Baltimore City College boys' basketball

Last updated

Baltimore City College boys' basketball
BCC Varsity Letter.png
Nickname Knights
ConferenceDistrict 9 [Baltimore City]
Division MPSSAA 3A [North]
LeagueIndependent [1896-1918]
MSA [1919-1992]
MPSSAA [1993-present]
ArenaB.C.C. Athletic Center
Capacity824
Location Baltimore, MD, US
Team colorsOrange and Black
Head coachOmarr Smith (8th season) Record: 136-32 (.808)
Championships(13) MSA Championships
1922, 1923, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1961, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970
(5) State Championships
2009, 2010, 2014, 2023, 2025
Conference titles(9) State Final Fours
1997, 1998, 1999, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2022, 2023, 2025
Division titles(2) City Championships
2014, 2023
Website bccathletics.com

The Baltimore City College boys' basketball team, known as the "Knights" or alternatively the "Collegians", is the high school basketball team representing Baltimore City College, a public college preparatory school located in Baltimore, Maryland, US. The school is commonly referred to as "City College", "City", or "B.C.C."

Contents

The program was officially established on January 3, 1896, when the school's general athletics committee voted to form its first varsity basketball team. [1] This makes Baltimore City College one of the oldest high schools in Maryland—and among the earliest in the United States—to sponsor the sport. [2] [3] [4]

From 1919 to 1992, the team competed in the Maryland Scholastic Association (MSA), winning 13 conference championships during that era (1922, 1923, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1961, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, and 1970). [5]

Since joining the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA), B.C.C. has won five state championships (2009, 2010, 2014, 2023, 2025) and compiled an overall record of 351–102 (.776) over the last 20 seasons. [6] The Knights have reached the MPSSAA state tournament semifinals nine times (1997, 1998, 1999, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2022, 2023, 2025), the third most among Baltimore public schools. [7]

B.C.C. has also won two Baltimore city championships (2014, 2023) and finished as district finalists in three other seasons (2011, 2024, 2025). [8] [9] [10] [11]

History

Program Origins and Early Years (1896–1912)

Fifth Regiment Armory hosted early City College basketball because the school lacked a gymnasium. Fifth Regiment Armory 1.JPG
Fifth Regiment Armory hosted early City College basketball because the school lacked a gymnasium.

In January 1896, the school formed its first basketball team, making City College one of the earliest secondary schools in Maryland to sponsor the sport. [12] Initially, the program competed in informal matches against club teams, college teams, and preparatory schools that existed at that time in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC, as no formal interscholastic league existed in Maryland at the time.

Early games were held at off-campus locations, including the Lyric Opera House and Fifth Regiment Armory, due to the school’s lack of a gymnasium. [13] The team was sometimes referred to as the “City Five” in local press, a reference to its five-man starting lineup. [14]

By the early 1900s, the basketball team had become a prominent feature of student life, regularly covered in The Collegian, the school newspaper. In 1905, under team captain Charles T. Crane, City completed an undefeated season against local interscholastic opponents and claimed an unofficial city championship. [15]

Although no state-level basketball association existed before World War I, City College's consistent interscholastic competition helped lay the groundwork for the creation of the Maryland Scholastic Association in 1919, of which the school would become a founding member. [16]

Maryland Scholastic Association era (1919-1992)

The 1963 MSA Conference championship team pose for a photo with then-head coach Jerry Phipps. BCCMSAChampionshipTeamPhoto1963.jpg
The 1963 MSA Conference championship team pose for a photo with then-head coach Jerry Phipps.

In 1919, B.C.C. president Dr. Phillip H. Edwards helped establish the MSA, with City College joining as a founding member. [17] The program captured 12 conference championships as MSA members (1922, 1923, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1961, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969).

