Baltimore Power Rankings: 2/17/20

<p>Playoff play begins this week for the MIAA while public schools conclude their regular season. Over the last week, St. Frances picked up another significant win over Mount St. Joe, the only local team that had defeated the Panthers this season. New Town also sent a statement to the county that they are in fact, the top dog. Let's see how the wins shook up the power rankings.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>1. St. Frances (33-3)</strong></span></p> <p>This week’s games: MIAA Quarterfinal vs Glenelg Country</p> <p>Another marquee win from the Panthers occurred on Friday night as they avenged their only local loss against Mt. St. Joe. VCU commit Ace Baldwin had another miraculous late-game showing as he scored 13 of his 18 points in the final 3:49 to lift St. Frances to a four-point win. They'll host Glenelg Country in their opening round playoff game, a team that they dismantled earlier this season without Baldwin's services.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>2. Poly (17-2)</strong></span></p> <p>This week’s games: City Championship vs Lake Clifton</p> <p>Poly enjoys a long break until the city title game at Morgan State on Feb. 26 as they battle Lake Clifton. Still riding the high off defeating IMG Academy, the Engineers' roster is built for this time of year as we've seen the past three seasons. Following the city title game, they'll begin their pursuit for a fourth-straight Class 3A state championship.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>3. Mount St. Joseph (24-5)</strong></span></p> <p>This week’s games: MIAA Quarterfinal vs Pallotti</p> <p>The Gaels lost another classic match up against St. Frances on Friday night. It seems like every time these two juggernauts meet, it gets better and better. We could be seeing these to play each other again in the MIAA championship game Sunday, but the journey for the Gaels will start Tuesday as they host Pallotti.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>4. Lake Clifton (15-4)</strong></span></p> <p>This week’s games: vs River Hill</p> <p>The Lakers picked up two wins last week with ease, but face a talented River Hill team this Friday that should get them ready for their city title game against Poly on Feb. 26.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>5. New Town (20-1)</strong></span></p> <p>This week's games: @ Catonsville</p> <p>New Town made a statement and punched their ticket to the county championship game with a dominant win over Parkville last Friday. 2020 wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/andrew-mills/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/andrew-mills/">Andrew Mills</a></a> came through in a big way with 31 points. They'll prep for the county title game (Feb. 25) against Woodlawn with their bout at Catonsville this week.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>6. City (18-2)</strong></span></p> <p>This week’s games: N/a</p> <p>City won handily over Digital Harbor last week to improve their record to 18-2. They set their eyes to state tournament play as they could get another chance against Poly in the regional semifinal game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>7. Gilman (17-9)</strong></span></p> <p>This week's games: MIAA Quarterfinals vs Archbishop Spalding</p> <p>Gilman ended their season with a five-game winning streak and the top spot of the black division. They'll host a young, but talented Spalding Tuesday in a quarterfinal match up. It should make for the best opening round game as both teams have proven themselves as strong opponents.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>8. Archbishop Spalding (17-10)</strong></span></p> <p>This week’s games: MIAA Quarterfinals @ Gilman   </p> <p>Spalding ended their regular season with a commanding win over St. Maria Goretti. The Cavaliers have been a team that really has caught their stride in the second half of their schedule and emerged a legitimate danger in postseason play. They'll travel to Gilman to take on the surging Hounds who continue to earn wins over quality teams.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>9. John Carroll (21-10)</strong></span></p> <p>This week’s games: MIAA Quarterfinal @ Boys' Latin</p> <p>The Patriots had a couple of hiccups last week with losses to Gilman and Loyola. They earned the third seed in the black division which matches them up with Boys' Latin. The two teams have a similar style of play as they like to launch a ton of three's. We'll see if the Boys' Latin homecourt advantage comes into play Tuesday night.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>10. Edmonson (13-4)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">This week’s games:N/a</span></p> <p>The Red Storm will begin preparing for the Class 2A state tournament. Their size, length and athleticism should bode well for them as they look to advance in bracket play.</p> <p><em>Others considered: Dulaney, Gilman, Pallotti, Loyola</em></p>