Young Lake Clifton Boys Basketball Team Excelling

Last season was a banner season for the Lake Clifton boys basketball team. The Baltimore City School made the MPSSAA 1A state championship game, where they lost to New Town 55-51. It was a senior laden squad, with four of the team's starters from last year no longer being members of the team.

Despite losing a lot of talent, this year's young Lakers are off to a strong start. The team is 5-0, having registered wins against top Baltimore City competition like Patterson, Paul Laurence Dunbar and NAF.

"It's a much younger team compared to last season's team," head coach Herman Harried said. "The team goal is always to get off to a good start and we have so far."

The Lakers' top performers this year have been sophomore guard Rasheed Brown and senior Shauntaze Drake. The duo has been aided by the experienced play of lone returning starter from last season, point guard Kai Thompson.

With it being such a young team, Harried is really trying to focus on his team's improvement over anything else. For him, the primary goal of the season is to get better every practice and game, so that the young Lakers can be in position to compete for a championship by the end of the season.

On the court, Harried is confident his team will grow up quick since they will be playing against tough Baltimore City competition. After taking part in the Dundalk Holiday Invitational over winter break, the Lakers return to Baltimore City play in a big way, facing Edmondson-Westside and Baltimore City College in two of their first three games back.

"In Baltimore City, especially with the home and away schedule, every game is circled as a tough one," Harried said. "Our goal is to be competitive and be in a position to win."