Baltimore Power Rankings 2/27
The postseason has officially begun! For both the private and public schools, conference championships have come and went. For some private schools, there are additional tournaments to play in. As for the public schools, the road to the Xfinity Center…
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Continue ReadingThe postseason has officially begun! For both the private and public schools, conference championships have come and went. For some private schools, there are additional tournaments to play in. As for the public schools, the road to the Xfinity Center tips off this Friday.
1.St. Frances (33-5)
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Last week’s games: win MIAA Quarterfinal (vs Annapolis Area) 104-64, win MIAA Semifinal (@ Boys’ Latin) 87-47, win MIAA Championship (vs Mt. St. Joe) 77-61
Next game: BCL Quaterfinal vs Mt. Carmel (2/27)
The Panthers have undoubtedly been the hottest team in the area considering their margin of victory against two of the areas top teams on way to capturing the MIAA A Conference crown. A pair of 2020 prospects in Ace Baldwin and Jamal West led St. Frances throughout. West had a dominant performance in the quarterfinal game, finishing with 41 points and 12 rebounds. He then came through huge in the championship game with 23 points. Baldwin led the team with 21 points in the semifinal game against Boys’ Latin and followed it up with a 28-point outing in the title game. These two are cementing themselves as one of the most dangerous duos in the city. If they pull off another championship run in the BCL, that argument will get even stronger.
2. Patterson (19-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Last week’s games: win @ Digital Harbor (68-29), win vs Edmonson *Baltimore City Championship (60-52), win @ Lake Clifton (89-63)
Next game: vs Crossland/Carver Vo-Tech *2A North Regional Quarterfinals (3/4)
The Clippers claimed the Baltimore City title after defeating a scrappy Edmonson squad. Junior guard Zack Blackwell led the way with 17 points, while senior Jalen Willis followed with 14 points, six rebound and five steals. Marvin Price put up a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Despite their 19-3 overall record, they didn’t clinch home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Instead, they’ll have to travel to New Town in a game that decides who advances to the Xfinity Center in the final four.
3. Poly (15-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Last week’s games: win vs Dunbar (83-63)
Next game: vs City/Digital Harbor *3A South Quarterfinals (3/4)
This time of year is when we usually see the Engineers start to roll on all cylinders. They ended their regular season with a win over Dunbar in a game that was postponed earlier in the season. They have their sites set on a third-straight 3A state title, but may have obstacles similar to last year that lie ahead. There is a chance that if Great Mills wins their bracket, Poly will have to travel an hour and a half to play them in their gym. Poly has played a much more challenging schedule than Great Mills, so it’s sad that isn’t taken into consideration if these two No. 1 seeds meet. Either way, Poly’s roster is experience and tested enough to overcome something like that and find their way back to Xfinity. With the trio of Justin Lewis, Rahim Ali and Brandon Murray, they’ll be a juggernaut once again.
4. Mt. St. Joe (26-7)
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Last week’s games: win MIAA Quarterfinals(vs John Carroll) 73-53, win MIAA Semifinal (vs McDonogh) 69-64 OT, loss MIAA Championship (vs St. Frances) 77-61
Next game: BCL Quarterfinal vs Spalding (2/27)
The Gaels had a week filled with ups and downs after a draining win in overtime against McDonogh to advance to the MIAA A Conference title game. James Bishop played hero after scooping up a loose ball and draining a game-tying three-pointer as the buzzer sounded to force overtime. The LSU commit followed that performance with a 28-point game in the championship vs St. Frances. Unfortunately, the Panthers went to a box-in one and fully denied Bishop everywhere on the floor. It cost the Gaels their lead and ultimately, the win. They’ll have another stab at a title with the BCL beginning tonight.
5. New Town (19-1)
Last week’s ranking: No. 6
Last week’s games: win vs Franklin 65-46 *Baltimore County Championship
Next game: vs Owings Mills/Eastern Tech *2A North Quarterfinals
The Titans got off to a slow start in the Baltimore County Championship, but recovered nicely in the second quarter and pulled away from Franklin capping off a dominant season. They experience double-digit leads against every team in the county and will look to carry that momentum into the state tournament. Their path will be very tough. There’s a chance that they’ll have to beat both Edmonson and Patterson to advance to Xfinity. The Titans haven’t experience much challenge this season, so it’ll be very interesting to see how they handle adversity.
6. Boys’ Latin (30-6)
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Last week’s games: win MIAA Quarterfinal vs Glenelg Country (64-53), loss MIAA Semifinals vs St. Frances (87-47)
Next game: N/A
The Lakers’ season ended in the semifinal round of the MIAA A Conference Playoffs. Loyola (MD) commit Cam Spencer led them to that point by recording 39 points in the quarterfinal game. Against St. Frances, Spencer finished with 18 points, but was keyed on very strongly by Baldwin, who put together a dynamite defensive effort. Losing Cam Watts to injury earlier in the month made this team look much different. Either way, they put together a very successful season and brought a strong reputation to the program.
7. Dulaney (19-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 7
Last week’s games: N/A
Next game: vs Howard/Catonsville *4A North Quarterfinal
The Lions failed to make an appearance in the county title game in large part because of the “fair” split of divisions. Now all they can do is fight for a state championship in one of the hardest brackets out. Assuming they win their first two games, they could then face Paint Branch followed by Eleanor Roosevelt. Roosevelt seems to be the favorite to come out as the champion, so Dulaney will have a chance to make a statement win on their way to Xfinity.
8. McDonogh (18-9)
Last week’s ranking: No. 9
Last week’s games: win MIAA Quarterfinal vs Loyola (53-51), loss MIAA Semifinals @ Mt. St. Joe (69-64)
Next Game: vs Glenelg Country *Private School Tournament (2/28)
The Eagles proved to be a team that will be very dangerous in the coming years. They held a 10-point lead with two minutes to go against Mt. St. Joe, but turnovers and mental errors got the best of them. It’s expected with such a young team to struggle in the playoffs. While they had their struggling moments, they had plenty of bright spots. Sophomore Dave Brown finished with 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting against the Gaels. Brown proved all season that he is in the conversation as one of the top players in his class when it comes to the state rankings.
9. Edmonson (15-4)
Last week’s ranking: No. 8
Last week’s games: loss vs Patterson *Baltimore City Championship
Next Game: vs Hereford *2A North Quarterfinals (3/1)
The Red Storm put up a good fight against Patterson in the city title game, but came up just short. Their hopes for capturing a championship isn’t over, though. To win their region, they’ll have to beat Hereford, New Town and Patterson. That’s certainly a tough trio of games, but they’ve shown before they have the length, athleticism and energy to compete with whoever.
10. Loyola (19-11)
Last week’s ranking: No. 10
Last week’s games: loss MIAA Quarterfinal @ McDonogh (53-51)
Next game: BCL Quarterfinal vs Calvert Hall (2/27)
The Dons’ slow start against McDonogh put them in a deep hole early. As the game went on, they found themselves taking the lead mid-way through the fourth, but the young players from McDonogh kept making big time plays and put the dagger in their chest. Mitch Fischer did all he could by contributing 20 points and scoring from all three levels. The Dons will face off against their historic rival in Calvert Hall this evening in the opening round of BCL Tournament play.