It’s not that the South County Stallions have been bad the past few years–they won 15 games last season, and 16 and 17 the prior years before that. In Lorton, however, there are always high expectations, and the Stallions haven’t been to the state tournament since they were co-state champions with Centreville in 2019-2020. There is a very solid chance that changes this year, though once again, just coming out on top in the Patriot District is hardly a given.
Coach Mike Robinson has a very good senior class, coupled with significant young talent that gained valuable experience last year. 6’3″ senior guard Johnny Anderson looks ready to break out. Anderson combines athleticism, coordination, and shooting ability to deadly effect on offense. You have to respect his three-point ability well beyond the arc, but if you play him to close he’ll use a quick burst to get in the lane and either bury a mid-range or dish to a teammate.
Anderson couples with the coach’s son, Michael Robinson, to comprise what could be one of the best offensive duos in Northern Virginia. Robinson is extremely tall at 6’8″, and is a very good shooter from the perimeter. His all-around game has made significant strides, but first and foremost Robinson is an extremely challenging matchup for defenders. It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him on a Division I roster someday, and Anderson has a chance to do that as well.
SoCo has occasionally been offensively challenged at times recently, but with those two guys as seniors, it’s hard to imagine that being a problem this year. Plus, the Stallions also have Brian Burns II, an underrated, versatile 6’5″ forward who can score in a variety of ways, guard multiple positions, and rebound. He’s experienced, and very basketball-savvy.
Sophomore guards Isaiah Martin and Mark Edwards gained valuable experience on the varsity last year and seem ready to take a significant leap. Martin is fearless and combines the ability to shoot and attack the rim, while Edwards can be electric on both sides of the ball. There will be some inconsistency with the pair, but they’re very good players already. Senior guard Nick Lancaster is on hand as well to provide experience and stability.
There’s other returnees and program depth. If this group coalesces and stays relatively injury free, it is a definite state tournament threat.
You wouldn’t think that about the Woodson Cavaliers after their fantastic season last year, but a re-appearance in the state tournament isn’t outside of the realm of possibility. There’s a ton of work to be done to even finish in the top half of the Patriot District, though, after the Cavs lost star guard Kaylen Chilton to transfer and a fantastic senior class to graduation.
Chilton was the crown jewel of a now-junior class, but there’s still a lot of significant talent left in the 11th grade off Route 236. 6’4″ forward Stephen Mayernik is capable of racking up points and rebounds inside, and he possesses guard skills with the ability to run the floor. Sounds like a pretty capable replacement for William Taylor to us. Coach Doug Craig trusted another junior, Nassim Abaied, to play 11 minutes in the state title game a year ago when he needed him. Plus, the Cavs’ Class of 2027 has guards Caleb Lee and tough Brady Conklin, both of whom gained experience last season.
The headliner is returning starter senior guard Ryan Corallo. Corallo will get a lot of offensive sets this year, and the lefty should average well into double-digits scoring. He’s a very solid guard who can also handle, and an underrated prospect. Other returnees include senior big man Barrett Medhurst, senior forward Connor O’Donnell, and promising sophomore guard Aidan Pinchas.
Though it lacks last year’s star power this should be a balanced team, dangerous by February.
As will be the case with the West Potomac Wolverines. Guard Chris Morrison has transferred away (again), and the Wolverines lost First Team All-Patriot selection Michael Ofori and two other seniors to graduation, but most everyone else returns. The Wolverines have balance between the backcourt and the frontcourt, and should again be rugged and physical defensively–not to mention, senior-laden.
It will start in the backcourt with two quick and tough senior guards–Ja’Vonte Wanzer and Iverson Adomako. Both are adept at applying pressure on the ball and getting in passing lanes on defense. Adomako started last year and his quickness allows him the ability to repeatedly get to the line. Wanzer can hit from long range if opponents sag off his first step or to help with the Wolverine bigs down low. He looks like he’s stepped up this offseason and he was a significant rotation piece last season.
Three other players who started games last year are slated to return, now all seniors. Guard Brendan Forti is an accomplished football player and on the hardwood a major three-point threat. Wing Keyden Hopper and forward Griffin Melley are also back–Melley has proven he can be a factor on the boards. Helping with that task will also be 6’4″ Michael Webster and the physical Maximillan Tuttle, both of whom got their feet wet on the varsity.
The Wolverines are a balanced team that can play defense and a threat to win the district.
The Robinson Rams turned a corner last year, finishing over .500 in the Patriot for the first time since we’ve been a website (nine years). Despite winning 16 games last year the Rams seem to be flying under the radar a bit, and Coach Travis Hess is bullish on his squad again this season.
Six seniors graduated, including all-Patriot selection Matteen Rahim, but a considerable amount of firepower returns. Senior guard Noah Barnhart has consistently delivered double-digit scoring for the Rams, and he’s been on the varsity since he was a freshman. Defenses have to account for his three-point shooting. Senior Braxton Sebastian leaves it all out on the floor, and is adept at playing defense and distributing the rock. He’s a tough rebounder, too.
The backcourt depth is considerable, and includes sophomore Jordan Smith. Smith is a hard-worker who can fill in at the point but is also comfortable off the ball. Last year he played more than expected, hitting five three-pointers in a game versus Woodson.
