WCAC Season Preview: 1-5

New readers: Use code BLACKFRIDAY2025 for discounted annual subscription     The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference is perennially the best traditional HS league in the country and this year will likely be no different. With several rosters boasting national top-50 talent in their senior class as well as their younger groups, I expect the WCAC teams to make noise in the nonconference slate before their season gets going this year. Let's dive into our top 5 teams in the league this season, with teams 6-10 being posted soon thereafter on the site. All records are via the Maxpreps site for each team. Let's dive in!     1. Paul VI Panthers   Last season: 27-6 (12-1)   Key Losses: Jaquan Womack (Towson), Adlan Elamin (Utah State), Jacob Moore (Merrimack), [player_tooltip player_id='2459372' first='Cole' last='Perez'] (St. James Postgrad), [player_tooltip player_id='2353620' first='Troy' last='Tomlin'] (Transfer- John Marshall), [player_tooltip player_id='2194780' first='Aaron' last='Bryant'] (Transfer- Gillion), , [player_tooltip player_id='2353625' first='Andrew' last='Ross'] (Transfer- Sidwell), Derek Daniels (Transfer- Montverde)   Key Additions: [player_tooltip player_id='2194710' first='Brian' last='Mitchell Jr.'] (Transfer- Varina), [player_tooltip player_id='2853450' first='Farrell' last='Djossinou'] (Transfer- Lightridge), [player_tooltip player_id='2108094' first='Braydon' last='Young'] (Transfer- Mt. St. Joseph)   Projected Starting 5:     [player_tooltip player_id='1782590' first='Lawrence' last='Brown'] Jr   Jordan Smith Jr   Brian Mitchell Jr   [player_tooltip player_id='2916390' first='Ryan' last='Bahr']   [player_tooltip player_id='2353633' first='Matthew' last='Mena']     Breakout Candidate: Brian Mitchell Jr   Outlook: -Not making the mistake of picking against the frontrunner for conference POY again, Jordan Smith Jr steps into his senior season head-hunting for his third WCAC ring with 3 WCAC Championship game appearances and two titles under his belt. Backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id='1782590' first='Lawrence' last='Brown'] Jr will run the show alongside his TTO teammate to make sure everyone gets touches. Incoming transfer Brian Mitchell Jr should provide defense and shooting alongside '27 G Dylan Harsanyi. '27 forwards [player_tooltip player_id='2108094' first='Braydon' last='Young'], [player_tooltip player_id='2853450' first='Farrell' last='Djossinou'], '26 [player_tooltip player_id='1782697' first='Cooper' last='Sundra'] and '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2353633' first='Matthew' last='Mena'] fill out a skilled frontcourt that can shoot, pass and rebound to give the Panthers some lineup versatility. I'm bullish on the long-term upside from a trio of '28 6'4 wings in [player_tooltip player_id='2194779' first='Aiden' last='Acquah'], [player_tooltip player_id='2916390' first='Ryan' last='Bahr'] and Jackson Sabrick. Acquah is developing into a dynamic athlete that can play above the rim and guard multiple positions, Sabrick spaces the floor with his 3 point shooting and can be a pesky offensive rebounder that extends possessions while Bahr can fill in the gaps for his team on a game-to-game basis as an athletic slasher and scorer off the bench. '29 PG KJ Rivers, Travis Clegg Jr and Kenny Boyd give Coach Farello a young core to build around. Paul VI should retain their identity as a fast-paced team that relies on defensive pressure to ignite their offense. But they will need to prove their mettle as a team that gang-rebounds to overcome not having a true center on the roster. With a reloaded roster that filled out the depth on the wings and in the front court, they should be a dangerous team on a local and national level.   2. Bishop McNamara   Last season: 14-15 (8-6)   Key Losses: [player_tooltip player_id='2353549' first='Jordan' last='Taylor'] (Transfer- St. John's), [player_tooltip player_id='2458557' first='Jayden' last='Mills'] (Ireton)   Key Additions: [player_tooltip player_id='2882025' first='Khyair' last='Phillips'] (Transfer- Ireton), [player_tooltip player_id='2454911' first='Jahmai' last='Drayton'] (Transfer- New Hope), Terry Brooks Jr (Loyola Blakefield), [player_tooltip player_id='2420129' first='Cain' last='Van Norden'] (Neumann-Goretti)   Projected Starting 5:     Prince Moody   [player_tooltip player_id='2353528' first='Kirby' last='Duran']   [player_tooltip player_id='1782660' first='Qayden' last='Samuels']   [player_tooltip player_id='2353561' first='Brandon' last='Woodard']   [player_tooltip player_id='2454911' first='Jahmai' last='Drayton']     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2739639' first='Aaron' last='Taylor']   Outlook: -The Mustangs enter the season ready to chase a WCAC championship with arguably the most loaded roster in the area. Indiana commit Prince Moody will run the show as a dynamic slashing point guard that can really fill it up at the offensive end of the floor or make plays for his team off his drives to the rim. Consensus top-20 recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1782660' first='Qayden' last='Samuels'] gives his team a scoring option from the wing that can fill it up in a hurry while also balancing the perimeter scoring with drives to the rim and offensive