DMV Live S2: Four main takeaways

<p>The dust has settled on another session of DMV Live and just like S1, there is plenty to unpack from the weekend of action. I'll start my coverage with four main takeaways gained through the three days.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DMV juggernauts emerge</h2>   <p>There were three teams that finished with 7-1 records over the course of the two live period weekends: Bishop McNamara, Highland and Paul VI. Each of these programs come as little surprise considering their histories of winning at high levels, but it was reassurance that this upcoming season, the standard will remain.</p>   <p>McNamara's only loss came to Spalding by two points, but racked up victories against Penn Charter, Clinton Grace, Hargrave, DeMatha Westtown, Gillion and Potomac. The Mustangs were led by two rising seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='2353561' first='Brandon' last='Woodard'], who averaged a double-double of 15.6PPG and 10.4RPG while [player_tooltip player_id='2353528' first='Kirby' last='Duran'] impressed with 15.3PPG, 4.3APG and 3.4RPG. 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2882025' first='Khyair' last='Phillips'] continues to prove his worth as a Swiss army knife and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2194782' first='Terry' last='Brooks III']'s ability to control the game as the floor general becomes more apparent with each showing.</p>   <p>Highland's only loss came to the hands of St. Frances, but collected wins over Mt. Carmel, Gillion, Ambassador Christian, DeMatha, Bullis, CATS Academy and Bishop O'Connell. The array of weapons that head coach Logan Miller has at his disposal is impressive and for S2, they added a significant piece in 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1782691' first='Jordan' last='Hunter'], who provided even more of a scoring punch in the backcourt.</p>   <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2548181' first='Isaiah' last='Carter'] secured three P5 offers over the weekend thanks to his high-level shotmaking and translatable skillset averaging 16PPG and 4.3RPG while converting over 40 percent of his looks from deep. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353606' first='Amani' last='Asare'] put on a show in his 32-point outburst in the win over CATS, but finished with averages of 14.8PPG, 2.9APG and 2.8RPG while controlling the offense. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1782691' first='Jordan' last='Hunter'] asserted himself quickly and impacted winning a high rate, doing his damage off the bench with 12.8PPG, 3.3RPG and 3.3APG. Most impressively, Hunter converted his looks from beyond the arc at a 41.2 percent clip, showing great progress in this aspect of his development. </p>   <p>Paul VI's only loss came in S1 to the hands of conference foe DeMatha, but recorded quality wins over Bullis, Mount St. Joe, St. Frances, CATS, Clinton Grace, Georgetown Prep and Malvern Prep. Despite losing the best high school prospect in the country in [player_tooltip player_id='3336930' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] Jr. (Arkansas), head coach Glenn Farello's factory continues to churn out victories in dominant fashion.</p>   <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2194710' first='Brian' last='Mitchell Jr.'] was one of the biggest stock-risers of the event as he picked up three offers in the last few weeks with more coming his way as he was the engine for the Panthers behind 16PPG, 6.4RPG and 2APG while providing invaluable defensive tools. He also shot a blistering 44.7 percent from three on a healthy amount of attempts. 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2916372' first='Damien' last='Robinson'] is a name that picked up significant steam on the recruiting front in his first month with the programs during the evaluating timeframe. He brought great balance as a scorer, distributor and initiator of the offense while posting 16.9PPG, 3.9APG and 2.9RPG on 52/41/72 splits. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353633' first='Matthew' last='Mena'] and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3295789' first='Dylan' last='Harsanyi'] were two other prospects who proved they'll be significant contributors for the reigning WCAC champs.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2767938' first='Jordan' last='Costley'] backs his No. 1 status</h2>   <p>Heading into the month, I thought it'd be a great chance to evaluate the rising sophomore class and track their progression after their first high school seasons. With the rankings set to be updated next month, it's always good to approach things with a blank slate, especially at the top. However for Springdale guard [player_tooltip player_id='2767938' first='Jordan' last='Costley'], he not only showed why he should remain at the top of the 2029 rankings, but created separation space from No. 2 in the process.