Classification: VISAA D1 Conference: WCAC Head Coach: Glenn Farello Last Season: 20-15 Key Games: 12/8 – @ Bishop O'Connell 12/10 – vs. St. Johns 1/9 – @ Oak Hill (Roanoke) 1/14 – v. Bishop O'Connell 1/16 – @ Chino Hills (CA) –…
Classification: VISAA D1
Conference: WCAC
Head Coach: Glenn Farello
Last Season: 20-15
Key Games:
12/8 – @ Bishop O'Connell
12/10 – vs. St. Johns
1/9 – @ Oak Hill (Roanoke)
1/14 – v. Bishop O'Connell
1/16 – @ Chino Hills (CA) – Hoop Hall: Springfield, MA
1/18 – @ Gonzaga
1/26 – v. DeMatha
2/9 – v. Gonzaga
2/15 – @ DeMatha
Key Losses: Frank Howard (Syracuse), Matt Herzog, Jesse Case, Michael Fox
Key Returners: VJ King, Corey Manigault, Aaron Thompson, Brandon Slater, Vincent Lee, Devon Sims
Key Newcomers: Myles Douglas, James Dunlop, Miles Latimer, Matthew Urbach, Anthony Harris
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG Aaron Thompson
SG Brandon Slater
SF VJ King
PF Myles Douglas
C Corey Manigault
Paul VI Catholic High School's Boys Basketball Team is without question one of the most respected programs in Virginia, and an emerging national power. Now entering his ninth season as head coach, Glenn Farello has helped create a winning culture.
The Panthers traditionally set high expectations for themselves, and this year is no different. Not ready to name starters at this point, stating that they all have to earn it, Coach Farello cited 3 experienced leaders who will be vital to the team's success this season.
“VJ, Corey, and Aaron were starters for us last year. We're gonna depend a lot on our 2 captains (Aaron Thompson, VJ King) to lead us. They're competitors, and can handle leadership roles they're in. Corey Manigault is now a senior, a Pitt commit. Fourth year on varsity, a three year starter. High expectations on him to show the young guys how we do things,” Farello explained.
Manigault and Thompson were on the 2014 Panther team that accomplished a rare feat, winning the VISAA State, WCAC, and Alhambra Championships. Alongside King, those two will be expected to set the tone every day. The fourth player returning who started games last year is sophomore Brandon Slater. Slater is an exciting prospect. He's a long, versatile, and athletic 6-foot-6 wing who can shoot the lights out, and will fill a bigger role with the departure of Frank Howard to Syracuse. Myles Douglas, a 6-foot-7 junior from Baltimore, will step in and be asked to do a little bit of everything for the Panthers.
“We have experience, we have youth, we have length. We have a lot of different pieces,” said Farello. “We have no excuses, not to be successful. It'll just be about whether or not we'll able to put it together, and who's able to put it together the best.”
This year, the Panthers play yet another tough national schedule. Their first WCAC home game is against rival St. John's, which features a talented roster, including future Terp Anthony Cowan. Chino Hills, a perennial powerhouse out of California, is their opponent at the 2016 Hoop Hall Classic. They will also travel to Roanoke and face a strong Oak Hill Academy team.
“Iron sharpens iron,” said Farello. “We like to compete.”
Given the athleticism and length all across the board, Farello is emphasizing the need to create turnovers and be able to defend. They're a fast bunch that will look to play with pace, push the tempo, and turn their defense into easy offense in the open court.
“If we can become an excellent defensive team, and that's been our bread and butter over all these years, and we're in that mode of defending at PVI standards, then we're going to be really good,” he stated. “If we dont, then our schedule is too good; quality teams. If we don't bring it at that end, winning a championship is really not going to happen.
The VI Man, the beloved student section of Paul VI Catholic High School, gives the Panthers one of the best home court advantages in all of Virginia. A goal that Coach Farello believes should be important to his team is not losing in front of their home fans.
“You wanna bring it for that home crowd. The IV Man is the best cheering section in the nation. Being undefeated on our home court is important to us,” he said.
On and off the court, this year's team is a tightly knit group. They genuinely care for each other, and that will be a primary reason for why they might be successful this season.
“We have great chemistry,” Farello began. “These kids are very unselfish. They support each other. We have a locker room of great teammates. You have to have great players to win, but you've gotta have great teammates as well. These guys are great teammates first and I think that's really important.”
The Panthers begin their season at home against Cesar Chavez (DC) on Tuesday, December 1 at 7:30.