4th Annual 'A Very Melo Classic' Matchup Preview

<p>The 'A Very Melo Classic' will take place on Saturday in for a fourth-straight year, this time returning to Morgan State University for another loaded slate of games. Featuring programs from Maryland, D.C., Virginia and New York, there will be no shortage of talent from both a national and local perspective. Below, we preview the matchups.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">11AM: Gonzaga (DC) v Mount St. Joe (MD)</h2>   <p>Interesting WCAC v BCL duel to tip this event off as a young Gonzaga team takes on the Gaels from Mount St. Joe. It's been a year of transition for the Purple Eagles out of D.C. as new head coach Keith Urgo quickly took the reigns and quietly has this Gonzaga team surging as of late. Prior to their most recent loss against the No. 1 team in the country, PVI, Gonzaga was riding a 5-game winning streak with beaming confidence. They'll look to get back on the winning side of things as they prepare for the last stretch of conference games through mid-February. </p>   <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1784446' first='Allen' last='Mbuyamba'] has emerged as the key senior leader for this group while his "little" brother Dave anchors the painted area as a skilled, 6-foot-7 southpaw forward. Good signs from the freshman backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2975282' first='Axton' last='Scott'] and Dylan Higginbotham while 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2524418' first='Jahlil' last='Waheed']'s return from injury has been welcomed with open arms.</p>   <p>For the 22-5 Gaels, they'll have a competitive game to shake off the rust that the weather has supplied as they host Glenelg Country tonight. Nevertheless, it'll be a quick turnaround tipping off again less than 15 hours later. 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2252277' first='BJ' last='Ranson'] has been on a tear, as expected, this season and continues to put together a potential Baltimore POY resume. It's been the supporting cast of 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2194760' first='Chauncey' last='Word'], 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353590' first='Zikom' last='Etolue'] and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2546067' first='Aaron' last='Early Jr.'] that have been key alongside Ranson in racking up wins this winter. Another name that's trending in the right direction as of late is 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1782769' first='Saxton' last='Simley']. The obvious narrative coming into this game is that Simley will face his old school where he spent his three prior years. It'll be interesting to see his approach, but there's no doubt this group will be motivated to protect their hometown of Baltimore and walk away victorious. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">12:45PM The St. James (VA) v Bishop McNamara (MD)</h2>   <p>It's been a year of adjustment for both of these teams, but The St. James seems to be finding their identity since the calendar change as their roster has solidified and guys are beginning to embrace their roles. The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='2466505' first='Jahda' last='Swann'] has been massive as the 6-foot-5 guard/wing is one of the more versatile and athletic prospects in the DMV area. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2027757' first='Joe' last='Nunez'] has been a staple for head coach Book Richardson from the start and provides further playmaking in the backcourt with his craft, length and energy. A couple of others who have demanded attention with their play: 2027 Judah Bontemps and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2458579' first='Jacoby' last='Briscoe'].</p>   <p>McNamara is a team that has been riddled by injury this season and is trying to find themselves late in the year. Currently 8-14, they're a team that is clearly more talented than their record would suggest, and that makes them dangerous no matter the setting. The status of new Alabama commit [player_tooltip player_id='1782660' first='Qayden' last='Samuels'] is still in question as he's been sidelined much of the season with a foot injury. Indiana pledge Prince-Alex Moody has been the bright spot despite the struggles as the combo guard has resorted more back to his scoring ways to keep the Mustangs competitive. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353561' first='Brandon' last='Woodard'] is good for a few jaw-dropping plays above the rim and this Saturday should be no different while other role players such as 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353528' first='Kirby' last='Duran'], 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2454911' first='Jahmai' last='Drayton'], 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2882025' first='Khyair' last='Phillips'] and 2028 Terry Brooks look to take advantage of opportunities is Samuels remains sidelined.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2:30PM Sidwell Friends (DC) v LuHi (NY)</h2>   <p>Very interesting matchup here between a Long Island Lutheran team that is experiencing some struggles in large part due to injury as 2026 five-star guard Dylan Mingo works his way back from an injury that has sidelined him all season. Currently at 6-8 overall, hunting a win over a disciplined Sidwell team could spark some positivity in John Buck's group, but it won't be easy. The Quakers, led by head coach Eric Singletary, are one of the best in the country when it comes to dictating pace no matter who they're lining up against. Making it a half court game and requiring execution of sets, making multiple efforts defensively and minimizing mistakes overall tend to wear on teams throughout the course of games.</p>   <p>2027 Jamaal McKnight and 2027 Christian Proctor make their return to the area after the former DeMatha duo went north to join the EYBL Scholastic program. 