Growing up on a farm in Jamaica, Digital Harbor girls basketball coach Patrick McDonald learned that working hard always presents a reward, one that admittedly might not be immediate, but a reward nonetheless.

For McDonald, the Rams' appearance in today's Class 1A Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association state semifinal against Pocomoke (22-1) is proof that his grandfather was right, as Digital Harbor (19-3) has advanced on the strength of its collective labors.

"They believe in the work and and they believe in doing the work," McDonald said. "It's just a blessing in our fifth year to have the girls who've done the work and have been the most committed, reaping the benefits of that."

McDonald, who is 57-38 at Digital, said the team had to evolve from "girls that play basketball to basketball players that happen to be girls," and with a precocious group of youngsters, led by sophomores Asia Logan (17 points and 12 rebounds per game) and Nikki Groom (11 points, six assists) and freshman KeShara Floyd (15 points), the Rams have slowly built something to last.

The team stumbled against Western, City and Poly, but beat three-time state semifinalist New Town in the North regional final last week to earn its place at UMBC this afternoon.

The challenge, for McDonald, will be to keep his players from getting overwhelmed by the surroundings and the moment, but the coach says that won't be a problem.

"We've talked all year about the next game and dealing with the game that's in front of us right now," said McDonald. "The environment doesn't matter because the court is still 94 feet (long) and the basket is still 10 feet high. It's the same right now. Step into the moment and make it yours. Hopefully, we'll do that (today)."