BCL News

March 5, 2023

2023 BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

NO. 1 SEED MOUNT ST. JOSEPH 59, NO. 2 SEED ST. MARIA GORETTI 50

MSJ Gaels claim 9th BCL Tournament title by beating Goretti Gaels behind 17 points and 21 rebounds by MVP Amani Hansberry

BALTIMORE – No. 1 seed and nationally ranked Mount St. Joseph claimed its ninth Baltimore Catholic League Tournament title as the Gaels defeated No. 2 seed St. Maria Goretti 59-50 in the championship game in Goucher College’s Decker SRC Arena.

Amani Hansberry, a 6-8 senior, earned the John M. Plevyak BCL Tournament MVP award for the second straight year after a huge 17-point, 21-rebound performance to give the Gaels (38-4) consecutive BCLT titles. Mount St. Joseph head coach Pat Clatchey and the Gaels took possession of the Brother D. John Smith FSC Memorial Trophy for the next year. Clatchey won his 20th BCL regular-season (11) or tournament (9) title in his 31-year career at MSJ.

The 38 overall victories tied MSJ’s school record and the BCL record held by the 2005-06 MSJ Gaels (38-1) and the 2019-20 St. Frances Panthers (38-4). Goretti (27-7) was trying to win its first BCLT title since 2001.

The two teams met in the BCLT championship game for the first time. Mount St. Joseph and St. Maria Goretti had split the season series as Goretti won 54-52 on Jan. 11 in Hagerstown, and MSJ won at home 54-53 on Feb. 15. The Goretti victory in Hagerstown was the only BCL regular-season loss Mount St. Joseph suffered this season.

Mount St. Joseph grabbed a 17-6 lead after one quarter. MSJ extended the margin to 17 at 25-8 with 4:40 left in the first half, but St. Maria Goretti went on a 11-5 run to close the half and trailed by 30-19. In the third quarter, Mount St. Joseph outscored Goretti 15-11 to hold a 45-30 lead going into the final quarter. Goretti mounted a charge in the final minute of the game, cutting the lead to 56-50 with 39 seconds left, but MSJ hit three foul shots for the final margin.

MSJ dominated inside as they outscored Goretti 40-16 in the paint. Goretti was effective from the outside with six three-pointers.

MSJ victory improved the record of No. 1 seeds against No. 2 seeds in the BCLT title game to 23-8 all-time.

Tyonne Farrell scored 17 points and Ace Valentine added 13 for MSJ to make the All-Tournament team. Goretti’s Jahsan Johnson scored 11 points to lead Goretti (27-7) and Caleb Embeya added 10 points and 10 rebounds as both were selected to the All-Tournament Team. SMG’s Najeh Allen also scored 10 points.

St. Frances’ Carlton Carrington Jr. also was named to the All-Tournament team, while Mount Carmel’s Omarion Reid was the Sportsmanship Award winner.

St. Maria Goretti will be BCL’s lone representative to the 61st Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament next week in Frostburg, Md.

Below are notes on Mount St. Joseph’s BCLT victory:

The Gaels finish their season with a 38-4 overall record. The Gaels tied the MSJ school record for victories with 38, set in 2005-06 (38-1). MSJ tied the 2005-06 MSJ Gaels and the 2019-20 St. Frances Panthers (38-4) for the most overall season victories in BCL history (1971-72 to present).
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 (9-10) over 52 overall BCL Tournaments.
MSJ is the 34th No. 1 seed to win the BCL title, and the first since St. Frances in 2020.
The Gaels improved the record of No. 1 seeds in the BCLT title game to 34-11 (.618).
Mount St. Joseph improved its all-time BCLT record to 66-43 (.606) in 109 games, extending records for the most victories and games played among BCL schools in the tournament all-time
Head Coach Pat Clatchey earned his ninth Baltimore Catholic League Tournament title for Mount St. Joseph, that extended his league record among coaches.
Clatchey extended his BCL record with his 20th regular-season (11) or BCL Tournament title (9) of his career at Mount St. Joseph.
Clatchey improved his BCLT record to 49-22 (.690) in 71 games. The 49 BCLT victories and 71 total BCLT games extended his records in those categories.
Clatchey improved his BCLT championship record to 9-7, 1-0 vs. SMG.
Mount St. Joseph improved its BCLT record vs. St. Maria Goretti to 5-4 and won its second-straight game in the BCLT series over the Goretti Gaels.

