BCL Playoff Preview

<p>This Monday at 6pm, all four BCL Playoff quarterfinal games will tip off. The semifinal games will be held on Wednesday with the championship game taking place on Friday evening. Below you’ll see the quarterfinal schedule followed by a preview of each matchup.</p> <p><em>6 John Carroll at 3 Mount St. Joseph 6 pm</em><br /> <em>7 St. Maria Goretti at 2 Archbishop Spalding 6 pm</em><br /> <em>5 Loyola at 4 Mount Carmel 6 pm</em><br /> <em>8 Calvert Hall at 1 St. Frances 6 pm</em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">6 John Carroll @ 3 Mount St. Joseph </span></strong></span></p> <p>This has a chance of being the best first round game of the four. The Patriots come into this one playing their best basketball at the most opportune time as they’ve won their last six games. 2021 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="712769" first="Jalen" last="Bryant"] has been on a tear and has entered his name into the POY conversation with John Carroll’s recent success behind his big performances. 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="837919" first="Tyson" last="Commander"] got back into his flow in their last win over Mt. Carmel as he finished with 16 points. 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="777067" first="Cesar" last="Tchilombo"] has steadily produced throughout this shortened season and become a dominant presence on the glass. 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="957030" first="Jeannot" last="Basima"] has established a groove and is the slasher and versatile defender that this team needs.</p> <p>On the Gaels’ side of things there’s plenty to feel confident in. Led by a special trio of seniors in [player_tooltip player_id="954213" first="D’Angelo" last="Stines"] (Old Dominion commit), [player_tooltip player_id="902023" first="Ausar" last="Crawley"] (Morgan State football commit) and [player_tooltip player_id="902051" first="Sean" last="Carr"], this group has no shortage of experience in championship games. Despite losing their regular season finale to St. Frances, Carr had a spectacular performance pouring in 25 points and making things happen on both ends of the floor. Stines has been the primary scoring option throughout the season, but the 6-foot-3 guard also is investing a ton of energy on the defensive end and has become a lockdown option for head coach Pat Clatchey. Crawley is the ultimate floor general who has varsity experience since his freshman season and has won on many different stages. </p> <p>2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1127305" first="Bryson" last="Tucker"] has been the fabulous freshman for the Gaels and plays at a level well beyond his years. The 6-foot-5 guard/wing can impact the game in a multitude of ways and scores at an efficient clip. Usually you’d be nervous about how a freshman would react to playoff basketball, but that isn’t the case with Tucker. He plays under control at all times and always seems to make the right decision no matter how much pressure is applied. </p> <p>These two teams met in the first game of the season where the Gaels won 53-50 in a contest that came down to the last possession. It wouldn’t shock me to see this game end in similar fashion, but these two teams are much improved since the last time they met on Feb. 17. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>7 Goretti @ 2 Archbishop Spalding</strong></span></span></p> <p>Since suffering its second loss of the season to Mount Carmel, Spalding has returned to their winning ways in the final two games of the season routing Calvert Hall 103-88 and dominating Annapolis Area Christian in the season finale 92-59. 2022 Spalding wing [player_tooltip player_id="837927" first="Cameron" last="Whitmore"] has been nothing short of sensational this season as he’ll likely be awarded with the BCL Player of the Year honor later this week. Next to Whitmore is a stout supporting cast including 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="954640" first="Jordan" last="Pennick"], 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="904646" first="Tyheil" last="Peterson"] and 2022 wing [player_tooltip player_id="837924" first="CJ" last="Scott"]. Each play a critical role as Pennick has emerged as the team’s lockdown defender as well as a reliable scorer from three and around the rim. Peterson has become a steady scorer from the combo guard position and when Scott is locked in, this Spalding team is very difficult to beat.</p> <p>It’s been a tough go for Goretti this season as they welcomed a few new players to the fold. 2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="836500" first="Vincent" last="Payne"] makes things go in the backcourt for the Gaels as the Randolph Macon commit is one of the top shooters in the conference. 