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Breaking down Burke

The Burke girls basketball team (12-0), the toast of Boston City League, is well on its way to a 12th league title in 14 years. The Bulldogs returned the top two scorers from EMass, and welcomed a pair of talented freshman guards into the fold as well. The undefeated squad has matured its front-court and is playing a brand of team ball not seen last year, when it fell in the D3 South Semifinals to Cardinal Spellman.

One-two punch:
Tamaria Menefee (28 points per game) and Laniece Langford (27 ppg.) finished one-two in scoring last season, easily giving Burke the highest scoring backcourt in the state.

“They’re both tremendous players,” said coach John Rice. “Last year teams really keyed in on those two.”

This season, both have added new elements to their games, which Rice believes makes them better players and the Bulldogs a much better team.

While Menefee’s points-per-game average has dropped from 28 to 19, Rice attributes it to an increased willingness to share the ball.

“She’s been much more unselfish this year,” he said. “She’s sacrificed her scoring average and has made everyone better. She’s a scoring point and can play the two but she’s really gearing towards a pass-first approach.”

Langford, a Globe All-Scholastic who Rice feels could become the best player in school history, has averaged 25 points per game this season. She’s versatile and can play any position on the floor. She’s always been able to score and pass but Rice feels that she’s blossomed as a defender and rebounder.

“This year we have more options,” said Rice. “We’re more flexible, more athletic, we’re a more complete team.”

Now boarding:
A pair of seniors, Danielle Sampson and Naimah Louis-Barnes, have improved underneath, giving the Bulldogs a post presence they lacked last year.

“They’ve become much stronger rebounders,” said Rice.

On guard:
Adding to Burke’s already versatile backcourt is a pair of freshman guards: Latraya Watt and Melika Clark. Watt, a point guard, allows Menefee to slide into the shooting guard role, while Clark, a sharp-shooter, stretches and punishes defenses when Langford or Menefee drive.

“All can shoot the three, all can penetrate and all share the ball,” said Rice.

Senior Valerie McConnel plays a key role on Burke’s short bench -- the varsity team has just nine members and there is no JV program.

The Bulldogs have beaten Winthrop, Cardinal Spellman and Cathedral in nonleague action and are pummeling opponents this season. Burke enters the Top 20 this week for the first time at No. 19 and is likely sticking around. The Bulldogs will be serious contenders come tournament time.