First Live Period Preview: Top-10 Games to Watch

We are excited to have you covered throughout the upcoming evaluation periods. Here we will be taking a closer look at the top-10 games to watch in DC, Maryland, and Virginia during the first weekend. #10 | Wise vs. Douglass | DC Live @ Sidwell | 6/20 @ 950AM Fortunately, some Maryland Publics will have the opportunity to play in front of coaches during the upcoming live period. Wise and Douglass are perennial powers from PG County who are likely to have some up-and-coming talent. Two players to watch in this contest are [player_tooltip player_id="904667" first="Amare" last="Wimbush"] of Wise and [player_tooltip player_id="904653" first="Mikhai" last="Arnold"] of Douglass. #9 | Eleanor Roosevelt vs. Sidwell Friends | DC Live | Sidwell | 6/18 @ 540PM Given the distinguished stature of both programs in this matchup, the quality of play should be high on both sides. [player_tooltip player_id="904678" first="Ifanieye" last="Lewis"] and [player_tooltip player_id="904687" first="James" last="Rice"] have established very good chemistry in the Raiders backcourt. Sidwell is still relatively young, but is led by two rising seniors, [player_tooltip player_id="837925" first="Chris" last="Gamble"] and [player_tooltip player_id="777068" first="George" last="Perkins"]. Expect 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="957022" first="Cam" last="Gillus"] to be assertive while [player_tooltip player_id="957035" first="Chris" last="Russell"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1127314" first="Caleb" last="Williams"] bring size and versatility to the Quakers frontcourt. #8 | Saint James vs. Steward | VA Live Period Shootout | Blue Ridge | 6/19 @ 710PM Those looking to get a glimpse of what this area has to offer in 2023 should check out Saint James vs. Steward down at Blue Ridge. [player_tooltip player_id="999641" first="Jayden" last="Ross"], [player_tooltip player_id="1049862" first="Solomon" last="Ball"], and [player_tooltip player_id="992529" first="Curtis" last="Blair III"] are all Division One recruits. Rangy guard [player_tooltip player_id="1107835" first="Cam" last="Gregory"] is one to watch in 2022. #7 | Archbishop Spalding vs. Georgetown Prep | DMV Live | DeMatha | 6/19 @ 640PM This matchup between Spalding and Prep is filled with college prospects. [player_tooltip player_id="837927" first="Cameron" last="Whitmore"] and [player_tooltip player_id="954640" first="Jordan" last="Pennick"] are two of the more athletic players in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="904646" first="Tyheil" last="Peterson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1198795" first="CJ" last="Scott"] provide additional experience for the Cavs. The Little Hoyas also have experience. They are led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id="904654" first="Bryce" last="Sewell"], [player_tooltip player_id="904649" first="AJ" last="Thomas"], and [player_tooltip player_id="777082" first="Stefan" last="Marcelle"]. But their young core is also intriguing. [player_tooltip player_id="1127315" first="Khani" last="Rooths"] has a good chance to become a household name in the DMV, but don’t sleep on the likes of [player_tooltip player_id="1127317" first="Goap" last="Kodi"], Rulian Stewart, Pat McDonough, and Akbar Waheed. #6 | St. Frances vs. SSSAS | DMV Live | DeMatha | 6/19 @ 520PM SSSAS has built as good of a resume as any program in Virginia in recent years. They will be tested against Baltimore powerhouse St. Frances. The Saints will have experience on their side as they are led by four seniors: [player_tooltip player_id="815601" first="Garrett" last="Brennan"], [player_tooltip player_id="962791" first="Elliott" last="Black"], [player_tooltip player_id="1107823" first="Miles" last="Webb"], and [player_tooltip player_id="902006" first="Devin" last="Ceaser"]. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="999624" first="Mason" last="So"] is an impact transfer who will make an immediate difference for SSSAS. [player_tooltip player_id="1045800" first="Jahnathan" last="LaMothe"], [player_tooltip player_id="1089573" first="Derik" last="Queen"], [player_tooltip player_id="1110545" first="Cortez" last="Johnson"], [player_tooltip player_id="1114066" first="Carlton" last="Carrington"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1089572" first="Daquan" last="Davis"] are just a few names to know for the Panthers. #5 | Gonzaga vs. St. John’s | DC Live | Sidwell | 6/19 @ 640PM This matchup of perennial WCAC contenders will be a must-watch. Gonzaga boasts a seasoned roster, led by [player_tooltip player_id="837921" first="Devin" last="Dinkins"], [player_tooltip player_id="904642" first="Jared" last="Turner"], and [player_tooltip player_id="904629" first="Quinn" last="Clark"]. Their classmates, [player_tooltip player_id="1049814" first="Nicholas" last="Evans"], [player_tooltip player_id="1159449" first="Eddie" last="Paquette"], and Thomas Maloney add depth and additional experience. This will be a huge opportunity for emerging 2023 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="957041" first="Thomas" last="Batties II"] to introduce himself on the big stage. The Cadets feature three seniors of their own: [player_tooltip player_id="904624" first="Christian" last="Watson"], [player_tooltip player_id="904626" first="Shane" last="Lancaster"], and [player_tooltip player_id="848406" first="Logan" last="Blair"]. But their underclassmen, [player_tooltip player_id="957018" first="Amani" last="Hansberry"], Donnie Freeman, Nate Guerengomba, [player_tooltip player_id="957027" first="Raymond" last="Watts"], and Acaden Lewis, are proving to be difference-makers. #4 | Mt. St. Joe vs. STAB | DMV Live | DeMatha | 6/20 @ 310PM It seems like every year, a player breaks out at MSJ. [player_tooltip player_id="1110551" first="Aidan" last="Mess"] could be that guy this summer. Keep an eye on 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1049863" first="Ace" last="Valentine"] and promising 2024 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="1127305" first="Bryson" last="Tucker"] for the Gaels as well. STAB’s [player_tooltip player_id="962785" first="Justin" last="Taylor"] has enjoyed a successful start to his grassroots campaign and appears poised to parlay that into a productive June with his high school club. [player_tooltip player_id="999617" first="Carter" last="Lang"], [player_tooltip player_id="992531" first="John" last="St. Germain"], and Chance Mallory are a few other names to know from this group. #3 | STAB vs. Blue Ridge | VA Live Period Shootout | Blue Ridge | 6/18 @ 710PM STAB will be logging heavy mileage over the weekend as they play on Friday night at Blue Ridge before traveling to DeMatha. [player_tooltip player_id="815577" first="Maliq" last="Brown"] and [player_tooltip player_id="798689" first="Houston" last="Emory"] will be difficult to contend with in the paint. Newcomer [player_tooltip player_id="999651" first="Logan" last="Rhoades"] is heading into this weekend with some momentum after performing well in Hampton with Team Loaded. #2 | Paul VI vs. St. Frances | DMV Live | DeMatha | 6/20 @ 310PM The battle for Panther supremacy will certainly be a must-see affair. [player_tooltip player_id="815578" first="Knasir" last="McDaniel"] is a maestro, and Ben Hammond is learning the tricks of the trade. [player_tooltip player_id="999616" first="DeShawn" last="Harris-Smith"] and Darren Harris will certainly command plenty of attention as well. It will also be interesting to see how Tavarres Riley plays after scorching the nets at Southern Jam Fest. #1 | DeMatha vs. Paul VI | DMV Live | DeMatha | 6/18 @ 820PM What better occasion than primetime on Friday night for these two teams to play? DeMatha has loads of talent as usual. [player_tooltip player_id="777065" first="Tyrell" last="Ward"], [player_tooltip player_id="904621" first="Rodney" last="Rice"], and [player_tooltip player_id="904630" first="Jerrell" last="Roberson"] are the rising seniors who expected to lead the way. 2023’s [player_tooltip player_id="957021" first="Jacoi" last="Hutchinson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="957032" first="Jason" last="Moore"] have been key rotation players in the past and should continue to be while [player_tooltip player_id="1127312" first="Jaeden" last="Mustaf"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1127313" first="AJ" last="Swinton"] are two of the better 2024 prospects in the state.