5 Things to know about Baltimore Catholic League basketball tournament

The 52nd Baltimore Catholic League Tournament will tip off this weekend at Goucher College in Towson, featuring some of the best high school boys basketball talent in the nation. The Baltimore Catholic League Tournament is the longest-running boys postseason tournament in the state.

Here are a few highlights of what’s in store:

What is the schedule and where will the games be played?

The games are scheduled for Decker Sports and Recreation Center Arena on the campus of Goucher College during three consecutive days, beginning March 3 (3 p.m.) with the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals March 4 (5 p.m.) and the championship March 5 (3 p.m.) This is the first time in seven years the tournament has been played as a single-site event with previous quarterfinals held separately at the higher-seeded schools and only the semifinals and finals at one site.

This year, the junior varsity championship also is featured March 5 at 1 p.m.

Goucher last hosted the tournament in 2018, and Decker Arena is hosting the event for the 11th time (1996-98, 2000-04 and 2017-18). In all, 61 BCLT games and 10 championships have been played in Decker Arena, both third most in tournament history.

What are Friday’s quarterfinal matchups?

No. 6 seed Archbishop Spalding (15-17) vs. No. 3 St. Frances (28-10), 3 p.m.
No. 7 Loyola Blakefield (11-14) vs. No. 2 St. Maria Goretti (25-6), 4:45 p.m.
No. 8 Calvert Hall (19-17) vs. No. 1 Mount St. Joseph (35-4) 6:30 p.m.
No. 5 John Carroll (14-17) vs. No. 4 Mount Carmel (19-15), 8:15 p.m.

Who are the teams to beat?

Mount St. Joseph is the defending tournament champion and has compiled a 35-4 record this season. The Gael raced to a 13-1 regular-season BCL mark, capturing the regular-season title and the top tournament seed. 

However, St. Frances Academy turned the tables on the Gaels Feb. 26, dethroning Mount St. Joseph in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association title game. The Panthers (28-10) came away with a 78-75 overtime victory in the MIAA final, setting up a shot at another showdown in the BCL Tournament.

St. Frances last won the BCL tournament title in 2020 with John Carroll ending the Panthers’ three-year title run in 2021.

St. Maria Goretti, from Hagerstown, is another top tournament contender after posting a 12-2 regular-season BCL record and a 25-6 overall record.

Who are the top players to watch?

Mount St. Joseph senior Amani Hansberry, a 6-foot-8 forward who has signed to play at the University of Illinois, was named the BCL Jerry Savage Player of the Year. He averaged 17.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists during the regular season and earned BCL first-team honors.

St. Maria Goretti senior Najey Allen, a second team all-BCL selection, was named the league’s most improved player, while his teammate junior Caleb Embeya was named the BCL’s top defender in addition to being named to the first team.

Other first-team BCL selections included: Dionte Alexander, St. Maria Goretti, senior; Carlton Carrington, St. Frances, senior; Jahnathan Lamothe, St. Frances, senior; and Ace Valentine, Mount St. Joseph, senior.

Other second-team BCL selections were: Jeannot Basima, John Carroll, senior; Tyler Jackson, St. Frances, sophomore; Malik Washington, Archbishop Spalding, sophomore; Brendan Johnson, Calvert Hall, junior; and Andrew Dixon, Mount Carmel, junior

Honorable mention BCL selections were: Jonah Biggers, Calvert Hall; Tyrin Bizzelle, Calvert Hall; J’Lin Brown, Loyola Blakefield; Mason Ellison, Loyola Blakefield; Tyonne Farrell, Mount St. Joseph; and Omarion Reid, Mount Carmel

And on the sidelines, the Gaels are coached by Pat Clatchey, who reached an impressive milestone in his 31st season, becoming the third-winningest boys basketball coach all-time in Maryland. However, St. Frances coach Nick Myles has a 20-18 record in head-to-head clashes with Mount St. Joseph.

How can tickets be purchased?

There will be no cash sales at the door. Tickets will be sold online only for the BCL Tournament. To purchase tickets, go to https://www.bclbasketball.com/bclt-tickets or spicket.events/bcl-tournament.

General Admission (adults 18 and older) – $12 advance online through March 2 / $15 March 3-5

High School Student Admission (grades nine-12) – $8 advance online through March 2 / $10 March 3-5

Children (through grade eight) – free admission

For more details on Baltimore Catholic League Basketball, visit BCLBasketball.com, where Chris Pika maintains a terrific site.

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@catholicreview.org

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