One thing is certain: expectations are high for Carroll County boys basketball teams in 2025-26.
With several teams returning some of the area’s top talent — and others continuing to prove you should never count them out — the race for the county title should be exciting and unpredictable this season.
Century and Westminster shared the county title last winter, and both bring back early Player of the Year favorites. Nate Brown returns after averaging 13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. He will lead a Knights squad many expect to contend at the top of the county once again.
Westminster features an equally impressive standout in fellow first-team selection Charlie Mollman, who averaged a double-double last season with 12.6 points and 10 rebounds. With Shae Greenwood and Paul Burgee also back and expected to take on larger roles, the Owls should remain a serious threat.
Liberty made the deepest playoff run of any Carroll County team last season, overcoming a slow start to reach the Class 1A state semifinals, where it lost on a buzzer-beater. The leading scorer from that game was Gavin Speace, a third-team All-County selection who is back for his senior season. If the Lions can avoid another sluggish start, coach George Sinnott’s group should be firmly in the county title mix.
Manchester Valley also brings back a first-team All-County selection in guard Colton Enderle, who is ready to lead the Mavericks to more wins. At Francis Scott Key, Brian Chesley takes the reins of a program looking in part to avenge last season’s playoff loss to county rival Winters Mill.
Here’s a look at each team heading into the 2025 season.
Century
Coach: George Wunder, 24th season
Last season: 19-5, county co-champions; lost to Southern in regional finals
Top returners: Seniors Nate Brown, Carter Simmen and Braden Davis..
Newcomers to watch: n/a
Coach’s outlook: “Century basketball enters the season with a strong outlook, returning nine players who bring leadership and valuable experience. With great team chemistry, we hope to complete each night looking to improve throughout the season.”
Francis Scott Key
Coach: Brian Chesley, first season
Last season: 5-18, lost to Winters Mill in regional quarterfinals
Top returners: Seniors Cooper Little, Austin Bertrand, Owen Watkins, Stephen Dada and Brayden Campbell.
Newcomers to watch: Junior Conlan Cousins; sophomores Elijah Dawson, Adam Geiman and Landen Horton.
Coach’s outlook: “I’m really excited about this group heading into the season. We’ve put in the work, we’re building chemistry every day, and the guys are buying into the standard. If we stay disciplined and play for each other, we’re going to surprise a lot of people.”
Gerstell
Coach: Jeff Cheevers, fifth season
Last season: 17-9, lost in Quarterfinals of MIAA Playoffs
Top returners: Seniors Emre Tari and Grant Ray.
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Corey Graham.
Coach’s outlook: “I think if we stay healthy and can rebound the ball, we will be very competitive in our conference and around the area. Defense will be our calling card. We don’t have tremendous size, but we do have some skilled players that are capable of playing at a high level. I’m excited to see what we can become this season.”
Liberty
Coach: George Sinnott, third season
Last season: 21-6, Class 1A West Region II champions, lost to Cambridge-South Dorchester in state semifinals.
Top returners: Seniors Gavin Speace and Brady Bergen; junior Noah Gitau.
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Carter Weddle and Ryan Clapper
Coach’s outlook: “We should be competitive in county play.”
Manchester Valley
Coach: Chris Wunder, seventh season
Last season: 4-19, lost to Linganore in regional quarterfinals
Top returners: Seniors Colton Enderle and Trevor Hottenstein; junior Michael Hoy.
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Kyle Menchey, Owen Miller, Jackson Breakey and Lane Saunders.
Coach’s outlook: “We are excited to get the season started. We have a good mix of returning players and newcomers this year. We are working really hard in practice to develop chemistry offensively and defensively.”
South Carroll
Coach: Jim Carnes, 36th season
Last season: 15-9, lost to Liberty in regional finals
Top returners: Seniors Cam Karlosky, Brue Neff and Cody Rogers
Newcomers to watch: Senior Jake Duvall and junior Ashton Sommerfeldt.
Coach’s outlook: “Rebounding and defense will determine our success.”
Westminster
Coach: Johnathan Forster, second season
Last season: 13-11, county co-champions; lost to Linganore in regional semifinals
Top returners: Seniors Charlie Mollman, Shae Greenwood and Brandon Barrett; junior Paul Burgee.
Newcomers to watch: Senior Logan Hoot, junior Caron Stultz and sophomore Ty Anderson
Coach’s outlook: “Returning a lot of production from last season while adding a collection of talented players from last years JV team. Need to be ready to compete every night.”
Winters Mill
Coach: Dave Wynne, sixth season
Last season: 6-18, lost to Williamsport in regional semifinals
Top returners: Seniors Ben King and Lukas Krebs; junior Chase Siegel; sophomore
Tate Steckel.
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Colby Carter, Isaiah Danik, Brendan Hurley and Julian Rivas
Coach’s outlook: “Winters Mill will lean heavily on a group of young, hungry players eager to prove themselves, mixed with a few experienced seniors looking forward to the opportunity to compete.”
Have a news tip? Contact Timothy Dashiell at tdashiell@baltsun.com, and x.com/dashielltimothy.