52ND BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT

(Decker Sports and Recreation Center Arena; Goucher College)

Friday, March 3

First Round

3 St. Frances 57, 6 Archbishop Spalding 55

2 St. Maria Goretti 56, 7 Loyola 51

1 Mount St. Joseph 73, 8 Calvert Hall 59

4 Mount Carmel 79, 5 John Carroll 63

Saturday, March 4

Semifinals

1 Mount St. Joseph 69, 4 Mount Carmel 59

2 St. Maria Goretti 68, 3 St. Frances 62

Sunday, March 5

Championship

1 Mount St. Joseph 59, 2 St. Maria Goretti 50

2023 BCL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Carlton Carrington Jr., St. Frances

Caleb Embeya, St. Maria Goretti

Tyonne Farrell, Mount St. Joseph

Jahsan Johnson, St. Maria Goretti

Ace Valentine, Mount St. Joseph

John M Plevyak Most Valuable Player Award

Amani Hansberry, Mount St. Joseph

Sportsmanship Award

Omarion Reid, Mount Carmel

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March 5, 2023

STATEMENT FROM THE BCL ON THE PASSING OF COACH DAN POPERA

BALTIMORE – Former Archbishop Curley head coach Dan Popera passed away overnight.

Dan was recognized in 2022 as a Archbishop Curley Cornerstone Day honoree. According to the bio provided for the event, "Mr. Popera joined the Curley faculty in 1974, and retired in 2012 after 38 years of service. Mr. Popera served as a business teacher, and is perhaps best remembered for the many students he prepared for careers in accounting. At various times, he also served as business department chairperson. Mr. Popera also had a long tenure as Curley's varsity basketball coach, filling that role from 1974 to 1999. Mr. Popera was honored as Curley's Teacher of the Year in 1996. Since retiring, Mr. Popera has been a regular visitor to the school, attending functions and particularly cheering on the basketball team."

The BCL released a statement about Coach Popera, who coached in the BCL for 19 seasons as Curley, and continued to remain involved with the league after his retirement:

"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 following 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." --Baltimore Catholic League

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March 5, 2023

52ND BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREVIEW

No. 2 seed St. Maria Goretti (27-6; 12-2 BCL) vs.

No. 1 seed Mount St. Joseph (37-4; 13-1 BCL)

Sunday, March 5 – 3 pm – Decker SRC Arena (Goucher College)

BALTIMORE – It will be No. 1 vs. No. 2 for the 31st time in the Baltimore Catholic League Tournament championship game history – the No. 2 St. Maria Goretti Gaels (27-6 overall; 12-2 in BCL), playing the BCL title game for the first time since 2019, and the No. 1 seed Mount St. Joseph Gaels (37-4 overall, 13-1 BCL), the defending BCLT champions. Goretti was the only BCL team to beat Mount St. Joseph in regular-season BCL play, and the teams meet in the BCLT title game for the first time. The BCL Championship game is set for 3 pm at Goucher College’s Decker SRC Arena, home to the title game for the 11th time in the event’s history.

In the preliminary game for the junior varsity championship, No. 2 seed St. Maria Goretti will face No. 1 seed Calvert Hall for the title at 1 pm.

Tickets ($15 for adults/$10 for HS students with ID) are available at bclbasketball.com/bclt-tickets.

2023 BCL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

2 St. Maria Goretti vs. 1 Mount St. Joseph – 3 pm

2023 BCLT First Round Results: SMG 56, Loyola 51; MSJ 73, Calvert Hall 59

2023 BCLT Semifinal Results: SMG 68, St. Frances 62; MSJ 69, Mount Carmel 59

2022-23 BCL Meetings: Teams split the season series 1-1. St. Maria Goretti won 54-52 (Jan. 11 at SMG), and Mount St. Joseph won 54-53 (Feb. 15 at MSJ).

BCL Tournament Series: The series is tied 4-4, and MSJ won the last BCLT meeting against SMG (MSJ 52, SMG 47 – 2/26/20 – First Round; last SMG victory in the BCLT series – SMG 64, MSJ 54 – 3/1/19 - Semifinals)

BCLT Championship Appearances: SMG – 7th appearance (4-2 in championship games); MSJ – BCL record-extending 19th appearance (8-10 in championship games)

Last BCLT Championship: SMG – 2001 (SMG 59, Towson Catholic 53 – 3/4/01); MSJ – 2022 (MSJ 66, St. Frances 56 – 3/6/22)

Previous BCLT Championship Game Meetings: First meeting between St. Maria Goretti and Mount St. Joseph in the BCLT championship game.

BCLT Championship Game Record by Seed: No. 1 seeds are 33-11 (last champion – St. Frances 2020); No. 2 seeds are 13-23 (last No. 2 champion – Mount St. Joseph 2022)

No. 1 vs. No. 2: No. 1 seeds are 22-8 vs. No. 2 seeds in the BCLT championship game (last No. 1 seed to win – St. Frances 81, Mount St. Joseph 65 – 3/1/20; last No. 2 seed to win – (Mount St. Joseph 66, St. Frances 56 – 3/6/22)

Coaches in BCLT: MSJ-Pat Clatchey (48-22 in 31 seasons with 8 titles at MSJ; his 70 games and 48 victories are most in BCLT history among coaches); SMG-Sidney McCray (4-4 in 5 seasons at SMG; looking for his first title).

