BCL Conference Preview: #1-4

As we gear up for 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.     1. St. Frances Panthers   Last season: 2nd, BCL Champions   Key losses: Jordan Downs (graduation), Tyler Baldwin (graduation), Josiah Legree (graduation), [player_tooltip player_id='2148704' first='Donovan' last='Flamer'] (transfer)   Key additions: Terrence Jones (JV), [player_tooltip player_id='2194764' first='Jaylen' last='Allen'] (freshman), [player_tooltip player_id='1963387' first='Kamauri' last='Lawson'] (transfer) [player_tooltip player_id='2878470' first='Carter' last='Fisk'] (JV)   Projected starting 5:   Terrence Jones (sophomore)   [player_tooltip player_id='1963387' first='Kamauri' last='Lawson'] (junior)   [player_tooltip player_id='1782591' first='Jasiah' last='Cannady'] (junior)   [player_tooltip player_id='1414526' first='Trent' last='Egbiremolen'] (junior)   Camren Fleming (senior)     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2878470' first='Carter' last='Fisk']- Junior PG     Outlook:   -The Panthers boast a deep stable of point guards that should allow Coach Myles to play a more aggressive brand of basketball at both ends. The buck stops with top-15 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1782591' first='Jasiah' last='Cannady'], whose perimeter scoring and shot creation makes the offense go both in transition and in the halfcourt. Jones, Lawson, and sophomore PG Camontae Griffin will generate a ton of paint touches, allow the Panthers to execute run n jump/ trap defenses, and make sure the ball is flowing in the half court. Fleming, Mason Glover, Egbiremolen and freshman W/F standout [player_tooltip player_id='2194764' first='Jaylen' last='Allen'] should add in dynamic play-finishing, rebounding and defense on the back line. Senior guard Jashua Lamothe will fill a role off the bench as a defender that knows the offensive system and works hard in the paint to come up with contested rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id='2878470' first='Carter' last='Fisk'] should pop onto radars early this season as an athletic guard prospect that should challenge for minutes as a high-level slasher with some POA defensive pitbull upside. How well this team can shoot from the perimeter will likely dictate their ceiling as their offense relies on them getting quick and easy shots in advantage situations in transition.   Hit their ceiling if: perimeter shooters outside of Cannady/Griffin emerge     2. Mt. Carmel Cougars   Last season: 3rd, BCL Semifinals   Key losses: Andrew Dixon (graduation)   Key additions: [player_tooltip player_id='1782603' first='Gage' last='Howard'] (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2548693' first='Harmony' last='Okojie'] (junior), [player_tooltip player_id='2547340' first='Antwan' last='Williams'] (freshman)   Projected starting 5:   [player_tooltip player_id='1494081' first='Rodney' last='Scott'] (senior)   [player_tooltip player_id='1370512' first='Mario' last='Tatum'] (senior)   [player_tooltip player_id='1782668' first='Tristen' last='Wilson'] (junior)   Ralph Radusans (junior)   [player_tooltip player_id='2454529' first='Junior' last='Mancho'] (sophomore)     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2454529' first='Junior' last='Mancho']- Sophomore F     Outlook:   -Coach Tony Martin steps into year 2 at the head of loaded roster full of potential and versatile weapons. [player_tooltip player_id='1494081' first='Rodney' last='Scott'] leads the Cougars as a defense-first, pure PG that is starting to hit perimeter shots with more consistency. Tatum and Wilson fill the wings as shot-making slashers that can create good looks from the perimeter but also use their athleticism to get to the rim. Radusans fills the gaps as a dependable shooter, rebounder, defender, and screener-- doing all of the little things that add up to winning. Mancho attacks the glass and is a vocal defensive presence on the back line of the defense that impacts the game with his energy and enthusiasm. Howard should impact as a transfer big that can put it on the floor, finish around the basket with either hand, and hit the glass at the offensive end of the floor to create extra possessions for his team. [player_tooltip player_id='2548693' first='Harmony' last='Okojie'] and the Heflin brothers (Tristan and Tyson) add in defensive versatility, screening, and play-finishing ability around the rim as physical forwards. [player_tooltip player_id='2547340' first='Antwan' last='Williams'] will eventually impact down the line as scoring PG prospect that can also use a pretty advanced handle and burst to get to his spots. Two of the biggest swing prospects on this team are the sophomore duo of Samartine Hill and [player_tooltip player_id='2441539' first='Mazari' last='Browne']. Hill is a dynamic scoring PG that can score from all three levels and uses a low center of gravity to take advantage of his defender's hesitations to blow by them and get to the rim. Browne can have a big impact off the bench as a 3+D wing that can finish above the rim and guard multiple positions if he buys in to the team concept. Chemistry will likely determine this team's season, but the talent is there to win it all.   