Greater Catholic League (GCL) Coed Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season turned into a nice year for the GCL Coed as they sent two of their six members (Alter and Carroll) to the District Finals and one team to the State Final Four (Alter). While last year's success likely was the main focus for awhile, that focus shifted in the offseason with transfer news that certainly brought some more attention to an already well known league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NOTE: This article will cover the 6 teams within the GCL Coed. The GCL South will be covered in a separate article in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Predicted Finish</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>Chaminade-Julienne- The Eagles ended last year with a District Final appearance before falling to Woodward at UD Arena. The Eagles lost their 1st Team All-District guard ([player_tooltip player_id='1222348' first='Jonathan' last='Powell']) and their best two-way player (Kylan Tucker) from that team. However, the Eagles added some big transfers with the additions of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1043600' first='George' last='Washington III']</strong> (Sr), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1346654' first='Jackson' last='Washington']</strong> (Jr), and <strong>Jayden Washington</strong> (Fr) from Louisville. George is considered one of the top 100 players in the country and brings explosiveness at the PG position. Jackson is a rising junior with multiple D1 offers already. Add these names to an already tough roster led by athletic wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1443913' first='Evan' last='Dickey']</strong> (Sr) and rising big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467912' first='Devin' last='Rakestraw']</strong> (Jr) and this team not only is the favorite to win the GCL Coed, but likely Division II as a whole as well.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2"><li>Alter- If it weren't for the addition of the Washington's at C-J, Alter likely would've been considered the favorites to repeat in the GCL. Instead they will likely finish runner-up after a stellar 2022 campaign that saw the Knights finish in the State Final Four in Division II. Gone are Marshall commit Jacob Conner and Ryan Chew from that team. However, the Knights return a senior trio that has been contributors since their sophomore years led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201839' first='Anthony' last='Ruffolo']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1052785' first='Gavin' last='Geisel']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1219837' first='Aj' last='Leen']</strong>. Ruffolo has exploded this AAU season and has impressed with his scoring capabilities. Geisel has been their best perimeter shooting threat and Leen is their glue guy and alternative offensive weapon. The Knights have some young size in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432055' first='Charlie' last='Uhl']</strong> (So) and <strong>Matthew Lunne</strong> (So) that should both see increased roles as the season wears on. I see Alter as a potential District Finalist again and could see them challenging C-J come GCL play.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3"><li>Carroll- The Patriots made a run to the District Finals last year before falling to Roger Bacon at UD Arena. While the Patriots struggled in the GCL Coed, the run through Districts shows this team has a good motor behind them. Looking towards the upcoming season Carroll is returning the top scorer in the league last year in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399903' first='Sean' last='McKitrick']</strong> (Sr) who averaged 19 points per game a season ago. Beyond McKitrick, who is the focal point of the offense, the Patriots return two other upperclassmen role players in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285274' first='Nick' last='Kaiser']</strong> (Jr) and <strong>Tanner Smart</strong> (Sr). Kaiser brings ball handling and leadership at the PG position while Smart has size and a solid skillset for some two-way capabilities. Combine these guys with the scoring potential from McKitrick and you have a core group that Carroll can lean on to challenge for the #3 spot in the league.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4"><li>McNicholas- The Rockets struggled and did not replicate the success they had in 2021. Much of this is due to the amount of senior talent they lost from that team. Even with the struggles, there were some positive signs and even this group returning has some optimism. Arguably the top player from a season ago returns (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1207608' first='Tyler' last='Haynes']</strong> (Sr)) as well as one of the better post players on the team in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285271' first='Ethan' last='Gardner']</strong> (Sr). The depth beyond these two are what would hold the Rockets back in terms of challenging for the #3 spot. </li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5"><li>Fenwick- The Falcons went through some growing pains a season ago but they are returning their top 2 from that team in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1484682' first='Bailey' last='Temming']</strong> (Jr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1456989' first='Jude' last='Hooks']</strong> (Sr). Temming has great size at 6'8 and will be a fantastic low post threat for Fenwick. Hooks brings athleticism and perimeter shooting. Fenwick should be better than last year, but their offensive output is what they need to improve on most to move up to compete with Carroll and McNicholas at the #3 spot.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":6} --> <ol start="6"><li>Badin- The Rams really struggled a year ago within the GCL winning only 1 game. Now they will be without their All-District guy in Logan Neu who graduates and is heading to Miami (OH) for their football team. The physicality Neu brought will be missed as Badin must be able to defend against the length and talent across the league. The addition of <strong>Aiden Brown</strong> (Jr) from Hamilton Ross will help, but they need more than him to contend and climb out of the bottom of the league.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->