Baltimore Power Rankings 1/8
Last week due to a vacation that left me without access to my computer, we missed a week of the power rankings beings released. Obviously since then, there has been a ton of action that has impacted the current rankings.…
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Continue ReadingLast week due to a vacation that left me without access to my computer, we missed a week of the power rankings beings released. Obviously since then, there has been a ton of action that has impacted the current rankings.
1. St. Frances (16-3)
12/25 ranking: No. 3
Last week’s games: win @ Annapolis Area Christian (73-58), win vs Wilson (77-51)
Next three games: @ John Carroll (1/11), vs Boys’ Latin (1/14), vs McDonogh (1/16)
The Panthers have hands down been the hottest team in the area over the past few weeks. They went down and shocked the country by beating Memphis East, led by James Wiseman, thanks to an Ace Baldwin buzzer-beating three. Although they came up short in the championship game, they also earned a quality win over St. Benedict’s in the semifinals. Following all of that, they destroyed Wilson in a 77-51 win at the third annual Baltimore Hoops Festival. This upcoming week will be huge as we lead up to a marquee match up against Boys’ Latin followed by a young and talented McDonogh team. The Panthers will have another chance to flex their muscles as the top team in Baltimore.
2. Mt. St. Joe (13-2)
12/25 ranking: No. 1
Last week’s games: win @ Spalding (72-54)
Next three games: vs Goretti (1/9), @ Annapolis Area (1/11), @ John Carroll (1/14)
The Gaels fall one spot despite beating St. Frances 73-64 prior to the Christmas break. The reason for this was more so due to the quality wins that St. Frances collected against nationally ranked teams. St. Joe fell short in the championship game of the Benedictine Capital City Classic against The Miller School, but defeated Walshingham and Archbishop Ryan in the process. After dismantling Spalding, the Gaels look to a week where they can pick up wins against quality opponents. If they can defeat a tough Goretti team, it’ll boost their stock even more.
3. Poly (7-3)
12/25 ranking: No. 2
Last week’s games: win vs ACE (70-30)
Next three games: @ Patterson (1/15), @ Edmonson (1/22), vs NAF (1/24)
The Engineers put together a solid Christmas break as well with wins over Granby and Bowie in the DeMatha Holiday Tournament. They lost their game to Wilson in between those two wins and look to respond again if they can secure a victory against Patterson. With the return of Brandon Murray, Poly begins to mold as the true powerhouse we thought they’d be prior to the season. Justin Lewis continues to play at a high level and assert himself as one of the best juniors on the east coast.
4. Boys’ Latin (18-3)
12/25 ranking: No. 4
Last week’s games: win vs Calvert Hall (91-66), win vs Farragut Academy (66-61), win vs Loyola (70-50)
Next three games: @ St. Frances (1/14), @ Mt. St. Joe (1/16), @ Glenelg Country (1/18)
Boys’ Latin continues to take care of business. As a part of the Baltimore Hoops Festival, they took down Farragut Academy, another team who outmatched them in the size category. And yet, Coach Rees and his coaching staff formulate a great plan of attack to each game while players such as Cam Spenser, Cam Watts, Sam Grace and Jake Nichols lead the way on the floor. Looking forward, they face a gauntlet in next’s weeks games traveling to St. Frances, Mt. St. Joe and a tricky team in Glenelg Country. The Lakers will have a chance to work their way into the top three, or perhaps top two, depending on how many wins they come out with.
5. Patterson (8-2)
12/25: No. 5
Last week’s games: win @ NAF (82-46), win vs Calvert Hall (93-67)
Next three games: vs Dunbar (1/8), vs Lewis (1/11), vs Poly (1/15)
When the Clippers win, it’s usually by a ton of points. They continued that formula over the break earning commanding wins over Oakdale, NAF and Calvert Hall. They dropped a game to a Sidwell Friends team in the Governor’s Challenge who is playing very well at the moment. Dunbar should be a team that won’t go away easily tonight, but all is really leading up to the match up against Poly next week. The two will battle it out for bragging rights in the city to see who can ride the momentum going into the second half of the schedule.
6. Dulaney (6-1)
12/25 ranking: No. 7
Last week’s games: win @ Sparrows Point (98-27)
Next three games: @ Milford Mill (1/9), vs Parkville (1/11), @ Hereford (1/16)
Over the break, Dulaney won their first game at the Governor’s Challenge over St. George 70-64 before losing in a three-overtime thriller to Neumann Goretti 83-78. They took care of business against Sparrows Point and looking forward to this week, they’ll face some decent competition in Milford Mill and Parkville. The Lions will be the favorites in all three upcoming games, but the real test comes on Jan. 23 when they face New Town. Until then, Dulaney will likely stay out of the top five in these rankings.
7. New Town (8-1)
12/25 ranking: No. 8
Last week’s games: win @ Carver A&T (100-16), win @ John Carrol (79-65), win vs Kenwood (87-51)
Next three games: @ Pikesville (1/9), vs Loch Raven (1/11), @ Milford Mill (1/16)
Like Dulaney, New Town hasn’t played the toughest schedule, but picked up a win against a young MIAA A Conference team in John Carroll this past week. The Titans have a quality starting five and can go 3-to-4 guys deep in their bench without missing a beat. They should be able to take care of business in their next three games, which would put them at an impressive 11-1 overall. Like I said before in the Dulaney write-up, much weighs on the night these two teams face each other before we can provide a clear pecking order for the county landscape.
8. McDonogh (10-4)
12/25 ranking: No. 9
Last week’s games: win vs Glenelg Country (45-30), win vs City (46-44)
Next three games: @ Gilman (1/9), vs Calvert Hall (1/11), vs Pallotti (1/14)
The Eagles have gone through a ton of injuries already this season. Currently, senior Drew Green is nursing the after effects of a dislocated shoulder. He played in short stints against City this past week, but you could tell he was bothered by his shoulder. Still, Green was able to make key plays down the stretch that helped them escape with a victory that was much harder than it should’ve been. They’ve prided themselves on the defensive end and so far it has worked. Although they face a decent schedule this week, it wouldn’t surprise me if McDonogh comes out with each game. They’re young talent is starting to get comfortable with the speed of the varsity level.
9. Annapolis Area (10-3)
12/25 ranking: No. 6
Last week’s games: loss vs St. Frances (78-53), loss vs Glenelg Country (58-56)
Next three games: vs Mt. St. Joe (1/11), @ Gilman (1/18), vs Spalding (1/25)
The Eagles drop three spots since the last rankings after losing their last two games. They were humbled by St. Frances and upset by Glenelg Country last night. The road doesn’t get easier as the host the Gaels Friday night. It’d be best to avoid a three-game skid, but in a more positive outlook, we’ll get to see how this team responds to adversity. With seven days in between each game, preparation shouldn’t be an issue.
10. Edmonson (6-2)
12/25 ranking: Unranked
Last week’s games: win vs Gerstell (64-53)
Next three games: vs Coppin Academy (1/15), TBA @ Mayor’s Academy (1/18), TBA @ Mayor’s Academy (1/19)
The Red Storm debut in the rankings after an impressive showing at the Baltimore Hoops Festival. They have great size across the board and nice guard play. Keith Bolden, a senior point guard, lit up Gerstell for 26 points and showcased his ability to make plays in many different ways. I doubt that Edmonson will be a team who will climb the rankings, but they certainly have the size and talent to compete with the tough teams in the city. They’ll be a team I keep a close eye on heading forward.
Honorable Mentions: Lake Clifton (7-1), Dundalk (6-2), Loyola (11-7), Parkville (6-3), Glenelg Country (10-5)