Between 1960 and 1968, George Howard “Jerry” Phipps led the school through one of the most successful eras in program history. As head coach, Phipps earned a record of 133-27 (.831), five MSA championships (1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967), and a 40-game consecutive win streak between 1966 and 1967. [18] The 1967 team posted its second of back-to-back perfect seasons and was led to the MSA tournament championship by team captain and eventual BPD commissioner Leonard Hamm, . [19]

Eugene Parker became the first Black faculty member in school history in 1954. Parker replaced Phipps as head coach in 1969 and guided the team to the MSA conference championship in his first season at the helm. [18] He also won a MSA co-championship in 1970. [20] After 73 years of membership, the school withdrew from the MSA to join the MPSSAA in 1993. [21]

Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association era (1993–present)

City College boys' basketball has won five MPSSAA state championships (2009, 2010, 2014, 2023, 2025). [22] [23]

The Knights have reached the MPSSAA state tournament semifinals nine times (1997, 1998, 1999, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2022, 2023), third most all-time among Baltimore City public schools. [24]

Wayne Cook, who had led the program since 1989, remained head coach during City’s early MPSSAA years. Under Cook, the Knights posted back-to-back 10–10 seasons in 1993–94 and 1994–95, followed by a 10–12 campaign in 1995–96. [25] [26] He was succeeded by Daryl Wade, who was hired for the 1996–97 campaign. [27]

Wade quickly revitalized the program, guiding City to its first-ever MPSSAA state semifinal in 1997 and repeat appearances in 1998 and 1999. The team finished 15–10 in 1996–97, 16–12 in 1997–98, and 9–13 in 1999–2000 before Wade stepped down. [28] [29]

In 2005, former Towson Catholic coach Mike Daniel was hired. He led City to a 15–8 season in his first year, and two straight 20-win seasons (20–5 in 2007 and 20–4 in 2008). [30] In 2009, Daniel guided City to its first MPSSAA title. The 2009–10 team went 24–3 and finished No. 1 in the final Baltimore Sun poll. Daniel was named All-Metro Coach of the Year. [31] He stepped down after the 2010–11 season. [32]

Daryl Wade returned in 2011. In 2014, he led the Knights to a 27–0 season, the 3A state title, and a No. 18 national ranking by USA Today and Student Sports. [33] [34]

In 2017, Omarr Smith Sr. was named head coach. During his tenure, Smith has guided the Knights to MPSSAA state championships in 2023 and 2025. In 2023, City went 28–0, won the Baltimore City championship, and secured the MPSSAA 3A title. Smith was named Metro Coach of the Year by the Baltimore Sun and Baltimore Banner. [35] [36]

The team began the 2023–24 season ranked No. 3 in Baltimore and No. 10 in the DMV regional preseason poll by PrepHoops.com. [37] [38]

City ended the 2024–25 regular season with a 22–5 record, advanced to their third consecutive city championship game, and won the MPSSAA 3A state championship for the second time in three years. [39] [40] [41]

Program Overview

City College basketball has long been recognized as one of the premier high school programs in Maryland. The Black Knights have been nationally ranked twice since 2010 in the USA Today Super 25 boys basketball poll and have produced 13 First Team All-Metro selections since 2007. [42]

Four teams in school history (1966, 1967, 2014, 2023) have completed undefeated seasons. City is the only Baltimore City public school to win multiple MPSSAA state championships with perfect records. [43]

MPSSAA State Tournament
State Finalist1 (1998)
State Final Fours9 (1997, 1998, 1999, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2022, 2023, 2025)
State quarterfinals10 (1997, 1998, 1999, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2022, 2023, 2025)
Region finals16 (1997, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025)
Coach and Scholar-Athlete Accolades
All-Metro Coaches of the Year3 (2010, 2014, 2023)
First Team All-Metro Players13 (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2020, 2023, 2025)
National† and Metro‡ Boys Basketball Poll Rankings (since 2000)
Highest Preseason National RankingNo. 21 (2010)
Highest Final National RankingNo. 18 (2014)
Highest Preseason Metro RankingNo. 4 (2014)
Highest Final Metro RankingNo. 1 (2010, 2014)
Notable Accomplishments
Undefeated Seasons4 (1966, 1967, 2014, 2023)
20+ Win Seasons11 (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025)
Longest Winning Streak (all-time)40 games (Started: December 1966 - Ended: December 1968)
Longest Winning Streak (since 2000)30 games (Started: December 2013 - Ended: December 2014)