Coaches in BCLT Championship Game: Clatchey (8-7 in 15 appearances). McCray (0-1; SMG lost to St. Frances in 2019).

What follows below is a list of “what if’s” for each of the two teams in the finals.

BCL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME "WHAT IF'S"

If No. 2 seed St. Maria Goretti wins ...

The Goretti Gaels would go to the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament next weekend with a 28-6 record and their first BCL Tournament title since 2001.
St. Maria Goretti would win its fifth BCL Tournament title (1985, 1986, 1987, 2001, 2023).
The Gaels would improve the record of No. 2 seeds in the BCLT title game to 14-23 (.378).
St. Maria Goretti would improve their all-time BCLT record to 23-36 (.390).
Head Coach Sidney McCray would earn his first tournament title, the 16th coach in BCL history to lead a team to the BCLT title. McCray would be the first coach to earn his first BCLT championship since John Carroll’s Seth Goldberg in 2021.
McCray would improve his BCLT championship record to 1-1, 1-0 vs. MSJ.
McCray would improve his BCL Tournament record to 5-4 (.556).
St. Maria Goretti would improve their BCLT record over Mount St. Joseph to 5-4 all-time.
St. Maria Goretti would be 1-0 against the Gaels in BCL Tournament championship games.
The Goretti Gaels (28-6 overall) would have the most overall victories since a 30-8 mark in Sidney McCray’s first season as head coach at SMG in 2018-19.

If No. 1 seed Mount St. Joseph wins ...

The Gaels would finish their season with a 38-4 overall record. The Gaels would tie the MSJ school record for victories with 38, set in 2005-06 (38-1). MSJ would also tie the 2005-06 MSJ Gaels and the 2019-20 St. Frances Panthers (38-4) for the most overall season victories in BCL history (1971-72 to present).
The Gaels would win 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 over 52 overall BCL Tournaments.
MSJ would be the 34th No. 1 seed to win the BCL title, and the first since St. Frances in 2020.
The Gaels would improve the record of No. 1 seeds in the BCLT title game to 34-11 (.618).
Mount St. Joseph would improve its all-time BCLT record to 66-43 (.606) in 109 games, extending records for the most victories and games played among BCL schools in the tournament all-time
Head Coach Pat Clatchey would earn his ninth Baltimore Catholic League Tournament title for Mount St. Joseph, which would extend his league record among coaches.
Clatchey would extend his BCL record with his 20th regular-season (11) or BCL Tournament title (9) of his career at Mount St. Joseph.
Clatchey would improve his BCLT record to 49-22 (.690) in 71 games. The 49 BCLT victories and 71 total BCLT games would extend his records in those categories.
Clatchey would improve his BCLT championship record to 9-7, 1-0 vs. SMG.
Mount St. Joseph would improve its BCLT record vs. St. Maria Goretti to 5-4 and win its second-straight game in the BCLT series over the Goretti Gaels.

The winner of the Baltimore Catholic League Tournament receives possession of the Brother D. John Smith FSC Memorial Trophy, named for the second president of the BCL from 1973-76 who served as the athletic director at Calvert Hall. After the championship game, the five-member All-Tournament Team will be announced, and the BCL Tournament MVP will receive the John M. Plevyak Most Valuable Player Award, named for the longtime Mount St. Joseph athletic director who was instrumental in the founding of the BCL. The traditional Sportsmanship Award will also be handed out.

52ND BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT

(Decker Sports and Recreation Center Arena; Goucher College)

Friday, March 3

First Round

3 St. Frances 57, 6 Archbishop Spalding 55

2 St. Maria Goretti 56, 7 Loyola 51

1 Mount St. Joseph 73, 8 Calvert Hall 59

4 Mount Carmel 79, 5 John Carroll 63

Saturday, March 4

Semifinals

1 Mount St. Joseph 69, 4 Mount Carmel 59

2 St. Maria Goretti 68, 3 St. Frances 62

Sunday, March 5

Championship

2 St. Maria Goretti vs. 1 Mount St. Joseph - 3 pm

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March 5, 2023

52ND BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT SET FOR MARCH 3-5

2022-23 BCL regular season champ and defending BCLT champ Mount St. Joseph lead the eight-team field

BALTIMORE – After an eventful 56-game regular season with tremendous individual and team performances that ended with Mount St Joseph capturing its 11th BCL regular-season title, the eight Baltimore Catholic League schools will gather to play the 52nd-annual Baltimore Catholic League Tournament over three days, starting Friday, March 3 at the Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena on the campus of Goucher College. At 52 consecutive years, the BCL Tournament is the current longest-running boys’ postseason tourney in the state.