There isn’t as much scoring firepower in the frontcourt, but there’s experience. Senior forward Grady Hill started games last year and had a solid season, mixing it up inside and delivering the occasional three-pointer on offense. Senior forwards Ryker Hansen and Alan Cloutier also return, and should help. The wildcard is tall freshman forward Cooper Crouch, who has considerable upside.
The Rams will live and die a little bit with the three-point shot, but they are legit. Another top half district finish is very doable.
Last year the Lake Braddock Bruins tied Robinson for fourth place in the district during the regular season, and Coach Brian Metress only loses four seniors from that team. While a couple of the seniors were First Team All-Patriot District Tyee Clayton and the physical Xavier Main, the prognosis for this year remains extremely optimistic.
The Bruins have a rock in the middle in senior center Nate McComb. McComb is almost a guaranteed point-rebound double-double every game, and he is also a significant factor defending the paint. He’s got great hands–his ability to convert quick passes and rebounds into baskets stands out, and he can run the floor. The Bruins don’t have to slow down the game much, if at all, to maximize McComb’s skills in the halfcourt.
That’s good, because junior guard Brock Anteneh can certainly push the ball if he gets the opportunity. The athletic guard delivered as a starter last year. While not a big guard he has got nice lift on his jumper, which extends to three-point range. There’s a good chance he averages double-digit scoring this season, and he looks ready to take another leap with his all-around game.
Beyond those two, Metress has considerable options to compete for playing time and play whatever style the veteran coach so chooses. Senior guard Dean Johnson figures to play a big role with Anteneh in the backcourt, and forward Riley Pedersen should take a lot of minutes at forward, with fellow senior and all-around good athlete Walker Mitchell on hand to help.
The West Springfield Spartans also should be better this season, as they only graduated five seniors. Coach Terry Henderson’s team battled hard last season, finishing sixth in the Patriot District, and getting several nice wins: two over Lake Braddock, one over West Potomac, and an Occoquan Regional First Round victory versus Annandale.
Lots of returnees played key roles last season. You have to start with forward Connor May when talking about West Springfield. May has started since he was a freshman, and can bury the three and attack above the rim. He’s a tough matchup for both a bigger and smaller defender, and has star potential.
May’s fellow junior, G-F. Maxwell Maneno is a 6’3″ lefty who can finish at the rim, and he gained valuable experience last year, sometimes as a starter. 6’4″ senior Brennan Rapoza is another wing who can really finish hard at the basket. Rapoza had a great offseason and will be on a Division II or III roster next season, and he’ll be a valuable contributor on the boards as well. Senior Nicolas Scanlan has a really, really nice jump shot, and yet another return wing, Athan Martin, can shoot as well.
The backcourt has lots of seniors back that by the playoffs were valuable contributors. Isaac Heaton had more than one key three-pointer at the end of the Annandale victory. Kai Jackson is lightning quick, and has excellent ball-handling skills. As does the athletic Aaron Lowman. Lowman can be a significant offensive weapon again this year with his ability to shoot off the dribble.
There’s a lot of small forwards and guards on this team that can switch defensively and apply on-the-ball pressure. The key for the Spartans might be rebounding–they could vulnerable inside.
The Alexandria City Titans took their lumps last year after losing a great senior class and guard Darius Bivins to transfer, finishing seventh in the Patriot. While the Titans lose three senior starters from last year and talented guard KJ Johnson to transfer, there is a lot of promising talent on-hand for Ty Sally to utilize, including a solid junior class.
One of the very solid juniors is guard Kaiden Thompson. With good size at over six feet, Thompson still has appreciable quickness getting to the basket and finishing. He’ll probably be the Titans’ main offensive weapon. We also like junior guard Jayden Walker, who has flashed potential.
With three other guards returning from last year’s varsity, the Titans are plenty stocked in the backcourt even without Johnson. In the frontcourt, there’s much less experience, however. A couple of 6’5″ guys up from last year’s JV will have to play significant roles in the bruising Patriot–Gabriel Sowa and Michael Nketia.
It will be a tough go for Ty Sally’s team early, but this is a team that should be a much tougher out by February.
It’s a testament to the depth of the Patriot that while the Fairfax Lions finished last in 2024-2025, Mike Barbee’s team was still in a good many close games. Despite losing the fantastic Cam Yingling to graduation, the Lions should win more of those games this year with six key returnees who gained experience last year.
Barbee has a strong junior class with three key pieces in the backcourt. Gavin Bermudez is a very dangerous shooter who should contribute double digit points consistently on offense. Mason Hays and Josh Narcisse are back as well, and all three can help initiate the Fairfax offense.
6’7″ junior center Mike Mularkey has already proven he can do damage inside on offense. He will be expected to be play more minutes and control the boards better this year, and he gives Fairfax a taller weapon not a lot of other teams have. 6’4″ sophomore forward Commen Richardson held up well as a freshman and has a promising future ahead.
The Lions are probably a year away from making serious noise, but Fairfax is very capable of pulling you into the game they want to play. How quickly their players embrace their greater roles this year will determine how far Fairfax progresses.
–Chris Jollay
Note: West Springfield’s Athan Martin transferred to Virginia Academy.