C. Milton Wright, winners of the last two Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference titles, is again in line to be the area’s top team. But if they’re going to three-peat, it will be with a new leader.
Gary Neal replaces Mario Scott as the Mustangs’ coach. Still, their goal remains the same. Opposing coaches say they’re well equipped in Neal’s debut campaign — one said they have the roster to compete for a state championship.
That faith is backed by a roster that returns much of the talent that took C. Milton Wright to the Class 2A state semifinals a year ago. The Aegis’ boys basketball player of the year Dylan Sander, also a Division I lacrosse commit, is back after leading his school to a boys soccer state title. Fellow seniors Kyle Ashman, Noah Clarke and Jordan Ross form a formidable group of fourth-year players who have driven the Mustangs’ run over the last two seasons.
Area coaches say Edgewood, Joppatowne and Fallston are the teams most likely to snatch C. Milton Wright’s seat atop the region, each boasting experienced rosters with size and depth. Five teams have first-year coaches, each navigating unique challenges from maintaining success to establishing a foundation to build on.
Here’s what to watch for this season in Harford County boys basketball. (Editor’s note: not all teams responded to requests for information.)
Aberdeen
Coach: Eric Esbrandt, first season
Last season: 8-15
Top returners: Seniors McKinley Turner (C), Kellan Dennis (G) and Kelsyn Harris (F)
Newcomers to watch: Senior Cameron Allen-Jones (F) and junior Collin Rogers (G)
Coach’s outlook: “We have a lot of new faces and a lot of players who do not have any varsity basketball experience. We also have a team full of players who are dedicated and work hard on the court and, more importantly, in the classroom. I am looking forward to watching each of them improve throughout the season. In order to be in the mix, we must continue to outwork and outhustle our competition every single time we step on the court.”
Bel Air
Coach: Julian Pickett, first season
Last year: 10-12
Top returners: Seniors Gage Shaw (G), Connor McPherson (G) and Cooper Rey (G).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Evan Freeney (F) and junior Ezekiel Griffith (F).
Coach’s outlook: “We are a new coaching staff and a new team inside and out. I think if we stay within our scheme and get stronger in the weight room we will be one of the top teams in our region.”
Jordan Ross returns for his senior season this winter with C. Milton Wright. (File)
C. Milton Wright
Coach: Gary Neal, first season
Last year: 21-5, state semifinalist
Top returners: Seniors Dylan Sander (C), Kyle Ashman (F), Noah Clarke (F) and Jordan Ross (G).
Newcomer to watch: Sophomore Shaun Lauderdale (F)
Coach’s outlook: “Looking forward to seeing the seniors take the lead role of the team and how quickly the role players will find their niche on the team. To be in the mix, the guys must buy into the system on the defensive end and trust the process and one another.”
Edgewood
Coach: Terry Maczko, fourth season
Last year: 6-16
Top returners: Senior Jaydon White (F) and junior Sean Kellum (G).
Newcomers to watch: Seniors Chance Wells (F) and Josh King (G).
Coach’s outlook: “We return eight players off last year’s team. Have some nice newcomers to the team. Our overall shooting has improved significantly. Our success will be dependent on the integration of the newcomers into the team.”
Fallston
Coach: Mike Griffin, first season
Last year: 11-11
Top returners: Juniors Oliver Rueckert (F) and Oliver Schamburg (G).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Mike Griffin Jr. (G), Aiden Robinson (F), Shuaghn Kelly (F) and Joe Gross (F)
Coach’s outlook: “I’m looking forward to how we jell as a team. As long as we stick together and stay on the same page, I think we have a chance to be in the mix.”
Harford Tech
Coach: Trent Thames, third season
Last year: 5-17, regional semifinalist
Top returners: Seniors Karon Evans (G), Nolan Reachard (G) and Aaron Wilson (F); junior Zach Lane (G); sophomores Jalil James (F) and Mateo Hiett (G).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Maurice Butler (F) and Shamari Whitmore (G); sophomore Levi Ridley (F)
Coach’s outlook: “The Cobras are looking forward to making a statement on the defensive end this season. Most of the freshmen and sophomores already have a year of experience playing varsity. While dropping games last season due to various things and having the youngest team in the county, the talent remains there. We as a group know what to expect in the coming season and are considering ourselves as a team to compete.”
Havre de Grace
Coach: Brian Eberhardt, 13th season
Last year: 17-7
Top returners: Seniors Isaiah Frasier (G) and Joe Spencer (F).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Josiah Lawrence (G) and Labiacey Gamey (F); sophomore Kevin Miller (G).
John Carroll
Coach: Seth Goldberg, seventh season
Last season: 16-19
Top returners: Seniors Caden Chinnia-Falline (G) and Theartis Battle (F); junior Aidan Able (G)
Newcomer to watch: Junior Andrew Clark (C)
Coach’s outlook: “If we can defend well, we can be one of the top three to four teams in the MIAA A Conference and BCL.”
Joppatowne
Coach: Jon Stefanides, third season
Last year: 16-8, regional semifinalist
Top returners: Senior Phil Clark (G) and junior Kishann Smith (G).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Kamari Matthews (G) and Anthony Council (G); sophomore Peyton Lawrence (G).
Coach’s outlook: “With only three seniors, we will continue to be a young team with hopes of competing. Our success will be based on how quickly the new players make their presence felt on the court and how quickly we can find the positive leaders to guide us to mesh as a team capable of surprising teams.”
North Harford
Coach: Bill Jones, first season
Last year: 3-19
Top returners: Seniors Zach Alexander (G), Demetrious Densmore (G), Zach Mullins (F), Jamail Holmes (G), Nick Chaney (F) and Frank DeLucia (F).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Collin Kight (F), Mason Harvey (F) and Brad Halstead (C).
Coach’s outlook: “The team is developing a positive attitude so far in practice. This group of outstanding student athletes are determined to have a good season and be competitive in every game while making the entire North Harford community once again proud to be a boys basketball fan. The program has been down for many years, but we as a group intend to turn that around this year.”
Patterson Mill
Coach: Jeroud Clark, 17th season
Last year: 16-5, regional finalist
Top returners: Seniors James Kropp (G) and Jaden Meyer (G); juniors Colin Luddy (G), Kai Gibson (G), Grayson McLaughlin (G), James Hammond (F) and Coale Washington (G).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Alex Kropp (G) and Luke Teal (F).
Coach’s outlook: “Our team is still very young, as we only have one senior with varsity playing experience. We have a group of young players that have some varsity experience and are looking forward to being competitive this year in the UCBAC conference.”
Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons.
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