The first round has four games on March 3 at 3:00, 4:45, 6:30 and 8:15 pm. The semifinals are Saturday, March 4 with two games at 5:00 and 7:00 pm. Sunday, March 5, the junior varsity championship is set for 1:00 pm, and the BCL will crown the varsity tournament champion for the 11th time at Goucher with the title game at 3:00 pm.

Tickets for each day of the tournament are available by clicking the link on the front page of BCLBasketball.com or directly at spicket.events/bcl-tournament. Beginning March 3, tickets each day will be $15 per day for adults, and $10 for high school students (show valid student ID at the gate). Grade school and younger children receive free admission.

A tradition in Baltimore since the first tournament at the then-Essex Community College in 1972, the Baltimore Catholic League Tournament features the current eight-team lineup of Archbishop Spalding, Calvert Hall, John Carroll, Loyola, Mount Carmel, Mount St. Joseph, St. Frances and St. Maria Goretti.

Calvert Hall, Loyola and Mount St. Joseph have participated in all 52 seasons and tournaments in the league’s history. St. Maria Goretti played in the 1983 and 1984 BCLT before joining the league as a full member in 1984-85. St. Frances became a BCL member school in 1988-89. Archbishop Spalding, an invited participant in the 1977 and 1978 BCL Tournaments when the school was known as Martin Spalding, became a league member in 1997-98. John Carroll, an invited participant in the 1974 BCLT, became a BCL member in 2010-11. Mount Carmel brought the BCL membership back to the current eight teams when it was added for the 2011-12 season.

The winner of the Baltimore Catholic League Tournament receives possession of the Brother D. John Smith FSC Memorial Trophy, named for the second president of the BCL from 1973-76 who served as the athletic director at Calvert Hall. The BCL Tournament MVP receives the John M. Plevyak Most Valuable Player Award, named for the longtime Mount St. Joseph athletic director who was instrumental in the founding of the BCL.

As for the 2023 tournament, the first round opens at 3 pm when No. 6 seed Archbishop Spalding (4-10 BCL; 15-17 overall) takes on No. 3 seed St. Frances (11-3 BCL; 28-10 overall). Spalding will look to win the program’s first BCL tourney title since 2002 and the program’s fourth overall. Cavaliers’ fourth-year head coach Josh Pratt looks to become the second coach in BCL history to win the tourney at two different schools (Towson Catholic, 2007). St. Frances 12th-year head coach Nicholas Myles looks to bring the Panthers back to a tourney title for a record 11th time and the first since 2020. SFA captured the MIAA A Conference title last weekend over Mount St. Joseph. This will be the eighth meeting between the schools in the BCLT, and St. Frances holds a 4-3 advantage over the Cavaliers in the tournament series. During the regular season, the Panthers swept both games over Spalding.

The first game features Archbishop Spalding sophomore Malik Washington, a 2022-23 All-BCL second team choice and three St. Frances All-BCL players with senior first-teamers Carlton Carrington Jr., and Jahnathan Lamothe along with second-team sophomore choice Tyler Jackson.

The 4:45 pm game has No. 7 seed Loyola (3-11 BCL; 11-14) taking on No. 2 seed St. Maria Goretti (12-2 BCL; 25-6 overall). Loyola, under 18th-year head coach Josh Davalli, looks to win the BCLT for the sixth time, and the Dons’ first since 1978. St. Maria Goretti, under fifth-year coach and the BCL’s O. Ray Mullis Coach of the Year winner Sidney McCray, hopes to take home the title for the fifth time and the Gaels’ first since 2001. This will be the ninth tourney meeting between the schools, and St. Maria Goretti holds a 5-3 edge over the Dons in the BCLT series. During the 2022-23 season, the Gaels won both meetings over the Dons.

The Loyola-St. Maria Goretti game features a pair of Dons’ BCL honorable mention players in J’Lin Brown and Mason Ellison, while Goretti counters with Mark Amatucci Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-BCL junior Caleb Embeya, junior Najeh Allen, the league’s Cokey Robertson Most Improved Player of the Year winner and second-team All-BCL performer, and senior Dionte Alexander, a first-team All-BCL player.

At 6:30 pm, eight-time and defending 2022 tournament winner and 2022-23 regular-season champion Mount St. Joseph (13-1 BCL; 35-4 overall), led by the dean of BCL coaches, Pat Clatchey, who is in his 31st season leading the Gaels and who moved into third place all-time among Maryland boys’ high school coaches in victories, plays No. 8 Calvert Hall (2-12 BCL; 19-17 overall), under second-year coach Gary Neal, who engineered one of the biggest turnarounds in recent years from 10-21 a year ago. The Cardinals have won seven BCLT championships, the last in 2015. This will be the 17th BCLT meeting between the schools, and the Cardinals hold a 9-7 edge. The Gaels won both meetings over the Cardinals in 2022-23.

