Baltimore Power Rankings 12/18
This past week has impacted the rankings in a massive way. Let’s just get right into it. 1. St. Frances (11-1) Last week’s Ranking: No. 1 Last week’s games: win vs Calvert Hall (85-33), win @ Loyola…
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Continue ReadingThis past week has impacted the rankings in a massive way. Let’s just get right into it.
1. St. Frances (11-1)
Last week’s Ranking: No. 1
Last week’s games: win vs Calvert Hall (85-33), win @ Loyola (65-48), win vs Brooklyn College Academy (65-64) @ City Legendz Invitational
Next three games: vs Glenelg Country (12/19), vs Mt. St. Joe (12/21), vs Memphis East @ Chick-Fil-A Classic (12/27)
The Panthers stay atop after another perfect week with three wins. They’ve now won seven-straight games and have begun to separate themselves as being the undisputed top team. The score against Loyola doesn’t indicate any struggle, but it was a big win because in the past, the Panthers have had hiccups in that gym. They then traveled to New York to take on a highly respected program in Brooklyn College Academy and escaped with a one-point victory. Any time a team going out of state and gets a win versus a very good team, they deserve major bonus points. This week will be big as they take on their rival in Mt. St. Joe. After the Christmas break, they’ll have one of the biggest tests of their season in the Chick-Fil-A Classic as they battle Memphis bound James Wiseman and Memphis East.
2. Poly (3-2)
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Last week’s games: win vs Benjamin Franklin (63-47), win @ St. John’s (59-58), win @ Lake Clifton (76-56)
Next three games: vs Archbishop Wood @ Neuman Gorretti (12/21), DeMatha Holiday Tournament TBA
Poly inserts themselves as the second best team after a huge win @ St. John’s this past weekend. Rahim Ali played hero not once, but twice as he nailed a game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer followed by a game-winning reverse lay up where he slithered the length of the court in seven seconds. Justin Lewis had a dominant performance in the same game finishing with 16 points and 14 rebounds. The Engineers followed that big win by traveling to Lake Clifton, who was undefeated at the time, and blew the doors off reminding the city exactly who they are.
RAHIM ALI DOES IT AGAIN FOR @PolyBoysBball!
After hitting a buzzer beater to force overtime, HE WINS IT WITH ANOTHER 🤯🤯🤯! pic.twitter.com/iFRqwL9BrR
— Monumental Sports Network (@MonSportsNet) December 16, 2018
3. Mt. St. Joe (9-1)
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Last week’s games: win vs Glenelg Country (60-41), win vs Catonsville (77-26)
Next three games: @ St. Frances (12/21), vs Walsingham @ Benedictine Capital Classic, TBA @ Benedictine Capital Classic
The Gaels took care of business last week in two runaway wins. Glenelg Country came in as a possible team on our radar, but Mt. St. Joe reminded us they’re still some ways behind before that conversation. In the annual Catonsville Cup, they dismantled Catonsville in a 50-point win. There wasn’t a whole lot to take from last week’s wins, but this Friday at St. Frances, we’ll get a good feel for just how good this team is. They’ve been number two since the beginning of the rankings. Because of Poly’s headlining win, they move down a spot, but could easily regain ground with a huge win against the Panthers.
4. Patterson (4-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Last week’s games: win vs Southwestern (88-14), win @ Edmonson (75-64)
Next three games: vs City (12/20), vs Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast Catholic @ Loyola College (12/21), vs Oakdale at Governor’s Challenge (12/26)
The Clippers stayed perfect with two wins. One coming in yet another blowout fashion against Southwestern and another in a bit tougher game at Edmonson. It seems like each game a different player in leading in scoring, which is a testament to how many options head coach Harry Martin has offensively. TJ Thomas was critical in their win over Edmonson with 22 points, four steals and three assists. Looking ahead, they’ll take on a City team that took on a ton of talented transfers but has struggled early on. Next, they’ll face a team from Pennsylvania who is highly regarded in the state before taking on a talented Oakdale team led by Collin Schlee, a team the Clippers could very well see at the Xfinity Center in March.
