BCL Preview

The high school basketball season is right around the corner and with that being the case, it's an opportune time to start rolling out preview content for the leagues around the state. The Baltimore Catholic League is one with history and has a long resume of great teams/players who have gone on to play at the highest of levels. Could this year hold the same? Let's take a look.   1. Mount St. Joe   The returning BCL and MIAA champion Gaels enter the 2022-23 season as clear favorites not only because they won the league last season, but also are returning a bulk of production from that team. Illinois commit and Baltimore Sun Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='957018' first='Amani' last='Hansberry'] looks to assert himself as the best big in the area once again. UMBC bound point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1049863' first='Ace' last='Valentine'] will look to be given more opportunities as a primary playmaker with Bryson Tucker's decision to transfer to IMG Academy. 2023 sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='957059' first='Austin' last='Abrams'] will try and continue his streak of championships after winning the UAA 17U title as a part of [program_tooltip program_id='2077005' first='Team' last='Thrill'].   Can 2023 transfer wing [player_tooltip player_id='1280962' first='Brashawn' last='Galloway'] be the versatile floor-spacer with size that he's expected to be? Will 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1280947' first='Tyonne' last='Farrell'] emerge as the next junkyard dog in the Baltimore Metro area? What other role guys such as 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1164830' first='Sean' last='Clark'] will answer the call and gain more responsibility? It'll remain to be seen, but head coach Pat Clatchey is not one to bet against especially with this much talent returning.   2. St. Frances   The BCL is a guard's league and St. Frances has the best trio to offer in Pitt commit [player_tooltip player_id='1114066' first='Carlton' last='Carrington'], Maryland commit Jahn Lamothe and 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1370503' first='Tyler' last='Jackson']. The three will take turns with having their fair share of shot attempts and if those shots fall, the Panthers will be a difficult team to beat despite the lack of size. Speaking of size, can freshman big man [player_tooltip player_id='1782603' first='Gage' last='Howard'] man the middle and be the presence on both ends that head coach Nick Myles needs? He'll need to adjust to the varsity level in a hurry, but has the potential to be an extremely valuable piece from day one.   3. Mt. Carmel   The Cougars made an appearance in the MIAA A Conference title game last season and rightfully so. They had a great season all-around and while they also will return a slew of familiar faces, replacing Deon Perry (Loyola MD) and 2024 Luke Bamgboye (transfer) will not come easy. They'll have a committee of guards including 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1127307' first='Andrew' last='Dixon'], 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1370512' first='Mario' last='Tatum'], 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1494081' first='Rodney' last='Scott'] and 2023 Drazen Sinogoj that will provide depth at the position. Their frontcourt will be stout with 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1164829' first='Mitchell' last='Kalu'], 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1482974' first='Omarion' last='Reid'], 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1579094' first='Allen' last='Mordi'] and transfer Tatutoko Wynyard. Youth runs through the roster and with no definite ball dominant guy who can take over a game individually like Perry could, it'll be interesting to monitor how the group gels. I'm confident that they'll be a team that no one wants to play come February.   ** This is where things get tricky because I could see the remaining teams finishing in any sort of order.   4. Archbishop Spalding   I'm going Spalding here and a big reason why is the leadership of 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1370513' first='Malik' last='Washington']. Even on their senior laden roster last season, Washington was the clear vocal leader of the group and takes pride in filling up the stat sheet. He plays with a relentless motor and a competitive edge that's paired with a quiet confidence. Others who should make an impact include 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1127303' first='RJ' last='Newton'], 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1579099' first='Holden' last='Williamson'], 2024 Donavan Peterson and a talented freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='1782656' first='TJ' last='Moultrie']. Others will certainly emerge from this group as vital role players.   5. Calvert Hall   Calvert Hall is my dark horse for the league this season and it's based off their success in summer and fall leagues. 2024 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1536021' first='Tyrin' last='Bizzelle'] is a new face to the group and is the type of lead guard that can completely control a game with his ability to score, distribute and dictate pace. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1366890' first='Brendan' last='Johnson'] will emerge this season as one of the better juniors the league has to offer. He complements Bizzelle in the backcourt with his accurate precision from deep off the catch. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1413514' first='Jonah' last='Biggers'] will be the enforcer inside and plays much bigger than his 6'5 listed height. The Cardinals also have several players who seem to embrace their role in order for the team to run on all cylinders.   6. John Carroll   It was tough to place the Patriots here because of the sustained success they've had over the years, but they boast a youthful roster that may take time adjusting to BCL-level play. Yale commit [player_tooltip player_id='957030' first='Jeannot' last='Basima'] seems capable of carrying the load that comes with being the guy and others such as 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1573331' first='Rex' last='Romain'], 2023 Myles Smith and 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1597429' first='Noah' last='Miller'] will all likely handed much more involved roles. If the supporting cast can make shots consistently and the younger players adjust quickly to the level of play, it's not unrealistic to predict that John Carroll will finish as high as fourth.   7. Goretti   2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1219865' first='Dionte' last='Alexander'] surfaces as a primary option offensively this season for head coach Sid McCray. The 6'2 lefty guard can shoot it from three and has some ability off the bounce, but we'll see if he can handle all that comes with such a title. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1573255' first='Justin' last='Cheung'], 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1573248' first='Najeh' last='Allen'] and 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1598817' first='Tristan' last='Cook'] should also be steady contributors along the way.   8. Loyola Blakefield   It's almost with zero confidence I place the Dons in this spot, but when you talk about young, bright rosters they are the team that fits that mold. 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1598809' first='Mason' last='Ellison'] shows real potential as a high ceiling prospect with is three-level scoring ability. It's likely that we see tremendous strides in his game throughout this season. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1280964' first='Ryder' last='Drew'] will provide leadership and outside shooting while 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1366895' first='J'Lin' last='Brown'] is the swiss army knife. The ball handling duties can be split between the 2025 duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1371860' first='Jordan' last='Hammond'] and Quron Elliot, both of which should blossom into productive point guards.

The high school basketball season is right around the corner and with that being the case, it's an opportune time to start rolling out preview content for the leagues around the state. The Baltimore Catholic League is one with history and has a long resume of great teams/players who have gone on to play at the highest of levels. Could this year hold the same? Let's take a look.