In his three years playing basketball at Calvert Hall, senior guard Brendan Johnson has emphasized getting better every day.
Last year, he enjoyed a breakthrough season and was an All-Baltimore Catholic League second-team selection.
This year, Johnson reached an even higher level with a complete game that has him averaging 26.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest.
His consistency was recognized on Monday when he was named the BCL’s Jerry Savage Player of the Year at the annual awards luncheon at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City.
“I’m honored, especially understanding the history behind this league and especially with my school being one of the oldest. It’s just a blessing and an honor,” he said.
Johnson is the sixth BCL Player of the Year winner from Calvert Hall. Ricky Harris was the last to receive the award in the 2004-05 season.
“Brendan has been great since he came in as a sophomore. He has been one of those guys that’s always the hardest-working guy in the room. Whatever instruction you give him, he always goes out and tries his best to go out and do it, and that’s why he’s consistently improved,” Calvert Hall coach Gary Neal said.
St. Maria Goretti, which is closing at the end of the academic year, received the remaining three individual awards.
For a second straight year, coach Sidney McCray was named the O. Ray Mullis Coach of the Year. After several players transferred, the sixth-year coach guided the Gaels to a 7-7 league mark with nine players on the roster. Senior center Caleb Embeya repeated as the Mark Amatucci Defensive Player of the Year and senior Jarvis Wright was named the Cokey Robertson Most Improved Player of the Year.
“It’s bittersweet, kind of like everything has been this season. I’m just proud of my guys, proud of my coaching staff and it was great to celebrate this last one with [former coach Cokey Robertson] and some other BCL greats,” McCray said. “The mission has always been to stay present and keep working. It’s been a tough challenge for us with the news and a lot of kids leaving, but our kids stayed true to our mission and we still have a lot of basketball left to play.”
Joining Johnson on first-team All-BCL are Mount Saint Joseph seniors Tyonne Farrell and Jordan Brathwaite, Archbishop Spalding junior Malik Washington, Mount Carmel senior Andrew Dixon and Loyola Blakefield junior Mason Ellison.
The selections for all teams were based on voting by league coaches and selected media members.
Each team selected a player to receive the Dave Kropfelder “Never, Never Quit” Award. The winners are Archbishop Spalding’s Jaylin Sykes, Calvert Hall’s Dean Mimaros, John Carroll’s Justin Spencer, Loyola Blakefield’s Deji Battle-Olley, Mount Carmel’s Rodney Scott, Mount Saint Joseph’s AJ Norman, St. Frances’ Gary Pittman and St. Maria Goretti’s Keyan Proctor.
The three-day BCL Tournament, which begins March 1 with four quarterfinals, will take place at Goucher College. The semifinals are set for March 2 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. with the championship game at 3 p.m. on March 3.
Baltimore Catholic League 2022-23 honors
Player of the Year
Brendan Johnson, Calvert Hall, senior
Coach of the Year
Sidney McCray, St. Maria Goretti
Most Improved Player
Justin Wright, St. Maria Goretti, senior
Defensive Player of the Year
Caleb Embeya, St. Maria Goretti, senior
First team
Jordan Brathwaite, Mount Saint Joseph, senior
Andrew Dixon, Mount Carmel, senior
Mason Ellison, Loyola Blakefield, junior
Tyonne Farrell, Mount Saint Joseph, senior
Brendan Johnson, Calvert Hall, senior
Malik Washington, Archbishop Spalding, junior
Second team
Aidan Able, John Carroll, sophomore
J’Lin Brown, Loyola Blakefield, senior
Jasiah Cannady, St. Frances, sophomore
Josiah LeGree, St. Frances, senior
Jarvis Wright, St. Maria Goretti, senior
Honorable mention: Donovan Flamer, St. Frances; Junior Mancho, Mount Carmel; Tyrin Bizzelle, Calvert Hall; Tristen Wilson, Mount Carmel; Theartis Battle, John Carroll
