2025-26 Metro Private Preview

The 2025-26 is now underway around a few parts of Maryland including a couple teams from the Metro Private Conference. The MPSC will be entertaining down the the Final Four, as many teams from the conference will earn a bid in the Maryland Private School State Tournament after the MPSC playoffs. This article will help break down what to expect from each team and where the best players to-date lie throughout the conference. Let's get into it!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Preseason Rankings Prediction</h2>   No. 1 Highland School (VA) The Highland Hawks are the reigning champions of the MPSC playoffs and still look strong heading into this 2025-2026 season. Shaped out their team well throughout every position and have a fresh but similar look. Can rip and run with an up-tempo, but can hamper down defensively and run the motion offense getting everyone touches and solid looks. A few players are looking at breakout seasons and a shot at back-to-back Metro titles. No. 2 Clinton Grace   The CG Eagles have a chance to take the championship this season as their stars have gotten stronger over the summer. They took a big loss in wing star K. Norcome as he hit the transfer portal, but Zoje and [player_tooltip player_id='2353558' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter'] look more then able to fit the role at the wing positions. J'lon and [player_tooltip player_id='2620897' first='CJ' last='Lyons'] have made improvements over the summer and seem to have helped integrate the new-look Eagles into a strong unit. Sure that Clinton Grace sees anything less then a 3rd consecutive Metro Private championship appearance as a letdown.   No. 3 Springfield Prep   Springfield Prep is another strong team that could come away with it all in the Metro region. Springdale had added a plethora of bigs and transfers to the roster that they expect to dominate with. They have looked lethal as a total unit during summer and fall play this year, and if momentum can carry they should be among the top 3 in the conference by season's end. As long as the chemistry and rhythm builds quickly for the Lions, they will be in the running for a MPSC championship and a kinder State Tournament seed.   No. 4 Riverdale Baptist   Riverdale is a sneaky pick as a potential champion in the region this season. They finished in the top three last year but fell early in an upset during the postseason. They've re-tooled their squad and added serious depth to form a very presentable team come this season. Spent the summer fine-tuning their play and look like a team destined for a long playoff run. Credit to the Crusader staff for coming back with such a solid roster after losing a few major pieces over the offseason.   No. 5 Evergreen Christian (VA)   I think EC is one of a couple sleeper-teams in the conference. Led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2612850' first='Jafet' last='Valencia'], Evergreen Christian has a shot to go far in the playoffs if they can matchup well. Made it to the quarterfinals last season but faced off with the eventual champions in the Highland Hawks. The team looks confident and likes to play together on the floor, which leaves me confident in them repeating a great season.   No. 6 Mt. Zion National   Mt. Zion has added a lot of new depth to the squad and they hope to make a big push this year with the regional team in the MPSC. The Warriors will have to adjust quickly in a competitive conference, but they have the pieces to make a strong run. they are deep and like to play hard. Will have a chance every night to take a win in their conference.   No. 7 Fairfax Christian (VA)   [player_tooltip player_id='1370511' first='Frank' last='Siaca-Bey'] looks to the lead the Cardinals again to a big year. Took a tough loss to Riverdale last season in the quarterfinals but look to run it back with a more experienced roster this time around. The star forward Frank is a better player this season and the rest of the roster looks to be more confident. Picked up a couple big wins over the summer that may help them in the long run.   No. 8 Prince George's Christian Academy Regional   Hungry squad with a lot to look forward to this year. PGCA finished 6th last year but made a surprise run into the semfinals. Like EC, the Eagles also took a loss to the champs. PGCA has a few players that can make a difference with their skillset and they hope to carry the squad this season as last year's team did.   No. 9 New Hope Academy   New Hope is another sleeper candidate in the conference. Had a lot of movement over the offseason but a few things remained consistent. New Hope knows how to win games and compete hard against every opponent. The NHA Tigers have legit talent all-around, wouldn't be surprised if they can make a deep run in the postseason. Would benefit greatly from a higher seeding than last season.   No. 10 Virginia Academy   VA Academy has a lot of talent, just needs the time to mesh and find rhythm throughout the course of the season. Showed they can compete by winning their way to a better seeding at season's end, and stole a win over Mt. Zion in the first round of the playoffs. The Patriots could steal a few wins in the conference and sneak into the top 6.   No. 11 Rosedale Christian   Young team with a lot of room to grow. RC lacks some size when matching up with the others across the conference, but their resilience and experience with one-another gives them a chance in any game. Any team who sleeps on Rosedale Christian is in danger of catching a loss that night.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Early Candidates For All-Metro Teams</h2>   '26 F [player_tooltip player_id='2867284' first='Bolis' last='Thet'] / Springdale Prep   '26 F [player_tooltip player_id='1370511' first='Frank' last='Siaca-Bey'] / Fairfax Christian (VA)   '26 G [player_tooltip player_id='2620897' first='CJ' last='Lyons'] / Clinton Grace   '26 G [player_tooltip player_id='1588140' first='Ean' last='McLaughlin'] / Riverdale Baptist   '26 F [player_tooltip player_id='2612850' first='Jafet' last='Valencia'] / Evergreen Christian   '26 G/F [player_tooltip player_id='2640011' first='Uriah' last='Augare-Deal'] / New Hope   '26 G [player_tooltip player_id='1588133' first='Derrick' last='Robinson Jr'] / Riverdale Baptist   '26 G [player_tooltip player_id='2047680' first='Jaden' last='Shipley'] / Mt. Zion   '27 G [player_tooltip player_id='2139297' first='J'Lon' last='Lyons'] / Clinton Grace   '27 G [player_tooltip player_id='2629848' first='Kyle' last='Logan'] / Riverdale Baptist   '27 F [player_tooltip player_id='2548905' first='Angelo' last='Cunningham'] / Riverdale Baptist   '27 G/F [player_tooltip player_id='2382874' first='Mason' last='Ridgeway'] / Evergreen Christian (VA)   '27 G [player_tooltip player_id='2470569' first='Jemal' last='Smith'] / Highland (VA)   '29 F [player_tooltip player_id='2440984' first='Brayden' last='Ragland'] / Highland (VA)

The 2025-26 is now underway around a few parts of Maryland including a couple teams from the Metro Private Conference. The MPSC will be entertaining down the the Final Four, as many teams from the conference will earn a bid in the Maryland Private School State Tournament after the MPSC playoffs. This article will help break down what to expect from each team and where the best players to-date lie throughout the conference. Let's get into it!