After two consecutive 16-12 finishes, this year looks like the year to finally come together as a program and achieve excellence in both the MIAA ‘A’ Conference and the Baltimore Catholic League.

Last year, the Dons were the best defensive team in both leagues holding teams to 47.0 points per game. Loyola will continue to bring success on the defensive side of the ball as well as orchestrate a consistent offense.

Loyola's Senior Tri-Captains Davenport, Schittino, and Stanwick.

Coach Davalli is very eager to start the season off, and will return three starters: seniors Steele Stanwick, Bobby Kirby, and junior Matt Rum. Stanwick will look to lead this team being the primary ball -handler; furthermore he will share captain duty with fellow seniors James Davenport, and Sal Schittino. Stanwick, Davenport, Kirby, and Schittino are entering their 3rd year on the Varsity team. James is expected to be one of the more versatile players on this team, as he is capable to play anywhere from point guard to power forward. He will be counted on to not only be a defensive stopper for the Dons, but also to contribute offensively, as he is one of the more all-around players the team has. Schittino will continue to remain as one of the important pieces on a Dons offense that thrives on perimeter play from their guards, while Kirby, at 6’6” is expected to carry the burden of being the team’s primary “big man” down in the paint.

Lastly, Matt Rum, a 6’3” junior guard, is bound to have a terrific year for the Dons as he is the team’s returning leading scorer (11.0 ppg). His outside shooting skills make him one of the top returning juniors in the league. The bench looks to also be strong for Loyola as they return senior guards Patrick Cotherman, Ryan Shewell, and center Pat Lowe to provide leadership throughout the season and also contribute when needed. Juniors Brandon Floyd and Trevor Dauses were two of three sophomores on the Varsity last year and look to prosper after what was a good learning experience for the two forwards. Finally, rounding out the roster are three move-ups from the JV in Matt Heacock, Perry Mahle, and Blake Wier.
By Peter Dalmasy '09

'07-'08 Loyola Basketball By the Numbers

The Dons held opponents to 38% shooting last year and 42% the year before.

The Dons return 10 players from their varsity roster from a year ago.

137 is the number of assists Steele Stanwick has coming into his senior season.

Junior Matt Rum shot 40% from the 3pt line last year.

Senior Sal Schittino shot 91% from the free throw line a year ago.

Senior James Davenport averaged 10 points 5 rebounds a game as a junior.

32 wins and 24 losses: Coach Davalli's career record coming into just his 3rd season at the helm of the Dons.

Assistant Coach, and former Mt. St. Joe Coach Pat Maggio is entering his 33rd year of coaching basketball.

Congratulations to the Columbia Hawks for winning the Blue Division Championship by defeating South Carroll in the Championship Contest. The Hawks had a tough road to make it to the finals. They overcame a disciplined and determined Severna Park 3D team in overtime in the quarter finals. The Hawks then revenged a loss from the day before against a very athletic and talented Baltimore Select team, in the semifinals. In the championship game the Columbia Hawks had it going when they won decisively against a South Carroll squad who played with a lot of heart all weekend.

Columbia Hawks Team Photo

In the Gold Division congratulations goes to Mt. Royal who beat Severna Park 3D (gold) to win the championship. Mt. Royal finished the tournament 4-0, and combined athleticism and some superior size to win this year's Gold Division.

Mount Royal Team Photo

Congratulations to all of the teams and coaches for participating in this year's Loyola Shootout. Thank you for making it such a successful event. The coaching staff of Loyola Blakefield would like to wish you the best of luck in your upcoming seasons. Don't forget to check out Loyola Blakefield Basketball this year as we compete for the Baltimore Catholic League and MIAA "A" Conference Championships. Please click here to view and download our schedule.

2006 - 2007 Season in Review: The Loyola Dons varsity basketball team enjoyed a solid 2006-2007 season in which they matched their same record from the previous year (16-12), while finishing 5th in the MIAA ‘A’ Conference and the Baltimore Catholic League. The Dons, who had three new starters, experienced a period of growth for players who did not receive much playing time the previous year. Loyola was undefeated in non-conference play, which resulted in their 10-1 start.

However, as January arrived, the competition arose. The Varsity team experienced tough opponents, and yet led both leagues in team defense, surrendering only 47.0 points per game. Loyola was also league leader in 3PT percentage at 34%. Junior point guard Steele Stanwick was the floor general for Coach Davalli’s Dons; his 6.5 points per game was 5th on the team, and his 4.8 assists were tops on the team. The BCL noticed and Stanwick was awarded a 3rd Team All-BCL honor. Junior guard Sal Schittino and Bobby Kirby also had good seasons. Schittino averaged 8.4 ppg and was 91% from the free throw line to lead the team, while Kirby, a 6’5 forward, provided good defense and rebounding on some of the state’s top forwards, with four schools having division-one bound players in their respective front courts.

Senior leadership was provided by Mike Horne, whom like Stanwick, was also honored on the BCL 3rd team, Omari Mobley, who had critical plays throughout the season, and Zach Quinn. Mobley, a third year Varsity player, starred in wins over St. John’s Catholic Prep, and hit the game winner in a triple-overtime thriller versus St. Frances. Horne, at 6’1”, usually had to cover the opposing team’s best forward, and displayed great athleticism and toughness all season, while Quinn, had great outings versus Calvert Hall and Mount St. Joe. Another thing the Dons were pleased to have was consistent play from sophomore guard Matt Rum, who started every game and was the only player to average double-figures in points (11.0). Rum, who is already receiving steady interest from several Division I schools, looks to be one of the top rising juniors for next season along with fellow sophomore Brandon Floyd, leave Dons fans hope for an even better season next year and a bright future ahead. Junior James Davenport, one of the more versatile players on the team, had great outputs in the early season 10-1 start, and concluded the season with a great offensive output in the BCL quarterfinal versus MSJ in which he contributed 18 points. Reserves Trevor Dauses, a sophomore, and juniors Patrick Cotherman, Ryan Shewell, and Pat Lowe were all pivotal and reliable in the team’s practices, and will look to battle for playing time next season.

Next year will be Coach Davalli’s third year in the program and looks to be the best opportunity to win the championship, as the team returns three starters. Coach Davalli is also pleased with the several incoming freshman, who will look to provide stability throughout the program. Thank you to the fans of the Dons for a wonderful season, and we hope to see you pack the Don Dome many more times.