rebounding. [player_tooltip player_id='2353528' first='Kirby' last='Duran'] returns from injury ready to prove his worth as a high-level perimeter shooter and secondary play-maker that can make good decisions out of ball screens. The front court starters bring a ton of length, athleticism, and versatility at both ends of the floor in '27 F Jahmai Drayon and '27 W/F [player_tooltip player_id='2353561' first='Brandon' last='Woodard']. Ireton transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2882025' first='Khyair' last='Phillips'] should surprise some people as a spark plug off the bench that can get a bucket, defend, and hit open shots. Love seeing '27 PG Terry Brooks' blend of play-making and perimeter shooting as a guard that seamlessly fills the gaps for his team. '27 wings [player_tooltip player_id='2420129' first='Cain' last='Van Norden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2478841' first='Chase' last='Gray'] add in a physical brand of rebounding, versatile defense, and above the rim play-finishing. '28 6'4 W [player_tooltip player_id='2739639' first='Aaron' last='Taylor']'s skill development makes him the best candidate outside of the top-50 to boom this year as an athletic wing prospect that can do a little bit of everything. How well this team buys into their roles and guards opponents under second-year HC Jay Gavin will likely determine their ceiling as a group. Very excited to see how they stack up with a loaded schedule full of non-conference smoke leading up to WCAC play.   3. St. John's   Last season: 22-11 (8-5)   Key Losses: Omari Witherspoon (Pittsburgh), Jon Barton (Towson), [player_tooltip player_id='2353566' first='Oladeji' last='Olorungbohunmi'] (Transfer- Shabach), [player_tooltip player_id='1782663' first='Devin' last='Toatley'] (Transfer- Bethel) [player_tooltip player_id='1588109' first='Finley' last='Billy'] (Transfer- Bullis)   Key Additions: [player_tooltip player_id='2371499' first='James' last='DiBitetto'] (Transfer- St. Mary's), [player_tooltip player_id='2353549' first='Jordan' last='Taylor'] (Transfer-McNamara)   Projected Starting 5:     [player_tooltip player_id='1969210' first='Geremy' last='Clark']   [player_tooltip player_id='2353547' first='Jymin' last='Veney']   [player_tooltip player_id='2524394' first='Kareem' last='Smith-Bey']   [player_tooltip player_id='2353549' first='Jordan' last='Taylor']   [player_tooltip player_id='1782593' first='Zyion' last='Chase']     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='2353547' first='Jymin' last='Veney']   Outlook: -The Cadets head into the 2025-2026 season with a mostly-new group full of juniors ready to take on new roles. Southpaw senior PG [player_tooltip player_id='1969210' first='Geremy' last='Clark'] will give SJC a capable play-maker and off-ball shooter that can seamlessly fit into different lineups to make winning basketball players. Junior PG [player_tooltip player_id='2353547' first='Jymin' last='Veney'] seems poised for a breakout year as a cerebral guard that can make plays for himself or others off the bounce while coming up with defensive stops both on or off the ball. '27 W [player_tooltip player_id='2353549' first='Jordan' last='Taylor'] is arguably the best backcourt rebounder in the area but can also get downhill and finish above the rim with ease. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2524394' first='Kareem' last='Smith-Bey'] steps into a starter's role as a dynamic 2-way guard that can bully his way to the rim, knock down corner 3s, and take the opponent's best player out of the game at the defensive end of the floor. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1782593' first='Zyion' last='Chase'] is arguably the most important piece to the puzzle as an athletic W/F tweener that can block shots, slide his feet on the perimeter with guards, finish plays above the rim, and give the Cadets lineup versatility playing as the lone big or alongside other front court talent. Transfer center '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2371499' first='James' last='DiBitetto'] is coming along nicely as a low post scorer that can also knock down open jumpers or pass from the perimeter. '28 Jon Larranaga and KJ Little can really make it rain from the perimeter off the bench. '28 guards [player_tooltip player_id='2194785' first='Jerramiah' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2194784' first='Kaiden' last='Argueta'] constantly put pressure on the rim and should carve out nice roles for themselves off the bench with their ability to force TOs. Freshman F [player_tooltip player_id='2767877' first='Sebastian' last='Williams'] should eventually develop into an athletic W/F tweener that can play above the rim, guard multiple positions, and serve as a lob/roll target in the halfcourt. With several key pieces stepping into bigger roles at the varsity level, the Cadets will likely thrive as a team that shares the ball to succeed with balanced scoring and pressure defense.      