Here’s what you need to know for the 2025-26 high school boys basketball season in the Baltimore area:
Storylines to watch
New faces primed to make immediate impacts
A handful of transfers will be thrust into prominent roles, looking to make a difference for their new teams. In the frontcourt, Nash Avery heads to Spalding from North County; Saxton Simley joins Mount Saint Joseph from Gonzaga; Ryden Rodney-Sandy adds to Meade from Virginia’s Potomac; Edmondson brings in Charles Hodge from Lake Clifton; and New Town gets a lift from Mount Saint Joseph transfer Josh Jones. In the backcourt, St. Frances welcomes Anthony Smith from West Virginia’s Huntington Prep; Rasheed Muhammad goes to City from Friends; and Elijah Barrett heads to Catonsville from Spalding.
MIAA B Conference up for grabs
Two-time defending champion Severn will get a significant push, with runner-up St. Paul’s and Concordia Prep the most viable challengers. After falling to Severn, 51-42, in last year’s title game, the Crusaders look to have the experience, size and depth to get the tag as favorites. Cahron Wheeler and Kaden Edwards are sharpshooters, and Andrew Cooper will bring the ball up the court with do-everything skills. The champion Admirals will lean on Sean Harvey and DJ Lee, while Concordia Prep will look to make a splash behind guard Jaylen Madden and wing Matthew Chaplin.
Does Westminster have the goods to repeat in Carroll County?
After going 10-2 in Carroll last season to claim the county title, the Owls will again be in the mix for a successful defense with forwards Charlie Mollman and Shae Greenwood the key cogs. Century will be sure to have a say with a tight group returning that features quality perimeter play in Nate Brown, Carter Simmen and Braden Davis. More standout guard play will come from Liberty’s Gavin Speace and Manchester Valley’s Colton Enderle.
Who’s going to step up in Howard County?
Two prolific scorers — Glenelg Country’s Pat Curtin and Centennial’s Josh Frazier — top the lengthy list of standout players who graduated, leaving big voids throughout Howard County. A handful of guards are among the county’s top returners, led by Long Reach’s Daniel Best, Wilde Lake’s Devin Wingfield, Guilford Park’s Shawn Dupont and Marriotts Ridge’s Blake Willingham. All claimed All-County honors last season. Mt. Hebron is the defending county champion.
Mark Rohde is new Baltimore Catholic League commissioner
Entering its 55th season, the BCL will be under the direction of 1972 Loyola Blakefield grad Mark Rohde. In October, the BCL board of directors unanimously approved Rohde as its fourth commissioner, replacing Jack Degele. A star player for the Dons who continued his playing career at then-Loyola College, Rohde was inducted into the BCL Hall of Fame in 2014 and spent the past three years as Degele’s assistant. Degele spent 25 years as the commissioner and will assume the role of commissioner emeritus.
Players to watch
Aidan Able, John Carroll, guard, senior
Set to be a four-year starter, the All-Metro second-team pick is the Patriots’ go-to scorer and their unquestioned leader. The UMBC commit averaged 21 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and two steals last season, and his 1,776 career points has him in range of breaking NBA player Immanuel Quickley’s program record of 1,971.
Akeem Belvin, Milford Mill, forward, senior
Bringing a fluid inside-outside game, the 6-foot-5 standout can take over important stretches of a game with positive energy coming at both ends and on the boards. His emergence last season — he averaged 18.4 points and 7.5 rebounds — played a big role in the Millers’ run to the Class 3A semifinals.
Daniel Best, Long Reach, guard, senior
Coming off a breakthrough junior season, Best returns as one of the area’s top perimeter shooters with unlimited range. He averaged 21.3 points per game last season — registering 68 made 3-pointers — and had a memorable 50-point game against Marriotts Ridge that ranks second all-time in Howard County public school play.
Braxton Bogard, Spalding, forward, sophomore
The 6-foot-8 standout, an All-Metro first-team pick as a freshman, is a matchup nightmare who impacts the game at both ends. In leading the Cavaliers to a 23-9 record last season, he proved to be an inside-outside threat on offense, averaging 12.6 points and adding 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per game.
Gage Howard, Mount Carmel, forward, senior
The 6-foot-8 All-Metro second-team selection is the area’s most gifted big with quality awareness, a poised touch in the paint and confidence in big moments. He averaged nine points and five rebounds last season — playing his best ball in tournament play — and will be more of the focal point for the deep Cougars this season.
Colin Luddy, Patterson Mill, senior, guard/forward
The 6-foot-3 swing, a two-year captain, effectively scores and rebounds — he averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds last season — and, just as importantly, makes winning plays. Luddy’s savvy play is the foundation as the Huskies look to build on last year’s run to the Class 1A state semifinals.
