• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School sophomore center Junior Mancho raises the Baltimore Catholic League Championship trophy following a 53-38 victory over Mount St. Joe March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Mount Carmel caps historic basketball season with first BCL Tournament title

March 4, 2025
By Nelson Coffin
Special to the Catholic Review
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools, Sports

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

After winning only four league games during the regular season, Mount St. Joseph played much better than its sixth seeding suggested in the 54th Baltimore Catholic League Tournament this week,

Our Lady of Mount Carmel junior Gage Howard puts an exclamation point on their 53-38 victory with just seconds left in the Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

The Gaels (22-17) ousted third-seeded Archbishop Spalding, 66-65, in the opening round before eliminating No. 2 St. Frances Academy, 58-56, in a semifinal — giving Gaels coach Pat Clatchey his 850th career win and an opportunity to claim the program’s ninth BCLT title March 4 at Loyola University Maryland’s Reitz Arena.
.
The opponent in that match, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, had recently earned its first Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference crown and proceeded to rise into what Cougars coach Tony Martin called “rare air” by beating the Gaels, 53-38, to sweep the MIAA and BCLT championships.

That the top seed used a stifling man-to-man defense to stifle Mount St. Joe’s offense did not surprise Clatchey.

The Cougars (34-4), who broke a seven-game losing streak to the Gaels by sweeping all three meetings between the schools this winter, showed what a shut-down ‘D’ can do when it’s clicking.

“They’re physical and athletic,” Clatchey said. “We struggled to move the ball, struggled to score. They got better and easier shots than us. Everything was a struggle for us.”

Mount St. Joe’s second-lowest scoring output of the season came against the same team that held them to 37 points in late January. On Monday, the Gaels were held to 33 percent shooting from the floor and a paltry 7 percent (1-for-13) from beyond the 3-point arc while being out-rebounded, 38-23.

Mount Carmel wasn’t much better from long range (1-for-8), but converted its other shots at a 45 percent clip.

All in all, it was more than enough for the Cougars to never trail in a satisfying victory that helped Martin go well over the 500-win mark during a 23-year career in Maryland and North Carolina. It was also the first time Mount Carmel hoisted a BCLT banner.

“We said before the game that it would be a race to see who gets to 50 or 55 (points first),” Clatchey said. “And they won the race.”

“Nobody gets a day off,” Martin said about his team’s defensive prowess. “We just wanted to extend our defense and play reasonably well against a guy like (6-foor-2 junior guard) BJ (Ranson). It’s difficult, but we put a couple of defenders on him. Team defense wins.”

Our Lady of Mount Carmel senior Rodney Scott makes a behind-the back pass despite the best efforts of Mount St. Joseph defenders. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Ransom (10 points) and 6-foot-3 senior forward Joseph Green (11) were the only Gaels to score in double digits while only one Cougar, Gage Howard (14), managed the feat.

Yet, Mount Carmel received scoring contributions from a slew of other players, including 6-foot-9 sophomore Junior Mancha (9), senior guards Mario Tatum (9) and Rodney Scott (6), sophomore guard Samartine Hill (6) and 6-foot-8 junior forward Ralph Rudusans (5).

Howard, a 6-foot-8 junior forward, tossed in a soft baseline 3-pointer to open the scoring and closed out the Gaels in the final seconds of the fourth quarter with a thunderous slam.

The Gaels never got closer than three points of drawing even, and that only happened twice — both times in the opening period when Chauncey Word finished a fast break and fellow freshmen guard nailed a baseline jumper.

“Look, there are so many guys we could go to,” Martin said. “I felt bad at times to put somebody in the game for a guy who was playing well. We just happened to be clicking on all cylinders.”

Mark Rohde, left, assistant commissioner of the Baltimore Catholic League and former player at what is now Loyola Blakefield, presents BCL Commissioner Jack Degele with an award in recognition of his 25-years of service to the league during the championship game. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Tatum, who was named the tournament Most Valuable Player after leading his team in plus-minus in the final, said he saw the team coming together in summer workouts.

“We were on the track running,” he said. “We never gave up. We were diligent in everything. We shut them down. They couldn’t stop us on the offensive end, so we shut them down and stopped them.”

BCL Commissioner Jack Degele was honored after the first quarter for his 25 years of service to the organization.

“It’s a labor of love,” he said. “I love basketball and I played in the league (at St. Joe). I love doing it and I’m very fortunate to have Mark Rhode and Chris Pika helping me. It’s taken this to another notch.”

BCL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

John M. Plevyak MVP: Mario Tatum, Mount Carmel

Andrew Clark, John Carroll

Joseph Green, Mount St. Joseph

Gage Howard, Mount Carmel

BJ Ranson, Mount St. Joseph

Rodney Scott, Mount Carmel

Dan Popera Sportsmanship Award: James DiBitetto, St. Mary’s

To view more photos from the BCL title game, click through the slideshow below

Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
Mount St. Joseph High School freshman Aaron Early looks to score from the perimeter in what became a 53-38 loss to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Baltimore Catholic League Championship game March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
Baltimore Catholic League Championship March 3, 2025, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

.

Read More Sports

Stop the hatred; humanity is at stake, Pope Leo says in video message

In video for Chicago’s celebration, Pope Leo urges youth to recognize the ways God is reaching out to them

Pope: Sport reveals beauty of God, teaches teamwork, humility and hope

Villanova athletes inspired that pope keeps tabs on how his alma mater’s teams fare

Babe Ruth’s legacy continues to grace Archdiocese of Baltimore

Radio Interview: Baltimore sports broadcaster shares the importance of his Catholic faith

Copyright © 2025 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Nelson Coffin

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Hunt Valley parishioner recalls her former student – a future pope

  • superman Movie Review: ‘Superman’

  • Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

  • Loyola University Maryland graduate ordained Jesuit priest

  • Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

| Latest Local News |

Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith

Lay associates journey with the Oblate Sisters of Providence

Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

Scopes Monkey Trial ignited century-long debate on evolution and belief 

Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

| Latest World News |

Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack

Proof of life for kidnapped Nigerian priest received by Alaska diocese where he served

Filled with hope, Christians know cries of the innocent will be heard, pope says

Pope calls for ceasefire, dialogue, peace after church hit in Gaza

School club gives students chance to benefit veterans, fosters Gospel value of serving others

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith
  • Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack
  • Proof of life for kidnapped Nigerian priest received by Alaska diocese where he served
  • Filled with hope, Christians know cries of the innocent will be heard, pope says
  • Pope calls for ceasefire, dialogue, peace after church hit in Gaza
  • School club gives students chance to benefit veterans, fosters Gospel value of serving others
  • Top Republican appears to walk back probe of Catholic entities amid charged committee hearing
  • Mahmoud v. Taylor: A Supreme Court victory for parents, freedom
  • Church leaders, faithful in procession to Detroit ICE office call for just immigration policies

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en