Preseason Top 40: Teams #1-5 Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is almost here! Here is the in-depth preview of Maryland and DC's top 5 teams coming into the 2024-2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 Gonzaga College High School 28-6, (10-3 WCAC, WCAC runner-up)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong> G [player_tooltip player_id='1370498' first='Nykolas' last='Lewis'] ‘25, G [player_tooltip player_id='1370496' first='Derek' last='Dixon'] ‘25, C [player_tooltip player_id='1409272' first='Christian' last='Gurdak'] ‘25, F [player_tooltip player_id='1434219' first='Alex' last='Touomou'] ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factors</strong>: G Will Harper ‘25, F [player_tooltip player_id='1782769' first='Saxton' last='Simley'] ‘26, F [player_tooltip player_id='1784445' first='Carter' last='Meadows'] ‘26, G [player_tooltip player_id='2353555' first='Malachi' last='Terrell'] ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gonzaga Purple Eagles are expected to soar high over their Washington Catholic Conference competition with a loaded returning roster featuring multiple high-major D1 commits. Their backcourt consisting of Nyk Lewis (Xavier) at the 1 and [player_tooltip player_id='1370496' first='Derek' last='Dixon'] (UNC) at the 2 is a clear mismatch most nights. Gurdak (Virginia Tech) is expected to notch a double-double on any given night for Gonzaga, plays his role very consistently on an offensively-gifted team. The support returning and coming in for Gonzaga this season only strengthens them at the core. They have a good bench unit that only needs to build consistency over time to become a strong and reliable 2nd unit. The Purple Eagles will certainly be looking to hang a WCAC banner by season's end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 St. John's College High School 25-8 (10-4 WCAC)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>: G [player_tooltip player_id='1414529' first='Omari' last='Witherspoon'] ‘25 (Pitt), F [player_tooltip player_id='1782593' first='Zyion' last='Chase'] ‘26, G [player_tooltip player_id='1782663' first='Devin' last='Toatley'] ‘26, F [player_tooltip player_id='2242034' first='Jon' last='Barton'] ‘25 (Towson)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factors</strong>: F [player_tooltip player_id='1588109' first='Finley' last='Billy'] ‘26, G [player_tooltip player_id='1969210' first='Geremy' last='Clark'] ‘26, G [player_tooltip player_id='2353547' first='Jymin' last='Veney'] ‘27, G [player_tooltip player_id='2524394' first='Kareem' last='Smith-Bey'] ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. John's is another talent-heavy school in DC looking for a 2025 championship. Their roster is loaded with D1 talent from the starters to bench. The Cadets will truly pride themselves on their deep depth this year. While they are offensively geared to take on anyone, the Cadets are absolutely dialed in on the defensive side equally. The younger prospects like Veney, [player_tooltip player_id='2353566' first='Oladeji' last='Olorungbohunmi'], and Smith-Bey tend to enter the game with a grit and intensity that matches the starting unit's strengths. The true potency of this team's talent glares when the ball is in constant motion and the shooters are consistent with the 3-ball. Big aspirations for St. John's this season if they can defend, and keep the whole team involved offensively, keeping them unpredictable and deep team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 Bullis 27-3 (10-0 Interstate Athletic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players: </strong>G [player_tooltip player_id='1367431' first='Adrien' last='Stevens'] ‘25 (Marquette), C [player_tooltip player_id='1955967' first='Eric' last='Reibe'] ‘25 (UConn), G [player_tooltip player_id='1782596' first='Angelo' last='Dickerson'] ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factors:</strong> PG [player_tooltip player_id='1956025' first='Darren' last='Moore'] ‘25 (Stonehill College), SG [player_tooltip player_id='1768968' first='Michael' last='Hemann'] ‘25, SG [player_tooltip player_id='1579110' first='Christopher' last='Richards'] ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullis lost a few critical 2024 grad pieces this offseason, but their strong summer left good impressions for the upcoming 2025 season. The Bulldogs will now look to more help from their supporting cast as they gain another year of experience. They are still spearheaded by the trio of their all around star wing [player_tooltip player_id='1367431' first='Adrien' last='Stevens'], efficient and dominant 5-man [player_tooltip player_id='1955967' first='Eric' last='Reibe'], and the sharpshooting and reliable [player_tooltip player_id='1782596' first='Angelo' last='Dickerson'] at the 2. [player_tooltip player_id='1956025' first='Darren' last='Moore'] does a good job securing the point guard spot for the Bulldogs. Bullis will have to adjust to the departure of some key graduates, but they still expect to control the Interstate Athletic conference once again.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Sidwell Friends 27-4 (12-0 DCSAA, DCSAA Champions)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>: G [player_tooltip player_id='1225257' first='Acaden' last='Lewis'] ‘25 (Kentucky), G [player_tooltip player_id='1370500' first='Jalen' last='Rougier-Roane'] ‘25 (George Washington U), F [player_tooltip player_id='1782594' first='Jalyn' last='Collingwood'] ‘26, F [player_tooltip player_id='2353562' first='Ian' last='Condon'] ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factors:</strong> G [player_tooltip player_id='1370497' first='Caleb' last='Gillus'] ‘25 (Gettysburg College), F [player_tooltip player_id='2610860' first='Omari' last='Pearson'] ‘27, G Eric Green ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3rd DC area team to crack the top 5. Sidwell is a team-first program that checks a lot of boxes as far as top teams go. Solid production in the frontcourt led by senior point guard and UK commit [player_tooltip player_id='1225257' first='Acaden' last='Lewis'], who can produce a 20-and-10 line on any given night. On his wings are Rougier-Roane (GW) and Gillus (Gettysburg); two 3pt snipers who show up each game and perform well on both sides of the ball for the Quakers. Condon, Garrett, and Pearson provide the force down low, but have skill enough to create for their own shots. Solid but young depth that is ready for the challenge each game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 Georgetown Prep 22-6 (8-2 Interstate Athletic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong> G [player_tooltip player_id='1371865' first='Akbar' last='Waheed III'] ‘25 (Boston College), F [player_tooltip player_id='1891144' first='Sinan' last='Huan'] ‘26, F [player_tooltip player_id='1494078' first='Dylan' last='Gassaway'] ‘25 (Navy), C [player_tooltip player_id='1768901' first='Tyler' last='Garrett'] ‘25 (Dartmouth), G [player_tooltip player_id='2241992' first='Carter' last='Berg-McLean'] ‘25 (Loyola)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factors</strong>: G [player_tooltip player_id='2194751' first='Charlie' last='Orcev'] ‘28, G [player_tooltip player_id='2454539' first='Jarrard' last='Desire'] ‘27, C [player_tooltip player_id='2524416' first='Majok' last='Aguek'] ‘28, G [player_tooltip player_id='1370506' first='Patrick' last='McDonough'] ‘25 (Army), F Macuei ‘Chum' Kodi ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Georgetown Prep Little Hoyas have a lot to look forward to with this roster. Each class of prospects has a nice range of ability and potential to unload a powerhouse come tournament season. Waheed leads the charge as a well-rounded and highly efficient off-guard that the offense can seemingly flow through. The depth of the Little Hoyas is what makes them so threatening this year. Huan, Aguek, Orcev, and [player_tooltip player_id='2524418' first='Jahlil' last='Waheed'] all join the roster ready to make immediate impact, while the younger prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='2454538' first='Bruiser' last='Edwards'], [player_tooltip player_id='2454539' first='Jarrard' last='Desire'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2454544' first='Chum' last='Kodi'] will seek more opportunity with their gained experience. Georgetown Prep has every bit of firepower to be at the top of the Interstate Athletic Conference by season's end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->