High school hoops in Maryland is just different. One night you’re watching a kid who will be playing on national TV in two years, and the next, you’re in a humid, packed public school gym where a scrappy underdog just ruined someone's perfect season.
Right now, the conversation around Maryland high school basketball rankings is basically a weekly chess match. If you follow the WCAC or the MIAA, you know that being "Number One" in this state usually lasts about as long as a fast-break layup. As of mid-January 2026, the power centers have shifted again, and honestly, it’s getting hard to keep track of who actually owns the crown.
The Heavyweights Trading Blows at the Top
Let’s be real: DeMatha is back where they usually are. The Stags have reclaimed that top spot in most statewide polls, sitting at 13-4 after a brutal early schedule that would break most college teams. They’ve been battle-tested against national programs like St. Benedict’s and Santa Margarita, and even with four losses, nobody in Maryland wants to see them on the schedule right now. Ashton Meeks has been the engine there, proving that size isn't everything when you have that kind of shiftiness at the guard spot.
But don’t sleep on Bishop McNamara. They held the pole position for a long time this winter before a few stumbles against national-level competition like Paul VI. They are still sitting right there at No. 2, and with a roster featuring Qayden Samuels and Prince-Alexander Moody, they have more high-major talent than some mid-major colleges.
Springdale Prep is the team everyone is whispering about lately. They made a massive jump to No. 3 after basically dismantling Archbishop Spalding at the Clash of the Titans. It’s a classic "new power" vs. "old guard" situation. They’re 15-3 and playing a brand of basketball that’s just... faster. It’s exhausting to watch, let alone play against.
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Why Public Schools are Changing the Narrative
People love to focus on the private schools—and for good reason, they're elite—but the MPSSAA side of the Maryland high school basketball rankings is where the real drama is.
Meade is currently the gold standard for the public side. They’re 11-0 and haven't just been winning; they’ve been erasing people. They recently hung a 75-29 score on Annapolis. That’s not a basketball game; that’s a statement.
Then you have C.H. Flowers. The Jaguars are 10-0 and finally cracked the Top 20 statewide. It’s about time. They are the most disciplined public school team in Prince George's County this year, and their win over Great Mills showed they can handle the pressure of being the hunted rather than the hunter.
- DeMatha Catholic (13-4) - Strength of schedule is through the roof.
- Bishop McNamara (8-8) - Record is deceptive; they play everyone.
- Springdale Prep (15-3) - The hottest team in the state right now.
- Mount Saint Joseph (19-4) - The Gaels are on a five-game heater.
- John Carroll (15-4) - Still a threat to anyone on any night.
The Players You Actually Need to Know
If you’re just looking at the team records, you’re missing the point. The reason these rankings are so volatile is the individual talent.
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Baba Oladotun over at James Hubert Blake is a 6-foot-10 small forward who plays like a wing. It’s unfair. He’s arguably the top prospect in the 2026 class, and every time he steps on the floor, the gym is half-filled with scouts.
Then there’s Sinan Huan at Georgetown Prep. A seven-footer who has already committed to Purdue. Watching him move in the paint is a reminder of why Maryland is such a recruiting hotbed. He’s a defensive eraser.
Recent Shakeups and What They Mean
- Glenelg Country School pulled off the upset of the year by beating St. Frances Academy 68-67. It sent the Panthers tumbling down the rankings and proved that the MIAA A Conference is a total gauntlet this year.
- Paint Branch jumped into the rankings after handing Magruder their first loss.
- St. John’s College (from the DC side) is still lurking as a major factor when they cross the border for tournaments like the Capitol Hoops Challenge.
The MIAA and WCAC Divide
The Maryland high school basketball rankings are essentially a tale of two worlds. You have the WCAC, which is widely considered the best high school conference in the country. If you play there, your "rank" is less about your record and more about who you’ve survived.
On the other hand, the MIAA A Conference in Baltimore is a different flavor of physical. St. Frances, Mount St. Joseph, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel are constantly beating each other up. Mount Carmel was ranked as high as No. 3 earlier this season, but a three-game skid against out-of-state powerhouses like St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) saw them slide. But they just beat Gilman 51-38 to stop the bleeding. Tristen Wilson is that guy for them—a senior guard who just knows how to win.
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What’s Coming Next?
Look, these rankings are going to change again by Tuesday. That’s just the nature of the beast. With the playoffs approaching for the public schools and the conference tournaments looming for the private schools, the "Top 25" is more of a suggestion than a rule.
If you want to see where the power lies, keep an eye on the upcoming matchups between the WCAC and MIAA teams. Those cross-conference games are the only real way to settle the debate. Until then, just enjoy the ride. Maryland basketball is at its peak right now, and the talent level is arguably the highest it's been in a decade.
If you're planning to catch a game, make sure to check the local schedules for the Capitol Hoops events. That’s where the top-tier talent usually congregates. Also, keep an eye on the Maryland 4A public school bracket; Meade and Flowers look like they are on a collision course that might actually blow the roof off a gym.
Check the MaxPreps and Prep Hoops databases frequently for the most recent stat updates, as a single high-scoring night from a kid like Anthony Brown Jr. can shift the entire momentum of a program's season.