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The luck of the draw.

Both Clarksburg and Northwood girls basketball teams benefitted from it when the Class 2A West Region tournament brackets were decided Sunday. Rockville faces a slightly tougher first-round matchup.

All three enter the first round unseeded. But each was handed a winnable first-round matchup, and once teams get into the swing of playoffs, anything can happen.

Northwood took some time to find its form this season. But the Gladiators have won four of their last six and take on struggling Francis Scott Key (0-19).

Senior Flora Amayo is the Gladiators' leading scorer at 14.3 points per game. She is supported by a talented cast of players: 5-foot-11 junior Morgan Moats (8.4 ppg), sophomore Le'Quisha Parker (7.2), senior Taira Poole (6.1) and 6-0 senior Maria Bueno (5.0).

If Northwood can implement its balanced attack and use its team speed and aggressive defense, it should be able set up a quarterfinal game against No. 2 Middletown (17-3). The Knights rely on leading scorers Alyssa Oursler (16.6) and Jacklyn Kessler (8).

Rockville takes on a tough customer in Winters Mill (18-6) for a chance to play No. 3 Century (17-5). The Rams battled youth and inconsistency early, but led by sophomore Meghann Tilghman (10.5) and seniors Sara Sousa (7.3) and Jenn Cordero (7.1) are settling into their roles.

Some good late-season wins — Cordero hit a 3-point shot at the buzzer to seal a come-from-behind win over 3A foe Watkins Mill on Feb. 6 — have given the Rams some confidence.

Clarksburg got a first-round bye and faces Walkersville (14-7) for the opportunity to make its second consecutive semifinal appearance. The Coyotes, led by Page Harris, Nicole Cunningham, Tiara Ward and Tia Johnson, thrive on balance. They'll need everyone to contribute to pull off the upset. Walkersville is led by Josie Hildebrand (14.5), Krysten Grossnickle (10.1) and Shenice Disney (10.9).

Class 1A

Poolesville begins 1A West Region play by hosting Williamsport on Friday at 7 p.m.

The Falcons have won seven of their last nine contests. A small bunch, they rely on team speed and pressure defense.

Poolesville can post good numbers offensively as well and, led by freshman Lindsay Poss (9.1) and 5-foot-11 senior Jessica Chittenden (7.9), will need to do so consistently in the postseason.

"This is the fun time of the year," Poolesville coach Randy Berger said. "We know what's ahead of us. There aren't any surprises."