MIAA Basketball Update

by Nelson Coffin

In one the most pivotal games of the A Conference season so far, John Carroll snapped Mount Carmel’s 20-game home winning streak with a hard-fought 55-44 victory.

Forward Andrew Clark’s 16-point effort led the way for the Patriots, with Aiden Able (15) and Parris Lee (13) also contributing in a significant way. 

Carson Shoffner buried one of three John Carroll three-pointers in the second quarter to aid his team’s taking a five-point halftime advantage, and Clark’s 12-point blitz in the fourth quarter helped to seal the deal against the defending A Conference champs, who played without injured senior Gage Howard.

The Patriots’ euphoria was short-lived, however, after they dropped a 64-59 decision to Mount St. Joseph (18-4, 7-1 Black) the following night when BJ Ranson exploded for 26 points, Zikem Etolue added 13 and Chauncey Word had 12.

Clark compiled 20 points and Able 18 in the setback for John Carroll (15-4, 5-1 Red). The Gaels, who were coming off a 61-52 verdict over Severn behind Ranson’s 18 points and Etolue’s 12, added an 84-47 pummeling of Phelps School (Pa.) after jumping out to a 24-8 lead in the opening period to claim their fifth straight victory. Ranson led the way with 25 points and Saxton Simley poured in 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Mount Carmel (17-5, 8-0 Black) recovered quickly by beating Gilman, 58-34,  with Kiyen Alexander and Ralfs Rudusans netting 12 points each. The Cougars completed the week with a 52-38 setback to national power Spire Academy (Ohio).

Meanwhile, St. Frances (20-4, 6-1 Red) moved atop the division with an 85-53 triumph over first-season member St. Mary’s (9-16, 2-8 Black) to increase its home winning streak to 18 games until Glenelg Country School prevailed, 68-67, the following night. 

The Dragons (10-4, 7-3 Black) were the last team to beat the Panthers on their home court in almost two years. Carter Fisk led SFA with 19 points, while Anthony Smith added 12. 

Against St. Mary’s, Jaleel Spears led four double-figure Panther scorers with 23, while Chance McCoy added 14. The Saints got 13 points from Gavin Johnson and 11 from Jovanni Hall. 

In an earlier 56-50 triumph over McDonogh, Fisk led the way with 18 points with Smith contributing 14 and Chance McCoy 11. 

St Frances completed a fine week by downing Archbishop Carroll, 72-70, on Sunday at Calvert Hall. The Panthers survived a last-second shot that would have thrown the game into OT before the heroics of Fisk (27) and Terence Jones III (20) combined to secure the win over the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference rival.

Earlier in the week, Archbishop Spalding (10-11, 4-4 Red) won its third straight overall by defeating Calvert Hall, 62-41, with Nash Avery (20 points) and Colt Busse (15) in charge. Billy Stanfield III led the Cardinals with 15. 

In the Clash of the Titans showcase over the weekend, the Cardinals (11-13, 2-6 Black) were unable to overcome West Nottingham, falling, 60-51. Cameron Wood led the hosts with 16 points. In the first game of the same event on Sunday, the Cardinals dropped a 74-60 decision to Phelps, despite 25 points from Ellis Johnson.

Spalding then dropped a 71-69 decision in overtime to Springdale Prep after losing a late lead in regulation and then forcing overtime. There were 34 combined points scored in the four-minute OT before Springdale secured the victory. The Cavaliers also fell to WCAC foe Gonzaga, 74-56, after the Eagles took control in the third quarter on the way to the victory. Nash Avery (16), Braxton Bogard (12) and Moe Lonergan (11) led the Spalding scoring parade.

Loyola Blakefield (5-14 2-8 Red) fell,  68-60, to St. Vincent Pallotti (10-6, 4-4 Black) despite BJ Simmons’ 17 points and Kaleb Haysbert’s double-double of 10 points and as many rebounds.

Grant Ray poured in 22 points to pace Gerstell Academy’s 66-56 win over Carroll County rival Westminster High School. Point guard Emre Tari pitched in 17 points and helped to control the pace of the game for the victorious Falcons (10-7, 2-1 B Black).

Amari Bowman, Corey Graham, Bebe Adetunji and Myron Thompson were also integral parts of Gerstell’s winning formula.

Concordia Prep (7-8, 3-0 B Black) improved to 3-0 in league play by downing Chapelgate Christian Academy, 65-48, after dismissing Pikesville, 74-34, to open the week.