MIAA basketball teams gearing up for 2025-26 season

by Nelson Coffin

Falling short in its two previous A Conference finals, Our Lady of Mount Carmel made history last March by topping St. Frances Academy, 55-50, in last year’s championship game.

The Cougars have the talent to become the fifth program to claim back-to-back titles this winter, a feat that both Severn and Saints Peter & Paul have accomplished in the A and B conferences, respectively, as they seek three-peats this winter.

A CONFERENCE

Mount Carmel’s depth and experience are sound reasons why another successful title run is more than a pipe dream.

Six-foot-9 Lehigh University commit Ralfs Rudesans, 6-8 fellow senior Gage Howard and 6-9 junior Junior Macho give the Cougars a stellar triple-headed monster underneath the basket while 6-4 senior guard Tristen Wilson runs the show in the backcourt.

Coach Tony Martin said his Cougars “are known for their tough, hard-nosed defense and versatile offense,” and are excited for the challenges ahead that come with some lofty national rankings (No. 23 Fab50, No. 26 Maxpreps) and the toughest schedule in the region. Health will be a key factor in another run at the MIAA A Conference championship.”

Mount St. Joseph coach Pat Clatchey, who is entering his 34th year at his alma mater and has won more than 800 games and eight A Conference  crowns, noted that the Gaels return a good nucleus from a young team that steadily improved last winter.

It all starts with 6-1 guard BJ Ranson, a playmaker headed to St. Joseph’s University, who will play in the backcourt with 5-11 sophomore Chauncey Word and 6-1 sophomore Aaron Early.

Juniors Kenneth Anthony (F, 6-9) and Zikom Etolue (wing, 6-4) are “ready to take steps towards consistency,” Clatchey said .

Look for 6-6 Gonzaga College transfer Saxton Simley to contribute in various ways while freshmen Ciar Word (G/F, 6-3) and Bryce Hudgins(G, 6-0) bring an advanced skill-set to the team. 

Still in the midst of a rebuild, Calvert Hall has added a pair of high-impact transfers, according to second-year coach David Gately.

Junior Cameron Wood (G, 6-3) is considered one of the most improved players in the area, Gately said, while noting that 6-6 sophomore small forward Billy Stanfield III, ”is widely considered one of the top players nationally in his class.”  

Although Stanfield missed the Cardinals’ first two games, he has been very productive in two games since his return.

The third Calvert Hall player to average 17 points per game in the early part of the season, 6-4 Arundel High School transfer Ellis Johnson. He “is a fantastic shooter with range and has length to defend and also rebound,” Gately said.

Captain Damir Tucker will run the point with fellow senior Adam Solomon also making his presence felt.

Sophomores Reggie Holmes and Antoine Collins, coupled with junior guard Kameron Massey, give the Cardinals the ability to press and go up-tempo at opportune times.  

“The team is much quicker this season and will utilize this quickness to play faster and place pressure on their opponents defensively,” Gately concluded.. 

Former Gonzaga High School associate head coach Roger Garfieldl, taking over for current Mervo coach Josh Czerski, will inherit some quality veteran standouts at Loyola Blakefield, including seniors Ayo Olofintila (F, 6-6) and Colin Clevenger (G, 6-0).

Garfield said that Olofintila is an “explosive face-up forward” and Clevenger, “a fiery guard with deep range.”

Brant Hall, Jr., a 6-2 tenacious rebounding guard, and fellow junior sharpshooter BJ Simmons (G/F, 6-5) will join 6-6 sophomore Kaleb Haysbert on the starting five.

Garfield’s coaching philosophy, to “play hard, play smart, play together — and play with joy,” should serve the Dons well in the Red Division this winter.

Archbishop Spalding will unleash a pair of highly-touted 6-8 forwards, Nash Avery and Braxton Bogard, on the Red Division this season.

Senior 6-3 point guard Terrence Moultrie will steady the backcourt and contribute scoring as well for the Cavaliers.

Aiden Able, a 6-4 shooting guard who averaged 21 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2 steals last season, will lead John Carroll’s quest to earn its first A Conference championship since 2018.

