14-03-2025
Largo closes the Cam Ward era with a second straight Maryland Class 2A title
The tears took a moment to appear.
They waited until after Largo senior Cam Ward secured the final rebound to clinch a 50-48 win over New Town in Friday's Maryland Class 2A championship. They waited for Ward to throw the ball straight up in the air and jump on the scorer's table, looking out into a crowd of classmates, friends and family.
But the tears came when Cam met the arms of his father, Largo coach Rodney Ward. They celebrated the end of Cam's four years and a second straight state title, a fitting end to one of the most decorated careers in Maryland public school basketball.
As father and son cried together, Rodney could only get out a few words.
'I love you, man,' he said, his voice muffled by his son's embrace.
Sophomore Canaan Ward sprinted off the bench and onto the court to chest bump with his brother. Cam's mother, Ayana Ball-Ward — Largo's athletic director and girls basketball coach — had been pacing side to side in the corner of the court for the second half, clenching her hands until she released them straight up in the air at the final buzzer.
The Ward family has defined the Largo basketball program over the last four years. With one final win Friday in College Park, they closed out an era. After a tight first half, the No. 9 Lions (24-3) built a lead in third quarter and then held on late, surviving a last-second three-point attempt from New Town (27-2) that would have won the game.
'It's an amazing feeling to watch him grow up, be in the gym from when he was born to now,' Ball-Ward said. 'To see him accomplish what he's accomplished as a basketball player, it's an amazing feeling as a mom.'
On Friday morning, several hours before the game, Cam posted the same Instagram story he does every game day: a black and white photo of him in a game and the caption 'Lock in today 3," a reference to his jersey number. For his final high school game, Ward added one more line: 'complete your legacy tonight.'
The senior has always been conscious of his legacy. Even before he took the floor for his final game Friday, Ward had become the all-time leading scorer in Maryland public high school basketball history, won a state championship and been named Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year.
The name recognition he's built in the state extended to the line outside of the gym an hour before Largo's semifinal game at Gov. Thomas Johnson in Frederick, where spectators talked about how far they drove to watch Michigan State signee.
Yet for as much as Largo basketball has been defined by Cam Ward, he is equally defined by Largo basketball. The first weeks of Cam's life were spent in the Largo gym. On Thursday, he completed his last practice in that gym. He is immensely proud of his decision never to leave his public school despite ample opportunities to venture off to prestigious private programs.
'At Largo, that's never really been seen before,' Ward said. 'I got to make my own name, my own story.'
Rodney Ward compared his son to Frank Sinatra — Cam did it his way.
But through every accomplishment and recognition — especially those in his senior year — Ward always referred back to the one thing he was focused on: getting a second championship. On Friday, he led the Lions with 20 points, closing his career at 2,716. Sophomore Ayden Ashe added 10 and junior Jalen Johnson finished with seven points, seven rebounds and four steals.
'It's complete,' Ward said of his legacy. 'Back to back, everything is just complete. Nothing else to prove. Nothing else to say to anybody. Can honestly say, 'Hey, look at the resume.' ...I think it speaks for itself.'