Charlie Mollman, Westminster, forward, senior
The versatile 6-foot-6 forward is across-the-board steady with a complete game. In leading the Owls to a share of the Carroll County title last season, he averaged a double-double with 12.6 points and 10 rebounds per game, while also contributing 2.8 assists per contest.
BJ Ranson, Mount Saint Joseph, guard, senior
Recognized as a pure shooter entering his freshman year, the All-Metro second-team pick has added layers to his game, emerging as a complete player and leader for the Gaels. The St. Joseph’s commit, eager to have the ball in clutch moments, averaged 17 points, five rebounds and three assists last season.
Keon Scott, Meade, guard, junior
The All-Metro first-team pick brings electric, do-everything skills and a knack for playing his best in the biggest moments. Last season, he averaged 17 points, 5.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game, highlighted by a clutch 25-point effort in the Mustangs’ county title game win over North County.
Camari Stewart, City, forward, senior
The 6-foot-5 standout brings a smooth all-around game with an ability to find his shot from anywhere and defend any player on the floor. He averaged 13 points, nine rebounds and three assists for the Class 3A champs last season and, as the lone starter back, will bring vital leadership and winning intangibles to the largely new cast.
Preseason top 15 poll
1. Mount Carmel
Coach: Tony Martin
Last season: 34-4 overall, No. 1 Baltimore Sun ranking
Postseason: Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference, Baltimore Catholic League champion
Outlook: This year’s Cougars have a tough act to follow, but they remain deep, versatile and are plenty battle tested to make a strong pitch for more crowns. Wings Tristen Wilson and Ralfs Rudusans join power forward Gage Howard as the team’s top scoring options, with Samartine Hill a prototype point guard and center Junior Mancho strong defensively and on the boards. Point guard Kiyen Alexander, a transfer from Delaware, adds to the area’s deepest bench.
2. Spalding
Coach: Josh Pratt
Last season: 23-9, No. 3
Postseason: MIAA A semifinalist, BCL quarterfinalist
Outlook: Spalding brings plenty of pluses to the court: experience, versatility, grit, polish, youthful energy. Guards Kam Carter, TJ Moultrie, Colt Busse, Moe Lonergan are the senior leaders who can uniquely impact games. Two exceptionally gifted sophomore big men are in the mix in All-Metro first-teamer Braxton Bogard and North County transfer Nash Avery, making the Cavaliers a prime contender.
3. Mount Saint Joseph
Coach: Pat Clatchey
Last season: 22-17, No. 5
Postseason: MIAA A quarterfinalist, BCL finalist
Outlook: With a solid group back, led by guards BJ Ranson and Chauncey Word, and the addition of Gonzaga transfer Saxton Simley to bolster the frontcourt, the Gaels are primed to build off last year’s run to the Baltimore Catholic League title game. Aaron Early, Jr. is another key cog in the backcourt with 6-foot-10 power forward Kenny Anthony bringing tough inside play. Returnee Zikom Etolue and freshman Ciar Word bring energy and versatility.
4. St. Frances
Coach: Nick Myles
Last season: 29-8, No. 2
Postseason: MIAA A finalist, BCL semifinalist
Outlook: Meshing returning talent with some promising newcomers, the Panthers plan to improve as they jell with an eye on priming for the playoffs. Combo guard Terence Jones is the team’s catalyst and leader, with guard Carter Fisk and forward Mason Glover the other key returnees. Point guard Anthony Smith, a transfer from West Virginia’s Huntington Prep, brings savvy play to the backcourt to help offset the transfer losses of past standouts Jasiah Cannady and Kamauri Lawson.
5. John Carroll
Coach: Seth Goldberg
Last season: 18-14, No. 8
Postseason: MIAA A quarterfinalist, BCL semifinalist
Outlook: The Patriots bring a togetherness and ferocity that makes them a tough out. Aidan Able brings points and valuable intangibles as the starting point. Roles are well defined with forward Andrew Clark the quality go-to presence inside, guard Parris Lee the all-around steady performer, and forward James Westervelt and guard Cole Johnson both hard-working grinders.
6. Meade
Coach: Mike Glick
Last season: 23-4, No. 11
Postseason: Class 4A state semifinalist
Outlook: With a quality mix of returning starters, role players ready to step up and impact transfers in the fold, the Anne Arundel champs have the goods to defend their crown and chase a state title. Keon Scott’s sensational play sets the tone and senior forward Arouna Soumaoro is another big key. Tyson Hill brings versatility and forward Ryden Rodney-Sandy, a transfer from Virginia’s Potomac, can play anywhere in the frontcourt.