The UMBC commit is bidding to become the program’s all-time scoring leader after compiling a very Patriot-like 1,776 points — just 195 points shy of former JC great and current Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley’s 1,971 total.

Forwards Andrew Clark and James Westervelt and guards Parris Lee and guard Cole Johnson round out coach Seth Goldberg’s best options to improve on last year’s 18-14 record.

McDonogh coach Gerry Abrams said that the leadership of senior guards BJ Hopkins and Marcus Williams will be a strong suit for a squad that hopes to make some serious waves in conference play this winter.

Hopkins, a two-way guard, is a vocal leader, big shot-maker and steady decision-maker, according to Abrams, who praised Williams for his maturity and poise.

Sonny Moore, the leading returning scorer, and fellow sophomore, dynamic playmaker Maurice Costley, will help to mentor talented freshman Christian Rhodes, a rookie with plenty of upside.

“We’ve got experienced seniors leading the way and young talent that’s growing fast,” Abrams said. “Carlos, Maurice, and Sonny give us three guys who impact the game at a high level on both ends. If we defend, rebound, and trust our depth, we can be a team that gets better every single week and is playing our best basketball when it matters.”

St. Mary’s inaugural season in the A Conference will be a test that the Saints will face with senior point guard Gavin Johnson, junior backcourt mate Jovanni Hall and junior wing Noah Cerny leading the charge. 

“We added a couple of really good transfers who will be major contributors for us,” coach Trey Quinn said, pointing to sophomore guard Ezra Rich (Suitland) and junior forward Chisom Eze (Arundel). “We are looking forward to competing with some of the best teams in the area as we join the A Conference this year. It should be a great challenge for our players who are looking forward to playing on such a large stage.”

St. Frances Academy will rely on Terence Jones and Carter Fisk to anchor the backcourt with Mason Glover stationed underneath the basket.

A key transfer, Anthony Smith, adds experience and talent to coach Nick Myles’ crew, which advanced to last year’s title game against Mount Carmel.

A talented Glenelg Country School squad, featuring senior guards Jacob Williams and Anthony Donnell and juniors Kayden Leggett and Malakai Jones, should develop nice chemistry with senior forwards Donavan Marshburn and Drew Harris in order to garner coach Garrett O’Donnell’s club another 20-win season.

B CONFERENCE

St. Paul’s, which fell to Severn in last year’s title game, returns a veteran squad that features senior guard Andrew Cooper, senior forward Kaden Edwards (G) as its most established performers.

Other players of importance include 6-5 junior Charon Wheeler and 6-6 sophomore Cole Edwards, giving the Crusaders “a size advantage over most B conference opponents,” coach Phil Hahn said.

Seniors Henry Hatter and Johnny Miles will be contributors in the backcourt and on the frontline, respectively. 

Sophomores Bryson Clark and Noah Washington add scoring from the perimeter. 

Concordia Prep coach Detrick Matthewss said that he is happy with the way his “long athletic group” is progressing in the early stages of the season.

A pair of 6-2 seniors, Jaylen Madden and Lamont Jackson, will join juniors Matthew Chaplin (6-6), Nef Rios (6-0), Ethan Harris-Robinson (6-4) and Matt Calvin (6-5) on the court. Look for 5-9 freshman Seth Wheeler to also make his presence felt.

“They are a tough and physical group who can really shoot it,” he continued. “If we can be tough and compete at a high level on a consistent night-to-night basis, I like where this group can go.”

C CONFERENCE

Gunston coach Dontaye White said that his Herons will benefit from Ben Simon’s well-rounded game under the glass. 

“He does it all offense, defense and a rebounder, right down to diving for loose balls,” White said. “He’s definitely one to look out for how he plays the center position.”

Simon’s frontcourt mate, Amir Williams, a 6-4 power forward is “very aggressive on the boards and hard to stop when attacking with the basketball.”

Moreover, White said that Williams has a great will to learn more while always looking to get better. 

After missing the playoffs last winter, Park will go back to the basics to make amends this season by “trying to re-establish our identity,” coach Edwin Gordon said.  

Senior captains Zach Chait (G) and Cross Levy (F) will join junior captain Jack Rogers as the Bruin leaders  

“We will go as far as they take us,” Gordon added.