</p>   <p>The 6-foot-3 guard is the epitome of efficiency. Oftentimes, especially at the high school level, big scoring numbers come as a result of a lot of shot attempts. This is rarely the case with Costley and for his young age, it makes his production even more special. For example, in the final two games of DMV Live S2, he finished with 25 points in a win over St. Frances and 17 points in a win over Spalding, shooting a total of 15 (!!) attempts from the field. This is a testament to not only his ability to cash in his looks with supreme efficiency, but also find ways to get to the free-throw line, which he converted at an 82 percent rate.</p>   <p>For the month of June, the [program_tooltip program_id='2077005' first='Team' last='Thrill'] product averaged 15.9PPG, 6.1RPG and 2.9APG on 50/45/82 splits. The manner in which he shoots off the catch in a variety of ways, his willingness to make timely cuts that lead to layups and the limited dribbles he needs overall to make his scoring impact is why so many P5 programs are beginning to track him very closely. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Flint Hill proves their a team to watch</h2>   <p>Flint Hill had major additions take place since the conclusion of the 2025-26 season starting with the head coach as Kevin Harris took over after a long-standing history of winning at Westfield and Centreville where he accumulated VHSL titles throughout his time at both programs. Now the Huskies' leader, his winning ways have already surfaced as they finished 5-0 between the two weekends.</p>   <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2847084' first='Blake' last='Fitzgerald'] posted the most dominant numbers that aren't being talked about enough. The 6-foot-7 forward posted a ridiculous 24.2PPG 13.6RPG and 2.6APG while knocking down 40 percent of his three's. He's a vicious above the rim finisher who can change the momentum of a game with the way that he looks to punish the goal any chance he gets. This was apparent in their lopsided win over Pallotti, which was close until he had back-to-back dunks that sparked a run where they'd eventually win by 14. It also went down as arguably his best performance of the month totaling 32 points and 19 rebounds.</p>   <p>The 2027 duo of Amir Payne and [player_tooltip player_id='2353648' first='Dylan' last='Fletcher'] also added reasons for the Huskies to be a team to monitor closely in 2026-27 in the MAC, which could see some shakeup with the improvements from Flint Hill and Potomac as they look to dethrone the dominant Sidwell Friends from their supremacy. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Academy of Central Florida leaves the DMV unscathed</strong></h2>   <p>There's been a long list of out of town programs over the years who have made the trip to the DMV with a high-level of confidence that gets humbled quite quickly. That wasn't the case for Academy of Central Florida, as they proved to be a well-coached group ready for the smoke. Collecting victories against Mt. Carmel, Prince George's Christian Academy, Episcopal and Clinton Grace, the Bulls had multiple prospects return to Florida with a much higher stock than when they arrived.</p>   <p>2027 Joessette Sanchez was the biggest winner of the group as the 6-foot-7 southpaw wing let his lethal, long-range shooting ability be known quickly. He cashed in 19 triples at an alarming 56 percent clip in the four-game showing while also providing consistency on the glass. In the win over Clinton Grace, the full skillset was on display and his stat line of 22PTS, 6ASTS and 5REBS helps support the statement. He's a quick decision-maker on the catch, poses as a perimeter roamer that must be accounted for at all times and has the defensive makeup to be a valuable piece as the college level long term. </p>   <p>2027 Marlon Martinez has several programs in heavy pursuit and his play at DMV will only ramp up their efforts. His ability to control the offense at 6-foot-6 for a team without a true, designated point guard is a testament to the growth in his game since the Bulls visited last June. While he struggled to impact from three, he was a mismatch nightmare as he'd bully guards in the mid-post and finish through contact with regularity. His playmaking and court vision were on display and backed by his 5.5APG to go with 14.8PPG and 4.8RPG</p>   <p>2027 Adrian Cordoba helped himself as another member of the main trio for the Bulls. Another prospect with good positional size at 6-foot-5 paired with a strong frame to win his matchups from a physical standpoint. He mixes up his scoring well throughout multiple levels, but brings immense value with his instincts as a mover without the ball. He has spatial awareness and is precise with making his defender pay when they turn their head to ball watch. He was a force in transition as he does a nice job of seeking contact while maintaining balance to finish around the rim and has good footwork before the catch from three to let it fly with fluidity. He finished his showing at DeMatha averaging 11.5PPG and 4.5RPG. </p>

The dust has settled on another session of DMV Live and just like S1, there is plenty to unpack from the weekend of action. I'll start my coverage with four main takeaways gained through the three days.