Preseason First-Team All-Met Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In preparation for the upcoming season, we've been releasing comprehensive preview content covering the area in and around DMV. One of the things we like to do each year is to try and predict who will make the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/03/19/winter-all-met-boys-basketball-teams/"><strong>All-Met First Team</strong></a>. Here is a breakdown of all 10 candidates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1364988' first='Ezekiel' last='Avit'] | Churchill (MD) '23</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avit recently committed to Maryland for football, but that probably won't stop him from hooping and being a difference-maker for the bulldogs. After coming up just short of a state title a year ago, this squad seems motivated. Avit is coming off a productive summer with Global Squad and is poised to help lead his team back to Xfinity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Thomas Batties | Gonzaga (DC) '23</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Batties has steadily improved over the years at Gonzaga. Over the summer, he showcased high-quality leadership intangibles throughout DC Live and appears poised to assume that type of role as a senior. Gonzaga is a perennial contender for the WCAC crown. Expect Batties to be a factor if the team reaches its full potential this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1241877' first='Cameron' last='Cole'] | Highland (VA) '23</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cole was the only underclassman to be selected to the All-MPSC First Team last season. The Navy commit returns to Highland with a new-look squad, but that won't change his mindset. Look for Cole to close out his high school career in style. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1127310' first='Rob' last='Dockery'] | Jackson-Reed (DC) '24</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dockery is the lone underclassman on this list. After watching his squad compete in a recent fall event without him, it was clear to see how badly they missed his presence. Dockery is without question one of the more valuable players to his team in the area. If the Tigers can secure yet another DCIAA title, he should have the inside track for a spot on this list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Cameron Gillus | Sidwell Friends (DC) '23</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gillus might have been snubbed from the first team last season by the All-Mets staff. After leading Sidwell to a nearly flawless season, he'll be motivated to claim his rightful spot on this list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='999616' first='DeShawn' last='Harris-Smith'] | Paul VI (VA) '23</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our <a href="https://prephoops.com/virginia/rankings/2023-rankings/"><strong>top-ranked</strong></a> player from Virginia, DHS is a jack-of-all-trades who finds ways to win games. The Maryland commit was the first name we wrote down when thinking of this list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1115503' first='Greg' last='Jones'] | Hayfield (VA) '23</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones was an easy name to fill in here. He made the first team last season after guiding his team to a perfect record and a state title. The dynamics will be different, but Jones will certainly be one of the favorites to represent the VA public sector. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='957026' first='Malik' last='Mack'] | St. John's (DC) '23</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mack is entering his senior year fully healthy, which could be a scary thing for foes. The Harvard commit made the All-WCAC First Team as a junior despite not being fully healthy at the start of last season. Given the fact that he should be fully fit from the get-go, don't be surprised to see Mack come flying out of the gates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1219879' first='Tyler' last='Perkins'] | Landon (MD) '23</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perkins continuously reinforced his credentials as a top prospect in DC during the offseason. The lefty swingman, who recently committed to Penn, was the MVP of Capitol Hoops Summer League and one of the top performers at DMV Live. Look for Perkins to put up huge numbers for the Bears and make a strong case to be named on this list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='957109' first='Jeremiah' last='Quigley'] | Bishop McNamara (DC) '23</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNamara is looking like a tricky proposition for its conference rivals this season. The emergence of Quigley has been one of the reasons why. His clutch scoring ability has surfaced time and time again when his team needs it. With that said, Quigley will have ample support. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='957038' first='Jaden' last='Johnson']</strong> is another Mustang who could be considered for this spot as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->