Carroll County 2023-24 high school boys basketball preview: Key returners create stacked county lineups
Gerstell Academy’s Caleb Franze needs no introduction.
Considered by many to be the top returning player in Carroll County this season, the 1,000-point scorer looks to build of last years 20.9 point, 3 assist, 1.9 steals per game effort.
While many may underestimate Franze, who finished third in voting for county player of the year last season, the senior will have his chance to prove himself early as the Falcons will go against the county’s best.
An early season matchup with defending county and Class 1A state quarterfinalist Liberty will prove to be crucial for both teams as they look to build and be ready for deep playoff runs.
Liberty will have the toughest task of any county team, having to replace last year’s county Player of the Year Tyler Downs and Coach of the Year Brian Tombs, who’s now the Westminster athletic director.
Deep playoff runs have been in the cards for the Wunder brothers every year it seems. Both are ready to lead their programs to greatness in 2023-24.
At Century, George Wunder will look to replace the production of 2021 county Player of the Year Andrew Marcinko. While many know how big of a loss that will be for the Knights, they also know what a good coach like Wunder can do with a couple of JV standouts ready to move up and returning duo Ryan Matthews and Ben Chenoweth, who was a second team all-county selection last year.
After a season that included the program’s first win over Century — Chris Wunder’s first against his big brother — Manchester Valley is gearing up for its own run at county and regional titles.
With the county’s assist leader Xaiver Bowman now a college soccer player, the Mavericks look to Brendan Luddy to lead the way. Luddy, a first team All-County selection last year, enters the season as a top contender for county Player of the Year honors in his own right.
While Luddy and Franze may be the favorites, several top players in the county return.
Last season’s leading rebounder Jah Donald is back for Westminster, possibly with as much confidence as any athlete in the county after a stellar football season.
Confidence was never an issue for Winters Mill’s Owen Case. He looks to lead the Falcons this year as the program looks to build off a solid season. Case averaged just under 12 points per game a year ago.
At Francis Scott Key, coach Tyler Forster has a key piece returning in senior Jordan Fulmore, who is just the person the Eagles need to lead them in what will be some tough battles against the county’s elite.
Meanwhile at South Carroll, the Cavaliers will be led by the duo of Pieter Borghans and Benson Sommerfeldt.
Here’s a look at each program heading into the season:
Century
Coach: George Wunder, 22nd season
Last season: 17-7, lost to Liberty in regional finals
Top returners: Seniors Ben Chenoweth, Peyton Conrad, Jackson Smith, Tommy Dixon and Ryan Matthews; junior Nick Baron.
Newcomer to watch: Junior Dan Riley.
Coach’s outlook: “We return nine seniors, so we will rely on our experience as well as a good balance of inside-outside play. Our team defense and great chemistry on offense should be strengths.”
Francis Scott Key
Coach: Tyler Forster, second season
Last season: 1-21, lost to Pikesville in regional semifinals
Top returner: Senior Jordan Fulmore.
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Tyler Hanson and Devin Miller; sophomore Auggie Bertrand.
Coach’s outlook: “We are looking to build on a playoff win from last year. These boys have the will and determination to play hard. We will focus on the little things that matter to find that sustainable success.”
Gerstell Academy
Coach: Jeff Cheevers, third season
Last season: 13-15
Top returner: Senior Caleb Franze.
Newcomer to watch: Junior Colin Toms.
Coach’s outlook: “This has the chance to be our best defensive team in a while and I expect us to be able to rebound the ball much better this season. We have a group of guys that understand their roles, play together, work hard and are coachable.”
Liberty
Coach: George Sinnott, first season.
Last season: 19-6, county champion, 2A West Region I champion, lost to Walkersville in state quarterfinals
Top returners: Seniors Aaron Bald, Cole Jernigan and Alex Thompson.
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Tristan West and Ethan Hart; sophomore Gavin Speace.
Coach’s outlook: “We are hoping to continue the consistency that Liberty Basketball has established. We are a young team with talent but we need to play team basketball to compete.”
Manchester Valley
Coach: Chris Wunder, fifth season
Last season: 11-9, lost to Centennial in regional finals
Top returners: Seniors Brendan Luddy, Carter Strohman, Will Cuneo and Braylen Williams.
Newcomer to watch: Senior Jacob Adame.
Coach’s outlook: “We return six players from last year’s team that received quality minutes. We have a good group of players that can score the basketball. We should be able to compete for a county championship if we continue to play together as a team.”
South Carroll
Coach: Jim Carnes (34th season)
Last season: 8-15, lost to Winters Mill in regional quarterfinals
Top returners: Senior Pieter Borghans, Benson Sommerfeldt and Ian Straley; junior Micah Puckett.
Newcomers to watch: Seniors Jake Johnson, Matt Davis and Owen Keesey; juniors Walker Fowble and Nate Houston.
Coach’s outlook: “We return some experience. Defense and rebounding will determine our success.”
Westminster
Coach: Steve Byrnes, 11th season.
Last season: 10-12, lost to Manchester Valley in regional semifinals
Top returners: Seniors Jah Donald, Kyle Hoot and Micah Ozgar.
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Shae Greenwood and Charlie Mollman.
Coach’s outlook: “We look to be a hard-working team who is competitive each and every night.”
Winters Mill
Coach: Dave Wynne, fourth season
Last season: 9-15, lost to Liberty in regional semifinals
Top returning players: Seniors Owen Case, Kamdyn Koch, Eddie Gay and Camden Deming. Junior Tommy Hinkhaus
Newcomers to watch: Senior Nico Baez, juniors Nat Curley, Braydon Jones and Chris Schoonover.
Coach’s outlook: “We have a group of hungry but mostly unproven varsity players eager to compete in the county. Led by senior guard Owen Case, the Falcons need to push the tempo and sustain defensive effort to achieve success.”