Head coach: Glenn Farello
2011-12 record: 35-3
Despite some significant losses, Paul VI may still have the firepower to defend the WCAC and city titles.
Photo by Robert Eubanks
(6-5, Sr., F, Niagara verbal commit),
Tim Higgins (6-10, Sr., F, Cornell verbal commit),
Marcus Derrickson (6-6, So., F),
Franklin Howard (6-4, So., G/F),
Kevin Dorsey (6-0, So., G)
Strengths: Oh, what could have been for Paul VI. Following a magical 2011-12 campaign, the Panthers were regarded as serious national title contenders until Indiana verbal commitment Stanford Robinson elected to spend his senior year at Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.). It was a huge hit, but the shelves are still stocked for a repeat run at the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title. Doing so will require a very promising trio of sophomores in Derrickson, Howard and Dorsey to come of age quickly. Few freshmen nationally had a bigger impact in the type of competitive environment the WCAC offers than Derrickson did last year. He could develop into one of the top 2015 prospects in the country.
Question marks: The Panthers met rivals
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and
Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) seven times last season and won six of those grudge matches – including five wins by three points or less. Minus Stanford Robinson, will this Paul VI squad be too young to maintain the program's momentum in the rough-and-tumble WCAC?
