Baltimore Power Rankings: 11/18/19

<p><span id="more-872376"></span>AND WE'RE BACK!! The 2019-20 season is finally upon us. Time for another four months of watching some of the most talented players in the country battle it out in the DMV area. As always, the Prep Hoops squad will have you well-informed on all of the happenings and as for me individually, I try my best to keep pulse on the Baltimore area. With that being said, let's take a look at the initial power rankings for this season.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>1. St. Frances (0-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Next three games: Scoring Factory Showcase (Pittsburgh, PA) TBA, Scoring Factory Showcase (Pittsburgh, PA) TBA, @ Curley</em></p> <p>The Panthers enter the 2019-20 season with the top ranking and a loaded roster following a year in which they swept the MIAA/BCL crowns. As he's been for the last couple of years, 2020 point guard <strong>Ace Baldwin</strong> will be the straw that stirs the drink. The VCU commit is one of the top floor generals on the East Coast and will look to lead his team once again to the top of the standings. LSU commit <strong>Jordan Toles</strong> returns to the hardwood after a dominant season on the gridiron. South Alabama commit <strong>Jamal West</strong> will be the opposing coach's biggest nightmare as he enters his last season in high school. Key transfers such as <strong>Julian Reese</strong> (2021), <strong>Jahmal Banks</strong> (2020) and <strong>Byron Ireland</strong> (2021) will all play huge roles for the Panthers as they embark on an extremely tough national schedule. There's no shortage of firepower once again on Chase St.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>2. Poly (0-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Next three games: TBA</em></p> <p>The Engineers have the deepest roster in Baltimore. Led by 2020 trio of Justin Lewis (Marquette commit), Rahim Ali and Brandon Murry, Poly has all the makings to have yet another dominant run to the Class 3A trophy (their fourth-straight). 2020 wing Ian Wallace brings size, athleticism and shooting to the wing slot. 2021 Trae English and 2022 Bryce Lindsay are two talented guard that will come off the bench and produce immediately. 2022 Adam Walden transferred in this summer and brings needed size at 6-foot-9 next to Lewis in the frontcourt. One to watch will be freshman Kwame Evans, a long, lanky 6-foot-8 left-handed wing who can make a difference in a multitude of ways. Head coach Sam Brand is equipped with a ton of talent and he has a proven track record of producing with talent.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>3. Mount St. Joseph (0-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Next three games: vs Chapelgate, @ Bishop Ireton, vs DeMatha (@ Loyola University)</em></p> <p>The Gaels lost James Bishop (LSU), who accounted for a bulk of their scoring, but don't expect a huge drop off from a production standpoint. Head coach Pat Clatchey still has a ton to work with including 2020 guard <strong>Tyler Brelsford</strong> (George Washington commit), 2021 guard <strong>Ausar Crawley</strong> and 2020 forward<strong> Jason Edokpayi</strong> (Fairfield commit). Other names such as 2022 guard <strong>Antonio Hamlin</strong>, 2021 forward <strong>Sean Carr</strong> and 2020 center<strong> Will Sykes</strong> will all play crucial roles this season. 2020 guard<strong> Cam Sapienza</strong>, 2021 guard <strong>D'Angelo Stines</strong> and 2022 forward <strong>Noah Jones</strong> are also names to watch as they look to have an impact this season in the rotation.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>4. Glenelg Country (0-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Next three games: @ Bishop O'Connell (Wooten Invitational), vs Rock Creek Christian (@ St. Frances), @ Loyola</em></p> <p>The Dragons have the make up to be one of the most improved teams in the MIAA. Key returners in 2020 point guard <strong>Noah Charles</strong>, 2020 wing <strong>Jordan Brathwaite</strong> 2020 guard <strong>Igor Yoka-Bratasz</strong> will bring senior leadership and experience. 2021 forward <strong>Cole Paar</strong> plays a key part in their offensive system as a versatile forward who can score and pass. 2022 forward <strong>Noah Batchelor</strong> was quite possibly the biggest transfer news of the summer. The 6-foot-7 sophomore is now on the national radar after strong showing at USA Basketball mini-camps and is being courted by high major programs. It may take some time for these pieces to establish some chemistry, but they are all pretty familiar with each other, making Glenelg Country a likely contender a very tough conference.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>5. Mervo (0-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Next three games: vs City, vs Gilman, vs Forest Park</em></p> <p>It may come to some as a shock seeing Mervo at No. 5, but considering their roster after adding 2022 point guard <strong>Carlos Alexander</strong>, the Mustangs will have the talent to be a very strong team in the area. 2020 guard/wing <strong>Will Thomas</strong> will lead the way and do so in many ways. Thomas is a versatile scorer and playmaker who can impact both ends of the floor. 