WCAC Preview
It’s October, and that means we’re inching closer to the start of another high school season. In the upcoming days, we will be previewing respective conferences around the DMV. In this edition, we take a closer look at the WCAC.
(1) WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR GONZAGA TO REPEAT?
Gonzaga lose their heart and soul in Chris Lykes, who won WCAC Player of the Year after an incredible senior campaign. They do however return an experienced group led by seniors Myles Dread and Prentiss Hubb. The Eagles will rely on these two for leadership and production.
(2) WHO ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGERS TO GONZAGA?
Paul VI are widely considered the favorite to win the league, given their mix of returning seniors along with their up and coming young crop of players. The Panthers have one of the best home court advantages in the league, and have proven to be fearless on the road.
St. John’s is another experienced team that will look to stake their claim as the top team in the league. New Head Coach Patrick Behan has been in the program before, and has familiarity with the seniors. The Cadets should pick up right where they left off, and once again be a top team in the WCAC.
DeMatha has one of the most intriguing rosters in the league, and the talent to lift the trophy come season’s end. Head Coach Mike Jones is one of the best in the country, and will have his team ready to compete.
(3) WHO ARE THE DARK HORSE TEAMS?
Bishop O’Connell lose much of their team from last year, and will have a new look. The Knights will ask Xavier Johnson and Matt Becht to apply pressure on opposing defenses, and will likely go as far as those two will take them.
St. Mary’s Ryken has reloaded quickly under their new Head Coach Walter Booth, and should not be taken lightly in the league. Led by one of the best guards in the region in Wynston Tabbs, the Knights will be primed for a strong run in the league.
Bishop Ireton have always been one of the most well coached, and difficult teams to beat in the league. Behind their senior point guard Darius Hines, who has seen his team’s win total increase each of the last two seasons, the Cardinals are a strong candidate to spring a few upsets.
(4) WHO WILL LEAD THE LEAGUE IN SCORING?
ANTHONY HARRIS | PAUL VI ’19
Harris had some big games as a sophomore, and will be expected to provide more consistent production as a junior. Look for the talented guard to work hard, put the ball in the hole, and possibly lead the league in scoring.
DARIUS HINES | BISHOP IRETON ’18
Hines’ top two scoring games last season came at O’Connell, and at Gonzaga. He has proven that he can put the ball in the basket against elite defenses, and will be asked to do so for the Cardinals. If Hines can lead the league in scoring, his improved improved jump shot will be a big reason why.
PRENTISS HUBB | GONZAGA ’18
Someone will have to fill the offensive void left by Lykes, and Hubb is a good candidate to do so. The smooth lefty can get hot at a given moment, and will need to be consistent for his team to succeed.
XAVIER JOHNSON | BISHOP O’CONNELL ’18
Xavier Johnson will be given plenty of opportunity to put the ball in the basket this season. Teams will have to pick their poison, and will likely sit back, allowing him to shoot. If he can make shots with consistency from the perimeter, Johnson will be a difficult matchup for any defender.
JUSTIN MOORE | DEMATHA ’19
Moore will probably be DeMatha’s top scorer this year, and he was on his way to an impressive sophomore year before going down with an unfortunate injury. He appears to be healthy now, and primed for a strong junior season.
CASEY MORSELL | ST. JOHN’S ’19
Morsell’s emergence this summer has been well documented, and it should translate into a fantastic junior year. All signs point to the talented guard breaking out, and being a major impact player for his team.
BRANDON SLATER | PAUL VI ’18
Slater has never really been a prolific scorer, but has had some outbursts, including his 34 point effort against Gonzaga. Someone will need to lead what should be a balanced PVI team in scoring, so why not the 6-foot-6 senior?
WYNSTON TABBS | ST. MARY’S RYKEN ’18
Tabbs is probably the most talented scoring guard in the league, and despite the fact that defenses will be keying in on stopping him, he should have some big games. Expect Ryken’s lead guard to be among the league leaders in this category.
(5) WHO WILL LEAD THE LEAGUE IN DOUBLE DOUBLES?
HUNTER DICKINSON | DEMATHA ’20
Dickinson is probably already the most dominant big in the league, and he’s just a sophomore. He is a good bet to record at 10 and 10 each night.
DESON FLOOD | GOOD COUNSEL ’18
Flood is an energetic wing that crashes the offensive glass. He is the most athletic player for Good Counsel, and will probably lead them in rebounding. The question is whether or not he can put in 10 points per game in a league stacked at his position. The 6’5 senior should be able to record at least a few double-doubles regardless.
CHARLIE WEBER | BISHOP O’CONNELL ’19
Weber will be asked to fortify the front court for the Knights, and pulled down over 12 boards per game in the summer league games we saw. The bouncy 6’7 junior should have no problem producing in what we expect to be an uptempo style offense.
TERRANCE WILLIAMS | GONZAGA ’20
Williams came in as a freshman and pulled down close to 7 rebounds per game. He should put up similar, and possibly better rebounding numbers with an expanded role as a sophomore. The 6’6 forward, who has nice touch along the ability to score efficiently through traffic, should also be able to average double figure scoring numbers.
(6) WHO WILL WIN LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR?
BRANDON SLATER | PAUL VI ’18
Slater’s impact on both ends of the floor will be a big reason why he is the main candidate from PVI for this award. The Villanova commit was first team all league last year, and has a good chance to win player of the year.
PRENTISS HUBB | GONZAGA ’18
Hubb was also selected first team last season. If he can consistently produce, he will be a strong candidate to win league player of the year.
CASEY MORSELL | ST. JOHN’S ’19
Tre Wood was named first team all league last year, but this team will also need Casey Morsell to be playing at a high level. If he can continue to mature and win games, he will be a dark horse to win this award.
(7) WHO ARE THE LEAGUE’S TOP BREAKOUT CANDIDATES?
ANWAR GILL | GONZAGA ’19
Gonzaga’s junior had a great summer league, and will be given an expanded role this year. He will have a chance to make an impact on both sides of the court.
ANTHONY HARRIS | PAUL VI ’19
We expect Harris to break out this season. He’s a very hard worker, and is primed for a strong campaign.
SERVET ALPEREN KURNAZ | ST. MARY’S RYKEN ’18
Kurnaz is new to the league, but he can really play. The 6’8 forward will be a big part of Ryken’s plans this season.
ISHMAEL LEGGETT | ST. JOHN’S ’20
Leggett showed signs at the end of last year, and will be put in position to contribute even more this year. Look for the sophomore to take advantage.
JAHMIR YOUNG | DEMATHA ’19
Young will probably start at the point for the Stags this season, and play a key role on both ends of the floor. The lefty is poised to emerge from his status as a sleeper.
(8) WHO MADE OUR PRESEASON ALL WCAC FIRST TEAM?
G | MYLES DREAD | GONZAGA ’18
G | ANTHONY HARRIS | PAUL VI ’19
G | DARIUS HINES | BISHOP IRETON ’18
G | PRENTISS HUBB | GONZAGA ’18
G | XAVIER JOHNSON | BISHOP O’CONNELL ’18
G | JUSTIN MOORE | DEMATHA ’19
G | CASEY MORSELL | ST. JOHN’S ’19
G | BRANDON SLATER | PAUL VI ’18
G | WYNSTON TABBS | ST. MARY’S RYKEN ’18
G | TRE WOOD | ST. JOHN’S ’18