5. Boys’ Latin (8-2)
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Last week’s games: win @ Archbishop Spalding (62-45), win vs St. Mary’s Ryken @ Bullis (78-55), loss vs St. Vincent Pallotti @ Bullis (63-58), win vs Bullis @ Bullis (66-63)
Next three games: vs Cristo Rey (12/19), vs Carver Vo-Tech (12/21) @ Laker Invitational, TBA @ Laker Invitational
The Lakers’ winning streak was snapped this past weekend in a tough loss against Pallotti. Still, they take three of their four games to stay put in the rankings. Cam Spencer and Cam Watts both had big weekends. Watts was named to the all tournament team and capped off his weekend with a 28-point performance in the win over Bullis. The Lakers should have no issue with Cristo Rey or Carver Vo-Tech. The key will be seeing who they play in the championship of their invitational tournament. They could very well be heading into the Christmas break with a 11-2 record.
6. Annapolis Area Christian (7-1)
Last week’s ranking: No. 8
Last week’s games: win @ Loyola (56-53), win @ John Carroll (70-52)
Next three games: @McDonogh (12/21), @ Severna Park Holiday Tournament (12/27), @ Severna Park Holiday Tournament (12/28)
The Eagles move up two spots in the rankings after a gutsy win at Loyola last week. The Eagles are currently riding a six-game winning streak and will have a showdown against McDonogh this Friday before the Christmas break. Dylin Borden continues to play well and provide scoring and leadership as the senior point guard. He was key down the stretch in the win against Loyola with his 15 points, drawing fouls as the shot clock sounded in overtime to break the Dons’ spirits. A lot will be told this Friday against a tough McDonogh team.
7. Dulaney (2-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 6
Last week’s games: win vs Catonsville (92-37)
Next three games: @ Towson (12/19), @ Franklin (12/21), vs St. George @ Governor’s Challenge (12/27)
The Lions advanced to 2-0 as they crushed Catonsville in the Lion’s Den. Ryan Conway had a night with 34 points, eight steals and seven assists. Looking ahead, they should have no issue with Towson and Franklin before departing for the Governor’s Challenge to take on St. George. My hope is they advance to take on a very good team so I can have a better feel for just how good they are. They’re light schedule leaves room for wonder.
8. McDonogh (6-2)
Last week’s ranking: No. 7
Last week’s games: loss vs Goretti (60-49), win @ St. Paul’s (60-54)
Next three games: @ Archbishop Spalding (12/18), vs Annapolis Area (12/21), TBA @ St. Andrew’s Invitational (12/27)
The Eagles drop one spot with last week’s performances. It’s noteworthy that in both games, key players for the Eagles were out with injury. Drew Green went down early in the loss against Goretti with a dislocated shoulder and wouldn’t return not only in that game, but also in the game against St. Paul’s. They escaped with a six-point win against a St. Paul’s team that hasn’t been impressive this season, which was another reason for their slot drop. The good news is Dave Brown is starting to hit his stride. The sophomore guard led McDonogh in both games with 23 points and 21 points respectively. They face two worthy opponent’s this week in Spalding and Annapolis Area as they look to move up in the rankings for next week.
9. New Town (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: 10
Last week’s games: win vs Capital Christian, win vs Randallstown (83-57)
Next three games: @ Western Tech (12/21), vs Whitman @ Governor’s Challenge (12/28), TBA @ Governor’s Challenge (12/29)
New Town’s two-win week gets them moved up one spot in the rankings. We saw the Titans as they used a second half surge to separate themselves from a scrappy Randallstown squad. Andrew Mills and Julian Reese had great showings. What makes this team so tough is their quality depth off the bench. They have a very talented starting five, but can also go three-to-four deep off the bench and not miss a beat. This is what makes them serious contenders in county play.
10. St. Vincent Pallotti (5-6)
Last week’s ranking: Unranked
Last week’s games: loss vs Gilman (60-59), win vs Mercersburg @ Bullis (56-47), win vs Boys’ Latin @ Bullis (63-58), loss vs Sidwell @ Bullis (61-52)
Next three games: vs Loyola (12/19), @ Severna Park Holiday Tournament (12/27), Severna Park Holiday Tournament (12/28)
Pallotti makes their first appearance in the rankings this week with a key win over Boys’ Latin. The Panthers have played a very challenging schedule this season and although they’re under .500, they’re a very tough opponent. Anthony Blunt, Jomel McNair and Miles Mallory have all been key cogs in their success thus far.
Honorable Mention: Loyola (6-6), Gilman (3-4), Parkville (3-1), Lake Clifton (4-1)