4. Bishop O'Connell   Last season: 23-10 (9-5)   Key Losses: [player_tooltip player_id='2470549' first='Makel' last='Minor'] (Transfer- Mt. Zion), Wyatt Norton (Tampa) , Aiden Caulker (Gulf Coast Junior College), Liam Koelsch (Northeastern), Shane Lincoln (City College of San Francisco)   Key Additions: [player_tooltip player_id='2353544' first='Corey' last='Dixon'] (Transfer- Good Counsel), JaRon Rucker (Riverdale Baptist), Alp Elitas   Projected Starting 5:     [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins']   [player_tooltip player_id='2353544' first='Corey' last='Dixon']   [player_tooltip player_id='2459209' first='Justin' last='Edwards']   JaRon Rucker   Alp Elitas     Breakout Candidate: Tristan Franklin   Outlook: -Coach Wootten leads the Knights into the 2025-2026 season with one of the best backcourts in the area in '26 [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins'] and '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2353544' first='Corey' last='Dixon']. Bivins proved his value last season as a pure PG that orchestrates the offense and defense for his team. But he'll need to score it at a consistent level for his team to capitalize on those defensive stops. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2353544' first='Corey' last='Dixon'] transfers in to provide perimeter shooting, shot creation, and secondary play-making in short roll situations to the rim. Gannon commit [player_tooltip player_id='2459209' first='Justin' last='Edwards'] gives OC a dynamic slasher that can guard 2-5 for his team while also crashing the glass and serving as a connector on the wing. Incoming transfer JaRon Rucker gives OC a dynamic wing that can hit open shots, serve as a great cutter to the rim, and provide defensive versatility. Incoming junior Alp Elitas gives the Knights a roll target but he also plays well in space defensively and fills his role of rebounding the basketball. '27 guards [player_tooltip player_id='2763815' first='Hudson' last='Mostashari'], [player_tooltip player_id='2918988' first='Connor' last='Cully'], [player_tooltip player_id='2918935' first='Jackson' last='Wootten'] will likely spot start in places as shooters that can also guard and fill the lanes in transition. Could see a breakout season on the way for '27 Tristan Franklin as a young wing that can guard multiple spots, get to the rim, and finish in the paint. The Knights surprised some folks with their overall chemistry, swarming defense, and ability to execute in the halfcourt— I expect that contiuity to lead them to a top-4 finish in the league this year.     5. Archbishop Carroll   Last season: 17-16 (6-8)   Key Losses: Evans Barning (West Virginia), Liberty Fusire (Belmont Abbey), David Massengo (Transfer- Life Center/St James), Ashton Graves (Transfer- Hudson Catholic), [player_tooltip player_id='2610751' first='Axel' last='Jobin'] (Transfer- Bethel), [player_tooltip player_id='2552618' first='Dhruv' last='Iyer'] (Transfer- Bethel)   Key Additions: [player_tooltip player_id='3036237' first='Victor' last='Adeyemi'], Ilin Najikov   Projected Starting 5:     [player_tooltip player_id='1782683' first='Anthony' last='Brown Jr']   [player_tooltip player_id='2353541' first='Bam' last='Bolding']   [player_tooltip player_id='1963388' first='Bryton' last='Barrett']   [player_tooltip player_id='2388168' first='Chima' last='Amadi']   [player_tooltip player_id='2610833' first='Truth' last='Kelly']     Breakout Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='1963388' first='Bryton' last='Barrett']   Outlook:   -Coach Battle's group enters the 2025-2026 season ready to make a splash with the arrival of several new pieces in North East DC. Vanderbilt commit [player_tooltip player_id='1782683' first='Anthony' last='Brown Jr'] leads the way as a dynamic scoring point guard that should also serve as a high-level table-setter for a stable of new wings and forwards. Fresh off a WCAC 1st Team snub after his introductory season in the green and gold, we should see a highly-motivated version of the lead guard. [player_tooltip player_id='2353541' first='Bam' last='Bolding'] starts alongside Brown in the backcourt and should be in the running for MIP in the conference as a ball-hawking PG that can play both on and off the ball. There will be plenty of talent in the W/F department with '26 [player_tooltip player_id='3037282' first='Matiok' last='Beng'], '27 [player_tooltip player_id='3036237' first='Victor' last='Adeyemi'], '28 [player_tooltip player_id='2388168' first='Chima' last='Amadi'], '28 [player_tooltip player_id='2610833' first='Truth' last='Kelly'] all serving as athletic wings that can run the floor, fly around defensively, and play above the rim. '26 Ilin Najikov, '26 [player_tooltip player_id='1963388' first='Bryton' last='Barrett'] and '28 [player_tooltip player_id='3037333' first='Dakota' last='Wise'] should space the floor with their 3 point shooting. '28 [player_tooltip player_id='2194564' first='Donovan' last='Ford'] will step off the gridiron after a productive season with the football team to serve as a slasher and defensive stopper off the bench. '28 [player_tooltip player_id='2546863' first='Myron' last='Glymin'], '29 [player_tooltip player_id='3140669' first='Alonzo' last='Stanley'], and '29 Nas Sumter should add to the guard depth off the bench. With several more offensive options to go to and a slew of athletes to serve as switchable defenders, Coach Battle and his staff should have a nice collection of players to choose from to play a more frenetic playstyle that should improve their finish within league play this season.

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