2020 center <strong>Elijah Rantin</strong> provides an inside presence at 6-foot-9, 2020 guard Teon Rushing transferred in from Mt. Carmel to supply Thomas with another viable playmaker with the ball and 2020 guard <strong>Demonee Carter</strong> brings scoring and toughness needed to play in the city.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>6. McDonogh (0-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Next three games: @ Concordia Prep, @ Friends, vs St. Andrews (@St. Maria Goretti)</em></p> <p>After making a run and almost taking down Mt. St. Joe last year in the MIAA semis, the Eagles check in at No. 5. 2021 wing Jared Billups will be the main piece to the puzzle this season. 2022 guard<strong> Everett Cooper</strong> looks to build off of a productive freshman season and 2020 wing <strong>Curtis Jacobs</strong> is one that always seems to slip people's mind, but is a high impact player. The pair of 2022 bigs in the frontcourt in Preston Howard and Dani Dennis-Sutton will provide the physical presence needed in the paint. Mathani Paul-Swindon is a freshman point guard to watch. With a nice feel for the game, Swindon takes some of the point guard duties away from Cooper and allows him to be more of a scorer.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>7. John Carroll (0-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Next three games: vs St. Johns, TBA @ Loyola University, @ Gerstell</em></p> <p>John Carroll boasts one of the most young and talented rosters in the DMV. 2022 guard<strong> Tyson Commander</strong> was a standout freshman who can put up scoring numbers in a hurry. He and 2022 forward <strong>Cesar Tchilombo</strong> look to take the necessary steps to make the Patriots a formidable opponent in the MIAA.  2021 point guard <strong>Jalen Bryant</strong> contributes in ways that can and cannot be seen on the box score. His presence is vital to the Patriots' success. 2022 guard <strong>TJ Vaughn</strong> and 2020 wing <strong>Bryce Meads</strong> are two key returners who will play big roles this season as well. Newcomers in 2022 Joel Turay and 2023 Jeannot Basima will bring size and scoring around the rim. Turay is 6-foot-7 and physically imposing in the paint. Basima is a 6-foot-3 guard who can finish nicely around the rim and get into the heart of the defense off the dribble.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>8. New Town (0-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Next three games: vs Edmonson, @ Randallstown, vs Western Tech</em></p> <p>The defending Baltimore County champions will boast a much different roster from last years team with the amount of seniors that graduated. Fortunately, they return their strong 2020 duo of <strong>Martaz Robinson</strong> (Delaware St. commit) and last year's Baltimore County Player of the Year <strong>Andrew Mills</strong>. 2020 guards <strong>Khyrie Johnson</strong> and <strong>Twan Carter</strong> will each see a boost in their roles after being nice support players on last year's team. Freshman <strong>Cam Sparrow</strong> has nice length for a 6-foot-2 guard and can help space the floor with his shooting. 2020 guard <strong>Stephon Marcano</strong> transfers in from Coppin Academy and will bring a three-level scorer and playmaker off the bounce. The Titans will lack in the height department in comparison to last year's roster, but they still have the players to help defend their county crown.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>9. Dulaney (0-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Next three games: vs St. Paul's, Havre de Grace (@ New Town), @ Franklin</em></p> <p>The Lions lost a ton of their production from last season due to players transferring, but they keep 2021 <strong>Ryan Conway</strong> and 2020 forward <strong>Cam Byers</strong> at bay to help lead them in county play this season. Conway is one of the most prolific scorers you'll find and Byers should see the ball much more this season considering the holes that need to be filled. 2021 guard <strong>Jaylin Webster</strong> will be leaned on heavily to help Conway in the backcourt and provide ball handling to help push Conway to the two slot.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>10. Parkville (0-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Next three games: @ Landsdowne, vs Kenwood, @ Woodlawn</em></p> <p>The Knights could very well be looked at as the most talented team in the county with the players the have returning and the plethora of transfers from this summer and fall. Head coach Josh Czerski will lean heavily on 2020 point guard <strong>John Godinez</strong>, 2020 forward <strong>Jordan Strickland</strong> and 2021 City transfer guard <strong>Darrius Tilghman</strong>. With a supporting cast of 2020 guard<strong> Khalil Dukes</strong>, 2020 guard <strong>Alphonso Morrow</strong>, 2023 wing<strong> Jayden Baker</strong>, 2020 wing Kevin Lewis and 2022 guard <strong>Jadyn Williams</strong>, there is plenty of quality support throughout the starting lineup and off the bench. There has been many talented teams who don't pan out, so even though Parkville has the recipe to be a top team in the county, it'll remain to be a wait and see basis.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>Others considered: Lake Clifton, Loyola, City, Archbishop Spalding, Milford Mill</em></span></p>