Maryland
Top 25 Maryland Boys High School Basketball Rankings (12/4/2024)
As the 2024-25 high school basketball season tips off, Maryland is once again showcasing some of the most competitive and talented teams in the nation. From powerhouse private programs competing on the national stage to dominant public school squads chasing state championships, this year promises thrilling action across the board.
At the top of the rankings, Bullis School leads the pack with a star-studded roster, while Bishop McNamara and Georgetown Prep are poised to challenge for top honors. With standout players and championship aspirations, these 25 teams are set to make waves on and off the court this season.
Led by UCONN signee Eric Reibe, Adrian Stevens (Marquette) and Darren Moore (Stonehill), the Bulldogs are among the country’s finest and the favorite to repeat as Interstate Athletic Conference (IAC) champs.
The Mustangs look to challenge national heavyweights Gonzaga College (D.C.) and Paul VI Catholic (Va.) in the rugged Washington Catholic Athletic Conference with a young and talented roster led by Qayden Samuels, the top junior in Maryland.
The Little Hoyas will be Bullis’ biggest obstacle in the IAC with Division I recruits Akbar Waheed (Boston College), Tyler Garrett (Dartmouth), Carter Berg-McLean (Loyola), Patrick McDonough (Army) and Dylan Gassaway (Naval Academy).
After ending last season with the Maryland Private Schools Tournament crown, the Stags may be ready to return to prominence in the WCAC with senior wing Cole Bowser (Furman) and junior guard Ashton Meeks.
The defending Baltimore Catholic League Tournament champ Panthers will look to their backcourt, led by junior Jasiah Cannady to challenge for supremacy in the BCL and the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) A Conference.
The reigning MIAA A champ Gaels will rely on seniors Joe Green and Brandon Holmes (Towson signee) and junior guard BJ Ranson for another title run under legendary coach Pat Clatchey.
The Cougars, under second-year coach Tony Martin, are poised for a serious run at the MIAA A and BCL championships with a deep front court and seniors Rodney Scott and Mario Tatum in the backcourt.
Michigan State recruit Cam Ward, the state’s top senior, is back for the Lions who’ll seek a second straight Class 2A state championship.
The Eagles will challenge Mount Zion Prep in the Metro Private School Conference (MPCS) with senior post Bryce Adams and versatile junior Khalid Norcome.
With arguably the country’s sophomore in 6-foot-9 Baba Oladotun, the Bengals have designs on the Maryland Class 4A title this season.
The defending MPSC champ Warriors have one of the most talented rosters in Maryland with Maryland pledge Christian Jeffrey, Bobby Montgomery (Texas-El Paso) and Emmanuel Kanga (George Mason).
The Lions look to again challenge Sidwell Friends School (D.C.) in the Mid-Athletic Conference with Columbia commit Miles Franklin and junior guards Karon Bailey and Lawrence Brown.
The Dons will rely on a talented backcourt featuring senior Mason Ellison and juniors Jesse LeGree and Marlon Williams for a push at the MIAA A and Baltimore Catholic titles.
The Patriots will be a major factor in the MIAA A and the Baltimore Catholic League with senior Caden Chinnia-Falline and junior Aiden Able.
The Crusaders will be sparked by one of the more underrated talents in Maryland in 6-foot-5 do-it-all Gio Sanford.
With star Malik Washington graduating early to enroll at Maryland for football, the Cavaliers will look to Kam Carter and TJ Moultrie for another run at the top of the MIAA A and Baltimore Catholic League.
With Texas State commit Rob Fields and Jeff Exinor (Penn State football commit) back, the Eagles are poised to challenge for the MIAA A title.
The Cadets will look to go back-to-back as Class 4A state champions with seniors Emonte Hill and Dayvon Dorsey at the helm.
The Dragons may have the most talented roster in the MIAA A with Bucknell-bound guard Patrick Curtin and 6-foot-11 center Deng Jon.
The Wildebeests are the favorite to repeat as Potomac Valley Athletic Conference champions with seniors Jacob Cox and James Galant.
The Mustangs, featuring sophomore guard Keon Scott, look to get back to the Class 4A state semifinals.
