WCAC 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…
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Continue ReadingIt’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 WCAC.
1) WHO ARE THE TEAMS TO BEAT?
DeMatha. The Stags lose many key contributors from the previous season including Jacoi Hutchinson and Jason Moore Jason Moore 6'6" | PF DeMatha | 2023 MD but return three seniors who are committed to playing at the division one level.
Gonzaga. No matter who is on the court, you can never count out the Eagles. They are always playing their best basketball down the stretch.
Paul VI. The Panthers have a relatively young group, but their older guys are battle-tested.
(2) WHO COULD BE THE “DARK HORSES”?
Archbishop Carroll. Coach Powell’s group should not be taken lightly this year. They will be a force to be reckoned with.
Bishop McNamara. Containing Favour Aire Favour Aire 6'10" | C Bishop McNamara | 2022 State #86 Nation MD will be essential for every opponent the Mustangs face.
Bishop O’Connell. This team is as talented as any in the league.
Good Counsel. The Falcons missed out on a golden opportunity last year because of the pandemic. Returning seniors Dylan Williamson Dylan Williamson 6'0" | CG Good Counsel | 2022 State MD and Kyle Pulliam Kyle Pulliam 6'3" | SG Good Counsel | 2022 State MD will be running it back though, and their supporting cast is strong enough for this team to be tricky.
St. John’s. The Cadets lost a pair of key contributors from last year’s squad but will receive a boost from the return of their starting point guard.
(3) WHICH TEAM MIGHT HAVE THE BEST BACKCOURT?
Let’s not overlook the talented guards at St. John’s. Malik Mack Malik Mack 6'0" | PG St. John’s | 2023 State #260 Nation MD has been out for a while due to injury but is expected to be back with a vengeance. Shane Lancaster Shane Lancaster 6'4" | CG St. John's | 2022 State MD is a versatile guard who can light it up from deep and play on or off the ball. And Acaden Lewis Acaden Lewis 6'2" | PG Sidwell Friends | 2025 State #149 Nation MD is a promising lefty who has shown that he can initiate the offense or score from anywhere on the court.
(4) WHICH TEAM MIGHT HAVE THE BEST FRONT-COURT?
McNamara has the best big in the conference, but Carroll has sneaky good frontcourt depth. Newcomer Manny Okitondo will make a huge difference. Joseph Mupoyi Joseph Mupoyi 6'8" | C Archbishop Carroll | 2023 MD is now a high-major football recruit, but showed signs of promise on the hardwood as well. Gene Anderson Gene Anderson 6'7" | C Archbishop Carroll | 2022 MD will give the Lions good minutes as well.
(5) WHICH TEAM HAS THE MOST DEPTH?
Gonzaga Coach Steve Turner is excited about the options he will have at his disposal this year. Many relatively unknown players will probably chip in during a given contest. For example, seniors Thomas Maloney and Eddie Paquette Eddie Paquette 6'2" | SG Gonzaga | 2022 State MD are a pair of program guys who have been waiting in the wings for their opportunity.
(6) WHO COULD WIN LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR?
Favour Aire Favour Aire 6'10" | C Bishop McNamara | 2022 State #86 Nation MD | Bishop McNamara (MD) ’22
Aire has once been named to the conference’s first team. The natural progression for the towering post prospect would be to win the league player of the year award.
Devin Dinkins Devin Dinkins 5'10" | PG Gonzaga | 2022 State MD | Gonzaga (DC) ’22
If Gonzaga maximizes its potential as a team, Dinkins’ contributions will likely be critical.
Paul Lewis Paul Lewis 6'1" | PG Bishop O'Connell | 2022 State VA | Bishop O’Connell (VA) ’22
Lewis was tabbed as a candidate to lead this area in scoring this season. If he can do something close to that and lead his team to a respectable record, he will have a strong case to win player of the year.
Dug McDaniel | Paul VI (VA) ’22
McDaniel surely will be fun to watch running the show for the Panthers. Can he help them win enough games to be considered league player of the year?
Rodney Rice Rodney Rice 6'4" | CG DeMatha | 2022 State #89 Nation MD | DeMatha (MD) ’22
Rice will be asked to play a vital role for the Stags once again this year. He’s one of the safer picks to win this award.
Tyrell Ward Tyrell Ward 6'7" | SF DeMatha | 2022 State #56 Nation MD | DeMatha (MD) ’22
Ward took a huge leap since the pandemic and is perhaps the favorite to win this award. If the Stags take care of business, he and/or Rice will likely claim it.
(7) WHO MIGHT THE LEAGUE’S TOP BREAKOUT CANDIDATES BE?
Josiah Franklin Josiah Franklin 6'1" | CG St. Mary's Ryken | 2022 State MD | St. Mary’s Ryken (MD) ’22
Ryken is a much-improved squad, and Franklin is part of the reason why. Look for him to go at whoever he is matched up with.
Jayden Harris Jayden Harris 6'8" | SG Potomac Va | 2023 State VA | Bishop Ireton (VA) ’23
Harris is a newcomer to the league, but he won’t be unknown for long. Don’t be surprised to see him rocking rims this winter.
Nyk Lewis | Gonzaga (DC) ’25
Lewis has been tabbed as one of the better young lead guards in the area. Word on the street is that he will have plenty of chances to show what he can do.
Rieco Hellams Rieco Hellams 5'7" | PG Good Counsel | 2023 State MD | Good Counsel (MD) ’23
Hellams thrived this summer and is heading into this season with some positive momentum. Can he pick up where Antoine Jacks Antoine Jacks 5'10" | PG Good Counsel | 2021 State MD left off?
Rihards Vavers Rihards Vavers 6'6" | SF Archbishop Carroll | 2022 State MD | Archbishop Carrol (DC) ’22
Vavers will be a point of emphasis on the scouting report for opposing teams. There will still probably be nights where he goes off though. On those occasions, expect him to drain a minimum of four three pointers.
(8) WHO MADE OUR PRESEASON ALL-WCAC FIRST TEAM?
Favour Aire Favour Aire 6'10" | C Bishop McNamara | 2022 State #86 Nation MD | Bishop McNamara (MD) ’22
Cam’ron Brown Cam’ron Brown 5'10" | PG Archbishop Carroll | 2022 State MD | Archbishop Carroll (DC) ’22
Devin Dinkins Devin Dinkins 5'10" | PG Gonzaga | 2022 State MD | Gonzaga (DC) ’22
Paul Lewis Paul Lewis 6'1" | PG Bishop O'Connell | 2022 State VA | Bishop O’Connell (VA) ’22
Dug McDaniel | Paul VI (VA) ’22
Rodney Rice Rodney Rice 6'4" | CG DeMatha | 2022 State #89 Nation MD | DeMatha (MD) ’22
Tyrell Ward Tyrell Ward 6'7" | SF DeMatha | 2022 State #56 Nation MD | DeMatha (MD) ’22
Christian Watson Christian Watson 6'6" | SF St. John's | 2022 State #121 Nation MD | St. John’s (DC) ’22