Baltimore Power Rankings: 11/25/19

<p>This past week, we got the first taste of the high school basketball season. Not many schools played official games, but a couple of the teams in my top ten opened up their seasons. Not a whole lot changed in the power rankings, but expect there to be some shaking up in the next couple of weeks.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>1. St. Frances (2-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's games: win vs Scotland Prep (83-39), win vs International Sports Academy (62-48)</em></p> <p><em>Next three games: @ Curley, vs Riverdale Baptist (@ Trinity University), vs Coolidge</em></p> <p>St. Frances starts their 2019-20 campaign with two wins, one coming against a very talented ISA Prep team.  VCU commit <strong>Ace Baldwin</strong> finished with 20 points and 10 assists against ISA. South Alabama commit <strong>Jamal West</strong> recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds as did 2021 forward <strong>Julian Reese</strong> with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. The Panthers seem to have picked up where they left off last season and will look to keep the ball rolling with two challenging opponents coming in the next week and a half with Riverdale Baptist and Coolidge. </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 <strong>Justin Lewis</strong> (Marquette commit),<strong> Rahim Ali</strong> and <strong>Brandon Murray</strong>, 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 <strong>Trae English</strong> and 2022 <strong>Bryce Lindsay</strong> are two talented guard that will come off the bench and produce immediately. 2022 <strong>Adam Walden</strong> transferred in this summer and brings needed size at 6-foot-9 next to Lewis in the frontcourt. One to watch will be freshman <strong>Kwame Evans</strong>, 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 (2-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's games: win vs Chapelgate (74-36), win vs St. James School (87-54)</em></p> <p><em>Next three games: vs Bishop Ireton (scrimmage), vs DeMatha (@ Loyola University), vs St. John's Catholic Prep</em></p> <p>The Gaels tip off their season with two double-digit victories against Chapelgate and St. James. Fairfield commit<strong> Jason Edokpayi</strong> has been solid out of the gate with 20 and 17 points in the two respective games. His presence will hold immense importance to the overall success of the team this season. George Washington commit <strong>Tyler Brelsford</strong> recorded 22 points going 14-of-15 from the free-throw line in the season opener. One player to watch going forward will be 2021 guard <strong>D'Angelo Stines</strong>. Stines led the way in the win over St. James with 17 points and 10 rebounds.</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 (2-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's games: win @ Concordia Prep (59-33), win @ Friends (59-53)</em></p> <p><em>Next three games: vs St. Andrews (@St. Maria Goretti), TBA @ St. Maria Goretti, vs St. Paul's</em></p> <p>The Eagles are missing two key starters to begin their seasn in 2020 <strong>Curtis Jacobs</strong> and 2022 <strong>Preston Howard</strong>, both of which are nursing injuries from football season. In their absence, 2021 wing <strong>Jared Billups</strong> and 2022 guard<strong> Everett Cooper</strong> have been key in both wins. Billups has logged outings of 14 points and 11 rebounds and followed it up with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the next game. Cooper scored a game-high 16 points in the season opener and 16 points in the win over Friends. Cooper has stepped up in a big way as a scorer and hit multiple key shots to help swing the momentum back in the Eagles' directions.</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><em>Others considered: Lake Clifton, Loyola, City, Archbishop Spalding, Milford Mill</em></p>