Xaverian Classic Day 1 Standouts

One of my favorite events out the gate every year in the DMV is the Xaverian Classic, held at Good Counsel High School. 8 teams from 3 different states gather in Olney, MD to determine a champion after a 3-day single elimination tournament. This year's participants include the host Good Counsel, Archbishop Spalding, Bishop McNamara, Father Judge (PA), Georgetown Prep, St. Andrew's, Bishop Loughlin, and Glenelg Country.     My top player for the day was 2025 W [player_tooltip player_id='1371865' first='Akbar' last='Waheed III'] of Georgetown Prep with a statline of 18p 9r 3a 1s. The rebounding impact on both ends of the floor stood out to me, as he has slowly built out a much more complete game from a freshman role as mainly a catch-and-shoot marksman. Offensively he is much more patient, passing out of bad looks and taking his shots within the flow of the game. He has improved his playmaking to be somewhat of a passing hub from the top of the key, kicking to shooters or hitting post players with a good entry feed.     Big day for Waheed's teammate Rulian Stewart, finishing with an impressive and very impactful 18p 4r 2a. Had several nice dishes to corner and wing shooters that didn't fall, but his decision-making seems to be peaking just in time for his senior year. Hit shots from behind the arc, got to the rim at will, and was devastatingly-effective as a play finisher in transition.     The last Georgetown Prep player we will speak on is one of the area's best shooters in 2025 PG Patrick McDonogh. The junior floor general can play on or off the ball with his ability to knock down shots, going 7/11 from 3 in this game to finish with 21p 2a 2r. McDonogh plays with moxie on both ends of the floor, never afraid of the opponent or the matchup- fully expect Ivy and Patriot League schools to start tapping in.     I came away very impressed with my first viewing of another 2025 W, St. Andrew's [player_tooltip player_id='1489079' first='Miles' last='Franklin']. Franklin impressed early with four offensive rebounds and two 3s within the first few minutes of the game, setting the tone early in a dominant 55-38 win for an STA team without one of their best players in Alexander Alarie (injury). Finishing with a final line of 17p 10r 2a, Franklin showed his versatility on both ends of the floor. A player that can be successful even with a limited usage rate, he played within himself and did all of the dirty work for his team.   [player_tooltip player_id='2333477' first='Holden' last='Pierre-Louis'] had the best performance of any big man today, with a forceful 8p 11r 4b 1s. The 6'6 F was seemingly everywhere, rebounding the ball and blocking shots at an alarming rate to control the paint for St. Andrew's. Pierre-Louis not only embraces but seeks out contact at both ends of the floor, playing a physical brand of basketball that set the tone for the game while also boosting the confidence of his teammates.   The last St. Andrew's product we will cover is '25 6'4 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1956023' first='RJ' last='Roche']. Started off the game a perfect 3/3 from beyond the arc, loved his movement off the ball to create easy, high-percentage looks. Plays with toughness on the defensive end of the floor, quiet player but excels in his role and is an effective teammate.     Two players stood out for a Spalding team that cut the McNamara lead to 3 in a game that many expected to be a blowout. [player_tooltip player_id='1370513' first='Malik' last='Washington'], a 2-sport star fresh off a league MVP season as a quarterback on the gridiron, was a bit rusty but still finished with an effective stat line, nearing a double double with 15 points. His ability to slide his feet on the perimeter, bang with bigs, and initiate fastbreaks makes him a valuable piece for this Cavaliers team. [player_tooltip player_id='1782587' first='Elijah' last='Barrett'] came alive in the second half to finish with 17 points, scoring 9 of his team's 17 points in the 4th quarter to come back in a game against a very good WCAC opponent in McNamara. The 6'2 CG stopped settling for jumpers and got to the basket well both in the halfcourt and transition, eventually hitting two 3s in the final period to put a scare in the Mustangs. His on-ball defense has improved, forcing turnovers and several contested looks from the McNamara backcourt.     [player_tooltip player_id='1782655' first='Prince' last='Moody'] overcame some early turnovers and a shooting slump by jumping passing lanes and converting at the other end with some emphatic dunks. My favorite part of his game is his confidence, his last shot never dictates his next one, which is an important mindset that I think will carry him to success at the next level. A good ball-handler who has the burst to get to wherever he wants in the halfcourt, the next step in his progression will be to create easy looks for teammates off the dribble as he will likely need to play point guard at the college level.     Really enjoyed the minutes from freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2353528' first='Kirby' last='Duran'] of McNamara. Plays with good pace, doesn't get sped up, has a smooth shooting stroke. Duran understands how to get the ball smoothly into his left hand before picking the ball up for a pull-up 3, mechanics are very clean for such a young prospect. Hit all three of his looks from the perimeter but still moved the ball when it got to him. Will be intriguing to see how he develops the next few years into more of an on-ball role, used mainly as a wing shooter for the time being.

One of my favorite events out the gate every year in the DMV is the Xaverian Classic, held at Good Counsel High School. 8 teams from 3 different states gather in Olney, MD to determine a champion after a 3-day single elimination tournament. This year's participants include the host Good Counsel, Archbishop Spalding, Bishop McNamara, Father Judge (PA), Georgetown Prep, St. Andrew's, Bishop Loughlin, and Glenelg Country.