BCL: Top 5 Wings/Frontcourts
The season is almost here!! We continue some preseason content here on Prep Hoops Maryland as I highlight some of the top wings/frontcourts featured in the Baltimore Catholic League. For the top five backcourts, click here. 1. Archbishop Spalding Spalding…
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Continue ReadingThe season is almost here!! We continue some preseason content here on Prep Hoops Maryland as I highlight some of the top wings/frontcourts featured in the Baltimore Catholic League. For the top five backcourts, click here.
1. Archbishop Spalding
Spalding is headlined by Villanova commit Cam Whitmore, who is head and shoulders the best player in the BCL. The reigning BCL Player of the Year is a mismatch nightmare at 6-foot-7 who supplies the crowd with endless poster dunks, chase down blocks and big-time plays. If he can hit three’s at a decent clip like he did throughout the summer, the Cavs will have a great chance at the title. 2022 CJ Scott CJ Scott 6'4" | SF Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State MD is the major x-factor for this team. When he’s locked in, Scott is extremely valuable and contributes to multiple categories. However, he seems to go through lapses where he’s ineffective and that could keep this team from reaching their full potential. Other names such as 2023 RJ Newton RJ Newton 6'4" | SF Archbishop Spalding | 2024 MD and 2024 Malik Washington will play vital roles off the bench.
2. Mount Saint Joseph
The Gaels boast the strongest frontcourt in the league comprised of 2023 Amani Hansberry Amani Hansberry 6'7" | C Mount St. Joseph | 2023 State #52 Nation MD and 2022 Aidan Mess Aidan Mess 6'7" | C Mount St. Joseph | 2022 State MD in the starting lineup. Hansberry transferred in after two seasons at St. John’s (DC) and looks to be by far the league’s best big with his ability to score, rebound and assist from his position. Folks will be surprised by the versatility Hansberry showcases this season. Mess is a workhorse on the glass and a threat from the high-post both as a scorer and passer. Look for he and Hansberry to be interchangeable parts from all areas of the floor. They also have 2023 Julien Moutome Julien Moutome 6'3" | SG Mount St. Joseph | 2023 MD and 2023 Tyone to add for depth off the bench.
3. Mount Carmel
Depth is key for the Cougars this season as they welcome a slew of transfers to the fold. The first is 2024 Luke Bamgboye, a 6-foot-9 big who provides length that translates to rim-protection, rebounding and a lob threat around the rim. Bamgboye left quite an impression at a number of events playing against other high-level talents in his class, so I expect the production to translate once he gets a feel for the league. 2023 Mitchell Kalu Mitchell Kalu 6'5" | PF Mt. Carmel | 2023 State MD could prove to be pound-for-pound the best rebounder in the area at 6-foot-5. He’s a bruising paint presence and an extremely effective screen setter for 2022 Deon Perry Deon Perry 5'8" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2022 State MD on the offensive end. 2023 Omarion Reid brings more size at 6-foot-6. Built like a football tackle, he has plenty of physical traits that are of value, but also exhibited soft touch on shots around the rim this summer. 2022 Tadas Gudonis Tadas Gudonis 6'9" | C Mt. Carmel | 2022 MD is a 6-foot-10 body that can cause opposing guard to distort their attempts in the paint when he’s around.
4. John Carroll
The defending BCL champs return one of the top defenders in the league in 2022 Cesar Tchilombo Cesar Tchilombo 6'9" | C John Carroll | 2022 State MD . At 6-foot-9, Tchilombo is an elite shot-blocker who plays with a tremendous motor that is evident with his rebounding numbers. 2022 Terry Long Terry Long 6'4" | SF John Carroll | 2022 State MD does a lot of the little things that may not show up in box scores, but contributes to winning plays for his team. 2022 forward Joel Turay Joel Turay 6'7" | C John Carroll | 2022 State MD has battled injuries throughout his high school career, but if can find his way on the floor at 6-foot-7, it provides another big body for when Tchilombo gets in to foul trouble or needs a few minutes to catch his breath.
5. Goretti
Goretti’s strongest part of their team is their frontcourt made up of a senior duo in Jordan Nkoa-Abessolo Jordan Nkoa-Abessolo 6'5" | PF St. Maria Goretti | 2022 State MD and Jordan Green Jordan Green 6'5" | C St. Maria Goretti | 2022 State MD . Abessolo is a 6-foot-5 battering ram who often times bullies his way into the paint to finish floaters or shots around the rim. He’s shown some progression in his jumper, but it’s still an area for improvement in his game. He’s a plus rebounder out of his area and an extremely versatile defender given his size and athleticism. Green brings more size at 6-foot-8 and has better touch on his jumper than Abessolo at this point. Both can finish above the rim and will be key in game planning for each opposing coach in the league.