Baltimore Power Rankings 1/22

This past week in the Baltimore high school hoops scene was the best yet. With a match up between two of the top city teams that will go down in the history books, a high-level MIAA A Conference battle and a couple of Chicago teams making the trip to challenge two Charm City squads, there was no shortage of talent hovering the area. Our top five experience a shake-up as many of them played against each other. Let's take a look.   1. St. Frances (21-3)   Last week's ranking: No. 1   Last week's games: win vs McDonogh (62-52), win vs Archbishop Spalding 69-43, win vs Simeon (70-65), win vs Pallotti (65-54)   Next three games: @ Goretti (1/23) vs Poly @ Towson U (1/26), @ Gilman (1/28)   The Panthers stayed perfect with a 4-0 record last week. They defeated McDonogh without Jordan Toles or Jamal West who were both serving suspensions. They pulled out a close win over Simeon in the Windy City vs Charm City Showcase despite being up big throughout the game. They ended their week with a solid win over a Pallotti team that can certainly give plenty of top teams problems. Ace Baldwin has been playing a high level, as he did in their win over Simeon pouring in 25 points. His decision-making and effort on the defensive end have been evident. They'll need the same production from Baldwin this week’s games against two top teams in Goretti and Poly.   2. Boys' Latin (21-3)   Last week's ranking: No. 4   Last week's games: win @ Mt. St. Joe (69-61), win @ Glenelg Country (72-49), win @ St. Paul's (68-41)   Next three games: vs Gilman (1/23), vs Mt. Carmel (1/25), vs John Carroll (1/28)   The Lakers had a statement week with three wins, but none were bigger than the 69-61 win at Mt. St. Joe. In a game where they controlled throughout, Cam Spencer made his argument for Player of the Year even stronger with a 29-point outing. The Gaels threw multiple defenders his way, but it simply didn't matter. They didn't allow the big win to cause a hangover, as they traveled to Glenelg Country and won big. Just 16 hours later, they captured a win over St. Paul's despite getting off to a slow start. In the upcoming week, they'll be favorites in their games. It's very likely by this time next week, Boys' Latin will be sitting 24-3. I don't think many saw that coming.   3. Mt. St. Joe (16-4)   Last week's ranking: No. 2   Last week's games: loss vs Boy's Latin (69-61), win vs McDonogh (58-56), win @ John Carroll (76-45)   Next three games: vs Mt. Carmel (1/23), @ Gilman (1/25), vs Pallotti (1/28)   The Gaels drop one spot in the rankings with the loss to Boys' Latin. James Bishop led his team with 18 points in front of his future college coach in Will Wade and his staff, but it wasn't enough. Ausar Crawley was key in their close win over McDonogh with 19 points. Despite their recent struggles, Mt. St. Joe remains atop the MIAA A Red Division because of their win over St. Frances earlier this season. In accordance to their upcoming week, they'll be favorites in each of the three games. It'll be a main focus of theirs to tighten up on weaknesses before they face teams like Goretti and St. Frances in the back end of their schedule.   4. Patterson (11-3)   Last week's ranking: No. 5   Last week's games: win vs Poly (67-64), loss vs Morgan Park (88-77)   Next three games: @ Lake Clifton (1/23), @ Digital Harbor (1/24), vs Mt. Carmel (1/28)   The Clippers got their most important win of the season this past week against Poly in an overtime thriller where they erased a 15-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter. The win showed how tough and relentless this team can be. With the win, they eliminated Poly from the city championship (barring Patterson doesn't lose their next three games). Following their statement win, they lost to a very good Morgan Park squad led by one of the best junior guards you can find in Adam Miller. Throughout the two games, Gerard Mungo, Marvin Price, Zack Blackwell, TJ Thomas and Jalen Willis all played huge roles. Mungo finished with 30 points in the loss against Morgan Park.   5. Poly (9-4)   Last week's ranking: No. 3   Last week's games: loss to Patterson (67-64), win vs Mt. Zion Christian Academy (53-52)   Next three games: @ Edmonson (1/22), vs NAF (1/24), vs St. Frances @ Towson U (1/26)   The Engineers looked dominant for the first three quarters of play against Patterson. Rahim Ali, Justin Lewis and Brandon Murray all made plays that had the crowd jumping out of their seats. But ultimately, it wasn't enough. There's no doubt in my mind that Poly is talented enough to be in the running for as a top two team in Baltimore, but they are still searching for a huge win. This weekend, they'll have their chance as they face off against St. Frances. These are the two teams that most people believe are the best of the best. It'll be fun to watch them get pushed to their limits and it'll certainly have an impact in next week's rankings.   