Ranked No. 1 nationally by MaxPreps, Paul VI (22-2) is coming off a 79-58 win over Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.). Five-star senior
Jordan Smith leads the Panthers with averages of 26.7 points, 5.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game.
Smith, a 6-foot-3 senior guard, has stepped up his game on the biggest stages this season, earning MVP honors at the City of Palms Classic and pumping in 34 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals in a win at the Hoophall Classic. He is among the leading candidates for MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors.
How to watch
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11
Location: Paul VI Catholic High School | Chantilly, Va.
Tipoff: 7:35 p.m. ET
Broadcast team: Jeff Kurtz, Jordan Divens
Paul VI, the two-time defending WCAC regular season and tournament champion, has compiled a record of 10-1 against opponents currently ranked in the top 100. The lone loss came against No. 2 Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) in the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions title game which was one of two games that Smith missed with an ankle injury.
St. John's (19-6) is ranked No. 45 nationally and gave Paul VI its toughest test in WCAC play this season, falling 61-49 back on Jan. 3.
In the first meeting between the two teams, Paul VI extended its lead to 20 points in the third quarter before St. John's battled back to cut the deficit to six with two minutes remaining. Smith accounted for the final nine points of the game, scoring four points and dishing out a pair of assists to secure the win. He finished with a game-high 29 points along with six rebounds, five assists and four steals.
The Cadets feature a balanced attack led by
Jymin Veney (15.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.1 steals per game),
Kareem Smith-Bey (11.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists),
Jordan Taylor (11.9 points, 8.3 rebounds),
Zyion Chase (10.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists) and
Geremy Clark (9.8 points, 3.5 assists).
Head coach Pat O'Connor served as the interim coach in 2023-24 before being promoted to head coach the following season. He has compiled a record of 66-25 in his first three years leading the program.
Glenn Farello has been the head coach at Paul VI for 19 seasons. He has built the Panthers into a national powerhouse with four consecutive top 10 finishes, including claiming the top spot in the final rankings in 2023-24.