† Ranking from the USA Today Super 25 National Boys Basketball Poll
‡ Ranking from The Baltimore Sun Top-15 Metro Boys Basketball Poll

Recent season-by-season results

Rankings
SeasonWinsLosesPct.MPSSAA DistrictsMPSSAA Regional TournamentMPSSAA State TournamentMetroNational
2005-061580.652--Regional Quarterfinals--NR--
2006-072050.8--Regional Quarterfinals--12--
2007-082040.833--Regional Semifinals--10--
2008-092160.778--REGIONAL CHAMPIONS!MPSSAA STATE CHAMPIONS!4--
2009-102430.906--REGIONAL CHAMPIONS!MPSSAA STATE CHAMPIONS!120
2010-111690.641District Runner-upRegional Semifinals--6--
2011-122160.778--Regional Semifinals--9--
2012-132060.769--Regional Semifinals--8--
2013-142701.000DISTRICT CHAMPIONS!REGIONAL CHAMPIONS!MPSSAA STATE CHAMPIONS!118
2014-151770.708--Regional Semifinals--RV--
2015-161250.706--Regional Quarterfinals------
2016-178110.421--Regional Semifinals------
2017-181550.750--Regional Quarterfinals------
2018-191390.591--Regional Quarterfinals------
2019-202230.882--Regional Finals--3--
2020-21000.000Season Cancelled - Covid-19N/AN/A
2021-222030.869--REGIONAL CHAMPIONS!MPSSAA State Semifinals9--
2022-232801.000DISTRICT CHAMPIONS!REGIONAL CHAMPIONS!MPSSAA STATE CHAMPIONS!2--
2023-241670.695District Runner-upRegional Quarterfinals--13--
2024-252250.815District Runner-upREGIONAL CHAMPIONS!MPSSAA STATE CHAMPIONS!5--
Total3511020.775

† Ranking from USA Today Super 25 national boys basketball poll.
‡ Ranking from Baltimore Sun Top-15 metro boys basketball poll.

Athletic & Training Facilities

Baltimore City College campus master plan following the 2025-28 renovation. Baltimore City College Campus Master Plan.png
Baltimore City College campus master plan following the 2025-28 renovation.

In May 2025, Baltimore City Public Schools announced a comprehensive renovation of B.C.C's historic Collegian Hill campus. As part of this multi-year project, the school will temporarily relocate to the University of Baltimore from 2025 to 2028. During this period, all athletic teams will compete and train off-site. [44]

The renovation includes a full modernization and expansion of the school’s athletic and wellness complex. The new 45,265 sq ft (4,205.3 m2) facility, scheduled for completion ahead of the 2028–29 academic year, is designed to support both the boys’ and girls’ basketball programs and will feature:

The expanded center is part of a broader campus renewal effort and reflects a district-wide investment in equity, safety, and student experience. Once completed, it will be among the most comprehensive high school athletic venues in Baltimore. [45]

NCAA Division I Players

Former City College forward Charles Tapper, former Oklahoma Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys defensive end. Charles Tapper During Timeout, March 2010.jpg
Former City College forward Charles Tapper, former Oklahoma Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys defensive end.
Former City College forward C. J. Fair prepares for a free throw during a game in 2008. Fair later became an All-Atlantic Coast Conference and All-American player for the Syracuse Orange. City College guard CJ Fair preps for free throw, Jan 2008.jpg
Former City College forward C. J. Fair prepares for a free throw during a game in 2008. Fair later became an All-Atlantic Coast Conference and All-American player for the Syracuse Orange.

