MIAA A Conference Preview: Black Division

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some teams within the MIAA have already officially tipped off their 2025-26 season, but for the majority, their journeys will begin tonight and as we continue our conference preview content here on Prep Hoops MD/DC, we move to the MIAA A Conference as we rotate to the Black Division. Reminder that the top four seeds at the end of regular season play advance to the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/miaa-a-conference-preview-red-division/">Red Division rundown, click here.</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>1. Mount Carmel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Tony Martin returns the bulk of his roster coming off an impressive 2024-25 season claiming a clean sweep of the MIAA and BCL titles.&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782668' first='Tristen' last='Wilson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tristen-wilson/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Holy Cross commit),&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2242055' first='Ralfs' last='Rudusans']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ralfs-radusans/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Lehigh), and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782603' first='Gage' last='Howard']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gage-howard/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;will be leaned on as the senior leaders as 2027 Samartine Hill and 2027&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2454529' first='Junior' last='Mancho']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/junior-mancho/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;look to round out a loaded starting lineup fueled with versatility, experience, and commitment at both ends of the floor. The Cougars enter the season with high expectations and while Hill is still a few weeks away from his return (injury), others such as 2027&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2364682' first='Kiyen' last='Alexander']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kiyen-alexander/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;and 2028&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2547340' first='Antwan' last='Williams']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/antwan-williams/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;will look to step up and hold the rope.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2. Mount St. Joseph</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Interesting group for head coach Pat Clatchey this season who, similar to St. Frances, has a chance to exceed preseason expectations as cohesion is established. Expect&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2252277' first='BJ' last='Ranson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bj-ranson-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(St. Joe's commit) to post crooked numbers in the scoring column as he emerges as the primary option in his senior year beaming with confidence from his summer and fall performances. A key addition via the transfer portal for the Gaels is 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1782769' first='Saxton' last='Simley']. The long, shotmaking wing has a chance to emerge as a key contributor in the BCL/MIAA this year. Other than Ranson, consistent production will be demanded from non-seniors such as 2027&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2353590' first='Zikom' last='Etolue']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zikom-etolue/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;, 2027 Kenneth Anthony, 2028&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2546067' first='Aaron' last='Early Jr.']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aaron-earley/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;, 2028&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194760' first='Chauncey' last='Word']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chauncey-word/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;, 2028 Bryce Hudgins, and highly-regarded freshman&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2894300' first='Ciar' last='Word']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ciar-word/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>3. Glenelg Country</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons enter the 2025-26 season attempting to replace one of the better scoring guards in recent history of the league in Patrick Curtin (Bucknell). In attempts to do so, 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1588137' first='Donavan' last='Marshburn'] and 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1977823' first='Drew' last='Harris'] (Brown commit) will shoulder much of the scoring responsibilities as a 1-2 punch. Getting consistent guard play out of [player_tooltip player_id='2762141' first='Jacob' last='Williams'] will be critical as will consistent contributions from 2026 Henrique Tavares, 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2888897' first='Kayden' last='Leggett'], and some signs of development from 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2952209' first='Shawn' last='Dupont'] will all play a crucial role in where Garrett O'Donnell's team lands in this murky 3-6 area where any of the teams could make a serious run for the third place spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>4. Pallotti</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Old, seasoned guard play is key in this league in determining how far your team can advance and Pallotti has a backcourt duo that will put them in games against the juggernauts of the league. 2026 Greg Taylor and 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1588147' first='Kemuel' last='Dankyi'] have ability to really carry momentum by themselves produce as high-level bucket getters. 2026 Alpha Kamara's presence at the forward spot will be key on the glass and making plays around the rim as will 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2893747' first='Jaidon' last='Byam']. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353584' first='Jaden' last='Dory'] is a name to watch with this group as he looks to make an impact as a new face for head coach Chris Douglas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>5. Calvert Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals have the roster makeup to be very sneaky this season. It could be a breakout season for 2027&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2926352' first='Cameron' last='Wood']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cameron-wood-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;, who is coming off plenty of strong showings in the fall and seems more than capable of stepping in as one of the primary options for head coach David Gately. 2028&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2265685' first='Billy' last='Stanfield III']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/billy-stanfield-iii/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;has established himself as one of the prospects to watch in a loaded 2028 class. Coming off a summer with steady production on the Nike E15 circuit, I'd expect Stanfield to take a big step in the right direction as becoming one of the more productive players in his class from a numbers standpoint. The Cardinals will need it in order to dethrone some of the teams already mentioned. Other players such as 2026&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2968642' first='Damir' last='Tucker']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/damir-tucker/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;and 2028&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2731617' first='Ellis' last='Johnson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ellis-johnson-3/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;are ones to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>6. McDonogh</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As usual, the Eagles will depend on a few dual-sport standouts to help bolster their young, intriguing roster. As mentioned above though, it's crucial to have experience in the backcourt and thats were the 2026 duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1782602' first='BJ' last='Hopkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1782667' first='Marcus' last='Williams'] will look to answer the call. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2455425' first='Carlos' last='Ferguson'] brings the size, athleticism, and versatility needed on the wing as a two-way impact while 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2547346' first='Sonny' last='Moore'] looks to cement himself as one of the more productive sophomore guards in the league. 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2548892' first='Maurice' last='Costley'] is used as a swiss army knife who can impact the box score in a louder way than led to believe and 2027 Joey Clark will add some shot-making and playmaking versatility in spurts as one of the new faces that'll be featured heavily in the rotation. 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3072084' first='Christian' last='Rhodes'] has the chance to prove himself as the league's top freshman as a 6-foot-5 dynamic forward with IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>7. St. Mary's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Trey Quinn has some talented guards in his stable such as 2027 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2453693' first='Jovanni' last='Hall']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jovanni-hall/"></a> , 2028 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194755' first='Ezra' last='Rich']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ezra-rich/"></a> , and 2029 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2954533' first='Ari' last='Hopson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ari-hopson/"></a> . 2026 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2453752' first='Gavin' last='Johnson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gavin-johnson-3/"></a> and 2026 Zachely Arrey supply the senior experience while 2027 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2353592' first='Noah' last='Cerny']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/noah-cerny/"></a> could be one to monitor on the wing playing off the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->