The Calvert Hall-Mount St. Joseph game features Cardinals junior Brendan Johnson, a second-team All-BCL player and a pair of honorable mention players in Jonah Biggers and Tyrin Bizzelle. Mount St. Joseph is paced by the defending 2022 BCLT MVP and 2022-23 Jerry Savage Player of the Year in senior Amani Hansberry. The Gaels also first-team All-BCL senior Ace Valentine and honorable mention performer Tyonne Farrell.

The final game of the first round at 8:15 pm has No. 5 seed and three-time BCLT champion John Carroll (5-9 BCL; 14-17) under fifth-year head coach Seth Goldberg, takes on No. 4 seed Mount Carmel (6-8 BCL; 19-15), under fifth-year coach Trevor Quinn, looking for the Cougars’ first BCLT title. John Carroll 2-0 against Mount Carmel all-time in the BCLT, and Mount Carmel swept the season series from the Patriots.

The John Carroll-Mount Carmel game features JC’s 2021 BCLT MVP and 2022-23 second-team All-BCL senior Jeannot Basima, while Mount Carmel counters with second-team junior Andrew Dixon and honorable mention performer Omarion Reid.

The first-round winners will meet in the semifinals Saturday, March 4. The winners of the 5/4 and 8/1 games will play at 5:00 pm, and the winners of the 6/3 and 7/2 games will meet at 7:00 pm. Championship Sunday, March 5 will have two games. The junior varsity title game between St. Maria Goretti and Calvert Hall will be at 1:00 pm, and the 52nd BCL varsity tournament championship between the semifinal winners is set for 3:00 pm.

2023 BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT

(Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena; Goucher College)

Friday, March 3

First Round

6 Archbishop Spalding vs. 3 St. Frances – 3 pm

7 Loyola vs. 2 St. Maria Goretti – 4:45 pm

8 Calvert Hall vs. 1 Mount St. Joseph – 6:30 pm

5 John Carroll vs. 4 Mount Carmel – 8:15 pm

Saturday, March 4

Semifinals

5/4 winner vs. 8/1 winner – 5:00 pm

6/3 winner vs. 7/2 winner – 7:00 pm

Sunday, March 5

Championship

JV Championship (St. Maria Goretti vs. Calvert Hall) – 1:00 pm

Varsity Championship – 3:00 pm

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February 20, 2023

MOUNT ST. JOSEPH’S HANSBERRY NAMED BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE’S 2022-23 PLAYER OF THE YEAR

St. Maria Goretti’s McCray (Coach of the Year); Embeya (Defensive POY) and Allen (Most Improved POY) honored; All-BCL Teams selected

BALTIMORE – Mount St. Joseph senior Amani Hansberry, who averaged 17.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, shot 63 percent from the floor and 42 percent from 3-point range, is the Baltimore Catholic League’s Jerry Savage Player of the Year Award winner for the 2022-23 season.

FULL LIST HERE (PDF)

St. Maria Goretti coach Sidney McCray, who led the Gaels to a second-place finish in the BCL with a 12-2 league record and a current 24-6 overall record – the most victories for Goretti since the 2018-19 season – earned his first O. Ray Mullis Coach of the Year Award.

Goretti players also earned two other BCL Superlative Awards as junior Caleb Embeya was selected as the BCL’s Mark Amatucci Defensive Player of the Year Award winner, and senior Najeh Allen was tabbed as the league’s Cokey Robertson Most Improved Player of the Year Award recipient.

Hansberry, a first-team All-BCL choice last season and the 2022 BCL Tournament MVP, is the 11th Savage Player of the Year winner from Mount St. Joseph – the first for the Gaels since James Bishop in 2018-19.

McCray was named Mullis Coach of the Year for the first time in his career at St. Maria Goretti. The Gaels opened the season 9-0, and Goretti was the only team to defeat regular-season champion Mount St. Joseph during the BCL schedule. St. Maria Goretti is the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Baltimore Catholic League Tournament.

Embeya averaged 13.9 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game for St. Maria Goretti. He is the first Goretti player to receive the Amatucci Defensive Player of the Year award.

Allen averaged 12.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, shot 47 percent from the floor and 40 percent from 3-point range for St. Maria Goretti. He is the second Gaels player to earn the Robertson Most Improved Player of the Year Award, joining Tyrus Fleetwood (2012-13).

The 2022-23 All-BCL first team includes St. Frances senior Carlton Carrington, Mount St. Joseph senior Ace Valentine, St. Frances senior Jahnathan Lamothe, Embeya and St. Maria Goretti senior Dionte Alexander.

The All-BCL second team consists of John Carroll senior Jeannot Basima, St. Frances sophomore Tyler Jackson, Archbishop Spalding sophomore Malik Washington, Calvert Hall junior Brendan Johnson, Mount Carmel junior Andrew Dixon and Allen.

