The high school fall sports season is just a week away from kicking off here in the Bayside Conference, and there will be plenty to look forward to for high school sports fans as schools open back up and summer turns to fall.
Whether it be on the field hockey and soccer fields or the volleyball courts, the Bayside South fall sports season is typically one loaded with competition and exciting matchups. The 2024 season should be no different, as plenty of teams head into the year with goals to win and compete at the top of the Bayside.
Here are some top storylines for the fall sports season in the Bayside South:
Boys Soccer: Can Bennett hold off competition in the Bayside South?
The 2023 Bayside season in boys soccer was another successful one for the Bennett Clippers, as they went unbeaten on their way to a Bayside Conference title. Led by forward Noah Blankensop, they largely manhandled the competition, and their lone loss was their regional final defeat to South River.
The Bayside South's boys soccer crown has largely come down to games between Bennett, Parkside and Decatur in recent years, with Bennett winning in 2021 and 2023, and Decatur grabbing the South and Conference titles title in 2022. Outside of those teams, teams like Pocomoke, Crisfield, Wi-Hi and more make up a continually competitive field in Bayside South boys soccer. Once again the boys soccer crown in the Bayside South will be up for grabs, and it's anybody's to win.
Girls Soccer: JMB goes for Bayside three-peat
The last two Bayside Conference girls soccer championships have belonged to the James M. Bennett Clippers, as the representatives from the Bayside South went back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. They've done so in dominant fashion, going undefeated against Bayside competition in each of the previous two years, with their only losses coming in the regional playoffs.
As the Clippers look to defend their Bayside crown and advance in the state playoffs, we'll see if challengers like Parkside and Decatur can be the teams to knock them off, or if the Clippers' winning train keeps rolling.
Field Hockey: Can Pocomoke grab another state title?
With 21 state championships to their name, the second most in field hockey in the MPSSAA, winning is a constant for Pocomoke Field Hockey. Winners of the state title in 2021 and 2022, they came just short of a three-peat, falling in the 1A title game. Given their history, it wouldn't be a surprise if they are right back in the mix for another title.
But first they'll face Bayside competition from teams like Washington, Parkside, Decatur and reigning Bayside Champions Queen Anne's, who defeated the Warriors 1-0 in double overtime last year. The top of the table in Bayside field hockey should yield some fierce competition in 2024, just as it typically does.
More: Top games to watch during the 2024 Bayside South football season
More: Storylines to watch in the 2024 Bayside South high school football season
Football: What's next for Seahawks after 2A Title victory?
After steadily improving under head coach Jake Coleman and showing themselves to be one of the top teams in the Bayside and the state of Maryland, the Decatur Seahawks reached the top of the mountain in 2023, going undefeated on the year and winning a Class 2A State title.
While some of their top players from last season graduated, including stars like Brycen Coleman, Gavin Solito and Careen Bolden, the Seahawks still remain one of the top teams the Bayside has to offer, and will look to continue the playoff success they've had in recent years. It's a new season for the Seahawks, with some new faces but a lot of the same from last year as they hope to bring more titles to Berlin.
Volleyball: While a Bayside South team grab the conference title this year?
The Queen Anne's County Lions were back-to-back winners of the Bayside Conference's volleyball championships in 2022 and 2023, as the team from the Bayside North walked away on top in each of the last two seasons. As 2024 approaches, teams from both the North and South will look to grab the trophy for themselves.
In the Bayside South, the Parkside Rams were the main challengers last year, winning the Bayside South title before falling to the Lions in the championship game. And you can expect competition for the South crown from consistent teams like Snow Hill and Stephen Decatur, as they each strive to potentially bring a Bayside title back to their schools.
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Top storylines to follow throughout the 2024 Bayside South fall sports season
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