Must-see Teams in 2022-2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are some of the must-see teams for the upcoming season? Find out here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Churchill (MD)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs have as perhaps much talent as you will find on a public school roster next season. Their big three of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1364988' first='Ezekiel' last='Avit']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1413497' first='Isaiah' last='Mbeng']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1280965' first='Tre' last='Stott']</strong> will be difference-makers on a nightly basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Gonzaga (DC)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have a roster featuring a nice blend of experience and youth. Three seniors, Thomas Batties, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1413525' first='Jack' last='Cadin']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1114029' first='Ryan' last='Sabol']</strong>, are all high-level college prospects. Time will tell just how good the Purple Eagles 2025 class will be, <a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/07/local-young-core-rankings/"><strong><em>but it's shaping up to be a good one</em></strong></a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Hayfield (VA)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks made history last year, and expectations will once again be high despite the loss of Braylon Wheeler and Ashton Pratt to graduation. All-Met first teamer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115503' first='Greg' last='Jones']</strong> returns along with fellow 2023's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403923' first='Dj' last='Holloway']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403962' first='David' last='King']</strong>. That core of high-end talent will have a strong enough supporting cast to Make Hayfield one of the teams to beat again in the Northern Virginia public sector.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Jackson-Reed (DC)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's still very early, but the Tigers look like they will have a strong chance to win another city title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1127310' first='Rob' last='Dockery']</strong> will look to fill the shoes of Wilson legend Darren Buchanan Jr., but he will have plenty of help. <strong>Marvin Brimage </strong>is looking to build off a breakout junior campaign. The arrivals of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1127318' first='Justin' last='Gilmore']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494074' first='Jayden' last='Fort']</strong> only bolster the plethora of options at Coach Tee Johnson's disposal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Mount St. Joseph (MD)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='957018' first='Amani' last='Hansberry']</strong> has been the consensus <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/maryland/rankings/2023-rankings/"><em>top prospect</em></a></strong> on our site since his freshman year. Despite losing the top prospect in 2024, [player_tooltip player_id='2232230' first='Bryson' last='Tucker'], the Gaels will still be a must-watch team. Hansberry is surrounded by an experienced trio of guards in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='957059' first='Austin' last='Abrams']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1164830' first='Sean' last='Clark']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1049863' first='Ace' last='Valentine']</strong>. And the emergence of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1280947' first='Tyonne' last='Farrell']</strong> gives MSJ a formidable one-two punch in the frontcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Landon (MD)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Turner has quickly helped turn Landon into an interesting sleeper team within the area. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1219879' first='Tyler' last='Perkins']</strong> has been a hot name in recent months, but don't forget about his classmate <strong>Christos Palkogiannis</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1370504' first='Frankie' last='Mannino']</strong> is a promising 2025 name to monitor as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1260005' first='Ari' last='Hobson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782670' first='Ube' last='Zaid']</strong> are a pair of newcomers who have stood out this offseason and could make an impact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Paul VI (VA)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is this the most talented team we've seen at PVI in recent memory? On paper, it's hard to argue against that statement. The Panthers have at least one top-five prospect in our 2023-2025 Virginia Rankings, and <a href="https://prephoops.com/virginia/rankings/2024-rankings/"><strong>5 of the top-7 in 2024</strong></a>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999616' first='DeShawn' last='Harris-Smith']</strong> enjoyed a productive summer on the EYBL and looks ready to lead this gifted group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Sidwell Friends (DC)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Quakers quietly rattled off 27-straight wins en route to MAC and DCSAA Championships respectively last season. Much of their roster, including All-MAC standouts <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='957022' first='Cam' last='Gillus']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1127314' first='Caleb' last='Williams']</strong> return. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1370500' first='Jalen' last='Rougier-Roane']</strong> looks poised to take the next step. Transfers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225257' first='Acaden' last='Lewis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1237830' first='Jake' last='Williams']</strong> will look to help this Sidwell team reach its full potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>St. Maria Goretti (MD)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goretti's 2023 class is sneaky good. The Gaels have 5 seniors who will have a chance to play in college. It's a mystery how <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1219865' first='Dionte' last='Alexander'] </strong>has not received more division one interest. <strong>Justin Cheung</strong> is considered a knockdown shooter, and <strong>Najeh Allen </strong>has untapped potential. <strong>Jahsan Johnson</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1317122' first='Tristan' last='Cook']</strong> are a pair of accomplished guards who are flying under the radar as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->