St. Frances Academy is our pick as the top team in Maryland. Watch out for Mount St. Joseph, Montrose Christian, North Point and Dunbar.
Ishmael Wainwright and Montrose Christian are back to try and better their 22-3 record from last season.
Photo by Alik McIntosh
Nick Myles
2011-12 finish: 21-9, MIAA A semifinals
The Panthers possess one of the best players in the state in junior
Dwayne Morgan
(6-7, 205, F), who is drawing interest from colleges around the
country. Morgan, who transferred from City College, is a true athlete
who can play around the rim as well as shoot the basketball from the
floor. He's accompanied by fellow junior
Tommy Heard (6-3, 185, F), a solid wing player in his own right. St. Frances will also receive contributions from
Tevon Saddler (6-4, 200, F),
Maurice White (6-3, 175, G) and
Emmerson Atkins (6-6, 200, F).
View the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 National Boys Basketball Rankings
2. Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore)Head coach: Pat Clatchey
2011-12 finish: 28-7, MIAA A runners-up
The Gaels are a high flying team that can flat out shoot the ball. Their strength is their backcourt, led by
Kameron Williams (6-2, 185, G) and junior
Phil Booth, (6-4, 185, G). Mount St. Joseph also has some size for opposing teams to deal with in
Graham Seering (6-7, 200, F) and
Zander Wear (6-10, 220, C). The Gaels can beat teams inside but they can also work the perimeter well too.
View all of our Maryland boys basketball photo galleries3. Montrose Christian (Rockville)Head coach: Stu Vetter
2011-12 finish: 22-3
Montrose Christian has a loaded roster once again, featuring
Ishmail Wainright (6-6, 200, F), who recently verbally committed to Baylor. Junior
Therence Mayimba
(6-7, 200 F) is a strong wing player who has a well-rounded skill set.
Down low, Montrose Christian has two big men it can use in senior
Mark Williams (6-8, 230, C) and sophomore
Taron Oliver (6-9, 230, C). Seniors
Charles Tucker Jr. (6-0, 170, G) and
Dane Pepper (6-1, 185, G) will be counted on as well.
View last season's Maryland boys basketball playoff brackets
4. North Point (Waldorf)Head coach: Jimmy Ball
2011-12 finish: 23-3, MPSSAA 4A semifinals
Not
many teams are rising the way North Point has the past couple of
seasons. The Eagles went from being an afterthought to one of the
state's powers, reaching the state championship game in the last two
years (winning the 2010-11 tournament). For the Eagles, their success
begins with seniors
Marquis Wright (5-10, 165, G) and
Naim Muhammad (6-4,180, F), two players that have been the backbone of this North Point team the last few years.
View last season's Maryland boys basketball Freeman Rankings
5. Dunbar (Baltimore)Head coach: Cyrus Jones
2011-12 finish: 24-3, MPSSAA 1A champions
The
Poets were an unknown bunch compared to the giants of Baltimore
basketball to start the 2011-12 season. Then they took the state by
storm, beating the heavyweights and winning a record-tying 14th state
title. The Poets lost a lot of senior leaders from the 2011 team but are
replacing them with some big-name transfers.
Daxter Miles (6-2, 165, G), who was with IMG Academy in Florida last season, returns to Dunbar for his senior season.
Kamau Stokes (5-11, 155, G), a transfer from John Carroll, also figures to aid the Poets in a big way. Never short of ball handlers,
Keandre Gibson (5-9, 160, G) is another option for the Poets this year on the court.
Allen Costley (6-5, 180, F) and
Trevis Buckhanon (6-7, 190, F) will be looked upon inside as this Dunbar roster is one of the most loaded in recent memory.
View last season's Maryland boys basketball stats leaderboard
