STARTERS
G. Darius Bivins, O’Connell–Bivins was always good throughout his high school career at both Alexandria City and O’Connell. But, this year he still managed to show a new gear and ability to dominate. Always able to influence a game with his quick hands and talent distributing the ball, the point guard had some amazing games scoring the basketball this year as well. We’ll always remember him scoring 20 points just in the fourth quarter to help defeat Ireton. Bivins is headed out west to St. Mary’s (CA) to play his college ball.
G. Silas Devonish, Bishop Ireton–In the same contest Bivins torched Ireton, we also watched Cardinals point guard Silas Devonish hit eight three-pointers. Ireton had lots of good players this year, but the Cardinals were at their best when Devonish was. Very quick and adept at sticking jumpers in bigger players’ faces, Devonish was often good for 20 a game for his team. On defense when he caused turnovers and got his team in transition, BI could play with just about anyone.
G. Lawrence Brown III, Paul VI–Hey, you don’t need another point guard starting on this team, but it’s not our fault the Class of 2026 is loaded in Northern Virginia at that position with stars. “Turk” Brown didn’t need to score all the time on one of the best high school teams in the nation, but he sure could if needed. We watched him get hot in the state championship game with 13 second half points, and a flurry of scoring when his team needed it. Able to attack small gaps on offense and terrorize opponents with on-ball pressure, Brown is headed to Florida Gulf Coast for college.
G. Jordan Smith, Jr., Paul VI–Really not too much more to say about Smith, who will play at Arkansas next season. We started getting intel last year how frightfully good Smith was getting, and that intel proved correct as Smith established himself as one of the top seniors in the nation this year. A walking bucket, even when he wasn’t at his best he could produce triple-double-type statistics. Smith averaged 25 points per game this year and mostly dominated. He’ll contribute significantly immediately at the next level.
F. Frank Siaca-Bey, Fairfax Christian–Although Fairfax Christian’s roster was talented top-to-bottom, it was usually a good idea to swarm Siaca-Bey on defense and just kind of hope that would work. Even that was a risky plan, because the 6’8″ Bey is such a good passer and facilitator. The Fordham commit averaged about 18 points per game this season and eight rebounds, and for his efforts he was named the MPSC Player of the Year. We’ll miss seeing him roam the paint and perimeter at Fairfax Christian.
RESERVES
F. Jefet Valencia, Evergreen Christian–Valencia was named VISAA Division III Player of the Year after helping to lead his team to a state title. The athletic wing was a highlight reel this season attacking from the perimeter–he’s expanded his game significantly in the last year. With a nice jumper and excellent spin moves going at the basket, the First Team All-MPSC selection will play at the University of Delaware next season, and he still carries significant upside.
G. Akim Iscandari, Potomac School–It’s going to be really hard to imagine Potomac School without Iscandari. He was a starter for the Panthers from the start of his freshman year onward, and he delivered season after season. While Iscandari still scored (17 ppg this season) he really had far more options facilitating offense on a talented, more complete team this year. Iscandari will play for Navy next season.
G-F. Jake Bahr, Bishop Ireton–As much as Devonish could go off and carry the Cardinals, we’re not sure where Ireton would have been without Bahr’s stability this season, either. The scrappy 6’4″ senior was voted Second Team All-WCAC for good reason. He did a little bit of everything for his team–while not quite a triple-double-type guy, Bahr would have 17-8-5-type games quite frequently. Randolph-Macon College gets an absolute steal in the versatile Bahr next season.
G-F. Marcus Hancock, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes–Honorable Mention has a lot of deserving athletes (teammate Julian Burgdolf, for example) that could be mentioned here, but Marcus Hancock makes our main team due to his next-level shooting talent. Hancock simply has been one of the better shooters in Northern Virginia over his high school career. The long wing does a lot of other things well, but the All-IAC selection’s 40%-plus three-point shooting is his bread and butter.
F. Ripp Kodi, Highland–The last spots of this team were extremely difficult to select–we go with Kodi here over strong competition (Harris, Dixon, Jones, etc.) in part because of his unique body and skill set. A Second Team All-MPSC selection, the 6’7″ Kodi is a three-and-D guy. He shoots well from beyond the arc and his long frame allows him to pressure the ball or drop and protect the paint. Kodi will play at East Stroudsburg next season.
HONORABLE MENTION–Justin Edwards (O’Connell); Khaliq Carson (Bishop Ireton); Evan Brown (Bishop Ireton); Noah Baker (Episcopal); Julian Burgdolf (St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes); Mark Stafford, Jr. (St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes); Ty Harris (Flint Hill); Logan Jones (Potomac School); Mason Douglas (Potomac School); Grey Chamberlain (Potomac School); Shivas Taylor (Highland); Messiah Dixon (Fairfax Christian); Jonathan Jennings (Fairfax Christian); Shane Wellman (Fairfax Christian); Trey Fitch (Fairfax Christian); RJ Jones (Virginia Academy); Chris Rochester (Virginia Academy); Mike Smith (Virginia Academy); Ian Edlin (John Paul the Great); Philip Vander Woude (Seton); Dom Nguyen (Seton); Elijah Williams (Evergreen Christian); Sean Burke (Evergreen Christian); Cole Forbrich (Evergreen Christian)