WCAC Rankings: 6-10

As we gear up for another season of HS basketball in the DMV, we thought it would be best to start off with a WCAC preview for this upcoming season. Our scouts attended open gyms, spoke with area and national scouts, as well as local coaches to rank what many consider to be the best conference in American High School basketball. These rankings are based off of last season's results, incumbent talent, incoming transfers, and where we think they will end the regular season. Important to note: The Heights aren't included, their school will not be fielding a varsity team this season. Our article about the top 5 in the league can be found <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/11/wcac24-25top5/">here</a>, let's dive into #6-10!     6. Archbishop Carroll Lions   Last season: 18-15, 5-9 WCAC, WCAC 1st Round   Key losses: Hassan Dorman (graduation), Landry Barbour (graduation), Matar Wade (graduation), Nate Pondexter (graduation), Sean Murphy (graduation)   Key additions: Ant Brown Jr (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2509329' first='Ashton' last='Graves'] (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2388168' first='Chima' last='Amadi'] (freshman), [player_tooltip player_id='2194564' first='Donovan' last='Ford'] (freshman), [player_tooltip player_id='2610756' first='Travoda' last='Jagne'] (JV), [player_tooltip player_id='2610751' first='Axel' last='Jobin'] (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2552618' first='Dhruv' last='Iyer'] (transfer)   Projected Starting 5:   Ant Brown Jr- Junior   Bam Bolding- Sophomore   [player_tooltip player_id='2509329' first='Ashton' last='Graves']- Sophomore   Evans Barning- Senior   Liberty Fusire- Senior   Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2509329' first='Ashton' last='Graves']   Outlook:   -Lions add in a bunch of new pieces this season to the fold in year 2 for Coach Battle. PVI transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1782683' first='Anthony' last='Brown Jr'] leads the way as a dynamic scoring point guard that can create for himself and for others, run a fastbreak, get into gaps, and ignite fastbreaks by snagging offensive rebounds. Liberty Fusire had a productive summer showing his rebounding, rim-running and play-finishing capabilities as an athletic forward prospect. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2509329' first='Ashton' last='Graves'], '26 [player_tooltip player_id='2610751' first='Axel' last='Jobin'] and '27 Daylen Bolding will add in a nice blend of ball-handling guards that will serve as strong POA defenders that can make plays for teammates while both being capable of knocking down C+S perimeter looks. Evans Barning steps into a bigger role as a W/F tweener that can rebound the ball, block shots, run the floor, and hit elbow jumpers. Incoming '27 6'8 transfer David Massaoui will surprise some people as a mobile W/F tweener that can run the floor, hit open shots from all 3 levels, rebound, and provide weak-side rim protection. '28 wings [player_tooltip player_id='2610833' first='Truth' last='Kelly'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2388168' first='Chima' last='Amadi'] should perform well in their minutes as off-ball wings that can attack closeouts and hit shots. Transfer '27 sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='2552618' first='Dhruv' last='Iyer'] will space the floor off the ball while getting into gaps to create for others on hard closeouts. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2610756' first='Travoda' last='Jagne'] and '25 Justin Estep round out the rotation as capable PGs off the bench that defend, move the ball, and can knock down open looks.   Hit their ceiling if:   Their defensive intensity sets the tone night in and night out   7. Bishop O'Connell Knights   Last season: 23-8, 9-5 WCAC, WCAC Semifinals   Key losses: AJ Swinton (graduation), Bryson Tucker (graduation), Jadyn Harris (transfer), Quincy Wadley (transfer), Tim Walker (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2353606' first='Amani' last='Asare'] (transfer), Steven Huan (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2896959' first='Daniel' last='Russell'] (transfer)   Key additions: [player_tooltip player_id='2242031' first='Lorcan' last='Hyndman'] (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2148742' first='Liam' last='Koelsch'] (transfer), Christian Morrison (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2459209' first='Justin' last='Edwards'] (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins'] (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2470549' first='Makel' last='Minor'] (transfer), Matt Dalton (JV)   Projected Starting 5:   [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins']- Junior   [player_tooltip player_id='2470549' first='Makel' last='Minor']- Sophomore   [player_tooltip player_id='1494106' first='Shane' last='Lincoln']- Senior   [player_tooltip player_id='1580731' first='Aiden' last='Caulker']- Senior   [player_tooltip player_id='1494118' first='Wyatt' last='Norton']- Senior   Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2470549' first='Makel' last='Minor']   Outlook:   -The Knights roll out