BCL Playoff Preview

This Monday at 6pm, all four BCL Playoff quarterfinal games will tip off. The semifinal games will be held on Wednesday with the championship game taking place on Friday evening. Below you’ll see the quarterfinal schedule followed by a preview of each matchup. 6 John Carroll at 3 Mount St. Joseph 6 pm 7 St. Maria Goretti at 2 Archbishop Spalding 6 pm 5 Loyola at 4 Mount Carmel 6 pm 8 Calvert Hall at 1 St. Frances 6 pm 6 John Carroll @ 3 Mount St. Joseph  This has a chance of being the best first round game of the four. The Patriots come into this one playing their best basketball at the most opportune time as they’ve won their last six games. 2021 point guard Jalen Bryant Jalen Bryant 5'11" | PG John Carroll | 2021 State MD has been on a tear and has entered his name into the POY conversation with John Carroll’s recent success behind his big performances. 2022 guard Tyson Commander Tyson Commander 6'2" | CG John Carroll | 2022 State #159 Nation MD got back into his flow in their last win over Mt. Carmel as he finished with 16 points. 2022 forward Cesar Tchilombo Cesar Tchilombo 6'8" | C John Carroll | 2022 State #114 Nation MD has steadily produced throughout this shortened season and become a dominant presence on the glass. 2023 guard Jeannot Basima Jeannot Basima 6'3" | CG John Carroll | 2023 State MD has established a groove and is the slasher and versatile defender that this team needs. On the Gaels’ side of things there’s plenty to feel confident in. Led by a special trio of seniors in D’Angelo Stines D’Angelo Stines 6'2" | CG Mount St. Joseph | 2021 State MD (Old Dominion commit), Ausar Crawley Ausar Crawley 5'8" | PG Mount St. Joseph | 2021 MD (Morgan State football commit) and Sean Carr Sean Carr 6'6" | PF Mount St. Joseph | 2021 State MD , this group has no shortage of experience in championship games. Despite losing their regular season finale to St. Frances, Carr had a spectacular performance pouring in 25 points and making things happen on both ends of the floor. Stines has been the primary scoring option throughout the season, but the 6-foot-3 guard also is investing a ton of energy on the defensive end and has become a lockdown option for head coach Pat Clatchey. Crawley is the ultimate floor general who has varsity experience since his freshman season and has won on many different stages.  2024 Bryson Tucker Bryson Tucker 6'5" | SF Mount St. Joseph | 2024 MD has been the fabulous freshman for the Gaels and plays at a level well beyond his years. The 6-foot-5 guard/wing can impact the game in a multitude of ways and scores at an efficient clip. Usually you’d be nervous about how a freshman would react to playoff basketball, but that isn’t the case with Tucker. He plays under control at all times and always seems to make the right decision no matter how much pressure is applied.  These two teams met in the first game of the season where the Gaels won 53-50 in a contest that came down to the last possession. It wouldn’t shock me to see this game end in similar fashion, but these two teams are much improved since the last time they met on Feb. 17.  7 Goretti @ 2 Archbishop Spalding Since suffering its second loss of the season to Mount Carmel, Spalding has returned to their winning ways in the final two games of the season routing Calvert Hall 103-88 and dominating Annapolis Area Christian in the season finale 92-59. 2022 Spalding wing Cameron Whitmore Cameron Whitmore 6'7" | PF Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State #97 Nation MD has been nothing short of sensational this season as he’ll likely be awarded with the BCL Player of the Year honor later this week. Next to Whitmore is a stout supporting cast including 2022 guard Jordan Pennick Jordan Pennick 6'1" | CG Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State MD , 2022 guard Tyheil Peterson Tyheil Peterson 5'10" | PG Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State MD and 2022 wing CJ Scott CJ Scott 6'4" | SF Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State #211 Nation MD . Each play a critical role as Pennick has emerged as the team’s lockdown defender as well as a reliable scorer from three and around the rim. Peterson has become a steady scorer from the combo guard position and when Scott is locked in, this Spalding team is very difficult to beat. It’s been a tough go for Goretti this season as they welcomed a few new players to the fold. 2021 guard Vincent Payne Vincent Payne 6'2" | CG St. Maria Goretti | 2021 State MD makes things go in the backcourt for the Gaels as the Randolph Macon commit is one of the top shooters in the conference. 