The 2025-2026 Season, Winter Sports Outlook
Blakeβs 2025-2026 winter athletic season is underway. Many exciting competitions and promising futures are set for the Bengals this winter. Given that the first official games started last Friday, Giselle, Nana, Cherlin, and Eldana from The Blake Beat preview the winter season by examining key metrics and takeaways from last year.
Boys' Basketball
Giselle Wyche
Coming off an outstanding 21-2 record last season, the boys' basketball program is in strong contention for a state championship this year. To note, Blakeβs JV team went undefeated last season, posting a 17-0 record. Last year, the varsity team went on to win the MCPS County Championship 79-69 against Northwest. However, an unfortunate loss in the Region Championship led to off-season improvements. This year, the team's new head Coach, Brandon Howell, has set the tone with preseason preparations. Some of which included scheduling scrimmages against high-ranked teams such as Good Counsel and Largo High School (both of which resulted in wins for Blake). With key Senior Baba Oldaotun, who is notably the top-8 ranked basketball recruit in the nation, returning, the team looks to be in good shape. Baba recently committed to the University of Maryland, and you can check out The Blake Beatβs piece on his announcement here. Another notable team player this year is Senior Thaj Martin. Thaj is an elite combo guard, recognized by many scouts and basketball personnel throughout his time at Blake. At the time of publication, varsity boys basketball won their season opener, 101-27, against Albert Einstein. With strong returners and momentum built over the offseason, the Bengals are set to do well this winter.
Girls' Basketball
Nana Agyemang
The Blake Girlsβ Basketball team, coming off a 6-17 record last year, returns this year with a main goal: to go far in the playoffs and win more games in their new division, 4A. With successful scrimmages and a close finish in their season opener against Einstein on Friday, the team is in good shape.
Cheer
Cherlin Lucas
The BHS Cheer team will be cheering at Winter Sports games and events this season, as preparation for the program's competitions. During the Fall sports season, Blake cheer didnβt place in a competition, so theyβll look to improve this Winter season.
Wrestling
Giselle Wyche
With the Blake wrestling team having an impressive 2024-2025 season, the program is high on expectations for this year. An amazing 7-3 record last season paves the way for future success. An exciting addition to the schedule this year is new all-girls matches, along with the coed ones. A standout returner is senior Brody Matson. Brody was a regional champion his Freshman year and is seemingly set to do well this season; heβs made a far run in playoff competition every season since then. Long-time Head Coach Mr.Potts has been a great contributor to the wrestling team. At the time of publication, Blake girls wrestling took 3rd place at the Knightmare Invitational, with 1st-place finishers, sophomore Avah Taylor, a standout from last season, and new member, Tiffany Ojeda. The coed team finished in 5th place. Hoping to build momentum, the wrestling program looks to a deep state run.
Poms
Nana Agyemang
βB! H! S! Pomsβ is back again for their winter season with 12 competitions and true Blake spirit. Head Coach, Ms. Terah Richardson, thinks βthis year's team will do great this competition season! Just like previous years, weβre working hard, and weβre going to put our best dance out there!β Come out and support Blake Poms in their first competition at Blake on December 12th against Montgomery Blair High School.
Bocce
Giselle Wyche
Although the Blake Bocce team didn't compete last season, the team looks to be in a good position for a successful year. Blake's counselor, Ms. Constebader, was named as the team's new head coach this winter. Bocce is an inclusive sport open to all. Bengals, if you're interested in playing Bocce this year, check out Blake Athletics for updates, as the team is looking for additional players.
Swim and Dive
Nana Agyemang
Blake Swim and Dive is back again this year! Team players are excited for the new season and what awaits them. Diver Camilla Grasso expresses the team this year as, βlacking divers, but we have gained a lot of fast swimmers,β and βBlake swimming and diving will succeed this season!β
Indoor Track and Field
Eldana HailemariamΒ
Indoor Track and Field had an outstanding 2024-2025 season. The girls' side of the program was yet again the MCPS county champions for the third year in a row! For the boys, the Individual county champion was Zachary Oh, a returnee for this upcoming season, who topped the competition in the 3200m last year. Blake Track and Field also did well at states, with the girls' 4x8 team placing 3rd and earning a personal best. Key standouts return along with promising new team members; Blake T&F seems poised for a great winter.Β Β