2022 forward Jordan Nkoa-Abesselo is the ultimate do-it-all type of player and can make his impact felt in a handful of box score categories. 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="904627" first="Jordan" last="Green"] provides the size at 6-foot-7 and also offers versatility as a scorer.</p> <p>Ultimately I see Spalding overwhelming Goretti and going onto win this one. Spalding won their previous meeting against the Gaels 93-68 back on Feb. 24.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>5 Loyola @ 4 Mount Carmel</strong></span></span></p> <p>Mount Carmel has been one of the bigger surprises this year after finishing with an impressive 11-3 overall record. 2022 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="904628" first="Deon" last="Perry"] has made a strong statement this season and quickly become a top guard in the Baltimore Metro area. Perry has advanced feel for the game both as a scorer and distributor and has been the straw that stirs the drink for the Cougars. 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="837931" first="Kevin" last="Kalu"] has been by far the most dominant center in the BCL. He records double-doubles with ease and has been a rim-rocking presence offensively since the season started. 2022 guard Toby Nnadozie has a strong argument as the league’s most improved player. The 6-foot-3 guard has played both on and off the ball, improved his jumper and continues to make jaw-dropping plays on both ends of the floor with his elite athleticism. 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1127307" first="Andrew" last="Dixon"] has been producing at a steady rate and become one of the top freshmen in the conference. 2023 forward Mitchell Kalu has been the ultimate utility guy who can guard multiple positions and help his brother feast on the glass.</p> <p>Loyola was another team that surprised some considering their lack of depth in the backcourt. 2021 forward [player_tooltip player_id="902019" first="Cam" last="Smith"] stepped up as the senior leader and helped carry the Dons when 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="904648" first="Gavin" last="Walsh"] was sidelined with injury. Smith’s size and athleticism at 6-foot-7 allows the Dons to battle inside with the best of them. As stated earlier, Walsh suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for a few games, but he quickly inserted himself back into the lineup and picked up where he left off. The 6-foot-6 forward forms a dynamic duo next to Smith and the two will be the reason Loyola has any chance of advancing. </p> <p>I have Mount Carmel winning this one, but it won’t be easy. These two teams met the second game of the season where Mount Carmel won 68-59. Don’t expect Loyola to go down easily and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them pull of an upset.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>8. Calvert Hall @ 1. St. Frances</strong></span></span></p> <p>Not much needs to be written about regarding this matchup. St. Frances has been the definition of perfect this season as indicated by their 13-0 record. 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id="1089573" first="Derik" last="Queen"] has played at the level of a top five prospect in his class, Delaware State commit [player_tooltip player_id="836491" first="Khyrie" last="Staten"] has been his usual productive self on both ends, 2021 Byron Ireland has proven to be the top unsigned senior in the area, 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="957025" first="Jahnathan" last="Lamothe"] is always capable of a breakout performance and 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="1110545" first="Cortez" last="Johnson"] has emerged as a valuable weapon to the Panthers’ rotation. The list goes on when you consider Maryland commit [player_tooltip player_id="712747" first="Julian" last="Reese"], 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1089572" first="Daquan" last="Davis"], 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="1049644" first="Tevin" last="Curtis"] and Mississippi Valley State commit [player_tooltip player_id="904668" first="Elijah" last="Davis"] are included in the rotation and each bring plenty of value. </p> <p>Calvert Hall has struggled to say the least. They have the talent led by 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="957020" first="Mike" last="Williams"], 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="957105" first="Karim" last="Harris"] and 2023 Samartine Boges. Williams brother, Isaiah, is a freshman with plenty of potential and has put together a few nice outing this season. In the BCL, talent won’t win you games. You need experience and players who have been in these positions before. Calvert Hall’s time should come, but it won’t be this season.</p> <p>St. Frances wins this game. The Panthers won their last meeting against the Cardinals 106-45.</p>