Colonels Dominate Down the Stretch, Punch Ticket to State Semifinals

March 8, 2026 – By Andrew Einsmann

The Magruder Colonels turned a tight playoff battle into a commanding victory Friday night, pulling away in the second half to defeat the Overlea Falcons 76–42 in a thrilling 3A boys basketball quarterfinal matchup.

While the final score looked decisive, the first half told a very different story.

Overlea’s Justin Swanson caught fire early and kept the Falcons in control, helping his team surge to a 22–14 lead midway through the second quarter. The Colonels responded with a momentum-shifting moment when Solomon Stephens converted a rare four-point play to cut the deficit to four.

From there, Magruder’s defensive intensity completely changed the tempo. The Colonels capped the half in dramatic fashion, finishing a fast break layup as the buzzer sounded to tie the game at 22–22.

The second half belonged entirely to Magruder

The Colonels erupted from beyond the arc, opening the third quarter on a scoring run to build a 30–22 lead with five minutes remaining. Overlea struggled to contain Magruder’s balanced attack as multiple players stepped up from deep. Alan Burt, Zeke Dabbondanza, Nate Wilson, Leo Taylor, and Jonah Wertlieb each connected on three-pointers to stretch the defense and widen the gap.

Inside the paint, Steve Magnon battled relentlessly against taller defenders, providing a physical scoring presence and key rebounds that kept possessions alive.

On the defensive end, Michael Sammarie delivered a statement performance, rejecting four shots and shutting down any hopes of a Falcons comeback.

The lead continued to grow as Magruder’s pace and execution overwhelmed Overlea. With four minutes remaining, the Colonels had built a 20-point cushion. That advantage ballooned to 70–40 with two minutes left before Magruder closed out the dominant 76–42 victory.

The win showcased a complete team effort, with contributions across the roster and suffocating defense fueling the second-half surge.

Up Next: State Semifinals Showdown

Magruder now advances to the Maryland 3A State Semifinals, where they will face Frederick Cadets Tuesday March 10 6:30pm at Richard Montgomery.

Tickets go on sale through gofan noon Monday.