STARTERS
F. Simas Kacerauskas, Episcopal–The Maroon have an outstanding junior class that features the tall Kacerauskas up front. He piles up rebounds and works effectively down low, but he has become deadly cutting and attacking from the perimeter. If he’s not burying a three, the All-IAC selection is receiving a pinpoint pass from Edmonds, Achefusi or someone else for the quick flush.
G. Amani Asare, Highland–Asare had a great year after coming to Highland, and was named First Team All-MPSC as a result. The lightning-quick guard can be almost uncontainable at times, and he’s an able defender as well. Asare has picked up a couple of Division I offers already this Spring, and should collect a few more as we proceed through the offseason.
G. Brian Mitchell, Jr., Paul VI–As unbelievable as Arkansas-signee Jordan Smith was this season, Mitchell made a massive impact for PVI after coming up from the 804 (Varina). A long guard, he’s versatile and tough, and he had some great games scoring and rebounding (23 and 9 vs. Calvary Christian, 31 and 8 vs. Prolific Prep). Second Team All-WCAC already, expect his reputation to keep growing nationally next season.
G. Corey Dixon, O’Connell–Dixon, son of the UMD legend, fit like a glove with Darius Bivins in the Knights’ backcourt this season. Both guards could rebound, with either pushing it up the floor. If Dixon didn’t have the ball, you couldn’t lose him, especially with his quick jumper extending out to NBA three-point range. Dixon was Second Team All-WCAC this year, and had several big games against quality opponents, both offensively and defensively.
F. Anthony Garris, Potomac School–Garris received All-MAC honors this season in his first year at Potomac School. On another balanced team he still managed to stand out–when it wasn’t scoring it was with double-digit rebounding. Garris sure showed he could score, though. The ultra-athletic forward has a surprisingly compact and effective handle for his height, which he can use with deadly effect attacking the rim.
RESERVES
F-C. Matthew Mena, Paul VI–Mena could 20 and 10 it at some other schools, but he is comfortably embedded in the rotation at powerful PVI. When the Panthers need size, the 6’9″ Mena is their guy. He doesn’t need to score a ton, though he had 17 versus McNamara, but the HM All-WCAC selection is a big who passes well and can shoot from outside.
G. Ben Edmonds, Episcopal–We know people that would take Edmonds to run a team before almost anybody else in Northern Virginia, regardless of class. Hard to disagree. The All-IAC point guard has good size, a very good burst, and is a slick passer. Edmonds averaged almost 15 points per game this year and about three steals per game.
G. Chuma Achufusi, Episcopal–Edmonds will often collapse defenses into the lane, and Achufusi will make them pay with a smooth three-pointer. Another Episcopal All-IAC selection, and another lefty to boot, Achufusi can score despite defensive focus. The 6’3″ guard rebounds well and protects the paint a little bit on defense, too. He had a very memorable moment with a fadeaway baseline game-winner versus Bullis this season.
G. Dylan Fletcher, Flint Hill–Fletcher had a breakout year for Flint Hill this season, averaging around 20 points a game. The six-foot guard is just relentless, and that translates even on the boards. He’s a very efficient three-point shooter, but is also good attacking the rim in transition and from the perimeter in the halfcourt.
G-F. Tal Rose, Virginia Academy–Rose was one of two talented 6’6″ Loudoun public school players that made a solid impact at new schools this season (Mason Ridgeway, Evergreen the other). Rose was named All-MPSC Honorable Mention after doing a lot of everything for VAA. He’s essentially a point forward who can mix it up down low but also shoot well from outside.
G-F. Tristan Franklin, O’Connell–The Knights weren’t tremendously deep this season, especially with senior Justin Edwards injured for a while. Fortunately they had versatile small forwards like Tristan Franklin and Jaron Rucker to match up with the athletic wings of the WCAC. At 6’5″ Franklin could produce some monster rebounding games when the Knights went small. An excellent defender, he could match up expertly on the perimeter and down low. Plus, the HM All-WCAC pick also has a smooth long-range shot.
F. Jaron Rucker, O’Connell–Rucker and Franklin at forward was just insane luxury for O’Connell. The 6’7″ Rucker showed off his athleticism for the Knights–we vividly remember a watching a few thunderous dunks of his wow the fans. He averaged close to double-digit scoring, knocking down key shots from the perimeter and showing enormous potential as a next level 3-and-D player.
Honorable Mention–Mason Ridgeway (Evergreen Christian); Carson Cook (Evergreen Christian); Farrell Djossinou (Paul VI); Jackson Wootten (O’Connell); Alp Elitas (O’Connell); Jayden Mills (Bishop Ireton); Logan Higginbothom (Bishop Ireton); Elijah Simpkins (Bishop Ireton); Nigel Arthur (St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes); Amir Payne (Flint Hill); Jemal Smith (Highland); Darren Maglocky (Virginia Academy); Jamison Elliot (John Paul the Great); Daylen Martino (Fairfax Christian)