Everyone’s talking about Patterson Mill.
The Huskies, regional champions and state quarterfinalists who went 19-1 a year ago, return almost their entire roster. They’re led by seniors Colin Luddy, James Hammond and Kai Gibson, all of whom were integral in last season’s run. Polled by The Aegis, more than three-quarters of Harford County coaches identified Patterson Mill as the best entering this winter.
“Patterson Mill will be the team to beat,” one coach said.
“Everybody will be back,” another opined.
Here’s what to watch for in Harford County high school boys basketball this season. (Editor’s note: not all teams responded to requests for information.)
Players to watch
Aidan Able, John Carroll
Able, a UMBC commit, will have a case for best player in Harford County this season leading The Baltimore Sun’s preseason No. 5 ranked team.
Josiah Lawrence, Havre de Grace
Lawrence was one of the area’s most dynamic scorers a season ago and will aim to push the Warriors further than a regional semifinal in his final season.
Colin Luddy, Patterson Mill
Luddy led a young Huskies team to a region title last year and returns alongside most of that group to form what coaches say should be the team to beat in Harford County. They’re the 14th-ranked team in the metro area in The Sun’s preseason poll.
Here’s more about each team:
Aberdeen
Coach: Eric Esbrandt, second season
Last season: 8-12
Top returning players: Seniors Collin Rogers (G) and Isaiah Gainey (G); sophomore Devin Murphy (G).
Newcomers to watch: Seniors Danard Waddell (F), Jordan Galanos (C) and Ricky Pena (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “We lost seven seniors, including four starters from last season. We need total buy-in from our newcomers and a tangible leap forward in performance from our returners to have success this season.” — Esbrandt
Bel Air
Coach: Julian Pickett, second season
Last season: 10-12
Top returning players: Seniors Chase Bullock (G), Ryan Bowling (F) and Aaden Troast (C).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Brady Harmon (F) and Deshawn Morris (F); freshman James Curtis (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “Success won’t come from one star — it’ll come from every player embracing their role. Bench players must bring energy, starters must bring execution, and everyone must bring pride. When we commit to the idea that our strength is unity, we’ll reach our potential.” — Pickett
C. Milton Wright
Coach: Gary Neal, second season
Last season: 12-8, state quarterfinalists
Top returning players: Seniors Jordan Franklin (G) and Jamal Hightower (G); junior Shawn Lauderdale (F).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Carmine Higgins (F); sophomore Xavier Holley (G) and Hayden Smolenski (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “As a team, we have to be consistent defensively. Game in and game out, giving maximum effort and controlling the defensive boards, and offensively playing with pace and sharing the ball.” — Neal
Edgewood
Coach: Terry Maczko, fifth season
Last season: 17-7, regional finalists
Top returning players: Senior Sean Kellum (G).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Anthony Taylor (F) and Isaiah Deyo (F); sophomore Lydell Craig (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “Need senior guard Sean Kellum to play at a high level and lead newcomers from last year’s 19-3 junior varsity team. Sophomore point guard Lydell Craig and junior power forward Isaiah Deyo came up to varsity from JV last year. We’ll need them to make a big impact this year.” — Maczko
Fallston
Coach: Mike Griffin, second season
Last season: 14-10, region semifinalists
Top returning players: Seniors Aiden Robinson (F) and Oliver Schamburg (G).
Newcomers to watch: Freshman Jordan Griffin (G)
What must happen for your team to succeed? “We must play with high intensity. It will be a “We or Me”. Together is the key.” — Griffin
Havre de Grace
Coach: Brian Eberhardt, 14th season
Last season: 9-14
Top returning players: Seniors Josiah Lawrence (G) and Labiacey Gamy (C); junior Kevin Miller (G).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Mekhi Coleman (G); sophomore Luke Prout (C).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “The team as a whole must mesh together. Everyone will have to overcome mental hurdles every night we step on the floor.” — Eberhardt
John Carroll
Coach: Seth Goldberg, eighth season
Last season: 18-14, BCL semifinalists
Top returning players: Seniors Aidan Able (G), Andrew Clark (F) and Parris Lee (G).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Charlie Rhinehart (G); freshman Dave Mota Jr. (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “If we play together and play for each other, we’ll be in good shape.” — Goldberg
Joppatowne
Coach: Jon Stefanides, fourth season
Last season: 16-8, region finalists
Top returning players: Seniors Kishann Smith (G) and Dartanun Blakney (G); sophomore Quinsean Pritchett (G)
Newcomer to watch: Senior Damon Goodman (G)
What must happen for your team to succeed? “We must continue to improve each day as a team as well as having our senior leadership push and hold their teammates accountable on and off the court. Blakney’s experience at guard will help Pritchett in his new role this season. Smith will be invaluable as he guides the three new big men into their roles on the court.” — Stefanides
North Harford
Coach: Bill Jones, second season
Last season: 12-10
Top returning players: Seniors Jason Brady (G) and Mason Harvey (F); junior Charlie Hunter (G).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Nick Anderson (G) and Jacob Babiak (F); sophomore Ethan Smith (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “First and foremost, we need to stay healthy at key positions. Overall, we are very inexperienced with nine newcomers to varsity. We are hoping to find one or two newcomers who can step in and contribute right away.” — Jones
Patterson Mill
Coach: Jeroud Clark, 17th season
Last season: 19-1, state quarterfinalists
Top returning players: Seniors Colin Luddy (G), James Hammond (F) and Kai Gibson (G)
Newcomers to watch: Senior Alex Kropp (G); sophomore Kolten Gibson (G)
What must happen for your team to succeed? “Need to play hard, be prepared and give maximum effort.” — Clark
Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons.
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