Baltimore Power Rankings 2/12
With only a week or so left in the regular season for the teams in Baltimore, each game carries more meaning with playoff seeds at stake. Buckle up, because it’s about to get exciting. 1.St. Frances (29-4) Last…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith only a week or so left in the regular season for the teams in Baltimore, each game carries more meaning with playoff seeds at stake. Buckle up, because it’s about to get exciting.
1.St. Frances (29-4)
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Last week’s games: win @ Calvert Hall (65-43), win vs Loyola (54-44), win vs Gilman (67-57), win vs Pallotti (70-58)
Remaining regular season games: @ Glenelg Country (2/13), @ Mt. St. Joe (2/15)
The Panthers rattled off four wins in five days. For any team, that in itself is an accomplishment. During the streak, Ace Baldwin dished out his 500th career assists while also scoring his 1000th point. To say the point guard position is nonexistent would be a false statement. Baldwin is evidence. Senior big man Jason Murphy also joined the 1000-point club for his high school career. Murphy has played a significant role as a finisher and defensive anchor this season for the Panthers. To finish things up, St. Frances will travel to Glenelg Country before they seek revenge on Mt. St. Joe in the regular season finale. Friday night should be one of the most anticipated games of this season considering it is two of the most historic teams in the area facing off.
2. Patterson (16-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Last week’s games: win vs Wilde Lake (62-55), win @ Carver Vo-Tech (96-36)
Remaining regular season games: @ Lake Clifton (2/14), @ Digital Harbor (2/19), vs Mervo (TBA)
The Clippers stay hot with two wins over the week including one against a talented Wilde Lake squad. Marvin Price was key with an explosive 34-point outing to go with his 10 rebounds. Price led the Clippers in scoring again in the game against Carver with 23. The match up with Lake Clifton should have some excitement considering the history between the two. Lake is coming off a loss to Edmonson that puts them behind the eight-ball in terms of qualifying for the city title game. The Clippers however, will be favorites throughout the remainder of their schedule and will look to be 19-3 heading into the city championship game.
3. Poly (14-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Last week’s games: win vs Lewis (64-34), win vs Forest Park (67-35)
Remaining regular season games: vs Douglass (TBA)
The Engineers came out with two wins this past week and continue to roll on all cylinders. With their game this evening being cancelled due to weather, they make-up date has not been made official. Following their last game, Poly will prepare for the 3A state tournament as they look to win their third-straight state title. There have been slip ups against really good teams throughout the season, but they’re playing like one of the most confident group you can find at the moment. That makes them an even more dangerous opponent in tournament play.
4. Boys’ Latin (27-4)
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Last week’s games: win vs Spalding (69-44), win vs Gilman (60-68), win @ Annapolis Area (67-66)
Remaining regular season games: vs Annapolis Area (2/13), @ John Carroll (2/15), vs Pallotti (TBA)
Since their loss to St. Frances, the Lakers have won three-straight games. Without senior guard Cameron Watts, who is set to miss the remainder of the season with an injury, others have stepped up to help gut out some close victories. Junior guard Kendall Walker played hero in the game against Gilman, nailing a jumper with 5.8 remaining on the clock to help escape with the win. The following night, Cam Spencer did what he does by dropping 37 points in a win over Annapolis Area in a game that helped the Lakers clinch the top seed in their division. They’ll hope to head into postseason play on a high note, but still have three challenging games ahead.
5. New Town (17-1)
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Last week’s games: win vs Coppin Academy (72-55), win vs Parkville (73-35)
Remaining regular season games: @ Landsdowne (2/13), @ Dundalk (2/25)
The Titans continue to flex their muscles as the best team by far in Baltimore County. They dismantled Parkville by 38 to get a stranglehold on the division. This week, they’ll face Landsdowne, who recently dropped from being the top team in the opposing division. Even still, it’s another opportunity for New Town to prove why they county championship is theirs to lose.
6. Mt. St. Joe (22-6)
Last week’s ranking: No. 6
Last week’s games: win @ Glenelg Country (56-40), win @ Pallotti (72-57), win @ Calvert Hall (72-58)
Remaining regular season games: @ Mt. Carmel (2/13), vs St. Frances (2/15)
During this portion of the season, each team’s star comes to the forefront and plays big when needed. That’s exactly what James Bishop has done over the past week. Bishop lit up the scoring column in all three games on his way to becoming the all-time leader in wins as a player in Mt. St. Joseph history. Considering the amount of pros who have filtered from this program, accomplishing such a feat speaks loudly. This week, the Gaels will need Bishop now more than ever if they plan to upset St. Frances for the second time this season. St. Frances is loaded with talent, but whenever you face a scorer like Bishop, you never know what can happen.
7. Dulaney (15-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 9
Last week’s games: win @ Carvert A&T (81-23), win vs Pikesville (89-53), win vs Patapsco (111-36)
Remaining regular season games: @ Woodlawn (2/13), @ Joppatowne (2/14), vs Perry Hall (2/15)
Dulaney moves up two spots after capturing three convincing wins over the past week. Against Pikesville, sophomore standout guard Ryan Conway finished with 38 points as he continues his scoring onslaught this season. The Lions have been eliminated from competing for the county title game, but will continue to prepare for the 4A state tournament after their three remaining games.
8. Edmonson (15-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 8
Last week’s games: win vs Lake Clifton (73-67), win vs Lewis (71-60)
Remaining regular season games: vs Southwestern (2/13)
The Red Storm earned their most important win of the year over Lake Clifton last week to solidify their slot in the city championship game. That game is scheduled for Feb. 21 at Morgan State as Edmonson will take on Patterson in what should be a great match up. They’ll use their game against Southwestern this week as a tune-up before looking to pull off a monumental upset against the Clippers.
9. Annapolis Area (14-7)
Last week’s ranking: No. 7
Last week’s games: loss vs Bishop McNamara (79-67), loss vs John Carroll (69-64), loss vs Boys’ Latin (67-66)
Remaining regular season games: @ Boys’ Latin (12/13), vs McDonogh (2/15)
The Eagles have hit a skid in their season after suffering three-straight losses. The loss against John Carroll hurts the most considering they are in the depths of the standings in the MIAA. With a team comprised of mostly seniors, this team should be playing their best basketball at the moment, but they won’t have long to feel sorry for themselves with two huge games this week. The game against McDonogh could hold playoff seeding implications depending upon how the teams play prior to their match up.
10. McDonogh (14-8)
Last week’s ranking: No. 10
Last week’s games: N/A
Remaining regular season games: vs Spalding (2/13), @ Mt. Carmel (2/14), vs Annapolis Area (2/15)
This week is extremely important for McDonogh if they want to clinch the second-seed in their division. In order to do that, they must win all of their three upcoming games. The Eagles are an extremely young team, making pressure games that much harder, but pressure can either burst pipes or make diamonds. We’ll see what this team’s final form is after their match up against Annapolis Area on Friday night.
Feature Photo Credit: Haven Photography