STARTERS
G. Amani Asare, Potomac–The lightning-quick Potomac guard, a transfer from O’Connell, made an immediate impact for Potomac. Asare was voted the Cardinal District Player of the Year, averaging around 17 points per game. Scoring was hardly all he did, drawing defenses to him and on defense, often effectively pressuring the ball. He averaged a couple of made threes per game as well. It was really a tough thing to fall behind to Potomac with no shot clock, because it was very, very difficult to get the ball away from Asare with his quickness and handle.
G. Jeremiah Stanford, Fairfax Christian–After a fantastic freshman campaign at Stone Bridge, Stanford transferred to Fairfax Christian and impressed in his new environment, earning Second Team All-MPSC. The six-foot-plus guard has an easy, smooth three-point shot, but what has always impressed us about Stanford is his ability to fight into the lane and either keep going all the way to the rim or stick the mid-range. He can play on or off the ball and he’s definitely the type of player you can build a team around.
G. Kaylen Chilton, Woodson–The Class 6 state runner ups had a deep and talented roster this season, but Chilton still brought that “it” factor for the Cavs. Last year Chilton flashed the ability to dominate–this year he did it more often and stepped up at the right times against tough opponents, such as when he scored 26 against a very good King’s Fork team. With good range, good elevation on his shot, and an ability to get by defenders, Chilton is already as a sophomore one of the better guards in the area, regardless of class.
G. Will Braun-Duin, John Handley–Here’s a guy that averaged over 26 points a game this year as a sophomore. Sure, the Northwestern District isn’t the WCAC, but we don’t see anyone else scoring 51 points in just 17 minutes like he did Kettle Run. Braun-Duin is still a weapon against top-notch competition as well, as he demonstrated when he scored 20 against Varina in a tough playoff loss. Braun-Duin is solid athletically and has good physical strength, and the 6’4″ shooting guard is deadly from the arc.
F. Derek “Beau” Daniels, Paul VI–The 6’8″ Daniels came over from DeMatha in the offseason and made a significant impact for the WCAC Champion Panthers. Slender and athletic, Daniels has an ability to leap quickly and flexibly. This ability has made him well-known for his thunderous dunks, and Daniels also brings an impressive ability to scour the glass, especially offensively. Daniels continues to get stronger and rapidly expand his game.
RESERVES
G-F. Kamdon Brangman-Cain, Gainesville–Brangman-Cain was one of those very select few sophomores who was able to overwhelm older players with his athleticism and considerable physical strength. Really a guard, the First Team All-Region selection still produces like a power forward. In a win over Potomac at regionals, Brangman-Cain delivered 13 points–plus 10 rebounds and six blocks. His leaping and dunking ability is special finishing off the drive, and his range continues to improve. Defensively he is strong both on-ball and shocking opponents by effectively protecting the rim from the weak side.
G. Ben Edmonds, Episcopal–Edmonds was a special player this season for the Maroon after coming over from Paul VI, making First Team All-IAC. One of the better finishers around, Edmonds just needs the smallest of spaces to use his blend of toughness and athleticism to attack the basket. Plus, the point guard can hit the three-pointer, and averaged about 16 ppg this season. He’s smart on defense, too. Look for Edmonds to make a name for himself in Northern Virginia and beyond in the years to come.
F. Simas Kacerauskas, Episcopal–Edmonds isn’t the only sophomore for the Maroon with a bright basketball future–there’s also Jamar Betz, Chuma Achufusi, and this guy, Simas Kacerauskas. Kacerauskas came over from McLean and played with the consistency of a much older player, averaging a double-double in points and rebounds for the year. The tall forward has the makings of a very diverse offensive game–he can hit from outside and possesses the ability to finish with his either hand in the post, or on the drive off a spin.
G. Jonathan Bell, Gar-Field–The oldest son of Gar-Field Coach Jason Bell presently on the Wolves’ roster, Jonathan showed the ability to take over games this season. He averaged 19 ppg, led the team in steals and assists, and as you would expect from a coach’s son, managed the game with maturity beyond his years. He’s a good bit over six-feet tall and so is able to help on the boards as well. As Bell went so did Gar-Field–when he was on top of his game the Wolves were not easy to beat. He, Asare, and guys like Woodbridge’s clutch Cam’Ron Austin mean the Cardinal District will get more and more competitive the next couple years.
G-F. Masyn Miller, Heritage–Heritage was powered by its excellent sophomore class consisting of guys like Liam Roane, Tyler Burns, Jordan Garland, and triple-double type threat guard Dylan Williams. Though all deserve recognition, Miller makes our All-NOVA team with his clutch performances this season. In January we saw him score 20 second half points in a win over Tuscarora. Not only that, he hit the game-winning shot to send his team to states. A wing with good handles who can shoot, Miller’s versatile offensive game and tenacious approach to all facets of basketball make him a winner.
