Baltimore Sun boys basketball preview: Storylines, players to watch and top teams for 2024-25

Here’s what you need to know for the 2024-25 high school boys basketball season in the Baltimore area:

Storylines to watch

Parity to prevail in the powerhouse Baltimore Catholic League and MIAA A Conference?

This could be the deepest and most wide-open competition in the top two private leagues with defending Baltimore Catholic League champion St. Frances opening the season at No. 1, followed by upstart Mount Carmel at No. 2 and last year’s Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference champion Mount Saint Joseph at No. 3. What might be different from recent years — when Mount Saint Joseph and St. Frances have largely dominated — is the surging talent not far behind. Loyola Blakefield, John Carroll, Glenelg Country, McDonogh and Spalding are also ranked in the area’s top 10 with the private schools flexing their muscles this season with a stockpile of talent.

Edmondson coach Darnell Dantzler honored with court dedication

Entering his 19th season as Edmondson coach, Darnell Dantzler has guided the Red Storm to plenty of wins and championships and made a positive impact on his players. In September, Dantzler and his younger brother, Terrell, who has been by his side as assistant coach throughout his tenure, were honored at the West Baltimore school when the basketball court was dedicated in their name. On it reads: “Dantzler Bro’s Court” with Darnell’s signature above. Darnell, who has a 353-75 record and after winning a second straight Class 1A state championship and the Baltimore City title last season, has four state and two city crowns.

Players and coaches coming and going

Several prominent coaches and players are on the move this season. From the coaching front, Calvert Hall turns to David Gately, who spent nine years as an assistant in the program as well as serving as coach at McDonogh. Former Cardinals coach Gary Neal takes over at C. Milton Wright, which reached the Class 2A state semifinals last season under coach Mario Scott. Among the top players finding new homes are two of Baltimore City’s top big men from last season. Edmondson’s All-Metro center Chase Foster will spend his junior season at IMG Academy in Florida, and City forward Gage Howard transferred to Mount Carmel. Also, Spalding’s All-Metro forward Malik Washington, a four-star football standout who has committed to Maryland, will not be hitting the hardwood this season.

Parity rules in Howard and Carroll counties

Ask coaches from Carroll and Howard counties about their respective leagues, and a familiar phrase dominates: “Things are up for grabs.” Manchester Valley (Carroll) and River Hill (Howard) go into the season as respective defending champions, but both took graduation hits, leaving the door open for competitive races. Who can make a difference to put their teams over the top? Centennial’s Josh Frazier and Wilde Lake’s Noah Brazil earned first-team All-Howard County honors last season with Liberty’s Tristan West the lone player returning who made the All-Carroll County first-team list.

Favorites set in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford counties with others close

Meade, New Town and C. Milton Wright are the preseason favorites in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford counties, respectively. But there are plenty of quality opponents capable of having the final say. In Anne Arundel, defending champion South River, Arundel and Broadneck are expected to be in the mix with Glen Burnie young and promising. The chase in Baltimore County is more wide-open with defending champion Overlea, Loch Raven and Milford Mill among the other top teams looking to make noise. C. Milton Wright’s biggest push is likely to come from Patterson Mill.

Players to watch

Patrick Curtin, Glenelg Country, guard, senior

The All-Metro second-team pick averaged 33 points per game as a junior. He’s able to score in bunches — and, more importantly, in the clutch — but he also brings a savvy, well-rounded game that featured six rebounds and five assists per game last season.

Darnell Dantzler Jr., Edmondson, guard, senior

The two-time All-Metro first-team selection plays winning basketball with substance and flash, averaging 20.1 points, nine assists and three steals per game last season in leading the Red Storm to the Baltimore City title and a second straight Class 1A state crown.

William Deshields, New Town, guard, senior

Setting a relentless tone at both ends, the 5-foot-11 Deshields brings dogged defense and a well-rounded offensive game that proves infectious. Averaging 18 points per game last season, he effectively attacks the basket and can also hit from the perimeter.

Mason Ellison, Loyola Blakefield, guard, senior

The smooth 6-4 All-Metro second-team selection averaged 20 points and six rebounds last season. Able to score at all three levels, the Delaware commit is 46 points shy of 1,000 and 546 shy of becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer.

Rob Fields, McDonogh, forward, senior

The 6-8 Texas State commit possesses great all-around tools and brings maximum effort at both ends to lead the Eagles. A four-year varsity player, he averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds last season and needs 92 points to reach 1,000.

