BCL Conference Preview: 5-7

As we head into another season of HS basketball in the DMV, it's important to cover one of the best leagues in the country in the Baltimore Catholic League to give our readers a preview for this upcoming season. Our scouts attended open gyms, spoke with area and national scouts to rank what many consider to be the best conference in Baltimore as well as one of the best in the state. These rankings are based off of last season's results, incumbent talent, incoming transfers, and where we think they will end the regular season. Our BCL preview for #1-4 can be found <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/12/bcl-conference-preview-1-4/">here</a>, let's break down the rest of the league!   5. Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers   Last season: 24-11 (8-6), 4th BCL, BCL Runners-Up   Key losses: [player_tooltip player_id='1370513' first='Malik' last='Washington'] (football), Jaylin Sykes (graduation), Holden Williamson (graduation), Michael Lonergan (graduation), [player_tooltip player_id='2412775' first='Kaylin' last='Dunbar'] (transfer)   Key additions: AZ Adolfo (JV), Braxton Bogard (freshman), [player_tooltip player_id='2453746' first='Christian' last='Wilson'] (JV), [player_tooltip player_id='2454542' first='Joziah' last='Cobb'] (JV), Ethan Boston (JV)   Projected starting 5:   [player_tooltip player_id='1782592' first='Kam' last='Carter'] (junior)   [player_tooltip player_id='2453521' first='Colt' last='Busse'] (junior)   [player_tooltip player_id='1787945' first='TJ' last='Moultrie'] (junior)   [player_tooltip player_id='1782587' first='Elijah' last='Barrett'] (junior)   Braxton Bogard (freshman)     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='1787945' first='TJ' last='Moultrie']- Junior G   Outlook:   The Cavaliers enter the season with a mixed bag of expectations following an appearance in last year's BCL Championship game. Their senior captain (Washington) will be missed as the heartbeat of a team that surprised many with a run to the title game, but freshman Braxton Bogard fills his role as the leading rebounder and interior presence while adding in some perimeter shooting flair. Carter will run the show as an efficient and saavy junior that controls pace, handles ball pressure, creates easy shots for teammates, and comes up with big plays late in games. Barrett fills his role as a 2-way guard that can fill it up in a hurry from the perimeter but also gives you maximum effort defensively and can guard 1-4. Moultrie will look to build on a sophomore year that saw him frequently score in double figures as a dynamic slasher that bullies his way to his spots in the halfcourt and gets to the line. Busse fills a much-needed perimeter shooting role as a 6'1 CG that can make plays in the PnR or hit shots off the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='2252281' first='Moe' last='Lonergan'] steps into a more prominent role off the bench as a connector that will find the open man and hit open shots from the wings. [player_tooltip player_id='2623248' first='Raph' last='Bonfoh'] will come off the bench as a burly W/F prospect that can hold down the low block, rebound the basketball, and finish plays around the rim. Adolfo, Cobb, and Ethan Boston should add in a nice blend of scoring, defense, and shooting in their minutes off the bench.   Hit their ceiling if: they can generate turnovers to offset lack of rebounding/height on the defensive end       6. John Carroll Patriots   Last season: 16-19, 4-10, 7th BCL, BCL First Round   Key losses: Carson Shoffner (transfer)   Key additions: [player_tooltip player_id='2547300' first='Andrew' last='Clark'] (transfer)     Projected starting 5:   [player_tooltip player_id='1495116' first='Caden' last='Chinnia-Falline']- (Senior)   [player_tooltip player_id='2453731' first='Parris' last='Lee']- (Junior)   [player_tooltip player_id='1782586' first='Aidan' last='Able']- (Junior)   [player_tooltip player_id='1495115' first='Theartis' last='Battle']- (Senior)   [player_tooltip player_id='2547300' first='Andrew' last='Clark']- (Junior)     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2547300' first='Andrew' last='Clark']- Junior Forward   Outlook:   -Coach Goldberg leads a fiesty group that will look to take advantage of the synergy and chemistry of a unit that have been playing together for the last three seasons. [player_tooltip player_id='1782586' first='Aidan' last='Able'] should lead the troops as a dynamic scoring guard that uses his frame well to get to the rim, can create his own shot and score from all three levels, and is an above-average rebounder for his position. Chinnia-Falline steps into a bigger role this season as a scoring guard that can really heat up and score in bunches to add some scoring punch for the Patriots-- but he will also be running the show this year as their starting PG. [player_tooltip player_id='1495115' first='Theartis' last='Battle'] has the most versatile skillset on the roster as a wing prospect that can defend, contribute on the glass, finish above the rim, and score from 15' and in. [player_tooltip player_id='2453731' first='Parris' last='Lee'] should impress this season as a C+S threat on the perimeter with good size that can also get to the rim and switch on ball screens to give the Patriots more roster flexibility. [player_tooltip player_id='2547300' first='Andrew' last='Clark'] enters the fold as a transfer junior whose development is coming along nicely as a sturdy post presence that can serve as a lob/roll target in the key, rebound the basketball at a high level, and protect the paint to provide his team some muscle on the back line of the defense. [player_tooltip player_id='2345828' first='James' last='Westervelt'] should fill a role as a utility player off the bench with good positional size that can serve as a secondary playmaker from the wing, get to a ton of loose balls, and hit open perimeter looks. Cole Johnson and Zach Smith should fill roles as tenacious defenders that play within themselves as guards that can do a bit of everything.   