In 2013, City ranked third among all Baltimore-area high schools with five former players on current NCAA Division I rosters. [46] Nick Faust, a member of two state championship teams, was named to the 2012 Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman team at Maryland. [47] Former small forward C.J. Fair, who helped lead City College to a 25–4 record and the regional semifinals as a sophomore, was named 2013 ACC Preseason Player of the Year at Syracuse. [48] Former forward Charles Tapper played basketball and football at City and was a First Team All-Big 12 Conference defensive end for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2013. Tapper went on to play for the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys [49] Former basketball standout Will Barton, played professional basketball for 13 years, including 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association, for teams like the Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, and Portland Trail Blazers. Barton was a shooting guard at City College before ultimately finishing his high school basketball career at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. Barton was the Conference USA men's basketball Player of the Year in 2011. Barton was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2012 NBA draft.

Several former boys basketball student-athletes have accepted scholarship offers to play basketball at NCAA Division I schools in recent years. That list includes:

First-Team All-Metro players

Selected by the Baltimore Sun.

  1. Devin Brown, Guard (2007)
  2. C.J. Fair, Forward (2008)
  3. Adam Johnson, Forward (2009)
  4. Jordan Latham, Center (2010)
  5. Nick Faust, Guard (2011)
  6. Timmy Bond, Guard (2014)
  7. Omari George, Guard (2014)
  8. Kamau Stokes, Guard (2014)
  9. Dominick Carrington, Guard (2020)
  10. Kyree Smith, Guard (2022)
  11. Cam Horton, Guard (2022)
  12. Cam Horton, Guard (2023)
  13. Omarr Smith, Jr. (2025)

Undefeated seasons

The boys basketball team and coaching staff pose for a picture after winning the MPSSAA 3A state championship in 2014, the Knights' third state title in six seasons. 2014 MPSSAA State Champion City College Knights.jpg
The boys basketball team and coaching staff pose for a picture after winning the MPSSAA 3A state championship in 2014, the Knights' third state title in six seasons.

2022-23: Most wins in school history (28-0)

With its second undefeated season in nine years and fourth overall, the 2022-23 Knights posted a 28-0 record en route to the 2023 Baltimore City League championship, 2023 MPSSAA 3A North Region championship, and 2023 MPSSAA 3A state championship. The team's 28 victories are the most in program history, besting its previous record of 27 wins set during the 2013-14 season. City became the first Baltimore City League school to complete two undefeated seasons since the city school joined the MPSSAA in 1993. Head coach Omarr Smith led the Knights to its second consecutive 3A state semifinal appearance and finished the season as the No. 2-ranked team in the Baltimore Sun final boys basketball poll behind nationally-ranked Mount Saint Joseph High School. Cam Horton was named to the Baltimore Sun All-Metro first team for the second consecutive year. Coach Smith was named Baltimore Sun co-Coach of the Year. [50] [51]

2013-14: First undefeated season in 47 years (27-0)

With a record of 22–0, the City won the 2014 Baltimore City League championship and posted the school's first undefeated regular season since 1967. [52] [53] The Knights entered the MPSSAA 3A state basketball tournament as the top-seeded team in the East region. On March 15, 2014, the Knights defeated Westlake in the MPSSAA finals to win the 3A state championship, finishing the season 27–0. The Knights set a then-single season school record with 27 wins. In so doing, City College completed its third perfect season in school history and became the first Baltimore City League team since the 2008–2009 season to post an undefeated record. [43] City finished the season as the No. 1-ranked team in the Baltimore Sun boys basketball poll for the second time in four years. [54] The Knights finished ranked No. 18 nationally in the final USA Today Super 25 and Student Sports Fab 50 boys basketball polls, the second highest ranking of any team in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. [55] [56]

1966-67: Back-to-back undefeated seasons and MSA Championships (20-0)

In 1967, City completed its second of two consecutive undefeated seasons under Coach Jerry Phipps. The Knights finished the season ranked No. 1 in the final Baltimore Sun boys basketball poll and won the second of back-to-back MSA championships. Leonard Hamm, who later became commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, was team captain. [19]

