PVI vs Mount Carmel Scrimmage: Standout Prospects

While some teams have already officially tipped off their 2025-26 season, Paul VI Catholic (VA) and Mount Carmel (MD) used Saturday as one last tune-up opportunity in a scrimmage setting. Both teams are projected to not only compete, but arguably be the favorites to win their respective leagues, so there was no shortage of talent on display.   It's important to note here that Mount Carmel was without the services of their two point guards in 2027 Samartine Hill and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2364682' first='Kiyen' last='Alexander'].   PVI would go on to win in four quarters of play by a final score of 73-53.    Mitchell walked away from this one comfortably taking home player of the game honors after pouring in a game-high 29 points that included seven three's. This was my first time seeing Mitchell with this PVI team since transferring from Varina and he looks like he'll be the exact piece on the wing that head coach Glenn Farello needed to further strengthen his starting five. Mitchell is listed at 6-foot-3, but plays more with a 6-foot-5 presence thanks to his sturdy frame with broad shoulders that he uses in his physical approach on both ends. As indicated by the seven made triples, Mitchell is a sniper from deep that doesn't take much time at all to get his shot off. He also doesn't let high-handed contest alter his load up or stop his follow through. If Mitchell can continue to hang his hat on spacing the floor, providing stout defense with switch ability, and attack a closeout here and there, we're looking at a prospect that could make some serious noise for the Panthers throughout their national schedule.     Without a true, primary point guard this Mount Carmel team can struggle and as a result, Howard has to find ways to get his looks a bit outside of the usual flow. He, along with another prospect we'll mention in this post, led the Cougars with 12 points. A lot of Howards opportunities game in the up-tempo pace streaking the floor with purpose. Some buckets were in dump-off fashion while others took place with Howard leading the charge from inside half court and using his size and length to finish at the rim. He did step out and knock down a three with time and space, an aspect of his game that continues to trend in the right direction.     The No. 3 ranked prospect in the national Prep Hoops rankings for the class of 2026 showed the Baltimore crowd why athletes that are cut from the cloth that Smith Jr. comes from are just different. Standing at 6-foot-2, his aggression and violent approach in attacking the rim while seeking out and finishing through contact is a category where Smith Jr. is in a league of his own. He lived at the line in this showing, going 9-of-11 from the charity stripe. If he wasn't causing havoc defensively at half court with active hands during traps that resulted in run-outs, Smith was calmly rocking his defender to sleep on the wing from the triple-threat position before tapping into his elite burst to expose the slightest of driving lanes. He converted on a three early in the game, but most of his damage came from getting downhill and finding his way to the cup. Smith Jr. would finish with 20 points.     Alongside Howard, Okojie chipped in with 12 points of his own as he showed off his athleticism off two feet on baseline cuts where he flushed a couple of lobs in the second half. Okojie is still a prospect who's best basketball remains ahead of him, but he's starting to show some signs of confidence and certainty as a timely cutter, energy guy on the glass, and properly using his 7-foot-4 wingspan on the defensive end. These sort of reps against top tier competition such as PVI should go a long way in helping Okojie carve out a consistent role for one of the deepest teams in the Baltimore Catholic League this season.     Brown feasted on the fact that Mount Carmel was missing both of their point guard options and exposed the weakness with persistent aggression in getting into the paint, forcing the defense to collapse, and finding open teammates all over the floor. The senior floor general presents himself as exactly that, a coach on the floor who along with Smith Jr., controls the pace and energy of a game to favor their group. Brown was a big reason Mitchell Jr. was able to have the day that he had with his table-setting and floor vision to get him shots within the flow. As mentioned above, he and Smith Jr. were an absolute terror in trapping scenarios as the duo forced a plethora of turnovers that resulted in quick buckets the other way or desperation fouls from the Cougars to save lay-ups.     Another performance from Mancho where he showed high energy, effective communication as the anchor of the defense, and a rim presence on the offensive end that penetrating guards can depend on in the dunker's spot. Mancho sprinted the floor with purpose and fought for position inside to create leverage and angles to haul in defensive boards. He'd go on to finish with 11 points in this one.     Young is going to play a factor similar to Mitchell Jr. in the sense of embracing his role. Playing with the senior backcourt of Brown and Smith Jr. can make his life exponentially easier as long as he's in the right spots at the right time according to their actions. Creeping up to 6-foot-8, Young has a fluid jumper off the catch that he showcased once again yesterday that included one triple from the corner in the first half followed by multiple turnaround jumpers from the high-post in the second half as he acted as the flasher for the PVI's zone offense. If Young is converting with efficiency like he was yesterday, continues to learn how to use his gifts on the defensive side to disrupt, and become more of a presence on 50/50's his value will rise steadily both for the Panthers and for himself as an individual.     Both teams played an additional quarter to get the young guys some action and Boyd was one for PVI that took advantage. An active combo guard on both ends, Boyd was a presence getting downhill being fearful in his attack. He had a nice finish at the rim and showed poise as he stepped to the line and knocked down two free-throws with less than 2 seconds remaining to allow the Panthers to end the 5th quarter of play in a tie. His versatility, energy, and functional athleticism will prove to be factors in him becoming yet another name in the PVI stable to watch for years to come.     Rivers is another name that took the 5th quarter to showoff his playmaking chops on the ball. The shifty, slippery lead guard is quick from the point of attack and can get into the paint where he showed sound decision-making as a passer. He's also a guy who uses his burst to get to the rim and scoop quick lay-ups before the weak side help can rotate. Learning the position under the tutelage of Farello and battling against Brown every day in practice will present Rivers with the opportunity to be another great point guard prospect to come out of PVI in the long-term.

While some teams have already officially tipped off their 2025-26 season, Paul VI Catholic (VA) and Mount Carmel (MD) used Saturday as one last tune-up opportunity in a scrimmage setting. Both teams are projected to not only compete, but arguably be the favorites to win their respective leagues, so there was no shortage of talent on display.