Six other players received honorable mention recognition: J’Lin Brown (Loyola), Tyonne Farrell (Mount St. Joseph), Jonah Biggers (Calvert Hall), Mason Ellison (Loyola), Tyrin Bizzelle (Calvert Hall) and Omarion Reid (Mount Carmel).

The BCL also announced the winners of the Dave Kropfelder Never, Never Quit Awards for each school, as selected by their coach. The honorees for 2022-23 are: Damien Wilburn (Archbishop Spalding), Troy Tinch (Calvert Hall), Miles Smith (John Carroll), Ryder Drew (Loyola), Tyler Lewis (Mount Carmel), Sean Clark (Mount St. Joseph), Joede Mebane (St. Frances) and Pascal Echibe (St. Maria Goretti).

The 52nd Baltimore Catholic League Tournament is set for March 3-5 at the Decker Sports and Recreation Center Arena on the campus of Goucher College. In the first round Friday, March 3, No. 6 seed Archbishop Spalding plays No. 3 seed St. Frances at 3 pm, No. 7 seed Loyola takes on No. 2 seed St. Maria Goretti at 4:45 pm, No. 8 seed Calvert Hall matches up against No. 1 seed Mount St. Joseph at 6:30 pm and No. 5 seed John Carroll meets No. 4 seed Mount Carmel at 8:15 pm. The semifinal round is Saturday, March 4 with the 5/4 winner playing the 8/1 winner at 5 pm and the 6/3 winner taking on the 7/2 winner at 7 pm. Championship Sunday, March 5 has the junior varsity championship at 1 pm, and the 52nd varsity championship game at 3 pm. Tickets for each day of the tournament go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 21. Visit bclbasketball.com for ticket information and to order starting Feb. 21.

2022-23 BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE

ALL-LEAGUE TEAMS

Jerry Savage Player of the Year Award

Amani Hansberry – Mount St. Joseph – Senior

FIRST TEAM

Name, School (Class)

Carlton Carrington, St. Frances (Senior)

Ace Valentine, Mount St. Joseph (Senior)

Jahnathan Lamothe, St. Frances (Senior)

Caleb Embeya, St. Maria Goretti (Junior)

Dionte Alexander, St. Maria Goretti (Senior)

SECOND TEAM

Name, School (Class)

Jeannot Basima, John Carroll (Senior)

Tyler Jackson, St. Frances (Sophomore)

Malik Washington, Archbishop Spalding (Sophomore)

Brendan Johnson, Calvert Hall (Junior)

Andrew Dixon, Mount Carmel (Junior)

Najeh Allen, St. Maria Goretti (Senior)

Honorable Mention: J’Lin Brown, Loyola; Tyonne Farrell, Mount St. Joseph; Jonah Biggers, Calvert Hall; Mason Ellison, Loyola; Tyrin Bizzelle, Calvert Hall; Omarion Reid, Mount Carmel

Mark Amatucci Defensive Player of the Year Award

Caleb Embeya, St. Maria Goretti

Cokey Robertson Most Improved Player of the Year Award

Najeh Allen, St. Maria Goretti

O. Ray Mulls Coach of the Year Award

Sidney McCray, St. Maria Goretti

Dave Kropfelder Never, Never Quit Awards:

Damien Wilburn, Archbishop Spalding

Troy Tinch, Calvert Hall

Miles Smith, John Carroll

Ryder Drew, Loyola

Tyler Lewis, Mount Carmel

Sean Clark, Mount St. Joseph

Joede Mebane, St. Frances

Pascal Echibe, St. Maria Goretti

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January 31, 2023

2023 BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT SET FOR MARCH 3-5

AT GOUCHER COLLEGE

BCL returns to single-site tournament format for first time since 2016

BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Catholic League will play its’ 52nd-annual BCL Tournament at the Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena on the campus of Goucher College on Friday, March 3, Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5, 2023, BCL Commissioner Jack Degele announced today.

The league returns to a single-site tournament format for the first time since 2016, as the BCL held first-round games at campus sites before playing the semifinals and championship game at a neutral site the last six seasons. The venue is familiar to BCL fans, as Decker Arena last played host in 2018, and the facility welcomes the tournament for the 11th time in BCLT history (1996-98, 2000-04 and 2017-18). A total of 61 BCLT games and 10 championship games have been played in Decker Arena, both third most in tournament history.

Game times for the first round on Friday, March 3 are 3:00 pm, 4:45 pm, 6:30 pm and 8:15 pm. The semifinals on Saturday, March 4 are set for 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Sunday, March 5, the BCL will hold the junior varsity championship game at 1:00 pm, and the 52nd BCL Tournament varsity championship game at 3:00 pm.

