Mount St. Joseph defends BCL Tournament title with win over St. Maria Goretti

Mount St. Joseph center Amani Hansberry took a pass from Ace Valentine and dunked over a pair of St. Maria Goretti defenders with just over five minutes left in the Baltimore Catholic League Tournament championship game.

It was a fitting exclamation point to a fantastic season and career for the University of Illinois-bound senior.

Amani Hansberry dunks for Mount St. Joseph as it defeated St. Maria Goretti, 59-50, in the Baltimore Catholic League basketball Championship at Goucher College on March 5, 2023 (John Strohsacker / Special to the Catholic Review)

Hansberry had 21 points and 17 rebounds to lead Mount St. Joseph to a 59-50 victory at Goucher College March 5.

The Gaels defended their BCL title and finished their season with a 38-4 overall record, tying a record for victories set in 2005-06 (38-1).

Mount St. Joseph also tied its 2005-06 team and the 2019-20 St. Frances Panthers (38-4) for the most overall season victories in BCL history (1971-72 to present).

“It was a great season,” Mount St. Joseph coach Pat Clatchey said. “Back-to-back tournament titles. Heck of a season.”

Tyonne Farrell also had 17 points for Mount St. Joseph and Valentine (a UMBC commit) had 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Hansberry was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

“It was emotional, the last time playing with my guys,” Hansberry said. “Just try to come out here, leave my legacy and get a win. Everybody on the team stepped up.”

The Gaels won their ninth Baltimore Catholic League Tournament title (2003, 2004, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2022 and 2023) and their second straight in a BCL record-extending 19th championship appearance during 52 overall BCL tournaments.

No. 2 St. Maria Goretti (27-7) was playing in the BCL title game for the first time since 2019.

Mount St. Joseph started quickly and opened a 30-19 lead at halftime. Goretti shot just 7-of-29 from the field.

Goretti made the necessary adjustments and its shots began to fall in the second half.

Tyonne Farrell, who scored 17 points, drives for Mount St. Joseph through the St. Maria Goretti defense during the Baltimore Catholic League basketball championship at Goucher College. (John Strohsacker / Special to the Catholic Review)

A 3-pointer by Justin Cheung (eight points) and free throw by Jahsan Johnson (11 points) pulled Goretti to within 53-44 with 1:56 left. Meanwhile, Mount St. Joseph struggled from the free-throw line, going 4-of-10 in the final two minutes to keep Goretti in the game.

“I was very disappointed by our foul shooting,” Clatchey said. “I think that’s a 20-point win if we make foul shots, but I guess we wanted to make it a little more interesting than it had to be.”.

Caleb Embeya made a layup and Goretti trailed 56-50 with just under a minute left. However, Farrell, Hansberry, and Sean Clark each made a free throw in the final 37 seconds to put the game away.

Najeh Allen and Caleb Embeya each had 10 points for Goretti.

Goretti was the only team to beat Mount St. Joseph in regular-season BCL play, and the teams were playing in the title game for the first time.

“St. Joseph played well and they’re well-coached by Pat Clatchey, who did a great job,” Goretti coach Sidney McCray said. “They executed down the stretch and made it hard for us to get the ball inside.”

In the BCL junior varsity championship, No. 2 seed Goretti upset No. 1 seed Calvert Hall, 58-54.

BCL commissioner Jack Degele presents coach Pat Clatchey and his Mount St. Joseph team with the championship trophy. (John Strohsacker / Special to the Catholic Review)

Note: Former Archbishop Curley basketball coach Dan Popera, a fixture at BCL events, died Saturday. Popera was recognized in 2022 as an Archbishop Curley Cornerstone Day honoree after 38 years of service to the school as a business teacher and coach (1974-1999). Popera also was honored as Curley’s Teacher of the Year in 1996.

The BCL issued the following statement on his legacy: “The Baltimore Catholic League lost one of its legends last night with the passing of former Archbishop Curley head coach Dan Popera. Dan was a tremendous ambassador for the Baltimore Catholic League, and he was a constant presence at our games and a valued person at our tournament every year after his coaching retirement. He was loved by his players, respected by his peers, and he was a friend to so many in the Baltimore prep basketball community. He was previously announced to be part of our 2023 BCL Hall of Fame Class, and we will honor him at that event. Our prayers and condolences go out to Dan’s wife, Kate, his family and many friends. He will be missed.”