STARTERS
G. Akim Iscandari, Potomac School–There are a ton of point guards on the team and in Honorable Mention that could pilot this team admirably, but Iscandari gets the nod for his ability to completely change the pace, and the course of a game. We saw him do exactly that a couple times in Potomac School victories. Small but extremely quick, Iscandari racked up steals, assists, and even rebounds, but especially made his presence felt scoring on the fast break.
G. Jordan Smith, Paul VI–Paul VI’s talented freshman class of Smith, Anthony Brown, and Jordan Hunter didn’t generally get a ton of minutes in the loaded Panthers’ rotation, though Smith in particular played enough to remind us he’s an inevitable star. Already with Division I offers, Smith has a quick-trigger spring in his step that allows him to pick pockets and alter shots, and finish with a flourish on offense. Like Iscandari, Smith did a lot of his scoring on straight-line drives and fast breaks this season, but he’s absolutely capable of breaking a defender’s ankles in the halfcourt as well.
G. Dominic Nguyen, Seton–Nguyen did play last year for the Conquistadors as an eighth-grader, so he came into this season hardly unproven. Still, what a freshman campaign it was for the talented point guard. Nguyen led 20-win-plus Seton in scoring at around 15 points a game. Adept at finding even the smallest gap in a defense and then making it pay with a mid-range jumper or a drive, he is a precise ball-handler who takes care of the ball well. One of Dom’s older brothers is Patrick, another talented guard at Seton.
G-F. Adam Oumiddoch, O’Connell–Absolutely nobody around NOVA had freshman years like Oumiddoch and his teammate Quincy Wadley. Oumiddoch was a big key for O’Connell as the Knights were a major factor in the WCAC despite their relative youth. He’s got great length, great range, good anticipation on defense, and averaged double digit-scoring en route to being selected Honorable Mention WCAC. Even in that physical conference, Oumiddoch usually held up fine on the boards. As good as he was this year, natural physical progression should unlock another level.
G-F. Quincy Wadley, O’Connell–Wadley and Oumiddoch were so good this season, they were just 2 of 27 freshmen nationally invited to a Spring USA Basketball minicamp in Houston. Wadley, like Oumiddoch, is another tall 2/3 with parking lot range. Wadley averaged almost 15 points per game this year en route to earning first team WCAC and VISAA DI honors. He’s very athletic, and able to use his legs to get quick elevation when necessary on both offense and defense. Wadley recently got a Division I offer to play at the University of Georgia.
RESERVES
F. William Robinson, Centreville–Robinson, a tall wing, had an impressive freshman campaign. He demonstrated the ability for the Wildcats to run their offense through him both on the perimeter and closer to the basket. He can shoot, as demonstrated by his seven three-pointers in one contest, but is also a good passer who knows when to whip a pass to his teammates.
G. Isaiah Brown, Jr., Westfield–Amazingly smooth, deliberate, and heady, Brown’s game is that of someone much, much older. Coordinated and confident, he can bury the long and mid-range shot from a spot or on the move, with solid elevation. “Zay,” a second team All-Concorde selection in his initial campaign, will have an opportunity to do even more next season.
G. Chris Morrison, West Potomac–When you are brought up from the JV early on in your freshman year and you help stabilize the team immediately…well, you’ve done something impressive. Morrison definitely was impressive, as the tough point guard provided timely points, solid defense, and most important–fearlessness to another Wolverines solid season.
G. Colin Stemberger, Champe–Walter Webb gave the keys of the Champe bus to Colin Stemberger early on, and Stemberger didn’t disappoint. A very small guard in a fairly tough and physical district, he showed no fear, reliably handling the rock while providing an occasional three-pointer or floater in the lane. An Honorable Mention All-Cedar Run selection.
G. Kai Wilcox, Patriot–Despite making the varsity as a freshman, there really wasn’t a big reason to think Wilcox would make much of an impact on a loaded Pioneers team this season. And yet, Wilcox certainly did. The guard noticeably improved as the season progressed, playing more and more in big games (11 points in a big win over Battlefield). Smooth and smart, the talented guard will see an even greater role next season.
F. Ryan Brzezanski, Briar Woods–Tough not to admire Brzezanski’s season, which earned him second team All-Potomac District honors. He’s a very good shooter who can change a game with his three-point bombs. He’s also willing to do the dirty work inside–without his rebounding and ability to defend the rim a small Falcons team would have had a very tough time keeping pace in the Potomac.
G. Marcus Hancock, John Paul the Great–Hancock had an under-the-radar season for the Wolves, coming up in big in several key games. He had 19 points in a win over Tuscarora, and the young man especially made his presence felt from three-point range. Hancock is far more than a three-point shooter, however, and the talented guard will get a big chance to expand his role for what should be a very solid JPTG team next season.
HONORABLE MENTION
Ethan Poole (Wakefield), Mathias Lee (Centreville), Noah Barnhart (Robinson), Khaleed Cash (Lake Braddock), Landon Judy (Hayfield), Phenix Card (Hayfield), Zay Nichols (Unity Reed), Kongfeyin Tangwa (Potomac), Ryden Rodney-Sandy (Potomac), Yassin Mostafa (Woodbridge), Elijhah Walden (Gar-Field), Paris Borden II (Riverside), Mason Ridgeway (Riverside), Sam Rubino (Stone Bridge), Adam Perdue (Broad Run), Noah Calalang (Park View), Daylen Martino (Meridian), Will Davis (Meridian), Anthony Brown (Paul VI), Silas Devonish (Bishop Ireton), Ripp Kodi (Bishop Ireton), Aiden Woodberry (Bishop Ireton), Khaliq Carson (Bishop Ireton), Ty Harris (Flint Hill), Hart Sands (Episcopal), Philip Vander Woude (Seton), Michael Robinson (South County)