BOYS
Will Bowers
Archbishop Spalding, center
Bound for Maryland next fall, the 7-foot, 250-pound center should be the area's top post player. He was the only junior named All-Baltimore Catholic League after averaging 12.2 points and 6.0 rebounds last season. Bowers is athletic, a strong rebounder and shot blocker with good hands, passes well and can score inside or out.
Paul Frazier
Mervo, guard
A second-team All-Metro guard, the 6-3 Frazier led the Mustangs to the Class 4A semifinals as a junior last season. Smooth and quick, Frazier was the Mustangs' go-to guy, averaging 20.4 points. He scored 18 in a 74-41 loss in the state semifinal loss to eventual champion Eleanor Roosevelt.
Kyle Garrison
Lake Clifton, forward/center
The 6-8 senior is a powerful rebounder and shot-blocker in addition to being a scoring threat in the paint. Teaming up with Tavon Nelson, he will give the Lakers the city's top frontline. Garrison has signed with Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y.
Annapolis, center/forward
One of the top five rebounders to play at Annapolis, the 6-7 Johnson can take over a game inside with his strength and athleticism. A second-team All-Metro player last season as a junior, Johnson averaged 19.6 points and 12.7 rebounds for the 25-1 Panthers.
Tavon Nelson
Lake Clifton, forward/ center
A three-year starter, Nelson is the Lakers' other bookend looming near the glass with Garrison. The 6-8 Nelson has been averaging double digits in points and rebounds since his sophomore season, when he led the Lakers to the 4A state semifinals. He was a second-team All-Metro selection last season.
Laronja Owens
Annapolis, guard
Anne Arundel County's reigning Player of the Year, the 6-1 Owens became the first in school history to score 1,000 career points as a junior. The All-Metro choice creates and finishes scoring plays and drives the lane. He hit 44 percent of his three-pointers last season in averaging 23.4 points.
Matt Stevenson
Loch Raven, center
After never reaching his full potential because of injuries and other distractions at Towson Catholic, the 6-8 senior will close his career with the Raiders. He makes the 1A team an instant contender with his solid play inside coupled with his soft touch from the perimeter. He has signed to play at Drexel University.
Levi Stukes
Randallstown, guard
The 6-2 high-flyer averaged 27.9 points as a junior, which was second only to Tyler Smith, the All-Metro Player of the Year who led Douglass to the 3A state title. Stukes was named to the All-Metro team after leading the Rams to a 25-1 record.
Will Thomas
Mount St. Joseph, center
At times when he took games over last season, it was hard to believe the 6-6, 200-pound Thomas was only a sophomore. Maturity will make him a more consistent presence in the post as the Gaels make their run in the BCL.
Michael Thompson
Dunbar, center
The 6-9 senior holds the key to the Poets' success in the city Division I race and the 1A playoffs. He averaged 10.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 4.5 blocks last season.
Other notable players
Victor Abiamiri, Gilman; Shane Beccio, South Carroll; Jesse Brooks, Archbishop Spalding; Dereck Brooks, St. Frances; Ryan Carr, Westminster; Velmar Coleman, Walbrook; Elliott Devoe, Annapolis; Gus Durr, Spalding; Anthony Fair, Mount St. Joseph; Chester Frazier, Mervo; Rudy Gay, Archbishop Spalding; Adrian Gross, Southern-AA; Mitch Guest, Glen Burnie; Justin Holland, Southern-AA; Will Horne, Mount St. Joseph; Richie Jackson, River Hill; Pat Mahoney, Boys' Latin; Mo Martin, Calvert Hall; Wes McCoy, River Hill; Mike Popoko, McDonogh; Jeff Postell, St. Mary's; Sean Rozanski, Glenelg Country; Kevin Rowlette, Edgewood; Jamal Smith, Towson Catholic; Demetrick Walker, St. Frances; Leon Williams, Gibbons; Luke Wilson, Gilman.