1965-66: First undefeated season in program history (20-0)

The top-ranked Knights finished the season with a record of 20-0 and beat perennial power Dunbar High School twice during the 1965–66 season. City was coached by Jerry Phipps and led by Lee Dedmon, who became an All-Atlantic Coast Conference center at North Carolina. [57]

Recognition and Rankings

City College is regarded as one of the most historically significant high school basketball programs in Baltimore. In 2023, the independent sports platform Baltimore Sports and Life published its list of the Top 100 Baltimore City Public School Basketball Teams of All Time, ranking the most dominant public high school teams in the city’s basketball history. [58]

City College Teams Ranked in the Top 100

Six B.C.C. teams were featured in the final rankings, highlighting more than five decades of excellence:

These rankings placed City College among a select group of elite programs, including Dunbar, Lake Clifton, and Edmondson, that had multiple teams honored. City is one of just two schools with two undefeated teams ranked among the top 25. [59]

City's 13 MSA championships, five MPSSAA state titles, four undefeated seasons, and nine state semifinal appearances affirms its legacy as a cornerstone of Baltimore’s high school basketball tradition. [60]

Videos

References

  1. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/city-college-athletics/docview/535669120/se-2?accountid=10750
  2. "City College of Athletics: A Basket-Ball Team Is to Be Formed—Interest in Lacrosse". The Baltimore Sun. January 23, 1896. p. 6.
  3. "Maryland Aggies Beat City College At Basketball In An Extra Period: CITY COLLEGE FIVE LOSES FAST CONTEST BY ONE LITTLE POINT". The Baltimore Sun. January 26, 1913. p. S2. ProQuest   540905773.
  4. "Archival Attractions at the University of Maryland > the Lost Season: 1912-1913 Men's Basketball, UM Libraries". Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  5. Escolona, Eduardo, ed. (1933). The 1933 Green Bag. p. 105.
  6. "2013-14 MPSSAA Winter Record Book" (PDF). Mpssaa.org. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  7. "MPSSAA Winter Record Book".
  8. Graham, Glenn (June 17, 2018) [22 February 2014]. "City boys win Division 1 final by beating Lake Clifton, 48-42". The Baltimore Sun.
  9. "No. 3 City boys basketball clinches Baltimore City title game berth with 64-47 win over defending champ No. 5 Lake Clifton". February 14, 2023.
  10. "Edmondson wins Baltimore City title game over City". February 21, 2024.
  11. "Edmondson boys basketball defends Baltimore City title, beats City". February 24, 2025.
  12. "City College of Athletics: A Basket-Ball Team Is to Be Formed—Interest in Lacrosse". The Baltimore Sun. January 23, 1896. p. 6.
  13. "City Five to Meet Polytechnic". The Baltimore Sun. February 15, 1902. p. 8.
  14. Escolona, Eduardo (1933). The 1933 Green Bag. Baltimore City College. p. 105.
  15. "City Five Undefeated". The Baltimore American. March 17, 1905. p. 9.
  16. "Scholastic League to Form in Fall". The Evening Sun. May 3, 1919. p. 4.
  17. "TWO LEAGUES FOR PREPS: Maryland Scholastic Association Arranges For Basketball Races PENNANT WINNERS TO MEET Schedules And Make-Ups Of Circuits Will Be Announced At Conference Next Monday". The Sun. November 12, 1919. p. 14. ProQuest   534589387.
  18. 1 2 "Introducing BCC Hall of Fame 2007 Inductees" (PDF). Baltimore City College Alumni Association Newsletter. Spring 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  19. 1 2 "Past, Present Collide As City Downs Dunbar". PressBox Online Baltimore.
  20. "City schools' problems lead Poly coach to throw in towel". Baltimore Sun. December 17, 2003. p. 1B. ProQuest   406587572.