The road to the Prince George’s County (Md.) crown will likely go through the Pumas, who will challenge for the Class 4A state championship.
The Black Knights are the team to beat in the Baltimore City league and will challenge for the Class 3A state title with New Mexico-bound Omarr Smith Jr.
With Davin Chandler, Tribe Wise and Zachary Baker back, the Seahawks are primed to get to the University of Maryland after a heartbreaking loss in the Class 3A state semifinals last season.
Senior point guard Darnell Dantzler Jr. looks to lead the Red Storm to another Class 1A state and Baltimore City championship.
Calling all outdoorsmen and women — Maryland’s Lower Shore is home to some of the best hiking, walking and running trails on the East Coast.
Here’s a closer look at four picturesque parks and preserves with nature trails in the Berlin, Salisbury and Ocean City area.
Assateague Island
Assateague Island offers a wide variety of paved and unpaved trails open for hiking and 37 miles of flat beach terrain for wandering and beachcombing. Assateague Island’s Maryland District features a Life of the Dunes trail, Life of the Forest trail, Life of the Marsh trail.
Furnace Town
Furnace Town is nestled between the Pocomoke State Forest and Nature Conservancy’s Nassawango Creek Preserve. The popular historical site offers three Nature Conservancy Trails, three Maryland Forest service Trails, and a 26-acre outdoor museum and recreation area.
Pemberton Historical Park
Pemberton Historical Park, a 262-acre area featuring a trail system, outdoor amphitheater and more, was created in the 1980s. The park offers 4.5 miles of nature trails for walking and hiking only, allowing visitors to explore wetlands, forests and more of the natural world.
Nassawango Creek Preserve
Nassawango Creek Preserve’s primeval forest has an abundance of bald cypress and black gum trees. Visitors are invited to indulge in its four trails, the Nassawango Joe, Prothonotary Warbler, Ron Wilson Memorial Trail and Leifer Trail, as well as self-guided audio tours.
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.
The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region.
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals’ first-round draft pick Chris Hacopian inked his first professional contract Wednesday, a moment made sweeter by the fact it was just a 30-minute drive from home to get to Nationals Park and put pen to paper.
The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region. He’s from Potomac, Maryland, and played his high school ball at Winston Churchill, where he was named the 2022 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2022 Washington Post All-Met selection.
According to MLB.com, Hacopian grew up a Nationals fan, admiring the likes of Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa and others. He also played his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Maryland, where his father Derek played before him, before transferring to Texas A&M for his junior season.
With the Aggies, Hacopian hit .319 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI across 42 games en route to being named First-Team All-Southeastern Conference and a Third-Team All-American by Baseball America, the Nationals said in a news release.
After inking his contract Wednesday, Hacopian donned his new jersey and ball cap and stepped onto D.C.’s beloved diamond as a part of the Nationals organization for the first time.
“That was so cool, oh my gosh. I’ve been in the stands like, 100 times, but being on the field is so different,” he said.
Hacopian was ranked 14th among MLB Draft prospects by MLB.com. The 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound second baseman boasted one of the best bats in college baseball, according to MLB.com, with excellent control over the strike zone and feel for the barrel, along with solid pop.
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The state said the five recently traveled together to “a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak.”
Maryland health officials confirmed five more measles cases, all in Carroll County.
“These individuals recently traveled together to a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak,” the state Department of Health said in a release.
The agency said others may have been exposed on the afternoon of July 13 in the emergency department waiting room at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster.
Another measles case recently prompted warnings from health officials in Maryland, Virginia and the District. On June 17, a Maryland resident traveled through Dulles International Airport and visited a D.C. urgent care clinic.
Measles is highly contagious. It can spread through the air through coughs, breathing, and sneezes. Early symptoms can include fevers of over 101 degrees, coughs, runny noses, watery eyes and face or body rashes.
It can take up to 21 days after exposure for the first symptoms to appear, and those who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles are especially vulnerable.
The five new measles cases in Maryland bring the state’s year-to-date total to nine. The state health department confirmed three cases in 2025, and one in each of the previous two years.
“All Marylanders should review potential exposure times, watch for symptoms, and confirm they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations,” the health department said.
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© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
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