Hit their ceiling if: The Patriots can get enough perimeter shooting outside of Able to space the floor effectively for drivers       7. Calvert Hall Cardinals   Last season: 16-20 (3-11) 8th BCL, BCL First Round   Key losses: Brendan Johnson (graduation), Tyrin Bizzelle (graduation)   <a href="https://x.com/HoopThreadsPod/status/1869886058839548361">Key additions: [player_tooltip player_id='2265685' first='Billy' last='Stanfield III'] (Freshman)</a>   Projected starting 5:   [player_tooltip player_id='2621951' first='Maclaren' last='Latoga']- (Senior)   [player_tooltip player_id='2621618' first='Jonathan' last='Nalty']- (Senior)   Kameron Massey (Sophomore)   [player_tooltip player_id='2265685' first='Billy' last='Stanfield III'] (Freshman)   [player_tooltip player_id='2935812' first='Noah' last='Cowan'] (Sophomore)     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2621951' first='Maclaren' last='Latoga']- Senior Point Guard   Outlook:   -The Cardinals head into the new season looking to grind their way to some upset wins this year with execution at both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='2621951' first='Maclaren' last='Latoga'] should really turn some heads this season as a scoring point guard that can efficiently fill it up from all three levels, using a tight handle to get into pull-up jumpers quickly off the bounce or get to the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='2621618' first='Jonathan' last='Nalty'] works on or off the ball as a dynamic playmaker on dribble drives to the rim, but the senior can also knock down open C+S looks and be a disruptive defender on the perimeter. Kameron Massey is a talented sophomore guard that can get hot in a hurry, scoring with either hand around the basket and drawing help defenders well before making the right play in the key. Top-15 local freshman wing Billy Stanfield should have plenty of opportunities to showcase his skillset as a prospect that can drive past forwards, score over guards, and eventually serve as a versatile W/F tweener that can impact the game in different areas. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2935812' first='Noah' last='Cowan'] fills out the starting rotation as a raw athlete that uses a pretty strong frame to get to loose balls and rebounds while also serving as a viable C+S threat from the perimeter. Damir Tucker and Jaden Aladetohun should provide good minutes off the bench as guys that can generate paint touches and outhustle their matchups at both ends of the floor. Senior guard Khairy Garrison should give the Cardinals good minutes as a smooth lefty shot-maker that can create well both in the halfcourt and running a fastbreak.   Hit their ceiling if: A consistent secondary scorer emerges alongside Latoga and the group collectively crashes the glass to create extra possessions       Associate Member: St. Mary's Annapolis   Last season: n/a   Key losses: [player_tooltip player_id='1598810' first='Mason' last='Hopper'] (transfer), Riley Costello (graduated),   Key additions: Josh Koch (JV), [player_tooltip player_id='2453735' first='ZaChely' last='Arrey'] (transfer)     Projected starting 5:   [player_tooltip player_id='2453752' first='Gavin' last='Johnson'] (Junior)   [player_tooltip player_id='2453693' first='Jovanni' last='Hall'] (Sophomore)   [player_tooltip player_id='2353592' first='Noah' last='Cerny'] (Sophomore)   [player_tooltip player_id='2340850' first='Tyler' last='Tillman'] (Senior)   James DiBittetto (Sophomore)   Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2353592' first='Noah' last='Cerny']- Sophomore   Outlook:   -The Saints were named an associate member of the BCL A-Conference to fill the void left by Goretti in hopes of becoming a full-time member of the upper division during the next cycle. Head Coach Tre Quinn leads a talented group that could make some noise come tournament time in late February. Sophomore forward James DiBittetto buoys the Saints as a versatile big that can score on the low block, hit perimeter shots, provide some rim protection, and pass from the low post or from the elbows. His improvements to his conditioning have led to more consistent performances at both ends of the floor, expect a big season out of him. [player_tooltip player_id='2340850' first='Tyler' last='Tillman'] fills a role as an athletic undersized W/F that rebounds the basketball and defends at a pretty high level while also finishing plays in the paint in the halfcourt and in transition. [player_tooltip player_id='2453752' first='Gavin' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2453693' first='Jovanni' last='Hall'] pace the St. Mary's backcourt as electric guards that can score and distribute at a pretty high level, igniting fastbreaks for their team and taking turns attacking gaps in the halfcourt to create for their teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='2353592' first='Noah' last='Cerny'] is a breakout candidate that should pop this season as a scoring combo guard that can really fill it up from the perimeter coming off of screens or creating his own offense. [player_tooltip player_id='2453735' first='ZaChely' last='Arrey'] should fill a need as a G/W tweener off the bench that can defend multiple spots, rebound, and get to the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='2698942' first='Eric' last='Ndaka'] and Joshua Koch should pop onto radars this season as sophomores with diverse skillsets that can dribble, pass and shoot. [player_tooltip player_id='2698944' first='Chase' last='Collier'] should provide some 3+D punch at the point guard spot off the bench.   Hit their ceiling if: they win the turnover battle and get easy ones in transition

As we head into another season of HS basketball in the DMV, it's important to cover one of the best leagues in the country in the Baltimore Catholic League to give our readers a preview for this upcoming season. Our scouts attended open gyms, spoke with area and national scouts to rank what many consider to be the best conference in Baltimore as well as one of the best in the state. These rankings are based off of last season's results, incumbent talent, incoming transfers, and where we think they will end the regular season. Our BCL preview for #1-4 can be found here, let's break down the rest of the league!