MAC Preview and Predictions for 2021-2022

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.

(1) WHO IS THE TEAM TO BEAT?

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. 

(2) WHO COULD BE THE “DARK HORSES”?

Saint James. The Saints have as much high-end talent as anyone in the league. Can this team maximize its potential?

Sidwell. Never count out a team coached by Eric Singletary. The Quakers always play to their strengths and rarely beat themselves.

St. Andrew’s. Coach Jones has a promising group to work with. The Lions could be a team that surprises some folks. 

(3) WHICH TEAM MIGHT HAVE THE BEST BACKCOURT?

Sidwell. Cam Gillus Cam Gillus 5'10" | PG Sidwell Friends | 2023 State MD and Chris Gamble Chris Gamble 6'1" | CG Sidwell Friends | 2022 State MD 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. 

(4) WHICH TEAM MIGHT HAVE THE BEST FRONT-COURT?

Flint Hill. Reis Jones Reis Jones 6'10" | C Flint Hill | 2022 State VA might be the most forceful paint presence in the conference. Newcomer Gibraltar Coleman Gibraltar Coleman 6'6" | PF Flint Hill | 2023 State VA adds versatility with his ability to score inside and out. Up-and-comer Quin Gorman Quin Gorman 6'8" | PF Flint Hill | 2024 State VA will play with max effort each time he hits the floor. 

(5) WHICH TEAM HAS THE MOST DEPTH?

Flint Hill. Matthew Gray Matthew Gray 6'7" | SF Flint Hill | 2022 State VA and Nate Pabis Nate Pabis 6'5" | SF Flint Hill | 2023 State VA give the Huskies flexibility on the wing. Coach Reed also has program guys like Jack Thomas Jack Thomas 6'5" | C Flint Hill | 2022 VA and Khaleel Abdullah Khaleel Abdullah 6'1" | PG Flint Hill | 2023 State VA who could get in the mix as well. 

(6) WHO COULD WIN LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR?

Saxby Sunderland Saxby Sunderland 6'2" | CG Flint Hill | 2022 State VA | Flint Hill (VA) ’22

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. 

Solomon Ball Solomon Ball 6'3" | CG Brewster Academy | 2023 State #106 Nation NLG | Saint James (MD) ’23

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.

Jayden Ross | Saint James (MD) ’23

The same sentiments apply to Ross as with Ball. If the team can win games, he will be considered strongly for this honor. 

Masai Troutman Masai Troutman 6'5" | SF St. Andrew's | 2022 State MD | St. Andrew’s (MD) ’22

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. 

Khalil Williams Khalil Williams 6'5" | SG Potomac (McLean, VA) | 2023 State VA | Potomac School (VA) ’23

Williams is playing with supreme confidence heading into the season. He is an interesting sleeper pick to win this award. 

(7) WHO MIGHT THE LEAGUE’S TOP BREAKOUT CANDIDATES BE?

Quin Gorman Quin Gorman 6'8" | PF Flint Hill | 2024 State VA | Flint Hill (VA) ’24

6-foot-7 lefty Quin Gorman Quin Gorman 6'8" | PF Flint Hill | 2024 State VA impressed over the summer and is on our radar as a breakout candidate. Keep an eye on this industrious forward. 

Jahleel Jackson Jahleel Jackson 6'1" | PG Hayfield | 2024 State VA | Potomac School (VA) ’24

Jackson is a dynamic guard prospect who was productive over the summer. Expect him to impact the game both offensively and defensively.

Josiah Massaquoi | St. Andrew’s (MD) ’25

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. 

Jacob Ross | Saint James (MD) ’25

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. 

(8) WHO MADE OUR PRESEASON ALL-MAC TEAM?

Solomon Ball Solomon Ball 6'3" | CG Brewster Academy | 2023 State #106 Nation NLG | Saint James (MD) ’23

Dylan Bronner Dylan Bronner 6'4" | SF Georgetown Day | 2022 State MD | Georgetown Day (DC) ‘22

Brock Davis Brock Davis 6'5" | SF Georgetown Day | 2022 State MD | Georgetown Day (DC) ‘22

Chris Gamble Chris Gamble 6'1" | CG Sidwell Friends | 2022 State MD | Sidwell Friends (DC) ’22

Marcel Gardner Marcel Gardner 6'9" | C St. Andrew's | 2023 State MD | St. Andrew’s (MD) ’23

Reis Jones Reis Jones 6'10" | C Flint Hill | 2022 State VA | Flint Hill (VA) ’22

James Lerner James Lerner 5'11" | PG Maret | 2023 State MD | Maret (DC) ’23

George Perkins George Perkins 6'8" | PF Sidwell Friends | 2022 State MD | Sidwell Friends (DC) ’22

Jayden Ross | Saint James (MD) ’23

Saxby Sunderland Saxby Sunderland 6'2" | CG Flint Hill | 2022 State VA | Flint Hill (VA) ’22

Masai Troutman Masai Troutman 6'5" | SF St. Andrew's | 2022 State MD | St. Andrew’s (MD) ’22

Khalil Williams Khalil Williams 6'5" | SG Potomac (McLean, VA) | 2023 State VA | Potomac School (VA) ’23