The anticpated matchup of last season’s state girls basketball champions Western High and Poly Friday evening turned into a lopsided exhibition, thanks to Trinity Massenburg and Da’Brya Clark.

Massenburg scored her team’s first eight points on her way to a game-high 20 points as the second-ranked Engineers handled No. 9 Western, 68-30, on Breezy Bishop Court in Northwest Baltimore.

Clark, a Norfolk State University-bound guard finished with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists for the reigning Class 3A state champs Poly (10-1 overall), which never trailed after the opening basket. Taylor Addision contributed 12 points for the Engineers.

“We’ve been here for all four years so we’re the leaders of this team,” Clark said of herself and Massenburg, a 6-foot-1 forward headed to George Mason. “We’re seniors now and we just have to set an example for everybody else that’s here with us and will be here when we’re gone.”

Advertise with us

Poly put together a 11-0 run after Breasia Colt scored the opening basket for Western. The Engineers led, 31-17, at intermission.

Clark and Massenburg combined for 27 points in the opening half. In addition to running the floor for transition scores, Massenburg knocked down 12-foot jumpers. Clark persistently applied full-court ball pressure in the second half to help Poly extend its lead.

Western (6-3) didn’t convert a field goal until the last minute of the quarter as the Engineers led by 20 points entering the fourtth. Despite a slight 34-33 rebounding advantage, the Doves were unable to establish an offensive rhythm Friday.

Western's Breasia Colt shoots over Poly's Trinity Massenburg during Friday's Baltimore City girls basketball match. Colt finished with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Doves fell on their home court. (Jimmy Fields Sr.)

Colt finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks for Western, which won the Baltimore City title last season, ending Poly’s three-year reign. The Doves capped their season off with the Class 4A state championship.

It was an entirely different vibe for Western coach Tasha Townsend Friday.

Advertise with us

“We didn’t play up to our level,” Townsend said. “I think my girls were out of it. No excuses here, but I just think my girls did not play well.”

NO. 2 POLY 68, NO. 11 WESTERN 30

Poly 16 15 14 23 — 68

Western 8 9 5 8 — 30

Poly:- Massenburg 20, Clark 18, Addison 12, Mickelle Lowry 4, Brianna Pope 4, Chloe Mills 3, Riley Holliday 3, Ariana Makumi 2, Brianna Johnson 2. Totals 24 13-21 68.

Western - Colt 10, Maya Gray 9, Jaden Hunt 5, Kennedy Fowlkes 4, Michaela Hammonds 2. Totals 12 4-13 30.