MAC Preview and Predictions for 2021-2022

<p>It's mid-October, and that means we're about a month away from the official start of another high school season. In the upcoming days, we will be previewing respective conferences and regions around the DMV. In this edition, we take a closer look at the MAC.</p> <h5>(1) WHO IS THE TEAM TO BEAT?</h5> <p>It appears that Flint Hill will once again be the team to beat in this conference. The Huskies return a strong core of players who have been in the program and know how to win. </p> <h5>(2) WHO COULD BE THE "DARK HORSES"?</h5> <p>Saint James. The Saints have as much high-end talent as anyone in the league. Can this team maximize its potential?</p> <p>Sidwell. Never count out a team coached by Eric Singletary. The Quakers always play to their strengths and rarely beat themselves.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">St. Andrew's. Coach Jones has a promising group to work with. The Lions could be a team that surprises some folks. </span></p> <h5>(3) WHICH TEAM MIGHT HAVE THE BEST BACKCOURT?</h5> <p>Sidwell. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957022" first="Cam" last="Gillus"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="837925" first="Chris" last="Gamble"]</strong> are a formidable duo. Gamble will lock up the opposing team's best player each game and provide offensive firepower. Gillus will run the show, score when he needs to, and set the tone at the point of attack defensively. </p> <h5>(4) WHICH TEAM MIGHT HAVE THE BEST FRONT-COURT?</h5> <p>Flint Hill. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1107840" first="Reis" last="Jones"]</strong> might be the most forceful paint presence in the conference. Newcomer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962810" first="Gibraltar" last="Coleman"]</strong> adds versatility with his ability to score inside and out. Up-and-comer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1261987" first="Quin" last="Gorman"]</strong> will play with max effort each time he hits the floor. </p> <h5>(5) WHICH TEAM HAS THE MOST DEPTH?</h5> <p>Flint Hill. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1107853" first="Matthew" last="Gray"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962796" first="Nate" last="Pabis"]</strong> give the Huskies flexibility on the wing. Coach Reed also has program guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1107886" first="Jack" last="Thomas"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="999658" first="Khaleel" last="Abdullah"]</strong> who could get in the mix as well. </p> <h5>(6) WHO COULD WIN LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR?</h5> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/0-17.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1283250" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/0-17-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="815613" first="Saxby" last="Sunderland"] | Flint Hill (VA) '22</strong></p> <p>All signs are pointing to a productive senior campaign for Sunderland. He played some of his best basketball this summer and his stock continues to trend upward. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049862" first="Solomon" last="Ball"] | Saint James (MD) '23</strong></p> <p>Ball is one of the better prospects in the conference regardless of class. If his team enjoys some success, he will be a sure-fire candidate to win this award.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="999641" first="Jayden" last="Ross"] | Saint James (MD) '23</strong></p> <p>The same sentiments apply to Ross as with Ball. If the team can win games, he will be considered strongly for this honor. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="904658" first="Masai" last="Troutman"] | St. Andrew's (MD) '22</strong></p> <p>Troutman is perhaps the most gifted athlete you'll find in the league. He could easily be the league player of the year if St. Andrew's does damage. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="999626" first="Khalil" last="Williams"] | Potomac School (VA) '23</strong></p> <p>Williams is playing with supreme confidence heading into the season. He is an interesting sleeper pick to win this award. </p> <h5>(7) WHO MIGHT THE LEAGUE'S TOP BREAKOUT CANDIDATES BE?</h5> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1261987" first="Quin" last="Gorman"] | Flint Hill (VA) '24</strong></p> <p>6-foot-7 lefty [player_tooltip player_id="1261987" first="Quin" last="Gorman"] impressed over the summer and is on our radar as a breakout candidate. Keep an eye on this industrious forward. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1226871" first="Jahleel" last="Jackson"] | Potomac School (VA) '24</strong></p> <p>Jackson is a dynamic guard prospect who was productive over the summer. Expect him to impact the game both offensively and defensively.</p> <p><strong>Josiah Massaquoi | St. Andrew's (MD) '25</strong></p> <p>Massaquoi jumped off the page for St. Andrew's at DMV Live. If what we saw was any indication, he is in for a bright freshman campaign. </p> <p><strong>Jacob Ross | Saint James (MD) '25</strong></p> <p>Coach Breslin has good things to say about Ross this preseason. The younger brother of Jayden, Jacob should factor into the rotation and make a difference on both ends. </p> <h5>(8) WHO MADE OUR PRESEASON ALL-MAC TEAM?</h5> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Solomon-Ball.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1272109" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Solomon-Ball-300x217.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="217" /></a></p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="1049862" first="Solomon" last="Ball"] | Saint James (MD) '23</em></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="954639" first="Dylan" last="Bronner"] | Georgetown Day (DC) ‘22</p> <p><i>[player_tooltip player_id="904625" first="Brock" last="Davis"] | Georgetown Day (DC) ‘22</i></p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="837925" first="Chris" last="Gamble"] | Sidwell Friends (DC) '22</em></p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="957036" first="Marcel" last="Gardner"] | St. Andrew's (MD) '23</em></p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="1107840" first="Reis" last="Jones"] | Flint Hill (VA) '22</em></p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="957050" first="James" last="Lerner"] | Maret (DC) '23</em></p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="777068" first="George" last="Perkins"] | Sidwell Friends (DC) '22</em></p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="999641" first="Jayden" last="Ross"] | Saint James (MD) '23</em></p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="815613" first="Saxby" last="Sunderland"] | Flint Hill (VA) '22</em></p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="904658" first="Masai" last="Troutman"] | St. Andrew's (MD) '22</em></p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="999626" first="Khalil" last="Williams"] | Potomac School (VA) '23</em></p>