This year's regional playoffs have been tough on last year's state girls basketball champions, leaving Joppatowne as the only team with a chance to defend its title.

The Mariners, who won last year's Class 1A title, got 27 points from Shakara Head in rolling over Loch Raven, 70-47, in a North region quarterfinal Tuesday night . They host Western Tech In Thursday night's semifinal at 7 p.m.

Defending state Class 4A champ Arundel and Class 2A champ Fallston both fell in Tuesday night's quarterfinals. The Cougars, who had won two straight championships, got 29 points from Rachael Holehouse but could not get past Elkton, falling 55-48. Arundel lost to North Point, 54-46.

Seneca Valley, which rallied to beat Western for last year's Class 3A crown, lost in the opening round to Quince Orchard, 64-52.