Catholic League Preview: X-Factors

"Basketball is a team game." We know who the best players and/or primary options are for most of the teams in the league, but it players 3-6 who put them over the hump. Here are some of the X-Factors who could swing games and the season for a few top contenders and dark horses in the PCL:   [player_tooltip player_id='1136565' first='Jake' last='West'] | G ‘25 Archbishop Carroll   West came on late in the ‘21-22 season for the Patriots, starting their last 11 games. Overall, he averaged 7.6 ppg, 2.5 apg, and 43.5% from 3 (30 of 69). His facilitating and shot-making over the summer and fall showed that he's ready to be the full-time starter at point guard. As seniors [player_tooltip player_id='991335' first='Dean' last='Coleman-Newsome'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1472583' first='Blake' last='Deegan'] carry the scoring load, West will be able to set them up with easier shots and play off of them to hit threes of his own. If he does that at a consistent level, Carroll could be scary in the playoffs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1589139' first='Reggie' last='Selden, Jr.'] | G ‘24 Bonner-Prendie   The transfer from Bishop Eustace (NJ) is tasked with organizing a new-look Friars squad with a ton of length and athleticism. Seldon starts alongside 6'4 Brady Eagan, 6'6 [player_tooltip player_id='1116025' first='Touari' last='“Deuce” Ketner'], 6'5 [player_tooltip player_id='1477716' first='Kevin' last='Rucker'] Jr, and 6'8 [player_tooltip player_id='1118630' first='Nelson' last='Lamizana']. His quickness with the ball in-hand and potential to collapse the defense could be the missing ingredient in their halfcourt offense. On the opposite end, they'll need him to prevent opposing guards from doing that to them. The Friars will have some growing pains early, but if Seldon can steady the ship, they could be the team no one wants to see in February.   [player_tooltip player_id='1123910' first='Khaafiq' last='Myers'] | G ‘24 Neumann-Goretti   Myers was a signature piece in their triple crown a season-ago (9.3 ppg, 4.3 apg, and 2.7 spg) and they'll need him to be more than that in ‘22-23. The Saints can and will bank on his ability to turn defense into offense with steals and deflections. And with [player_tooltip player_id='1116063' first='Robert' last='Wright III'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1279647' first='Sultan' last='Adewale'] as their primary perimeter and interior threats offensively, he'll have to be their number three option. Myers's progress as a shooter from deep will be key as NG tries to repeat as PCL, district and state champs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1577636' first='Jermai' last='Stewart-Herring'] | W ‘23 Roman   Roman had a deadly trio that earned them the 1 seed and a final four appearance in the 2022 PCL playoffs. Now, without Skillings (Cincinnati) and Farmer (Hofstra) off to college, [player_tooltip player_id='991334' first='Xzayvier' last='Brown'] is the only one who remains. Stewart-Herring came in from St. Elizabeth's (DE) and made an instant impact as a defender. Additionally, he has the potential to replace some of what Skillings gave them as a cutter and slasher. With Brown, [player_tooltip player_id='1116024' first='Anthony' last='Finkley'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1188620' first='Shareef' last='Jackson'] as good passers and all-around players, Stewart-Herring could make them a quartet with great odds to return to the Palestra.   [player_tooltip player_id='933048' first='Tristen' last='Guillouette'] | C ‘24 St. Joe's Prep   SJP was the youngest team in the league in ‘21-22 with freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='1460800' first='Jordan' last='Ellerbee'], [player_tooltip player_id='1197607' first='Jaron' last='McKie'], [player_tooltip player_id='1188621' first='Olin' last='Chamberlain'] Jr, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1202209' first='Jalen' last='Harper'] as key pieces in their rotation. Guillouette was dinged up early on but still managed 11.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg, and 3.2 bpg while they took their lumps. The Jersey-native passes well from the high post and can put a lid on the rim defensively. They'll still be very young this season, but if Guillouette can become a more dominant low-post scorer, the Hawks have a chance to double their previous win total.   [player_tooltip player_id='991381' first='Shemar' last='Wilbanks-Acqui'] | G ‘23 West Catholic   The lefty combo guard shifts from sixth man to full-time starter coming off their semi-finals run. Rolling with returners Adam “Budd” Clark and Temple-commit [player_tooltip player_id='1121734' first='Zion' last='Stanford'], it wasn't hard for the equally talented “Whop” to operate on the second-side and capitalize on the advantages they created (11.4 ppg, 3.4 apg, 37.7 3P% [20-53] in ‘21-22). If Wilbanks-Acqui is able to be their secondary option on offense, which includes reps as their primary initiator and increasing his 3 point efficiency, the Burrs can go the distance this season and he could get the D1 options he's been waiting on.   More X-Factors   [player_tooltip player_id='1173991' first='Jaden' last='Murray'] | F '24 Archbishop Ryan   [player_tooltip player_id='1483181' first='Josh' last='Reed'] | G '23 Archbishop Wood   [player_tooltip player_id='933049' first='Josh' last='Coulanges'] | G '23 Cardinal O'Hara   Aidan Mondragon | G '24 Conwell Egan   [player_tooltip player_id='1123922' first='Ty' last='Mishock'] | G '24 Devon Prep   Anthony Lilly | F/C '24 Father Judge   Cameron Smith | F '25 La Salle   For more basketball coverage and miscellaneous, follow me on social media @ CGraham_sports

"Basketball is a team game." We know who the best players and/or primary options are for most of the teams in the league, but it players 3-6 who put them over the hump. Here are some of the X-Factors who could swing games and the season for a few top contenders and dark horses in the PCL: