Preseason Top 40: Teams #6-10 Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following the release of the top 40 teams in Maryland, I will be breaking down the outlook of each of the top 10 teams. This article features both teams that ranked and the players that help make up each respective team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6 Bishop McNamara 16-13 (9-6 WCAC)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>: SF [player_tooltip player_id='1782660' first='Qayden' last='Samuels'] ‘26, PG Prince-Alexander Moody ‘26, F [player_tooltip player_id='2353561' first='Brandon' last='Woodard'] ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factors</strong>: F [player_tooltip player_id='2458557' first='Jayden' last='Mills'] ‘27, F [player_tooltip player_id='2353549' first='Jordan' last='Taylor'] ‘26, PG [player_tooltip player_id='1281028' first='Jamyr' last='Coleman'] ‘25, PG [player_tooltip player_id='2353528' first='Kirby' last='Duran'] ‘27, G Jerrin Poyner ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs are looking to for battle with anyone in their way this season after finishing a bit lower then they probably hoped in the WCAC. They add a little more firepower to the roster with [player_tooltip player_id='1281028' first='Jamyr' last='Coleman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2353561' first='Brandon' last='Woodard'], but the bulk of the team remains and is called to step up. Junior phenoms [player_tooltip player_id='1782660' first='Qayden' last='Samuels'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1782655' first='Prince' last='Moody'] will have to take full reigns and lead a young but gifted group this season if they want to see improvement from last year's finish. Their support cast is quite deep with high-major D1 prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='2353528' first='Kirby' last='Duran'], [player_tooltip player_id='2458557' first='Jayden' last='Mills'], [player_tooltip player_id='2353561' first='Brandon' last='Woodard'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2353549' first='Jordan' last='Taylor']. They have reliable options off the bench as well in F Jaylen Wells ‘25, G Jerrin Poyner ‘25, G [player_tooltip player_id='2575621' first='Xavier' last='Morris'] ‘27, G CJ Lee ‘25, and G Donovan Lloyd ‘25. The question isn't about the talent of Bishop McNamara. The question remains; how well will B-Mac put the roster together as the season progresses? Can all the offensive load on the roster mesh into the dominance they expect, and remain disciplined on the other end of the court? This will be the deciding factor in how successful the Mustangs are this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7 Jackson Reed 33-3 (14-0 DCSAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>: F [player_tooltip player_id='1370505' first='Josiah' last='Massaquoi'] ‘25, G [player_tooltip player_id='1370499' first='Pete' last='Newman'] ‘25, F/C [player_tooltip player_id='2412775' first='Kaylin' last='Dunbar'] ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factors: </strong>G [player_tooltip player_id='1370495' first='Jack' last='Corrigan Conaty'] ‘25, G [player_tooltip player_id='2450418' first='Marley' last='Park'] ‘25, G [player_tooltip player_id='2620491' first='Diego' last='Joy'] ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tentley Tigers are coming off a pretty strong year although finishing as a semifinalist in their region tourney. They enter this season with a pretty complete guard/wing stable to help support their main guy JJ Massaquoi. The star forward can play a lot off of the ball thanks to his teammates' ability operate offensively. The guard unit of Newman/Joy/Spencer/Park/Cornigan Conaty runs deep and they all add their respective touch of playmaking, defense, scoring, and physicality to the team's success. [player_tooltip player_id='2412775' first='Kaylin' last='Dunbar'] is an essential piece as he holds down the paint as a true protector and rebounding beast, who screens well and is vital on the floor as the enforcer. This talented roster allows for Massaquoi to showcase his ability to score in bunches and pick his spots on the floor well. Another year of big expectations for the Jackson Reed Tentley Tigers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8 DeMatha Catholic 24-12 (8-7 WCAC)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>: G [player_tooltip player_id='1782654' first='Ashton' last='Meeks'] ‘26, F [player_tooltip player_id='1579108' first='Cole' last='Bowser'] ‘25 (Furman), PG [player_tooltip player_id='2353540' first='Jamaal' last='McKnight Jr.'] ‘27, F [player_tooltip player_id='2353578' first='Daniel' last='Abass'] ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factors:</strong> F [player_tooltip player_id='1351693' first='Kade' last='Sebastian'] ‘25 (American U), F Charles Thomas ‘25, SF [player_tooltip player_id='2353574' first='Christian' last='Proctor'] ‘27, PG [player_tooltip player_id='1494077' first='Jacob' last='Wallace'] ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeMatha is heading into this season with some added anticipation after productive summers from a number of players and strong team chemistry. Their ability to defend this season may tell the overall story. In a tough WCAC Conference, they expect to compete with a commanding backcourt in Ace Meeks, McKnight Jr, and [player_tooltip player_id='1494077' first='Jacob' last='Wallace'] all in rotation. Their frontcourt took a loss from a couple grads/transfers, but Thomas/Sebastian/Abass/Walton/Proctor have made it clear they are here to answer the call. Charles Thomas, [player_tooltip player_id='2353574' first='Christian' last='Proctor'], Jamaal McKnight, [player_tooltip player_id='2353578' first='Daniel' last='Abass'], [player_tooltip player_id='1782654' first='Ashton' last='Meeks'], [player_tooltip player_id='1956027' first='Caden' last='Walton'], and a few others all showed some nice improvement individually through their summer/AAU action. Will be interesting to see how the DeMatha Stags put it together this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#9 Mt. Zion Prep Academy 24-11 (9-4 Metro Private)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong> F [player_tooltip player_id='1494076' first='Francis' last='Folefac'] ‘25 (Sienna U), PG [player_tooltip player_id='1284157' first='Jerome' last='Williams Jr'] ‘25, F [player_tooltip player_id='1286682' first='Kameron' last='Wylie'] ‘25, G [player_tooltip player_id='2047680' first='Jaden' last='Shipley'] ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factors</strong>: G [player_tooltip player_id='1371857' first='Quron' last='Elliott'] ‘26, F [player_tooltip player_id='2454548' first='Tayron' last='Malonga'] ‘27, G [player_tooltip player_id='1870443' first='Sol' last='Vita'] ‘26, G [player_tooltip player_id='2607622' first='Donovan' last='Peterson'] ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mt. Zion Prep enters the high school season with a pretty new look, but still remain a top MD prep team. They have high-level senior transfers coming in like Williams, Elliott, Wylie, and Shipley after losing a few prospects in the offseason. The guard makeup on this team is solid with [player_tooltip player_id='2450393' first='Angel' last='Long'], [player_tooltip player_id='1371857' first='Quron' last='Elliott'], Jerome Williams, [player_tooltip player_id='2047680' first='Jaden' last='Shipley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1870443' first='Sol' last='Vita'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2607622' first='Donovan' last='Peterson']. They all had great summers with the team and flowed nice together through different rotations. Kam Wiley is an underrated athletic big that makes very good plays at times. He can defend and pass at a pretty high level, just has to do it consistently while staying out of foul trouble on a game-to-game basis. Zion's younger prospects Lozano, Molanga, and Heath are all good enough now to make an impact as well. Folefac is the piece that put its all together with his combination of strength, IQ, defense, scoring, and rebounding. The Warriors have a lot to look forward to and build on this season.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10 St. Andrew's Episcopal 22-9 (8-2 Mid-Atlantic)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players: </strong>SF [player_tooltip player_id='1489079' first='Miles' last='Franklin'] ‘25 (Columbia), F [player_tooltip player_id='1494165' first='Jayson' last='Peterson'] ‘26, PG [player_tooltip player_id='2353583' first='Damon' last='Nelson'] ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factors: </strong>G [player_tooltip player_id='2252275' first='Karon' last='Bailey'] ‘26, SG [player_tooltip player_id='1956023' first='RJ' last='Roche'] ‘25, SF [player_tooltip player_id='2340848' first='Cayton' last='Scott'] ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Andrew's Episcopal has a steady overall roster that knows how to perform. The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1494165' first='Jayson' last='Peterson'] and the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='2252275' first='Karon' last='Bailey'] has helped boost the Lions into a faster and more athletic team, that can still light it up from deep. Columbia University commit [player_tooltip player_id='1489079' first='Miles' last='Franklin'] is still the go-to option for the team. He operates best when catching the ball in the mid-range and reading the floor for his next play. From there he can quickly create his own shot or dime one of his shooters or cutters. This is where the shooters like [player_tooltip player_id='1956023' first='RJ' last='Roche'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2353583' first='Damon' last='Nelson'] can really get loose and make St. Andrew's a scary offensive unit. Being a young team, much of the success of this team will rely on their ability to execute well, especially in the halfcourt once the game slows down.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->