WCAC Semis/Finals Standouts (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best conferences in the country, the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, had their conference tournament this weekend and it did not disappoint. All of the semifinals and finals were super close games with all of them being decided by single digits and the championship coming down to the final seconds where junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1089572' first='Daquan' last='Davis'] hit the game winning layup to give St. John's of DC the win over Paul VI of Va.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of the standouts from the final three games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='957026' first='Malik' last='Mack'] | 6'2” PG | St. John's 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1726601,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Malik-Mack-St.-Johns.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Malik-Mack-St.-Johns.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1726601" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Harvard commit may have struggled in their semifinal win over Gonzaga, but in their championship win over Paul VI he came up big time for them down the stretch scoring 13 of his 15 points in the second half and hitting some big time shots. The 6'2” lefty showed his shiftiness off the bounce getting in the paint and making plays, he showed big time shot making ability from multiple levels and he brought great leadership on both ends. He finished with 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting from the field and had 8 assists as a playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1089572' first='Daquan' last='Davis'] | 6'1” PG | St. John's 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1826113,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Davis-Daquan.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Davis-Daquan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1826113" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there was an MVP of the tournament, it would have to go to Davis who not only came up big in both games on both ends of the floor, he hit the game winning layup with just under 3 seconds to play in the championship. The 6'1” lead guard impacts the game in so many different ways as he's an absolute dog defensively and can force turnovers, he scores the ball in different ways and loves big time situations and his quickness off the bounce put pressure on the defense consistently. He finished with 21 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field with 7 rebounds and 3 assists in the championship win, and had 14 points hitting crucial shots in their semifinal win over Gonzaga.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Donovan Freeman | 6'9” PF | St. John's 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1726608,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Donnie-Freeman.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Donnie-Freeman.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1726608" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freeman is perhaps the best long term prospect in the DMV, and his junior season he took a big leap being named to the First Team All WCAC Team. He was fantastic in their two wins, being the mismatch factor with his ability to guard multiple positions, score the ball on the perimeter and in the midrange with his shooting ability and he showed his athletic finishing ability as well. He finished with 16 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field in their championship win over Paul VI, and had 17 points and 7 rebounds in their semifinal win over Gonzaga.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1114029' first='Ryan' last='Sabol'] | 6'2” WG | Gonzaga 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1608602,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Ryan-Sabol.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Ryan-Sabol.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1608602" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sabol has been Gonzaga's unsung x-factor throughout their impressive season in which they were nationally ranked at one point, and in their close loss to St. John's he was both efficient and played well in his role on both ends of the floor. He's a highly intelligent player with great feel and doesn't make many mistakes, he can knock down shots consistently and he is a great help side defender as well. He finished with 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in their loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thomas Batties | 6'7” PF | Gonzaga 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Batties was a First Team All WCAC selection this year, as the Harvard grad possibly took the biggest jump in development and production of anyone in the league. The 6'7” forward showed his versatility with his ability to score it inside-out, rebound on both ends of the floor and make plays for others as a big man. He finished with 9 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in their loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->