What’s the Future of the WCAC?
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After watching the playoff and championship game and I took a deeper dive into what I saw and what is the future of what was once considered the top conference in the country. Coaches, players, handlers, personal trainers and politics…
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Continue ReadingAfter watching the playoff and championship game and I took a deeper dive into what I saw and what is the future of what was once considered the top conference in the country. Coaches, players, handlers, personal trainers and politics are all working their own angles and I have a feeling that NIL’s will start presenting opportunities in the WCAC pretty soon.
I did a WCAC prediction in the beginning of the season and predicted St. John’s winning it all and that Kyndal Walker would carry them. I went out on the limb and said that Elizabeth Seton would be the challenger. I felt then and still feel that the Roadrunners have a championship roster, but as we learned in every sport having a championship roster doesn’t guarantee anything. To quote the famous words of Shark Tanks Kevin O’Leary, “all roads lead back to Mr. Wonderful”. SJC’s second three-peat in less than a decade had people suggesting that the championship trophy should be named the Jonathan Scribner Award. In the wake of the WCAC championship let’s look at the hear and now and what’s to come.
WHO’S OUT
The seniors have carried most of the load in making the conference what it is.
Madisen missed the dance with an injury and the Mustangs missed her too. Could she have been the difference in a four point loss? Maybe, that we will never know and injuries are a sad part of this game. The McDonald’s All-American will recover and has bigger and brighter days ahead as she heads to South Carolina.
Nyla had a player of the year season for Bishop Ireton and the Cardinals had one of it’s best teams in years. The road was going to be tough but so was the season and they pulled out the #2 seed with some upset wins. Nyla led the way in the semi-final before they fell to the Cadets by 7. She was the leading scorer despite being face guarded the entire game. Next stop for her is Tennessee.
Laura was named WCAC Conference Player of the Year and is headed to Southern California. She scored 9 points and pulled out 3 rebounds for the the #5 seeded Panthers. PVI only brings back everyone outside of Laura so I guess it will be business as usual in Chantilly.
Reading the All-Conference Team list of players, I see a list of players with a couple that missed the entire season. I never get into the politics of basketball even when I was a part of the politics of basketball. My article years ago “Basketball Mafia” ruffled a lot of feathers, my focus now is to promote girls basketball and on all levels and not just the top 2%. With that being said congratulations to all of the all-conference, state, region and all American selections and nominees and wishing much success in the future.
So what’s left for the WCAC?
The Mustangs take a big hit losing Madisen McDaniel and LaNae Corbett. The returns of Zhen Craft, Mary Amoateng and Vanessa Harris will still have them as conference frontrunners. I believe that Ron will have to figure out how to use Maisie to his advantage. Her 6’2″ body can be a force in the league next season and could open the floor for easier shots than they were getting in the championship game with a third of their shots being three pointers.
The Cadets lose 80% of their starting 5 but have a loaded bench of young players they can plug in. Without that superstar on the roster Coach Scribner will have to be creative and demanding of disciplined play. Morgan Steward will be the most experienced player on the roster and I think Samantha Eller can emerge to be a star in this league. Amanda Bates may be the key with her size and versatility she can be a mismatch on the offensive end for players.
Nyair is the only freshman to make the first team all conference and the Lions are a credible team because of her. She won’t catch anyone by surprise next season as everyone will start preparing for her, however, she has some help with Heidi Williams and Aliyah Duncan on the roster. Tiayo Adelekan will be missed as she graduates, but if they can coach up one more body or pick up another star player they can be a final four team.
Nadeya is a next level talent that can take a program to a title by herself. The Roadrunners lose Maya Lovelace and Alicia Newell but still have enough to sustain a championship level roster with a full lineup of talent. They finished as a disappointing 7th seed in the conference and will enter next season with the most complete roster in the conference. They will need to decide who will be the go to player and from what I see Nadeya is ready to be that player.
The WCAC will be lacking the star power next season that it has enjoyed for multiple years. In the 2024-2025 season, Caliayah DeVillasee may be the best player in the conference when the season starts but with Talayah Walker graduating the Falcons will be seeking help for her. Madison Hall seems like the like heir to step up next season.