STARTERS
G-F. Jordan Scott, South Lakes–Scott was a NOVA all-freshman selection last season, but this year…wow. Perhaps nobody around blossomed like Scott did in his second varsity season as he became one of the best players in the area regardless of age. Always a good shooter from beyond the arc, Scott showed he was far more than that, expanding his offensive game and really making his impact felt on defense via steals and blocks. The Northern Region Player of the Year has length, active feet and a promising college basketball future ahead of him.
G. Sol Vita, South Lakes–There were many impressive stories in Reston in addition to Scott’s that allowed the Seahawks to surpass all expectations this season. One of them was Sol Vita’s. The tough guard did everything Mike Desmond asked him to do. Desmond didn’t ask him to play through injury, but he did that, too. The six-foot guard provided a little of everything, starting with defense, where he averaged close to three deflected passes a game, and joined Scott on the Concorde all-defensive team. He has offensive upside, too, and still averaged around ten points a game this season.
F. Nate Ament, Colgan–If anyone took as big a jump as Scott this year, it was Ament. At 6’8″ or so, Ament showed an impressive amount of coordination for his size and age, attacking opponents quickly and effectively from the perimeter. Even with his length he gets low and protects the ball impressively as he dribbles. He can operate in the post as well of course, and protect the rim. Averaged 18 ppg and 9 rpg this season and it is fitting he just got an offer from Creighton. When we think of that school we think Doug McDermott gunning threes. Ament hit 67 this year.
F. Riley Jacobs, Saint Stephen’s & St. Agnes–Jacobs had a very good year for the Saints, garnering first team all-IAC honors. An athletic wing/post that is at his best attacking the basket, Jacobs is like an artist getting his shot up. It doesn’t matter which way his feet are facing–he’s capable of some very creative finishes to go along with his plethora of jams. A surprisingly quick first move to the basket for a big man and improving range has many onlookers extremely bullish about Jacobs’ future. We agree with that prognosis.
F-C. Brandon Edozie, Forest Park–The big man from Forest Park took another step forward as a sophomore, garnering second team all-state honors. No Northern Virginia public school post player presently impacts a game from the blocks like Edozie does. While not quite as tall as Ament, Edozie has a solid frame at around 260 pounds, and long arms. Once he gets the ball where he wants it, you’re done. Playing football for the first time this year probably helped him athletically, and his footwork and lateral movement seemed even better this season. Could be a Division I steal for some program eventually.
RESERVES
G. Jaxson Davis (Centreville)–We ran into several coaches during the year who had a lot to say positively about Davis, a guard with some electric handle. The second team all-Concorde selection headlines an impressive Wildcats sophomore class (Clagett, Scharkowski, etc.) that will make noise going forward.
F. Wyatt Norton (Madison)–Norton’s transfer from Paul VI was one of the area’s most important, as the 6’7″-plus big man anchored a Warhawks team in desperate need of a rock down low. Norton was that rock on offense and defense, and despite injury earned all-district accolades. He is a pretty good shooter with range, to boot.
G. Ethan Salvatierra (Forest Park)–Sometimes overshadowed by Edozie is the talented Salvatierra, a guard who can really light it up for the Bruins. He is a pest defensively, but he may be most fun to watch when he is setting up his teammates. Though Salvatierra averaged in double figures, his crisp passing skills are really impressive.
G-F. Xavier Main (Lake Braddock)–The Bruins were young this year, but Main clearly was the guy when he was in the ball game. Tall, strong and fluid, Main provided a little bit of everything for Lake Braddock: blocks, steals, shooting, plus finishes and rebounding inside. A second team Patriot District selection.
G. Kenny Chicas (Woodgrove)–In a lot of ways Chicas reminds us of Main, though Chicas also plays the point. A guard with good size, strong and fluid beyond his years, Chicas had another good season for the Wolverines, earning first team all-Potomac District honors. The versatile sophomore can defend multiple positions and defers or steps up as needed.
F. Jaquan Womack (Paul VI)–It simply was not fair that Panthers opponents had to deal with Womack and Christian Gurdak coming off the bench. A year after his WCAC-winning shot became the stuff of legends, Womack had a very solid sophomore campaign. In between thunderous dunks, the relentless 6’7″ forward was versatile on defense and took another step forward in his development.
F-C. Christian Gurdak (Paul VI)–On a much deeper PVI team than last year’s, and one with perhaps the strongest frontcourt in the country, Gurdak still managed to make his impact felt. With a high motor and strength down low, Gurdak is simply too much for most high school players to handle on the block. Some Division I freshman posts aren’t as ready for college as Gurdak is now.
G. Aiden Argabright (Saint Stephen’s & St. Agnes)–Here’s a guard to keep an eye on going forward. Argabright had an under-the-radar very good season for SSSA, like Jacobs earning all-IAC honors. One of the top long-range shooters in Northern Virginia regardless of class, Argabright brings a lot of other good things to the table as well, including the ability to control tempo and run offense.
HONORABLE MENTION
Theo Burke (Woodson), William Taylor (Woodson), Noah Limbago (Woodson), Sainnyam Gantumur (Woodson), Jared Jackson (South County), Yusef Washington (South County), Elija Eccleston (South County), Najillah Bey (South County), Eann Pennix (Colgan), EJ Schneeberg (Potomac School), Davian King (Episcopal), Kendall Jones (Oakton), Belgude Choijilsuren (Fairfax), Robin Casapao (West Springfield), Parker Cage (Hayfield), Jaylen Lemon (Hayfield), Preston White (Gainesville), Michael Smith (Woodbridge), Michael Sylla (Hylton), Messiah Dixon (Park View), Trey Fitch (Rock Ridge), Jakob Salgado (Dominion), Joshua Yu (Lightridge), Everett Jones (Flint Hill), Isaac Rosenberger (Meridian), Billy Asel (Meridian), Jarrett Jardine (Meridian), Aiden Caulkner (O’Connell), Shane Lincoln (O’Connell), Adlan Elamin (O’Connell), Julian Shahateet (Unity Reed), Charles Pargo (Unity Reed), Lukas Parks (Gainesville), Logan Balatbat (Lewis), Johnny Callow (Herndon), Cash Xeller (Herndon), Brayden Humpherys (Herndon), Rece Bowser (McLean), Brennan Pilot (Yorktown), Jeremiah Clagett (Centreville), Luke Scharkowski (Centreville), Jordan Davenport (Chantilly), Braden Norris (Westfield), Dom Sanchez (West Potomac), Tyler Giedeman (Robinson), Matteen Rahim (Robinson), Shane Reago (Lake Braddock), Daniel Akadje (Gar-Field), Sep Duggai (Riverside), Shane Crissman (Riverside), Dane Marsh (Woodgrove), Cory Shorts (Woodgrove), Max West (Loudoun County), Jihad Murray (Virginia Academy), Michael Manser (Virginia Academy), Stephen Barber (Seton), Luke Vander Woude (Seton), Zion Foy (Bethel Academy)