6. Dulaney (11-1)   Last week's ranking: No. 6   Last week's games: win @ Hereford (56-42), win vs Dunbar (79-66), win vs Lake Clifton (68-65)   Next three games: vs New Town (1/23), @ Loch Raven (1/24), vs Dundalk (1/25)   FINALLY!!!! It's the week we've all been waiting for. There will be an actual game in Baltimore County that involves the two teams who've blown fellow county oppositions out with ease. First though, Dulaney had a productive week by getting two nice wins against city opponents down at Morgan State. Che Evans was dominant in both games finishing with 23 points and 15 rebounds against Dunbar and 24 points and 10 rebounds against Lake Clifton. He'll need to play at that same level against New Town to help secure bragging rights and playoff position for Baltimore County.   7. New Town (12-1)   Last week's ranking: No. 7   Last week's games: win @ Milford Mill (63-54), win @ Patapsco (88-31)   Next three games: @ Dulaney (1/23), vs Sparrows Point (1/24), vs Hereford (1/30)   This is New Town's biggest week of their season solely because of the game with Dulaney. They've held 30 point leads in every one of their games except two this season. It's a testament to how good they are, but it also brings up the question of how they'll react to playing such a talented team like Dulaney. Will they continue their onslaught? There's only one way to find out. They have the quality depth to come out with a win, but Dulaney's stout starting five with a mixture of a high-intensity atmosphere will be quite the challenge.   8. Annapolis Area Christian (11-4)   Last week's ranking: Unranked   Last week's games: win @ Gilman (78-70)   Next three games: vs Spalding (1/25), vs Mt. Carmel (1/30), vs Boys' Latin (2/1)   The Eagles are back in the top 10 after getting a win at Gilman on their Silent Night game. In front of a packed and wild crowd, Annapolis Area shot extremely well from the tip to set the tone. Gilman fought back and was well within reach, but the Eagles came away with the win. Senior guard Dylin Borden continues to play well and will be key to their success from here on out as they try and hold onto the second place slot in the MIAA A Black Division with McDonogh trailing just behind.   9. Edmonson (11-2)   Last week's ranking: No. 9   Last week's games: win vs Calvert Hall (61-47), win vs Oxon Hill (74-65)   Next three games: vs Poly (1/22), @ Edgewood (1/24), vs Green Street Academy (1/25)   The Red Storm picked up a couple of nice wins at the Mayor's Academy this weekend over Calvert Hall and Oxon Hill. However, their real test comes tonight when they host Poly, who may still be without Justin Lewis because of a suspension. If the Red Storm can somehow come out with a win, it would say a ton about just how dangerous of a team they are.   10. McDonogh (12-6)   Last week's ranking: No. 8   Last week's games: loss @ St. Frances (62-52), loss @ Mt. St. Joe (58-56)   Next three games: vs Loyola (1/23), vs John Carroll (1/25), @ Boys' Latin (1/30)   McDonogh faced the gauntlet last week having to travel to St. Frances and Mt. St. Joe. Both resulted in losses, but it's continued growth for their young roster. Dave Brown continues to assert himself as one of the better scorers in the MIAA after transferring from St. Mary's Ryken. I bet St. Mary's Ryken is really kicking themselves for letting him walk away so easily, but the Eagles will certainly enjoy seeing him develop the next two years. This week will be telling. The only game they are clear favorites in is against John Carroll. McDonogh needs every win they can get so they can claim the second place position as they battle with Annapolis Area.   Feature Photo Credit: Joey O'Dwyer