Patterson senior Gary Blackston has averaged 17.5 points and 11.2 rebounds to help the Clippers (6-1) move into the No. 1 spot in The Baltimore Sun's Top 15 poll this week.
Oakland Mills senior Will Robinson Jr. had 60 points and 22 rebounds as the No. 9 Scorpions (6-2) beat Dulaney and McDonogh this weekend at the Oakland Mills Holiday Tournament, earning him Most Valuable Player honors.
Lake Clifton senior Gary Jefferson is putting up 17 points per game and pulling down seven rebounds per game to put the No. 7 Lakers (6-1) in position for a strong playoff run.
And at Edmondson, the No. 6 Red Storm is off to a 6-0 start and Keandre Cook is a big reason why.
All four are transfers in their first year at new schools. All four are displaying their fine basketball skills. And, most importantly, all are fitting in.
Lake Clifton coach Herman "Tree" Harried has been impressed with the high level of skills Jefferson has brought from Archbishop Spalding. But Harried has been more pleased with his leadership and the fact he's also excelling in the classroom as an honor roll student.
"He's just fit in and is a team player. It's not about him getting his, he's a very good teammate and very humble," Harried said.
When Robinson came to Oakand Mills from St. Frances, he was immediately thrust into the role as go-to player with fellow standout Mamadou Ndiaye sidelined for the first month of the season. Robinson quickly adapted, being named a co-captain and averaging 24.6 points per game. With Ndiaye back and nearing full speed, the Scorpions have one of the area's most dangerous one-two scoring combinations.
Coming from Joppatowne, Blackston got his first taste of what big-time Baltimore City basketball was like Dec. 19 when the Clippers beat Lake Clifton, 55-46. The versatile guard scored 22 points and added 16 rebounds to lead the way, but he was quick to praise the steady play of senior point guard Dereck Oliver after the effort.
Cook, who came to Edmondson from Northwestern, has been a perfect fit as a perimeter threat to go with the Red Storm's strong inside game featuring Kani Coles and Robert McClain.