The Bruins look to pose the biggest challenge to South River in Anne Arundel County (Md.) league.