Baltimore City Preview: Headlines Entering the 2019-20 Season

<p>This Friday, public schools will hold official practices/try outs and begin their missions for the 2019-20 season. As we continue to roll out our preseason previews here at Prep Hoops, headlines are always a thing to ponder. Here are a few that will surround the city public school conference.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Can Poly secure the crown?</strong></span></p> <p>The public school split in conferences is a joke in my opinion, but teams have to abide by it. On Poly's side, Patterson knocked them off last season during the regular season and by winning out, eliminated Poly from playing in the city championship game. Patterson lost a ton of pieces and will likely take on a rebuilding mode this season, so Poly will be as favorable as ever to lock in their slot for this year's title game. The Engineers are loaded with talent that extends well down their bench. Headlined by 2020 prospects such as Justin Lewis (Marquette commit), Rahim Ali, Brandon Murray and Ian Wallace, head coach Sam Brand has plenty of size to throw out in his starting lineup. They have just about anything you need including bigs, skilled play making guards, slashing guards, shooting guards and athletic wings. It's safe to say Poly is the most complete team you'll find in Baltimore City. Allow that to speak for itself when conference play comes around.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Can Mervo challenge Poly?</strong></span></p> <p>There aren't many teams in the entire DMV that can match up with Poly player for player, but Mervo has some talent to give them troubles if rolling on all cylinders. Led by 2020 guard/wing Will Thomas, the Mustangs play with nice pace and energy. Thomas is one of the most complete play makers and can take over games at both ends for stretches. 2020 guard Teon Rushing transfers in from Mt. Carmel to relieve Thomas of some of the ball handling duties. 2020 big man Elijah Rantin supplies them with an inside presence on both ends at 6-foot-9</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Lake reloads</strong></span></p> <p>Lake Clifton has been a formidable opponent in city play for some time now. The Lakers caught fire last season as they won the Class 1A state title and they carried that momentum into the summer by making key additions. They already return 2020 point guard Mike Gray, who should be in the player of the year conversation as we approach the season. 2020 combo guard Zack Blackwell transfers in after helping Patterson to a city championship and a Class 2A crown in 2018-19. 2020 wing Kywon McCray brings size, athleticism and versatility to both ends of the floor. Blackwell and McCray fit perfectly into the mindset and playing style in which Lake plays. </p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>City boasts talented roster</strong></span></p> <p>When you look at City's roster on paper, there surely no shortage of talent. Young talent, at that. The addition of 2021 guard <strong>Ahmad Ha</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>rrison</strong> gives them another dynamic play maker who can score from mid-range and in efficiently as well as find open teammates. 2021 <strong>Kevin Kalu</strong></span><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> brings size at 6-foot-9 to pair with returning 2021 forward 6-foot-6 </span><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Clarence Obijaulu</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">, who has improved steadily since last season. 2020 sharpshooter <strong>Dominick Carrington</strong>'s presence will be vital to space the floor for the slashing guards. As stated before, there is no shortage of talent on this roster. The question at hand is can they all mesh together and form a consistent product out on the floor.</span></p>