  21. "The dissolution of the Maryland Scholastic Association will - News - Capital Gazette Communications". www.capitalgazette.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  22. "Boys Basketball 2A State Title: Frederick Douglass vs. City College". DigitalSports.com. March 14, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  23. "CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION". Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Archived from the original on March 22, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  24. Brent Kennedy. "City College holds off Reservoir for 3A East boys basketball title". Howard County Times.
  25. Toney, Derek (December 6, 1994). "TEAM-BY-TEAM BALTIMORE CITY CAPSULES: [FINAL Edition]". The Baltimore Sun. p. 4E.
  26. "City boys basketball preview". The Baltimore Sun. December 1, 1996.
  27. "High School Boys Basketball Preview". The Baltimore Sun.
  28. "Young Wade builds name, goals". The Baltimore Sun.
  29. "Mervo fades in 49-46 loss to Lake Clifton". The Baltimore Sun.
  30. "Drake's Buzzer Beater Beats No. 4 City in Double OT". Digitalsports.com. January 18, 2008.
  31. "Boys Basketball: Coach of the Year". The Baltimore Sun.
  32. Kent, Milton. "Leading Off". The Baltimore Sun.
  33. "Basketball a byproduct of bigger goal for Jeff coach". USA Today HSS. December 18, 2014.
  34. "Fab 50 National Rankings". Student Sports. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014.
  35. "City reigns in Baltimore City boys basketball". February 22, 2023.
  36. Glenn Graham (March 15, 2025). "City's boys basketball rallies to win Class 3A title". The Baltimore Sun.
  37. "Maryland Team Rankings". PrepHoops.com.
  38. "Baltimore Sun boys basketball preview: 2023–24 season". December 4, 2023.
  39. Glenn Graham (March 15, 2025). "City's boys basketball rallies to win Class 3A title". The Baltimore Sun.
  40. "Baltimore City title game: Edmondson vs City". The Baltimore Sun.
  41. "Edmondson defends city title, beats City". The Baltimore Sun.
  42. "Baltimore, Maryland High School Sports: All-Metro Teams, Photos - baltimoresun.com". Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  43. 1 2 Graham, Glenn (March 15, 2014). "City boys dominate fourth quarter, complete undefeated season with 3A state title". Baltimoresun.com.
  44. https://baltimorefishbowl.com/stories/city-college-students-will-relocate-to-university-of-baltimore-during-high-schools-renovations/
  45. "Baltimore's Division I men's college basketball players for 2013-14". Tribunedigital-baltimoresun.
  46. "Maryland's Stoglin named second-team All-ACC, Faust All-Freshman". Wnst.net. March 5, 2012.
  47. "C.J. Fair - Men's Basketball". Syracuse University Athletics.
  48. "City grad Charles Tapper wins Sugar Bowl with Oklahoma". Tribunedigital-baltimoresun.
  49. "City boys basketball completes perfect season, wins 3A state championship". March 10, 2023.
  50. "Carroll County commissioners approve upgrades to Sykesville's Freedom Park". March 13, 2023.
  51. "Baltimore City Division 1 boys basketball championship preview". Tribunedigital-baltimoresun.
  52. "Maryland 3A boys' basketball playoff preview: Region by region breakdown - the Washington Post". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  53. "High school sports polls (Feb. 17)". Tribunedigital-baltimoresun.
  54. "Basketball a byproduct of bigger goal for Jeff coach". Usatodayhss.com. December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  55. http://www.studentsports.com/basketball/2014/03/10/fab-50-national-rankings-7/ [ permanent dead link ]
  56. "All-time Top 20 Baltimore Area Boys High School Teams". Tribunedigital-baltimoresun.
  57. "Top 100 Baltimore City Public School Basketball Teams of All Time (25–1)". Baltimore Sports and Life. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  58. "Top 100 Teams (60–26)". Baltimore Sports and Life. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  59. "Top 100 Teams (61–100)". Baltimore Sports and Life. Retrieved June 3, 2025.