Josh Frazier, Centennial, guard, senior

The dynamic, do-everything guard brings the type of impact that could put Centennial over the top in balanced Howard County. A three-year starter, Frazier averaged 19.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game with four doubles-doubles last season.

BJ Ranson, Mount Saint Joseph, guard, junior

A spark off the bench in his first two seasons, Ranson is ready to be a focal point with versatile skills, high basketball IQ and clutch scoring. A high-level shooter, he averaged eight points per game last season while bringing pesky defense.

Dylan Sander, C. Milton Wright, forward, senior

The All-Metro first-team pick brings grinding, do-everything play down low. Last season, he averaged 19.2 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.8 blocked shots, 3.1 assists and 2.8 steals in leading the Mustangs to the Harford County crown and Class 2A state semifinals.

Keon Scott, Meade, guard, sophomore

The 6-foot point guard brings a high basketball IQ with always consistent and often dazzling play as the Mustangs’ floor leader. Last season, he averaged 12 points, 4.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds and two steals in the team’s run to the Class 4A state quarterfinals.

Omarr Smith Jr., City, guard-forward, senior

The All-Metro second-team pick and New Mexico State commit brings fine game sense and do-everything skills to lead the Knights. Able to score from the perimeter and at the rim, he averaged 18 points in addition to seven rebounds and four assists last season.

Preseason top 15 poll

1. St. Frances

Coach: Nick Myles

Last season: 26-12 overall, ranked No. 2

Postseason: MIAA A Conference quarterfinalist, Baltimore Catholic League champion

Outlook: Opponents will be hard-pressed to match the Panthers’ depth and skill at the guard spots with Jasiah Cannady, Jahshua Lamothe and Terence Jones III returning and transfers Camontae Griffin (City) and Kam Lawson (Milford Mill) bringing their own strengths to the mix. Forward Cam Fleming is a force at both ends with promising freshman forward Jaylen Allen a key addition.

2. Mount Carmel

Coach: Tony Martin

Last season: 25-12, No. 5

Postseason: MIAA A and BCL semifinalists

Outlook: A quick scroll down the roster shows the Cougars have all the pieces in place to be a championship team. They boast one of the area’s biggest and most skilled frontcourts with returnees Junior Mancho (6-foot-7) and Ralfs Rudusans (6-8) joining City transfer Gage Howard (6-7) to give opponents fits. Wing Tristen Wilson is one of the area’s premier scorers and point guard Rodney Scott runs the offense with high efficiency.

3. Mount Saint Joseph

Coach: Pat Clatchey

Last season: 36-5, No. 1

Postseason: MIAA A champion, BCL semifinalist

Outlook: The Gaels are positioned for more success with a quality mix of returning talent and promising newcomers. Versatile guard BJ Ranson is primed to take on a lead role, guard-forward Joe Green brings do-everything skills and center Brandon Holmes handles the inside play. Combo guard Nasir Barnes, a transfer from York, Pennsylvania, joins the mix with depth help coming from last year’s 29-2 junior varsity team.

4. Loyola Blakefield

Coach: Josh Czerski

Last season: 20-15, No. 14

Postseason: MIAA A and BCL quarterfinalists

Outlook: Are the Dons poised for a major breakthrough? All-Metro senior guard Mason Ellison is the starting point with fellow guards Marlon Williams and Jesse LeGree ready to reach a higher level of play. Help inside comes from River Hill transfer Ayo Olofintila, a 6-7 England native, and promising 6-5 freshman Mikey Williams.

5. John Carroll

Coach: Seth Goldberg

Last season: 13-19, not ranked

Postseason: MIAA A quarterfinalist, BCL quarterfinalist

Outlook: One year more mature and skilled, the Patriots have a returning core that relies on hard and connected play. Guards Aidan Abel and Caden Chinnia-Falline and wing Theartis Battle are the standouts from a roster nearly intact from last season. Andrew Clark, a 6-8 transfer from Perryville, will make a major impact up front.

6. City

Coach: Omarr Smith Sr.

Last season: 16-7, No. 13

Postseason: Class 3A North Region II finalist

Outlook: A quality mix of returning talent and newcomers puts the Knights in the Baltimore City mix. Combo guard Omarr Smith Jr. is the catalyst with backcourt mate Marquel Paschall bringing steady play. Two transfers from the private schools — forwards Jordan Hammond (Loyola Blakefield) and Camari Stewart (Mount Saint Joseph) — join returnee Paul Frazier to highlight the frontcourt.

