Baltimore Power Rankings: 12/9/19

Public schools have officially joined the mix! It's still very early of course, but we can now start to get a better feel for the area as a whole. As we do every Monday, let's look at how the power rankings are shaking up. There's been significant movement throughout the past seven days. 1. St. Frances (6-0) Last week’s games: win vs Riverdale Baptist @ Trinity University (58-48), win vs Coolidge (87-50), win vs Boys' Latin (81-42), win @ Simeon (61-57) Next three games: @ Annapolis Area Christian, vs St. Vincent Pallotti, @ St. Maria Goretti Another dominant week for St. Frances wrapped up with a statement win against Simeon in a hostile environment as they caught a plane to Chicago directly following their blowout win vs Boys' Latin. Coming up this week, the Panthers will face two solid tests with Pallotti and Goretti. They've showed no signs of letting up, especially when it comes to local competition, so they could enter next week with a perfect 9-0 record. 2. Poly (2-0) Last week's games: win vs Digital Harbor (74-29), win vs Wilson (D.C) (79-52) Next three games: @ Ben Franklin, vs Lake Clifton, vs Paul IV (@ Takoma Academy) The Engineers picked up where they left off last season after hoisting their third-straight Class 3A title with two convincing wins. They took care of business in their home opener and proceeded with a statement win against a good Wilson team. This week coming up, they'll take on Ben Franklin before a huge couple of games the following week against Lake Clifton and Paul IV, who just made serious noise in the national picture at the Hoop Fest event. 3. Mount St. Joseph (4-1) Last week’s games: win vs St. John's Catholic Prep (74-55), win vs Pallotti (48-44) Next three games: @ McDonogh, vs Glenelg Country, vs Catonsville The Gaels picked up two wins last week. One of them came in last second fashion thanks to a 2020 Cam Sapienza three-pointer to earn a solid win over a good Pallotti squad. They may be without 2022 guard Antonio Hamlin, who was nursing an injury during the Pallotti game. Hamlin is a key part of their rotation, but it'll be the responsibility of others to step up in his absence as they have two tough league games against McDonogh and Glenelg Country early this week. 4. John Carroll (4-0) Last week's games: win @ Gerstell (64-46), win vs Mt. Carmel (82-72) Next three games: TBA @ Bullis Tournament, TBA @ Bullis Tournament, TBA @ Bullis Tournament John Carroll stayed to their winning ways last week after a tough comeback win against Mt. Carmel in the fourth quarter. The Patriots' hectic pace and heavy three-point shooting should keep them in reach in any game if they get hot. They'll have this week off until the weekend when they head down to Bullis for their annual tournament, which usually features some upper-tier teams throughout the area. 5. Lake Clifton (2-0) Last week's games: win vs New Era, win vs McKinley Tech Next three games: @ Poly, @ NAF, vs Douglass No scores have been updated for Lake Clifton, but the Lakers secured two wins over the week to start the season. Equipped with one of the best defensive backcourts in the area, expect the Lakers to keep the majority of their opponents low in scoring. They'll have their biggest game of the season next Monday as they face the Engineers. It should give us a good feel for just how legit this team is. 6. City (1-0) Last week's games: win @ Mervo (71-66) Next three games: @ Broadneck, @ Old Mill, vs Curley The Knights earned a huge win at Mervo in overtime last week that rightfully boasts them into the rankings. Ahmad Harrison was spectacular in the win with 27 points to lead his team. City has an interesting mix of players. If they can all find their niche in their respective roles, they could be a force in the city. Facing a good Broadneck team this week will help give us a better feel as they go against a team with an opposite style of play. 7. Mervo (1-1) Last week's games: loss vs City (71-66), win @ Gilman (73-72) Next three games: vs Forest Park, @ Ben Franklin, vs ACCE Mervo started their season with a loss to a tough City team, but rebounded nicely with an overtime win at Gilman (a team who is showing some promise). The win at Gilman keeps them in the rankings, but we'll be watching them closely the next couple of weeks to be sure they win the games they are supposed to win. 8. Dulaney (2-0) Last week's games: win vs St. Paul's (73-45), win vs Havre De Grace (63-49) Next three games: @ Franklin, @ Curely, vs Towson Dulaney earned two wins over the week. In the win against Havre de Grace, the Lions held a double-digit lead for much of the game, but the Warriors stormed back in the fourth quarter and made a game of it. 2021 guard Ryan Conway was key with 25 points and making the Warriors pay every time he was left open from deep. They'll travel to Franklin this Friday to take on a senior-laden Indians team that has earned some nice wins over MIAA A Conference opponents. 9. Edmonson (2-0) Last week's games: win vs Douglass (88-45), win @ New Town (58-55) Next three games: vs New Era, @ Patterson, vs Dunbar The Red Storm went into the reigning Baltimore County Champions' gym and earned a hard fought win over the weekend. 2020 forward Tra'Shawn Lewis is becoming a name that people need to know. The 6-foot-4 wing is extremely active on the glass for Edmonson and was an efficient finisher around the rim. 10. Parkville (1-0) Last week's games: win @ Landsdowne (62-27) Next three games: vs Kenwood, @ Woodlawn, vs Perry Hall The Knights earned a blowout win last Friday against Landsdowne and looks to take on three more county opponents in the next two weeks. They have a plethora of players who can have a big outing on any given night. As they continue to gain chemistry with each other, they should be a tough team to beat in county play. Teams being considered: Loyola (4-1), Gilman (3-1), McDonogh (4-3), Glenelg Country (1-2), New Town (0-1)