a new roster in the league full of new weapons for Coach Wootten to deploy this season. The new backcourt of Bivins and Minor gives O'Connell more paint touches, offensive creativity and flow, and some much-needed scoring punch from the perimeter. The senior tandem of Lincoln and Caulker will continue to serve as an under-the-radar Swiss Army Knives of production from the wing as secondary ball-handlers, switchable defenders, rebounders, and slashers. [player_tooltip player_id='1494118' first='Wyatt' last='Norton'] looks healthy again and poised to be the team's leading rebounder, best hustle players, and is beginning to put it on the floor and hit perimeter shots with more regularity. [player_tooltip player_id='2148742' first='Liam' last='Koelsch'], [player_tooltip player_id='2242031' first='Lorcan' last='Hyndman'], and Matt Dalton will hold down the frontcourt with Norton to give the Knights more physical rebounding, defending, and interior scoring. '26 incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='2459209' first='Justin' last='Edwards'] will be a menace on the glass as a slashing 2/3 tweener that wins 50/50 balls, defends well as a helper or on the ball, and can finish above the rim. Christian Morrison provides a nice slashing and shooting combo guard that can carve out a role for himself off the bench.   Hit their ceiling if:   Their perimeter defense and ball screen coverage is elite   8. Bishop Ireton Cardinals   Last season: 18-12, 6-8 WCAC, WCAC Quarterfinals   Key losses: Mekhi Johnson (graduation), Jamari Hodnett (graduation), Matt Mena (transfer)   Key additions: [player_tooltip player_id='2715192' first='Nash' last='Avery'] (freshman), [player_tooltip player_id='2478844' first='Wyatt' last='Klein'] (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2882025' first='Khyair' last='Phillips'] (freshman), Deuce Price (freshman), [player_tooltip player_id='2470580' first='Elijah' last='Simpkins'] (JV)   Projected Starting 5:   [player_tooltip player_id='1782688' first='Khaliq' last='Carson']- Junior   [player_tooltip player_id='1782690' first='Silas' last='Devonish']- Junior   Jake Bahr - Junior   [player_tooltip player_id='1782692' first='Ripp' last='Kodi'] - Junior   [player_tooltip player_id='1579113' first='Evan' last='Brown']- Junior     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='1782688' first='Khaliq' last='Carson']   Outlook:   Ireton heads into the year looking to build on some positive momentum with a deeper rotation of impact players. '26 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1782690' first='Silas' last='Devonish'] controls tempo, gets paint touches, and puts pressure on opponents with his physical style of play at both ends of the floor-- showing a better feel for when to create for others and when his team needs him to score will be key to his production this year. [player_tooltip player_id='1782688' first='Khaliq' last='Carson'] will likely start with Devonish in the backcourt and prove his value as a tenacious on-ball defender that can run a fastbreak and score in the paint or beyond the arc. Jake Bahr fills a role as an old school scorer that can take his matchup off the bounce, score off of footwork and upfakes in the paint, knock down perimeter shots, and serve as a good connector in the halfcourt that makes timely passes to open teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='1782692' first='Ripp' last='Kodi'] should garner more college interest as a wing shooter with great size that is starting to mix in more drives off the bounce, rebounding, and weak side help defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1579113' first='Evan' last='Brown'] anchors the squad defensively and has added to his scoring bag 18' and in to become more of a threat on the offensive side of the ball. '28 [player_tooltip player_id='2715192' first='Nash' last='Avery'] will look to carve out a role on the team as a mobile wing prospect that can defend, get to the basket, and make some highlight athletic plays. [player_tooltip player_id='2882025' first='Khyair' last='Phillips'] steps onto campus as a savvy scoring guard that plays at his own pace and makes good reads in tight spaces. '28 PG Jamall "Deuce" Price fills a role as one of the best pure point guards in the area that can really handle the rock and make plays for his team. [player_tooltip player_id='2470580' first='Elijah' last='Simpkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2478844' first='Wyatt' last='Klein'] fill roles as knock-down shooters off the bench that can space the floor for the athletic slashers on the roster   Hit their ceiling if:   They can force turnovers to make up for relative lack of size     9. Good Counsel Falcons   Last season: 7-24, 3-12 WCAC, WCAC First Round   Key losses: Justin (graduation)   Key additions: Corey Dixon (transfer),   Projected Starting 5:   Jamal Mansaray- Junior   Kyle Logan- Junior   Corey Dixon- Sophomore   Izzy Tchoubfong- Sophomore   [player_tooltip player_id='1414531' first='Oliver' last='Spence']- Senior   Bench   Joel Beal Jr, [player_tooltip player_id='2624360' first='John' last='Bancroft'], KJ O'Quinn, [player_tooltip player_id='2629851' first='Jayden' last='Spence'], Malcolm