7. Glenelg Country
Coach: Garrett O’Donnell
Last season: 21-8, No. 4
Postseason: MIAA A semifinalist
Outlook: The Dragons begin life without last year’s graduated Metro Player of the Year, Pat Curtin, who averaged 30 points per game in addition to providing winning intangibles. Senior forwards Donavan Marshburn and Drew Harris, and senior guard Jacob Williams are ready to emerge as the go-to players on offense and overall leaders. The backcourt of juniors Kayden Leggett and Malakai Jones and senior Anthony Donnelly are ready for bigger roles.
8. City
Coach: Omarr Smith Sr.
Last season: 22-5, No. 9
Postseason: Class 3A state champion
Outlook: Coming off the program’s fifth state title and second in three years under Smith, the Knights will lean on their lone returning starter, Stewart, and a largely new cast to maintain the fine standard. Fellow returnees Jaden Hargrove and Ethan Chinnia will play bigger roles with newcomers Rasheed Muhammad, Tourean Thompson and Khari Gregg adding to the backcourt and Noah Cowen and Samir Qeliqi bolstering the frontcourt.
9. South River
Coach: Darren Hall
Last season: 19-3, not ranked
Postseason: Class 3A quarterfinalist
Outlook: Led by one of the area’s most gifted and versatile backcourts, South River has the moxie to challenge Anne Arundel champion Meade and enjoy an extended postseason run. Combo guard Jaden McDuffie is the catalyst with fellow guards Jamie Finn and Jonah Hall bringing special intangibles. Up front, 6-foot-8 forward-center Nick Yotter provides a strong inside presence.
10. Edmondson
Coach: Darnell Dantzler Sr.
Last season: 25-1, No. 7
Postseason: Class 1A state semifinalist
Outlook: The two-time defending Baltimore City champions appeared poised to defend their state title when they were stunned by SEED School in last year’s semifinals. Returning forwards Robert Price, Nayshawn Williams and Nate Sheppard will look to mesh with gifted newcomers led by point guard Tyler Harper, Charles Hodge and Jordan Andrews. The Red Storm will bring quality size and athleticism with defense and rebounding as their starting point.
11. New Town
Coach: Derek Wise
Last season: 27-2, No. 6
Postseason: Class 2A state finalist
Outlook: With no starters back from last year’s team, the defending Baltimore County champions will look to improve on the go with an eye on the postseason. Junior Josh Jones, a 6-foot-5 wing from Mount Saint Joseph, is expected to make a huge impact at both ends with guard Andrew Samuels and power forward Michael Brown, reserves last season, ready to take on bigger roles and provide the example for the new players in the fold.
12. St. Paul’s
Coach: Phil Hahn
Last season: 18-9, not ranked
Postseason: MIAA B finalist
Outlook: With a quality mix of returnees and newcomers, St. Paul’s is primed to take the next step as it seeks its first title since 2017. Guards Andrew Cooper and Kaden Edwards, and wing Cahron Wheeler are the focal point. The Crusaders are big — five players are 6-foot-4 or taller —and athletic, with six players in the rotation fresh off the school’s B Conference title-winning football team.
13. Mervo
Coach: Josh Czerski
Last season: 15-11, not ranked
Postseason: Class 4A state quarterfinalist
Outlook: Czerski, who led Parkville to a state title and more recently coached at Loyola Blakefield, takes over with a solid cast that puts Mervo in the mix in Baltimore City. Guard play will be the Mustangs’ calling card with Cash Rountree, Anthony Council, Kyliek Howard and Jaylin Solomon bringing versatile skills, and wing Tristan Dolberry another quality contributor.
14. Patterson Mill
Coach: Jeroud Clark
Last season: 23-3, not ranked
Postseason: Class 1A state semifinalist
Outlook: Last year, the young Huskies proved ahead of schedule in capturing the Harford County crown and enjoying an extended playoff run. Four starters return to anchor a cohesive group that is primed to build on past success. Colin Luddy and guard Kai Gibson are the team’s catalysts with guard Coale Washington and forward James Hammond also playing key roles.
15. Milford Mill
Coach: Ryan Smith
Last season: 19-8, not ranked
Postseason: Class 3A state semifinalist
Outlook: Last season, the Millers found quality form in time for an impressive run to the semifinals, looking to pick up where they left off. Three starters are back — forwards Akeem Belvin and Romeo Hart, and guard Cam Johnson — with swing Bryce Galloway, a transfer from Springdale Prep, ready to make an immediate impact. Depth will benefit the Millers’ hassling defense, while point guards Elijah West and Isaiah Bevins will lead the backcourt.
Others considered: Catonsville (10-9), Lake Clifton (11-10), McDonogh (13-13), Overlea (22-3), Severn (21-6)
Have a news tip? Contact Glenn Graham at ggraham@baltsun.com, 410-332-6636 and x.com/GlennGrahamSun.
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