Archbishop Curley’s Oumar Ballo was just one of eight players to earn a return spot on the 2009 National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas Boys High School All-America Team. Ballo is a two-time Baltimore Sun First-Team All-Metro pick, and is regarded as one of the top defenders in the nation. He will play for Loyola in the fall.

Two players from McDonogh, Marquez Fernandez and Mamadou Kansaye, were the other two players from Maryland named to the team. Fernandez, last year’s Baltimore Sun Player of the Year, and Kansaye will continue to be teammates at the University of Maryland next season.

Also, Mount St. Joseph, the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A conference champion, is ranked 15th in the latest NSCAA poll -- the highest of any team in the state.

-- Todd Karpovich