Baltimore’s League Pass Rankings Part 1 (10-6)
In honor of my favorite basketball journalist, Zach Lowe of ESPN, I’ve decided to bring my own version of League Pass rankings to the Baltimore area. Every year prior to the NBA season, Lowe ranks the teams in order of…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn honor of my favorite basketball journalist, Zach Lowe of ESPN, I’ve decided to bring my own version of League Pass rankings to the Baltimore area. Every year prior to the NBA season, Lowe ranks the teams in order of how exciting they are to watch. In this, I’m not ranking the best teams in the area. Although many are included, this list is simply the teams I believe will be the best or most fun to watch as we close in on the last month until games kick off.
10. Parkville
Parkville could be the most under the radar team in the area. The majority of people have no clue what they have. Even though they’re still very much a work in progress, they have the make up to be a tough match up in Baltimore County. Junior forward Jordan Strickland keeps taking strides with his development and growing into his body. He led the county in double-doubles last season and I expect the same results for 2018-19. Daquan Reese is a wirey guard that can score in bunches when he’s feeling it. Reese is always looking to attack the rim and use his athleticism to finish over defenders. Quintaun Blizzard is a senior guard that keeps improving and becoming a smarter player. His length for his position makes him a solid defender on the perimeter. What hoisted Parkville onto this list is their transfer point guard John Godinez. The Knights were in desperate need of a high IQ floor general. They got that and more with Godinez considering he can bring scoring and flash to the floor as well.
9. Patterson
Much of the anticipation with the Clippers sits on the question of whether or not Marvin Price can return to his dominant form two years ago when he lead Patterson to the 2A state title. One thing is guaranteed though, and that’s that head coach Harry Martin will ensure that his team plays hard and gritty for a full 32-minute span. Led by a solid trio of guards in TJ Thomas, Gerard Mungo and Zack Blackwell, the Clippers had an underwhelming season in 2017-18 due to their lack of size. Price is only 6-foot-4, but bring a physical presence in the paint and can be a force on the glass when he’s focused. They’ll still struggle in the size category, but if you want fast-paced, chaotic press defensive basketball, then Patterson is your spot.
8. Gilman
Gilman has arguably the hardest working player in the area in senior guard Jalen Rucker. He alone is worth making the trip to see. The 5-foot-11 guard backs down from no one, scores from all three levels and plays with a fire and passion that has seemed to get lost in today’s players. Christian Winborne, a freshman guard, will be one of the the most talented in his class. Head coach Will Bartz demands execution on the offensive side of the floor. Although he embraces his team to get out in transition whenever there is an opportunity, it’s always fun to watch teams be able to execute sets in the half court and out of bounds.
7. New Town
The Titans will be one of the powerhouse teams in the county. Led by junior guard Martaz Robinson, New Town will have plenty of weapons to put up some big numbers offensively. Maurice Smith, a transfer from Mt. St. Joe and a two-time cancer survivor, will provide another scoring option from all three levels. Eric Bass Jr. (2019) is a diamond in the rough in terms of shooters in the area. He also gets out on the break consistently and finishes. Julian Reese (2021) is a long, 6-foot-8 forward who can mix it up. The southpaw forward will need to show some progress in his development this season. Jordan Guerrero is one of the senior leaders who will be expected to provide outside shooting and defense. All in all, the Titans have plenty of athletic players who if they can develop chemistry, will be a very tough team to beat.
6. Boys’ Latin
The Lakers could have the best backcourt that isn’t talked about. Loyola (MD) commit, Cam Spenser, and Cam Watts are two seniors who can shoot better than any duo in the area. On top of their shooting ability, they are extremely smart with the ball and play with a competitive fire defensively. Sam Grace is a 5-foot-11, well-built guard who can shoot with deep range. Grace hit a ton of big shots for them last season, including the one to upset the top-seeded St. Frances Panthers and advance to the MIAA A Conference championship. 6-foot-8 junior forward Jake Nichols will provide size and athleticism to the frontcourt. He’s still developing overall on his skill, but he has the length to be a disrupter. Nichols is always a alley-oop threat in the open floor, adding another wrinkle of why the Lakers will be a team to watch. Most importantly, they’re extremely disciplined. Head coach Cliff Rees is one of, if not the most underrated coach in Baltimore. Even though Boys’ Latin lost a couple of key seniors, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of formula’s Rees has in store for his roster.