2022 forward Jordan Nkoa-Abesselo is the ultimate do-it-all type of player and can make his impact felt in a handful of box score categories. 2022 forward Jordan Green Jordan Green 6'5" | C St. Maria Goretti | 2022 State MD provides the size at 6-foot-7 and also offers versatility as a scorer. Ultimately I see Spalding overwhelming Goretti and going onto win this one. Spalding won their previous meeting against the Gaels 93-68 back on Feb. 24. 5 Loyola @ 4 Mount Carmel Mount Carmel has been one of the bigger surprises this year after finishing with an impressive 11-3 overall record. 2022 point guard Deon Perry Deon Perry 5'8" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2022 State MD has made a strong statement this season and quickly become a top guard in the Baltimore Metro area. Perry has advanced feel for the game both as a scorer and distributor and has been the straw that stirs the drink for the Cougars. 2021 Kevin Kalu Kevin Kalu 6'9" | C Mt. Carmel | 2021 State MD has been by far the most dominant center in the BCL. He records double-doubles with ease and has been a rim-rocking presence offensively since the season started. 2022 guard Toby Nnadozie has a strong argument as the league’s most improved player. The 6-foot-3 guard has played both on and off the ball, improved his jumper and continues to make jaw-dropping plays on both ends of the floor with his elite athleticism. 2024 guard Andrew Dixon Andrew Dixon 5'10" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2024 MD has been producing at a steady rate and become one of the top freshmen in the conference. 2023 forward Mitchell Kalu has been the ultimate utility guy who can guard multiple positions and help his brother feast on the glass. Loyola was another team that surprised some considering their lack of depth in the backcourt. 2021 forward Cam Smith Cam Smith 6'7" | PF Loyola | 2021 State MD stepped up as the senior leader and helped carry the Dons when 2022 forward Gavin Walsh Gavin Walsh 6'7" | PF Loyola Blakefield | 2022 State MD was sidelined with injury. Smith’s size and athleticism at 6-foot-7 allows the Dons to battle inside with the best of them. As stated earlier, Walsh suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for a few games, but he quickly inserted himself back into the lineup and picked up where he left off. The 6-foot-6 forward forms a dynamic duo next to Smith and the two will be the reason Loyola has any chance of advancing.  I have Mount Carmel winning this one, but it won’t be easy. These two teams met the second game of the season where Mount Carmel won 68-59. Don’t expect Loyola to go down easily and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them pull of an upset. 8. Calvert Hall @ 1. St. Frances Not much needs to be written about regarding this matchup. St. Frances has been the definition of perfect this season as indicated by their 13-0 record. 2024 forward Derik Queen Derik Queen 6'8" | PF St. Frances | 2024 MD has played at the level of a top five prospect in his class, Delaware State commit Khyrie Staten Khyrie Staten 6'2" | CG St. Frances | 2021 State MD has been his usual productive self on both ends, 2021 Byron Ireland has proven to be the top unsigned senior in the area, 2023 guard Jahnathan Lamothe Jahnathan Lamothe 6'3" | CG St. Frances | 2023 State MD is always capable of a breakout performance and 2022 forward Cortez Johnson Cortez Johnson 6'7" | PF St. Frances | 2022 State MD has emerged as a valuable weapon to the Panthers’ rotation. The list goes on when you consider Maryland commit Julian Reese Julian Reese 6'8" | C St. Frances | 2021 State #109 Nation MD , 2024 Daquan Davis Daquan Davis 5'10" | PG St. Frances | 2024 MD , 2021 Tevin Curtis Tevin Curtis 5'9" | PG St. Frances | 2021 State MD and Mississippi Valley State commit Elijah Davis Elijah Davis 6'0" | PG St. Frances | 2022 MD are included in the rotation and each bring plenty of value.  Calvert Hall has struggled to say the least. They have the talent led by 2023 Mike Williams Mike Williams 6'3" | CG Calvert Hall | 2023 State #76 Nation MD , 2023 Karim Harris Karim Harris 6'2" | SF Calvert Hall | 2023 State MD and 2023 Samartine Boges. Williams brother, Isaiah, is a freshman with plenty of potential and has put together a few nice outing this season. In the BCL, talent won’t win you games. You need experience and players who have been in these positions before. Calvert Hall’s time should come, but it won’t be this season. St. Frances wins this game. The Panthers won their last meeting against the Cardinals 106-45.