On the coldest night of the year Friday, St. Frances Academy continued its hot start in MIAA A and Baltimore Catholic basketball leagues. The second-ranked Panthers defeated Calvert Hall College, 78-55, in Towson.

Sophomore guard Tyler Jackson finished with 22 points for St. Frances with Jahnathan Lamothe and Carlton Carrington each adding 17. Johnson tied for game-high honors with 22 for Calvert Hall.

The Panthers led wire-to-wire, improving to 5-6 overall. The East Baltimore school is 3-0 in the Baltimore Catholic League and 2-0 in MIAA A play.

It was just the third area game this month for the Panthers, who’ve played in California, New York, Pennsylvania, and, most recently, Florida.

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“Pretty great to be home and the kids to get to be in front of family and friends,” said St. Frances coach Nick Myles. “We got the chance to play everybody.”

The Panthers led 23-7 after the opening quarter, advancing the margin to 22 (29-7) after a 3-point play by Carrington, who will play for the University of Pittsburgh next winter. Nine players scored for St. Frances, which split two games at the City of Palms Tournament earlier in the week, including a four-point loss (68-64) to nationally-ranked Link Academy from Missouri.

St. Frances’ six losses have been by a total of 29 points.

“We always want to be a great representation of Baltimore basketball,” said Myles. “We’re 5-6, but could easily be 10-1 or 11-0. We’re learning how to win.”

The Panthers have been anchored by their backcourt featuring Carrington, Maryland recruit Lamothe and Jackson, who’s already a Top 40 national prospect by Rivals.

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“We don’t have a lot of size,” said Myles, who added 6-7 freshman post Gage Howard has been progressing. “Guys are competing and that’s all we can ask.”

Calvert Hall's Ty Bizzelle heads to the basket against St. Frances Friday evening. The Panthers defeated the Cardinals in a MIAA A Conference/Baltimore Catholic League match in Towson.

St. Frances will be on the road during the Christmas holiday, going to New York for the Jordan Brand Holiday Classic. The Panthers play Pennsylvania’s Archbishop Wood (Dec. 28) and Cardinal Hayes from New York (Dec. 30).

Calvert Hall (7-6, 0-3 BCL, 0-2 MIAA A) will play at Governor’s Challenge in Salisbury.

NO. 2 ST. FRANCES 78, CALVERT HALL 55

St. Frances - Jackson 22, Carrington 17, Lamothe 17, Mebane 9, Pittman 4, Baldwin 3, Howard 2, Lancaster 2, Lawrence 2. Totals 25 18-21 78.

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Calvert Hall - Johnson 22, Bizelle 11, Biggers 8, Tinch 5, Crawford 3, Garrison 3, Latoya 3. Totals 20 8-14 55.

St. Frances 23 16 20 19 - 78

Calvert Hall 7 12 22 14 - 55

St. Frances basketball Carlton Carrington shoots against Calvert Hall
Calvert Hall basketball Brendan Johnson vs. St. Frances on Dec. 23, 2022 (Jimmy Fields Sr.)
St. Frances basketball Jahnathan Lamothe vs. Calvert Hall on Dec. 23, 2022
St. Frances basketball Jahnathan Lamothe vs. Calvert Hall on Dec. 23, 2022
Calvert Hall basketball Ty Bizzelle is guarded by St. Frances' Carlton Carrington during Dec. 22 basketball game.