“The BCL Tournament is a great tradition in Baltimore prep basketball, and we are appreciative to the athletic administration at Goucher College for working with us to accommodate our entire tournament schedule this year,” said BCL Commissioner Jack Degele. “We strive for all our student-athletes to play in our postseason tournament on a college campus every season, and Decker Arena will provide a great atmosphere for our schools, players, fans and students during the entire weekend. We were also able to return the JV title game to the Championship Sunday schedule, so fans can watch some of the next group of varsity players in action.”

The Baltimore Catholic League Tournament is the current longest-running boys’ postseason tournament in the State of Maryland going into its 52nd edition in 2023.

Additional details, including ticket information, will be released by the league later, and all 2023 BCL Tournament info can be found at BCLBasketball.com.

2023 BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT

Decker Sports and Recreation Center Arena; Goucher College

Friday, March 3

First Round

3:00, 4:45, 6:30 and 8:15 pm

Saturday, March 4

Semifinals

5:00 and 7:00 pm

Sunday, March 5

Championship

JV Championship: 1:00 pm; Varsity Championship: 3:00 pm

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March 29, 2022

WHITMORE STARS IN 2022 McDONALD'S ALL AMERICAN GAME

CHICAGO - Archbishop Spalding's Cam Whitmore, the 2021-22 Baltimore Catholic League Jerry Savage Player of the Year and a Villanova commitment, led the East squad with a game-high tying 19 points and a team-high eight rebounds to go with five assists as the East team beat the West team 105-81 in the 2022 McDonald's All American game at Wintrust Arena.

Whitmore did his work off the bench in 19:28 of playing time. The Cavaliers star also had two steals and a block. He was 9-15 from the floor in the contest.

Whitmore was the 13th BCL player to participate in the McDonald's All American game, and the second player from Archbishop Spalding to play in the showcase game. Other BCL stars who have played in the McDonald's game include Peter Budko (Loyola, 1977), Anthony Guy (Loyola, 1978), Quintin Dailey (Cardinal Gibbons, 1979), Duane Ferrell (Calvert Hall, 1984), Rodney Walker (Cardinal Gibbons, 1985), Rodney Monroe (St. Maria Goretti, 1987), Steve Wojciechowski (Cardinal Gibbons, 1994), Mark Karcher (St. Frances, 1997), Rudy Gay (Archbishop Spalding, 2004), Donte Greene (Towson Catholic, 2007), Immanuel Quickley (John Carroll, 2018), and Jalen Smith (Mount St. Joseph, 2018).

BCL News

March 5, 2023

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2023 BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

NO. 1 SEED MOUNT ST. JOSEPH 59, NO. 2 SEED ST. MARIA GORETTI 50

MSJ Gaels claim 9th BCL Tournament title by beating Goretti Gaels behind 17 points and 21 rebounds by MVP Amani Hansberry

BALTIMORE – No. 1 seed and nationally ranked Mount St. Joseph claimed its ninth Baltimore Catholic League Tournament title as the Gaels defeated No. 2 seed St. Maria Goretti 59-50 in the championship game in Goucher College’s Decker SRC Arena.

The 38 overall victories tied MSJ’s school record and the BCL record held by the 2005-06 MSJ Gaels (38-1) and the 2019-20 St. Frances Panthers (38-4). Goretti (27-7) was trying to win its first BCLT title since 2001.

MSJ dominated inside as they outscored Goretti 40-16 in the paint. Goretti was effective from the outside with six three-pointers.

MSJ victory improved the record of No. 1 seeds against No. 2 seeds in the BCLT title game to 23-8 all-time.

St. Frances’ Carlton Carrington Jr. also was named to the All-Tournament team, while Mount Carmel’s Omarion Reid was the Sportsmanship Award winner.

St. Maria Goretti will be BCL’s lone representative to the 61st Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament next week in Frostburg, Md.

Below are notes on Mount St. Joseph’s BCLT victory:

The Gaels finish their season with a 38-4 overall record. The Gaels tied the MSJ school record for victories with 38, set in 2005-06 (38-1). MSJ tied the 2005-06 MSJ Gaels and the 2019-20 St. Frances Panthers (38-4) for the most overall season victories in BCL history (1971-72 to present).

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 (9-10) over 52 overall BCL Tournaments.

MSJ is the 34th No. 1 seed to win the BCL title, and the first since St. Frances in 2020.

The Gaels improved the record of No. 1 seeds in the BCLT title game to 34-11 (.618).

Mount St. Joseph improved its all-time BCLT record to 66-43 (.606) in 109 games, extending records for the most victories and games played among BCL schools in the tournament all-time

Head Coach Pat Clatchey earned his ninth Baltimore Catholic League Tournament title for Mount St. Joseph, that extended his league record among coaches.

Clatchey extended his BCL record with his 20th regular-season (11) or BCL Tournament title (9) of his career at Mount St. Joseph.

