MIAA Basketball Update

by Nelson Coffin

Archbishop Spalding (17-11, 9-4 A Red Division) ran its winning streak to six games with a 69-53 verdict over John Carroll (20-7, 9-4 A Red) after a torrid 14-2 start — and a late 15-6 run — combined to down the Patriots. Kam Carter (21 points) Colt Busse (17) and Nash Avery (11) led the Cavaliers’ scoring while Aidan Able (15 ), Parris Lee (12) and Andrew Clark 12) countered for John Carroll.

Spalding added a 60-47 over Boys’ Latin behind Braxton Bogard (27) and Avery (14) while John Carroll reached the 20-victory plateau for the first time since the 2021-22 season with a 69-46 defeat of Gilman with Able’s 26-point explosion and Lee (13) chipping in.

The Patriots also dropped BL, 71-50, with Able (18) and Lee (14) inflicting most of the damage.

Mount St. Joseph (26-5, 12-2 A Black) overcame a 20-17 second-quarter deficit to pull off a 58-51 triumph over Calvert Hall (12-18, 3-12 A Black). BJ Ranson (20), Chauncey Word (16) and Saxton Simley (11) paced the Gaels. 

Cameron Wood (17) and Billy Stanfield (12) led the Cardinals, who also fell to St. Vincent Pallotti, 63-56,  even though Ellis Johnson (18), Wood (13) and Damir Tucker (13) provided push-back.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (22-9, 13-2 A Black) remained unbeaten in league play with a 68-55 win over Glenelg Country 68-55 behind Tristen Wilson (14) and Samartine Hill (10). The Cougars’ perfect slate did not last long, however, because St. Joe prevailed, 63-60, when the teams met for the first of two games in a short span.

Ranson poured in eight of his game-high 23 points for MSJ in the final quarter to help the Gaels snap a three-game losing streak to Mount Carmel, which was led by Samartine Hill (16) and Gage Howard (15) while Saxton Simley (18) helped the Gaels get over the hump.

St. Mary’s (9-22, 2-13 A Black) dropped a 73-65 decision at St. Vincent Pallotti (15-9, 9-7 A Black) despite the efforts of Ezra Rich (24), Noah Cerny (12), Gavin Johnson (11) and 10 Chisom Eze (10).  The Saints also came up short against Glenelg Country School, 80-54, with Johnson (17) and Eze (11) the top scorers.

Even with the contributions of Kaleb Haysbert (20), Ayo Olofintila (16) and Colin Clevenger (11), Loyola Blakefield (6-19, 3-12 A Red) fell to Gilman, 75-67. 

St. Frances Academy then walloped the Dons, 92-53, despite the fine play of Brant Hall Jr.(12 points, 6 rebounds) and Olofintila and Gabe Nicolosi-Wolfe combining for 16 points. The Panthers (30-5, 12-1 A Red) proceeded to control Mount Carmel, 77-67, while reaching the 30-victory plateau for the first time since the 2021-22 season and for the 10th time in school history.

Anthony Smith (21), Terence Jones III (17), Carter Fisk (16) and  Jaliel Spears (12) paved the way for the Panthers while the Cougars also boasted four double-figure in Wilson (15), Gage Howard (12), Hill (11) and Ralfs Rudusans (10). 

Severn’s 53-42 victory over Concordia Prep kept the Admirals (14-7, 9-1 B Black) in line for a top seed in the the B Conference playoffs while second-place Gerstell Academy (15-10, 7-3 B Black)kept pace with by stopping St. John’s Catholic Prep, 59-52, and Concordia Prep, 49-43. 

St. Paul’s (16-6, 10-2) maintained its big lead in the B Red Division after the Crusaders’ 57-52 win over Archbishop Curley (10-6, 3-8).