2027 Moussa Komissoko has had his highs-and-lows this season, but is still regarded as one of the higher ceiling prospects nationally in the junior class. Cincinnati pledge Kayden Allen has stepped up in Mingo's absence and become a primary scoring option while holding things down defensively with his versatility. </p>   <p>The Sidwell formula remains the same and after a couple of early season hiccups, the Quakers are humming at 14-4 overall and are winners of 12-straight. 2027 Ian Codon has his lunch pale and hardhat ready to go every game, but has showcased a great deal of improved overall skill and fluidity while taking on a primary offensive role. Mississippi State signee [player_tooltip player_id='1782594' first='Jalyn' last='Collingwood']'s versatility at both ends will be key in this matchup at LuHi brings a great deal of size and athleticism from the 3-5 position. This stage will be a perfect muse for 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2453417' first='Jadah' last='Washington'] to prove why he's firmly in elite status defensively as one of the better on-ball defenders that I've evaluated, even just as a sophomore. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4:15PM St. John's (DC) v St. Frances (MD)</h2>   <p>Another WCAC/BCL matchup on tap comes between the 25-5 St. Frances Panthers and 17-4 Cadets out of D.C. It should make for an entertaining guard battle as the 2027 duo of Terence Jones and [player_tooltip player_id='2878470' first='Carter' last='Fisk'] have been on an absolute heater as they tend to match each other in the scoring column and have become a nightmare for opposing BCL/MIAA opponents this winter to contain. For St. John's, 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353547' first='Jymin' last='Veney'] and 2028 Kareem Smith Bey have lived up to the expectations they came into the season with. </p>   <p>It'll come down to the supporting cast of either team to decide this one. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353549' first='Jordan' last='Taylor'] is by no means just a role player for head coach Pat O'Connor, but could be the ultimate x-factor in this one. His blend of physicality, athletic pop and ability to record double-doubles in his sleep could be what gives the Cadets an edge. Other key contributors such as the senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1969210' first='Geremy' last='Clark'] (St. Thomas Aquinas) and 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1782593' first='Zyion' last='Chase'] enter this one as the most seasoned prospects in playing on big stages against big-time competition.</p>   <p>St. Frances head coach Nick Myles thrives with the type of rosters he has this season, which may not be made up of household names from top-to-bottom, but a list of guys who have bought into what's expected of them. 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2691786' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] provides a further scoring and IQ punch next to Jones and Fisk while 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2954433' first='Chance' last='McCoy'] brings the pesky, fearless approach as another tough-nosed guard in the stable. The Panthers' counter to containing Taylor could be 2027 James Branch, a four-star football prospect who breathes physical play to go with cat-like lateral quickness. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6:00PM Oak Hill (VA) v Paul VI (VA)</h2>   <p>The headliner is between two of the more recognizable brands not only on the coast, but the high school landscape as a whole. Oak Hill head coach John Zito returns to familiar territory as the Warriors look to stop a potential 3-game skid after a couple of EYBL Scholastic losses. Nothing would provide a jolt more than earning a victory over a team that many consider the No. 1 high school program in the land orchestrated by head coach Glenn Farello. </p>   <p>Much of the scoring for Oak Hill has been spearheaded by 2027 LJ Smith and Pittsburgh commit [player_tooltip player_id='1595666' first='Ethan' last='Mgbako']. The Panthers will be able to counter with two guards in particular, but that doesn't mean it won't be a fun back-and-forth affair to watch unfold. Kuol Kuol and 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2879108' first='David' last='Johnson'] provide the interior presence and will be depended on heavily to help close out possession and alter attempts around the goal defensively.</p>   <p>What PVI has that Oak Hill doesn't quite have an answer for is [player_tooltip player_id='3336930' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] Jr., who in my opinion, is the best player in high school basketball. Nobody in the country knows how to engineer winning like the 6-foot-2 lead guard and its quickly spread throughout the rotation to result in an impressive 19-2 start as they stack up top-25 wins like pancakes. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2194710' first='Brian' last='Mitchell Jr.'] has been the perfect addition for the Panthers as a strong-framed, 6-foot-3 guard who shoots it as well as anyone in the DMV from deep. 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2916390' first='Ryan' last='Bahr'] has the argument has being the most valuable glue guy in the area, 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353633' first='Matthew' last='Mena']'s infectious energy and shot-making from the five spot has proven as momentum-changing during their run and Florida Gulf Coast commit [player_tooltip player_id='1782590' first='Lawrence' last='Brown'] is a tremendous floor general to keep it all together. </p>

The 'A Very Melo Classic' will take place on Saturday in for a fourth-straight year, this time returning to Morgan State University for another loaded slate of games. Featuring programs from Maryland, D.C., Virginia and New York, there will be no shortage of talent from both a national and local perspective. Below, we preview the matchups.