Clatchey improved his BCLT record to 49-22 (.690) in 71 games. The 49 BCLT victories and 71 total BCLT games extended his records in those categories.

Clatchey improved his BCLT championship record to 9-7, 1-0 vs. SMG.

Mount St. Joseph improved its BCLT record vs. St. Maria Goretti to 5-4 and won its second-straight game in the BCLT series over the Goretti Gaels.

52ND BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT

(Decker Sports and Recreation Center Arena; Goucher College)

Friday, March 3

First Round

3 St. Frances 57, 6 Archbishop Spalding 55

2 St. Maria Goretti 56, 7 Loyola 51

1 Mount St. Joseph 73, 8 Calvert Hall 59

4 Mount Carmel 79, 5 John Carroll 63

Saturday, March 4

Semifinals

1 Mount St. Joseph 69, 4 Mount Carmel 59

2 St. Maria Goretti 68, 3 St. Frances 62

Sunday, March 5

Championship

1 Mount St. Joseph 59, 2 St. Maria Goretti 50

2023 BCL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Carlton Carrington Jr., St. Frances

Caleb Embeya, St. Maria Goretti

Tyonne Farrell, Mount St. Joseph

Jahsan Johnson, St. Maria Goretti

Ace Valentine, Mount St. Joseph

John M Plevyak Most Valuable Player Award

Amani Hansberry, Mount St. Joseph

Sportsmanship Award

Omarion Reid, Mount Carmel

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March 5, 2023

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STATEMENT FROM THE BCL ON THE PASSING OF COACH DAN POPERA

BALTIMORE – Former Archbishop Curley head coach Dan Popera passed away overnight.

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March 5, 2023

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52ND BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREVIEW

No. 2 seed St. Maria Goretti (27-6; 12-2 BCL) vs.

No. 1 seed Mount St. Joseph (37-4; 13-1 BCL)

Sunday, March 5 – 3 pm – Decker SRC Arena (Goucher College)

In the preliminary game for the junior varsity championship, No. 2 seed St. Maria Goretti will face No. 1 seed Calvert Hall for the title at 1 pm.

Tickets ($15 for adults/$10 for HS students with ID) are available at bclbasketball.com/bclt-tickets.

2023 BCL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

2 St. Maria Goretti vs. 1 Mount St. Joseph – 3 pm

2023 BCLT First Round Results: SMG 56, Loyola 51; MSJ 73, Calvert Hall 59

2023 BCLT Semifinal Results: SMG 68, St. Frances 62; MSJ 69, Mount Carmel 59

2022-23 BCL Meetings: Teams split the season series 1-1. St. Maria Goretti won 54-52 (Jan. 11 at SMG), and Mount St. Joseph won 54-53 (Feb. 15 at MSJ).

BCL Tournament Series: The series is tied 4-4, and MSJ won the last BCLT meeting against SMG (MSJ 52, SMG 47 – 2/26/20 – First Round; last SMG victory in the BCLT series – SMG 64, MSJ 54 – 3/1/19 - Semifinals)

BCLT Championship Appearances: SMG – 7th appearance (4-2 in championship games); MSJ – BCL record-extending 19th appearance (8-10 in championship games)

Last BCLT Championship: SMG – 2001 (SMG 59, Towson Catholic 53 – 3/4/01); MSJ – 2022 (MSJ 66, St. Frances 56 – 3/6/22)

Previous BCLT Championship Game Meetings: First meeting between St. Maria Goretti and Mount St. Joseph in the BCLT championship game.

BCLT Championship Game Record by Seed: No. 1 seeds are 33-11 (last champion – St. Frances 2020); No. 2 seeds are 13-23 (last No. 2 champion – Mount St. Joseph 2022)

No. 1 vs. No. 2: No. 1 seeds are 22-8 vs. No. 2 seeds in the BCLT championship game (last No. 1 seed to win – St. Frances 81, Mount St. Joseph 65 – 3/1/20; last No. 2 seed to win – (Mount St. Joseph 66, St. Frances 56 – 3/6/22)

Coaches in BCLT: MSJ-Pat Clatchey (48-22 in 31 seasons with 8 titles at MSJ; his 70 games and 48 victories are most in BCLT history among coaches); SMG-Sidney McCray (4-4 in 5 seasons at SMG; looking for his first title).

Coaches in BCLT Championship Game: Clatchey (8-7 in 15 appearances). McCray (0-1; SMG lost to St. Frances in 2019).

What follows below is a list of “what if’s” for each of the two teams in the finals.

BCL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME "WHAT IF'S"

If No. 2 seed St. Maria Goretti wins ...

The Goretti Gaels would go to the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament next weekend with a 28-6 record and their first BCL Tournament title since 2001.

St. Maria Goretti would win its fifth BCL Tournament title (1985, 1986, 1987, 2001, 2023).