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News & Photos

McDonogh Sports Teams Fare Well in Preseason Polls

The preseason polls were all part of the Baltimore Sun high school sports winter preview. The boys’ and girls’ swimming teams were also prominently featured in the preview, as well as several athletes from all the Eagles squads.

Junior Claire H. and sophomores Kelly P. and Anne-Marie B. will lead the girls’ squad, which is primed to be the top contender in the league along with rival Notre Dame Prep, the article said. While McDonogh finished first in the league last year, the two teams tied at the championship meet with 412 points apiece.

The preview also mentioned that the boys’ team, aided by junior Drew P. and senior Matt F., along with Mt. St. Joe, hope to upend Loyola for the MIAA league championship. The Dons have won ten consecutive titles.

The wrestling team, which will be neck-and-neck with Mt. St. Joe for the MIAA title, had two members listed in the “Wrestlers to Watch” section. Senior Ricky T., a four-year varsity member at the 145-pound category, returns as defending MIAA and private schools tournament champion. A new addition to the team, junior and Dematha transfer Cam W. was also on the list at the 130-pound category. Sophomores Joe B. (119 pounds), Bryn H. (140 pounds), and junior Rob W. (125 pounds) were listed as “Others to Watch.”

While the McDonogh boys’ basketball squad should be a contender in the MIAA conference, it will come up against stiff competition in defending champion and fourth-ranked Mt. St. Joe, as well as second-ranked St. Frances, fifth-ranked Archbishop Spalding, and 13th-ranked Calvert Hall. The senior trio of Justin D., Jon B., and Corey D. will be the backbone of team. Justin, who made the “Players to Watch” list, will return for his final season after averaging 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and four assists last year. He has committed to Wagner College on Long Island. Jon and Corey made the “Other Notable Players” list.

The boys’ indoor track team is already off to a fast start in its league. The team, led by sprinter Ravi S. and MIAA cross-country champion Tristam T., finished second at its first meet December 4 at Loyola. Mt. St. Joe (ranked second) won the meet and will be the Eagles’ top opponent.

New coach Tom Gizzi could be exactly what the girls’ basketball team needs to rejuvenate itself after two seasons of early exits in the playoffs. The team, a mixture of veterans Rachel B. and Dominique D., and young players like point guard Brittanie M., is poised to make a run for the IAAM title in a competitive league that features powerhouses top-ranked St. Frances and forth-ranked Roland Park.

The Sun high school sports preview is a special section in the paper published three times a year, at the beginning of the fall, winter, and spring seasons. The high school polls are published every Tuesday in-season. Determining the rankings is a collaborative effort, with high school sports writers and coaches contributing their input into the process.