Key Upcoming DMV Matchups This Week

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday Jan 28</h2>   Sidwell Friends (DC) vs St. Andrew's Episcopal - 5:45 PM ET   Sidwell gets another chance to capitalize on their No. 1 spot in the Mid-Atlantic Conference with a win tonight against St. Andrew's. However, [player_tooltip player_id='1489079' first='Miles' last='Franklin'] and the Lions are coming off some big wins and looking to keep the momentum going. They will have a tough task defending both [player_tooltip player_id='1782594' first='Jalyn' last='Collingwood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1225257' first='Acaden' last='Lewis'] this game, but they are up to the challenge. This will be another good opportunity for 2027 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2353583' first='Damon' last='Nelson'] to test his overall game, as Sidwell prides themselves on tough defense.    Paul VI (VA) vs Gonzaga (DC) - 7:30 PM ET   Two of the top heavyweights in the DMV square off in a WCAC matchup. Both teams are rolling and have statement wins across the board. The star power will be evident all night long. Talented high flying athletes across PVI's roster versus skillful playmakers/scorers on Gonzaga's side. Maybe up for game of the year when the season reaches it's end.    DeMatha vs Bishop McNamara - 7:30 PM ET   Young star players go head-to-head in a WCAC rematch. McNamara is riding a huge win streak and need one more win to seal an even 9-9 record after a 1-9 start. This game will feature some high-level guard play across the board. It will get grimy no doubt, as both teams have taken ownership in defending first as of late, especially from the Stags.    St. John's (DC) vs Bishop O'Connell (VA) - 7:30 PM ET   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/geremy-clark-stjohns-26-crop-1543x1013-1738108061.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/geremy-clark-stjohns-26-crop-1543x1013-1738108061.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2755765" style="width:160px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Two highly confident teams face off once again after O'Connell knocked off St. John's in their previous matchup this season. The Cadets are looking to bounce back in a big way and even the season series at one a piece. More importantly, winner will improve to a 5-2 conference record in the tough WCAC division.    Archbishop Carroll (DC) vs Bishop Ireton (VA) - 7:30 PM ET   [player_tooltip player_id='1782683' first='Anthony' last='Brown Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1782690' first='Silas' last='Devonish'] will be a sight to see tonight in Virginia. Tonight will be about who wants it more, in terms of physicality mixed with execution. Both teams also compete in the Washington Catholic Conference and need this win to help their record come seeding time. I expect this game to come down to the wire.      <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday Jan 29</h2>   St. Frances vs John Carroll - 6 PM ET   John Carroll is coming off a tough BCL loss to Mt. Carmel on Monday, so they will be bringing the heat to St. Frances at home. St. Frances took care of Carroll by 20+ in their first matchup and is looking to keep chasing that No. 1 seed in the BCL. Almost a must-win game for star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1782586' first='Aidan' last='Able'] Carroll as they sit at 3-6 in the conference, only ahead of a winless Calvert Hall.   Avalon School vs Takoma Academy 6:30 PM ET   Both teams hold .500% records in the Maryland Independent Conference and need a win to eclipse a winning record. Avalon and Takoma feature a handful of underrated players and recent PH Prospect Ranking Additions. Avalon's [player_tooltip player_id='2705135' first='Jordan' last='Fox'] and Takoma's [player_tooltip player_id='2528399' first='Micah' last='Samuels'] look to leave a statement after this one.    Archbishop Spalding vs Loyola Blakefield 7 PM ET   Another BCL battle taking place at Loyola this time. Spalding handled Loyola 81-51 early in the season and still sit atop the BCL record-wise to this point. Spalding has struggled on the road at times and Loyola hopes to capitalize off that. [player_tooltip player_id='1371858' first='Mason' last='Ellison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2640015' first='Jesse' last='Legree'] feed well off the crowd and that could help the Dons fight back into league play. Critical game for Loyola to show where they stand amidst the cream of the crop of the Baltimore Catholic League.      <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday Jan 30</h2>   Prince George's Christian Academy vs Springdale Prep - 6:30 PM ET   Battle of the MD big dogs as the stars will collide this game. [player_tooltip player_id='1782657' first='Neiko' last='Mundey'] vs [player_tooltip player_id='2242081' first='Kisean' last='Robinson'] is my matchup to watch in this game. They will be competing hard going at it on both ends, and they have extremely capable teammates that can fill up the statsheet as well. This game will be one of the best all week.    <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/david-bumpass-techprep-25-crop-1482x973-1738108208.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/david-bumpass-techprep-25-crop-1482x973-1738108208.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2755767" style="width:175px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Friendship Tech Prep (DC) vs Kipp Legacy DC - 7:15 PM ET   Kipp takes on a big test taking on Tech Prep at the house in DC. They've shown flashes of their potential throughout the season and want to play their best vs an in-state juggernaut. The Tech Prep Titans look to use their well-balanced attack led by [player_tooltip player_id='1370494' first='David' last='Bumpass'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1782661' first='Malik' last='Shackleford'] to hold off a young and hungry Kipp squad.    Wise vs Bowie - 7:15 PM ET   A couple PG county's finest this season square off in a rivalry game at Bowie. They will put their big records to the test Thursday and the winner will secure some comfort in their seeding out in Prince George's area of play. Two public schools with a big fan base and some talented young players. The young guards will be competing hard on each side, but I am more excited to see how Bowie comes out against a confident Wise squad. Wise is deep and they play each game with a chip on their shoulder that is hard to beat when they get rolling on one accord.   Fairmont Heights vs Gwynn Park - 7:15 PM ET   Gwynn Park is currently sitting at .500 and looking to have a big week. This Fairmont Heights matchup will be critical to their season in my opinion, as they will be one of the team's biggest matchups. Both sides have some guys who are looking to make some noise heading into the last stretch of the season. Key game for Gwynn to try to get their win percentage above .500%.    Laurel vs DuVal - 7:15 PM ET    Another PG County showdown as two red-hot teams face off Thursday night. DuVal has been performing well this season and could make a big statement win over Laurel. DuVal (6-1) currently sits over top of Laurel (5-1) in league play, so this is a key conference game for the two. We are getting into the latter half of the season, so each county/conference draw is of the utmost importance to the teams now. Key game to watch out at DuVal Thursday that will shake up some current seeding.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday Jan 31</h2>   John Carroll vs Glenelg Country - 6:30 PM ET   MIAA play this time out, as Carroll continues their slew of tough matchups drawing Glenelg Friday night. [player_tooltip player_id='1414533' first='Patrick' last='Curtin'] vs [player_tooltip player_id='1782586' first='Aidan' last='Able'] is must-see TV if you're looking for absolute offensive firepower. Both guys get it done every single night and will be entertaining to see as they play for something this Friday.    DeMatha vs Archbishop Carroll (DC) - 7 PM ET   The guard play between [player_tooltip player_id='1782654' first='Ashton' last='Meeks'], [player_tooltip player_id='2353540' first='Jamaal' last='McKnight Jr.'], Ant Brown, and [player_tooltip player_id='2353541' first='Bam' last='Bolding'] will be intriguing from a scouting and fan perspective. Brown had a bit off a hard time finding consistent shots against the tough backcourt defense from the Stags. DeMatha came out with a win last time in their house, but they head to DC for this WCAC matchup as Carroll will be waiting for their chance to get back.    Virginia Academy (VA) vs Riverdale Baptist - 7 PM ET   VA Academy has had some notable wins this season as they head to Marlboro to take on the Riverdale Baptist Crusaders. Riverdale will need help from all their guys starting with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1768965' first='Cannon' last='Greene'] if they want to continue to beat well-matched teams. Their early-season upset win over St. John's has opened up their season well and brought them a new confidence that you can see through their play.   Archbishop Spalding vs Mount St. Joseph - 7 PM ET   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tj-moultrie-spalding-26-crop-1405x922-1738108585.