Hit their ceiling if:     3. Loyola Blakefield Dons   Last season: 6th, BCL First Round   Key losses:   Key additions: Terry Brooks (freshman), [player_tooltip player_id='2546066' first='Mikey' last='Williams'] (freshman)   Projected starting 5:   [player_tooltip player_id='2640015' first='Jesse' last='Legree'] (junior)   [player_tooltip player_id='1371868' first='Marlon' last='Williams'] (senior)   [player_tooltip player_id='1371858' first='Mason' last='Ellison'] (senior)   [player_tooltip player_id='2546066' first='Mikey' last='Williams'] (freshman)   [player_tooltip player_id='2546118' first='Ayo' last='Olofintila'] (junior)     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2546066' first='Mikey' last='Williams']- Freshman G     Outlook:   -Fully expect the Dons to surprise some folks this year as a fast-paced, swarming unit that will look to jump on opponents to build early leads that they sustain throughout the matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='1371858' first='Mason' last='Ellison'] enters the season with something to prove as a Baltimore Sun POY candidate that can score from all three levels, play above the rim, and create his own shot. Navy commit [player_tooltip player_id='1371868' first='Marlon' last='Williams'] adds in slashing, defense and leadership while Legree can really fill it up as one of the most underrated scorers in the state. Top-5 freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2546066' first='Mikey' last='Williams'] brings raw athleticism, slashing, and defensive ability to a team as a versatile piece that second year coach Josh Czerski can use to deploy different lineups. Olofintila and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2546065' first='Carter' last='Palmer'] add in a physical presence on the low block that both have the potential to be switchable defensively for the Dons, with Palmer fitting the bill as a shooter capable of spotting up on the wing. Freshman sniper Terry Brooks should perform well in spot starts throughout the season as a fundamentally-sound PG whose ability to shoot allows him to thrive off the ball, moving well to gaps in the defense to create easy C+S looks from outside the arc.   Hit their ceiling if: Scoring PGs can also use their paint touches to distribute     4. Mt. St. Joseph Gaels   Last season: 1st, BCL Semifinals   Key losses: Jordan Brathwaite (graduation), Ty Farrell (graduation), DJ Wingfield (graduation), Ryan Truitt (graduation), [player_tooltip player_id='2524398' first='Elijah' last='Hall'] (graduation)   Key additions: [player_tooltip player_id='2113411' first='Nasir' last='Barnes'] (transfer)   Projected starting 5:   [player_tooltip player_id='2252277' first='BJ' last='Ranson'] (junior)   [player_tooltip player_id='2113411' first='Nasir' last='Barnes'] (sophomore)   Joe Greene (senior)   [player_tooltip player_id='2353590' first='Zikom' last='Etolue'] (sophomore)   [player_tooltip player_id='1371862' first='Brandon' last='Holmes'] (senior)     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2252277' first='BJ' last='Ranson']- Junior G     Outlook:   -The all-time winningest coach in the league will lead a talented but inexperienced group into the 2024-2025 season, as Pat Clatchey leads the Gaels in his 33rd season at the helm. Towson commit [player_tooltip player_id='1371862' first='Brandon' last='Holmes'] will man the low block as a play-finishing, rebounding big with some offensive upside as a passer and shooter. [player_tooltip player_id='2252277' first='BJ' last='Ranson'] should have a breakout year in the area as a talented scoring guard that can mix his defender for OTB 3s or get to a very consistent midrange pull-up from the elbows. [player_tooltip player_id='2113411' first='Nasir' last='Barnes'] transfers in from PA as a slashing guard that can create well OTB and hit shots from 15' and out. Etolue steps into a bigger role on varsity as an athletic slasher that can guard multiple spots, finish above the rim, and be a threat to hit shots beyond the arc. Green will be the glue that holds the team together as a slashing guard that applies consistent defensive pressure, comes up with big rebounds in traffic, and can finish through contact around the basket. [player_tooltip player_id='1963388' first='Bryton' last='Barrett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2108094' first='Braydon' last='Young'] should space the floor well as wings with good size that can hit shots and serve as connectors on the wing. [player_tooltip player_id='2194952' first='Enrico' last='Purnell'] enjoyed a productive summer on the circuit showing that he can create his own shot from the top of the key, attack closeouts, and serve as a perimeter shooting threat. Top-15 sophomore Kenneth Anthony should impact the game as a big that can protect the paint, fight for rebounds in the paint, and knock down open looks from the elbows. Top-30 freshman Aaron Early should pop onto radars as a lightning-quick point guard that can race it up the floor in transition, attack closeouts from the wings, and serve as a POA disruptor on the defensive end of the floor.   Hit their ceiling if: Bench buys into their roles

As we gear up for 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.