7. Glenelg Country

Coach: Garrett O’Donnell

Last season: 13-16, not ranked

Postseason: MIAA A semifinalist

Outlook: The Dragons shocked St. Frances and then fell to eventual champion Mount Saint Joseph by two points in the playoffs, showing how close they are. Pat Curtin is a prolific scorer and point guard Ronald Alford brings steady play. The frontcourt is gifted, as 7-footer Deng Jok is tough defensively and Jalen Baker and Donavan Marshburn are highly skilled options on offense.

8. Meade

Coach: Mike Glick

Last season: 17-8, not ranked

Postseason: Class 4A state quarterfinalist

Outlook: Loaded with experienced talent led by the dynamic backcourt of Keon Scott and Ashton Turman, the Mustangs are the Anne Arundel County favorites and in position for an extended playoff run after winning the program’s third straight region crown last season. Up front, forwards Lucaya Baldridge, James Johnson and Arouna Soumaoro offer consistent play at both ends and on the boards.

9. McDonogh

Coach: Gerry Abrams

Last season: 14-11, not ranked

Postseason: Did not qualify in MIAA A

Outlook: Quality size, athleticism and leadership in a frontcourt featuring Rob Fields, Jeff Exinor Jr. and wing Carlos Ferguson are the Eagles’ biggest strengths along with experienced guard play from Marcus WIlliams and BJ Hopkins putting the ball in the right hands. After suffering several close losses last season, the Eagles will look to close out games in stronger fashion to make a playoff push.

10. Spalding

Coach: Josh Pratt

Last season: 23-10, No. 3

Postseason: MIAA A and BCL finalists

Outlook: The Cavaliers are primed to build on last year’s successful playoff run led by an experienced, junior-laden roster featuring guards TJ Moultrie, Kam Carter and Elijah Barrett. All-Metro forward Malik Washington, a prized Maryland football commit, is not playing in his senior season, leaving a void in leadership and in the post. Promising 6-8 freshman Braxton Bogard is a player to watch.

11. Edmondson

Coach: Darnell Dantzler Sr.

Last season: 26-2, No. 4

Postseason: Class 1A state champion

Outlook: All-Metro guard Darnell Dantzler Jr. is the lone starter back from last year’s Baltimore City and state championship team, but the Red Storm are primed for continued success. Fast and aggressive guard play is the team’s strength with Xavier Davis and Robert Price ready for bigger roles and Rashad Johnson returning from Digital Harbor. At 6-5, sophomore forward Nate Sheppard brings needed size to help replace departed standout Chase Foster.

12. New Town

Coach: Derek Wise

Last season: 15-11, not ranked

Postseason: Class 2A North Region finalist

Outlook: Coming off an underachieving season, the Titans are poised and hungry to return to prominence in Baltimore County. The dynamite backcourt of Will Deshields and Justus Stanton sets an efficient tone at both ends with forward Kareem Fowlkes providing strong inside play and rebounding. Relentless pressure defense is the Titans’ calling card and they have the depth to wear down opponents.

13. C. Milton Wright

Coach: Gary Neal

Last season: 19-4, No. 8

Postseason: Class 2A state semifinalist

Outlook: Neal comes from Calvert Hall, inheriting a talented and experienced team that’s ready to build on last year’s success. The defending Harford County champions feature forwards Dylan Sander and Kyle Ashman with guard Jordan Ross, injured for much of last season, ready to go at full speed. Fellow guard Noah Clark will play a key role.

14. South River

Coach: Darren Hall

Last season: 19-6, No. 15

Postseason: Class 3A East Region semifinalist

Outlook: Fresh off winning the program’s first Anne Arundel County championship, South River has a quality group returning with new talent in the mix to continue its successful path. Guard-oriented with pestering defense and sharpshooters spreading the floor, the Seahawks will lean on returnees Jamie Finn, Jaden McDuffie and Jonah Hall with St. Mary’s transfer Alec Ehrenfried providing good size and skill at forward.

15. Severn

Coach: Mike Glasby

Last season: 24-6, No. 6

Postseason: MIAA B champion

Outlook: Coming off the program’s first B Conference championship, the Admirals are hungry for more with an experienced roster that features swingman Jacob Randall and guards Sean Harvey, Daniel Growney and DJ Lee. They’ll bank on strong team play — unselfish offense and feisty defense — to set the tone for continued success.

Others considered: Annapolis Area Christian (11-11), Boys’ Latin (7-14), Carver Vo-Tech (20-6), Lake Clifton (19-6), Patterson Mill (14-4)

Have a news tip? Contact Glenn Graham at ggraham@baltsun.com, 410-332-6636 and x.com/GlennGrahamSun.