G. Kevin Reyes Jr., Stone Bridge–After Stanford left for Fairfax Christian it was “next man up” for the Bulldogs, and sophomore guards Carter Burnes and Kevin Reyes, Jr. responded in a big way. Reyes averaged over 18 ppg, dished out three assists per contest, and delivered over 60 steals. His forte is scoring the ball and what makes him dangerous is his ability to score from anywhere, at any point of his dribble. On defense you have to pick him up pretty much at NBA three-point range, and then if he has the ball he can burn you anywhere from a three-pointer off the dribble to an off-balance lay-up.
G. Makel Minor, O’Connell–A combo guard, Minor sometimes played uneven minutes on a deep and talented Knights roster, but when he got going, he really got going. Minor could provide instant offense in a hurry. We watched him hit six threes in a win over Potomac School, and that is his bread-and-butter on offense. He has the ability to hit it off the dribble, has good bounce, and his legs often angle forward naturally on his shot, increasing the potential of him being fouled. We think he’s an underrated passer, too.
F-C. Matthew Mena, Paul VI–Mena didn’t play starters minutes for the Panthers, but the big man still made an impact in the rotation for powerful PVI. At 6’8″ and well-built, Mena was able to bang inside with some of the nationally-ranked big men PVI faced in its demanding schedule, but Mena also continued to show finesse and surprising agility for a man his size. He mixed in some three-pointers this season as well, and his ability to shoot is what really makes him an intriguing next level prospect.
G. Elijah Simpkins, Bishop Ireton–Ireton has a strong junior class, so it may be a while before Simpkins puts up gaudy statistics, but the combo guard showed signs he is certainly ready to. Late in the season Simpkins looked very good, especially against top-notch competition like PVI. A coach’s son (Duane at American U.), Elijah plays smartly within the game, but still managed to provide instant offense at times for the Cardinals. In short, he’s a very good shooter who cuts sharply and effectively when he’s attacking the lane. A willing defender as well, Simpkins brings a lot to Ireton.
G. Joshua Orbida, Potomac Falls–Orbida was somewhat inconsistent in his first season logging major minutes for Coach Jeff Hawes–and he still was First Team All-Potomac District. There’s no doubting Orbida’s talent–even as a sophomore he was one of the most fun players to watch in the area. Orbida keeps you off-balance on defense with his fakes, handle, and herky-jerky movements. It is those movements that get him to the free throw line, where he can pile up points in a hurry. He’s a good shooter and finisher and at times put the Panthers on his back this season. Orbida heads a very good sophomore class for the Falls–you could argue Adit Apte for this team as well.
Honorable Mention: Dylan Williams (Heritage); O’Neal Allotey (Mount Vernon); Blake Fitzgerald (Flint Hill); Dylan Fletcher (Flint Hill); Daniel Russell (Potomac School); Timothy Allen Crank (John Paul the Great); Trey Lonardo (Marshall); Osteen Suguru (Marshall); Tyler Kim (Langley); Maddox Davis (Centreville); Soren Kyne (Centreville); James Davis (Yorktown); Connor May (West Springfield); Gavin Bermudez (Fairfax); Mike Mularkey (Fairfax); Aiden Pratt (Hayfield); Isaiah Tedros (Justice); Cam’Ron Austin (Woodbridge); Carter Burnes (Stone Bridge); Farrell Djossinou (Lightridge); Aidan O’Connor (Loudoun Valley); Zayden Burks (Skyline), James Thompson III (Fauquier); Jayden Wade (Chantilly); Brook Anteneh (Lake Braddock); Kaiden Thompson (Alexandria City); Tyler Hankins (Edison); Elijah Lewis (Falls Church); Jamison Ross (Patriot/Highland); Christian Cole (Patriot); Christian Brown (Gainesville); Shane Brooks (Gainesville); Braden Cooke (Freedom-South Riding); Samuel Schiefelbein (Battlefield); Aidan Logan (Potomac); Jaden Amoah (Colgan); Julius Simpkins (Freedom-Woodbridge); Ree-Ko Harris (Brooke Point); Noah Blubaugh (Riverside); Adit Apte (Potomac Falls); Liam Roane (Heritage); Jordan Garland (Heritage); Tyler Burns (Heritage); Jordan Dillard (Tuscarora); Kaden Foreman (Broad Run); Mason Pye (Meridian); Ronnie Barrett (James Wood); Daniel Clater (Millbrook); Reth Puller (Sherando); Corbin Shepard (Liberty); Zackery Hubbard (Manassas Park); Isaac Nei (Clarke County); Colton Johnson (Clarke County; Jamel Betz (Episcopal); Chuma Achufusi (Episcopal); Jemal Smith (Highland); Daylen Martino (Fairfax Christian); Alexander Sidbury (Fairfax Christian); Tobias Kamp (Evergreen Christian); Dylan Harsanyi (Paul VI)
Need to state when kids are RE-CLASSED!!!. These reclass nominations should come with asterisk. Kids that play by rules keep getting screwed over.
Know of some, but really don’t know in a lot of cases–not all private school kids are reclassed. However, we separate the private/public teams at the junior class because of this to recognize more kids.