Kelly, Damarion Fowlkes, [player_tooltip player_id='2548919' first='Kyle' last='Brown'], Gregor Ritchie   Breakout Candidate: Kyle Logan   Outlook:   Coach Kissell leads a scrappy bunch into the new season looking to lean into added depth to wear opponents down. Sophomore W Izzy Tchboufong has added in more play-making off the bounce to the versatile rebounding, defending, and scoring ability that he provides on a nightly basis. '25 [player_tooltip player_id='1414531' first='Oliver' last='Spence'] will serve as a finishing target around the basket that can stretch the defense with his midrange shooting and kick-outs to shooters. '26 starting guard tandem of Mansaray and Logan will generate paint touches, disrupt ball screens above the break, and add in some scoring punch. Incoming transfer sophomore Corey Dixon brings a nice scoring touch as a guard that can create his own shot with or without a ball screen and provide some secondary play-making on baseline drives. Junior W Joel Beal Jr will surprise some people with his ability to make plays in the paint as a play-finisher, rebounder, and shot-blocker that has really worked on his body to become more mobile. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2629851' first='Jayden' last='Spence'], '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2624360' first='John' last='Bancroft'], and '26 guard Gregor Ritchie will space the floor well from the wings as high-level shooters. Freshman PG [player_tooltip player_id='2548919' first='Kyle' last='Brown'] will control pace in his minutes off the bench while '26 G Malcolm Kelly should earn tick with his energy, defense, and athleticism.   Hit their ceiling if:   Their halfcourt execution leads to good shots without running sets     10. St. Mary's Ryken   Last season: 12-18, 4-11 WCAC, WCAC First Round   Key losses: Eli Conklin (transfer), Noah Rodgers (graduation, Sonny Howard (graduation)   Key additions: [player_tooltip player_id='1588129' first='Aiden' last='Blackwell'] (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='2547171' first='Elijah' last='Miller'] (transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='1598810' first='Mason' last='Hopper'] (transfer), Braylon Harrison (transfer)   Projected Starting 5:   [player_tooltip player_id='1588133' first='Derrick' last='Robinson Jr']- Junior   [player_tooltip player_id='1588123' first='Maurice' last='White']- Junior   [player_tooltip player_id='2353558' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter']- Sophomore   Braylon Harper- Senior   [player_tooltip player_id='1598810' first='Mason' last='Hopper']- Senior     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2353558' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter']   Outlook:   -Coach Hulum leads a rebuilding group at SMR with a scrappy roster of undersized players that will compete at both ends of the floor. Junior Derrick Robinson leads the way as a physical slashing guard that enjoyed a productive summer on the circuit showcasing his ability take sharp angles to get downhill, out-rebound forwards, and pester opponents into point guards. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2353558' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter'] should turn some heads this season as an athletic wing whose motor doesn't run cold--bullying his way to the rim, cleaning up misses around the basket. Sophomore transfer Braylon Harrison comes into SMR after being named 1st Team All-SMAC as a freshman last season, serving as an undersized wing that attacks the basket, uses his physicality to out-rebound forwards, finish around the rim, and close off driving lanes to the basket. Transfer senior F [player_tooltip player_id='1598810' first='Mason' last='Hopper'] will add in a lob target that can knock down an open jumpshot and add in some rim protection. '26 [player_tooltip player_id='2547171' first='Elijah' last='Miller'] should provide some scoring punch as a versatile guard that can get his buckets within the flow of the game. '25 [player_tooltip player_id='2722700' first='Braylen' last='Harper'], '25 [player_tooltip player_id='1588123' first='Maurice' last='White'] and '26 [player_tooltip player_id='1588129' first='Aiden' last='Blackwell'] will take turns running the show as heady point guards with good feel that can create easy looks for teammates and take care of the rock-- with freshman PG Bryce Williams available to earn some minutes off the bench.   Hit their ceiling if:   Consistent perimeter shooters emerge to space the floor for the drivers on the roster

As we gear up for another season of HS basketball in the DMV, we thought it would be best to start off with a WCAC preview for this upcoming season. Our scouts attended open gyms, spoke with area and national scouts, as well as local coaches to rank what many consider to be the best conference in American High School basketball. These rankings are based off of last season's results, incumbent talent, incoming transfers, and where we think they will end the regular season. Important to note: The Heights aren't included, their school will not be fielding a varsity team this season. Our article about the top 5 in the league can be found here, let's dive into #6-10!