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tj-moultrie-spalding-26-crop-1405x922-1738108585.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2755771" style="width:186px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Exciting matchup as the execution will be at a high-level in this one. Two disciplined teams that will look to find each other's weaknesses quickly in this rematch. Spalding got the upper hand over MSJ early January 69-41 and have been riding high over the BCL most of the year. MSJ never backs down and will be looking for [player_tooltip player_id='2252277' first='BJ' last='Ranson'] to have one of his best games of the season to help ice the hot Cavaliers.    St. Albans (DC) vs Georgetown Prep - 7:30 PM ET   St. Alban's gets another shot at Georgetown in this IAC matchup. They got beat by a more superior GP team that night, but things could go a bit different in this game. Prep has struggled this season barely holding on to a .500% win percentage, and could be vulnerable for the upset come Friday night. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1768963' first='Jaylen' last='Wills'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1489103' first='Grant' last='Polk'] have no shortage of confidence when it comes to big games like this. Keep an eye on this one.    Bishop McNamara vs Bishop Ireton (VA) - 7:30 PM ET   The blazing-hot Mustangs head to Virginia Friday night to see another confident and inspired Ireton team. Ireton's backcourt will have to be tremendous this game to matchup with the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1782660' first='Qayden' last='Samuels'], [player_tooltip player_id='2353528' first='Kirby' last='Duran'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1782655' first='Prince' last='Moody']. Sweetshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1782692' first='Ripp' last='Kodi'] is an x-factor type player that could sway the results in either favor depending on his output.    Our Lady Good Counsel vs Bishop O'Connell (VA) - 7:30 PM ET   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/coreydixon-goodcousel-27-rotated-crop-3015x1980-1738109559.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/coreydixon-goodcousel-27-rotated-crop-3015x1980-1738109559.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2755779" style="width:154px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Good Counsel draws a WCAC matchup tonight that they may like more than others. They matchup well with the tough guard makeup of O'Connell. OLGC could give the Knights a real run for their money in a game where O'Connell feels like the favorites. I expect [player_tooltip player_id='2353544' first='Corey' last='Dixon'] to have a great night in a game with plenty of watching eyes.      <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saturday Feb 1</h2>   A Very Melo Classic (Harford Community College - Bel Air, MD)     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sunday Feb 2</h2>   Christ School (NC) vs Paul VI (VA) - 3 PM ET   PVI gets to treat the home fans to an afternoon showdown with a single-loss Christ School out of North Carolina. After a week of some tough games, PVI's finale is going head-to-head with one of the nation's top schools and recruits. [player_tooltip player_id='2148767' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] Jr is one of a couple PVI prospects that I expect to leave the biggest impact on the game. His star truly shines bigger when the competition is elevated. Fun game on tap Sunday in Chantilly.   Bishop O'Connell (VA) vs Bishop Ireton (VA) - 3:30 PM ET   Two VA powerhouses matchup on a Sunday afternoon to put a cap on a big week of WCAC play. This game will be critical to each squad's seeding as they push for more wins as the season closes soon. I am most excited to see the high-level guard play yet again from both teams. [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins'] may have a matchup he likes this game. I anticipate seeing a big game from the junior PG.    St. John's (DC) vs Archbishop Carroll (DC) - 3:30 PM ET   An underrated DC battle up at Carroll this time. First head-to-head matchup of the season. Carroll will be coming off a couple of league play games by the week's end, so this game will be the finale to their week battling the DMV's best. [player_tooltip player_id='1782663' first='Devin' last='Toatley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1969210' first='Geremy' last='Clark'] may look to push the pace this game and get things going quick for SJC to avoid an offensive showdown with a Carroll team that can throw flames when they get hot.