Welcome to our 2020 high school previews. Today we will take a break from the Virginia and Maryland public schools to look at the WCAC.  We will break down the teams that we believe will be contenders for a conference Championship as well as give you teams to keep an eye on that could surprise.

WCAC

2019 Saw an impressive sixth straight conference championship from non other than St. John's College, who rolled to the tune of 27-3 regular season record and a perfect 13-0 record in the north division, outscoring their conference opponents 123-13.

With the addition of The Heights to the conference in 2019, the WCAC split up between a north and south division. The North consists of DeMatha, Gonzaga, Good Counsel, The Heights, and St. John's. The South includes Bishop Ireton, Bishop McNamara, Bishop O'Connell, Paul VI, and St. Mary's Ryken.

2020 marks an intriguing year as there has been almost a total makeover to a lot of teams in the conference. Some key new faces at Bishop O'Connell, a new face at the helm of a talented DeMatha squad, some very talented youngsters at Gonzaga, a McNamara team that has gotten a year older and more talented, and St. John's being, well St. John's should make for an extremely interesting and potentially competitive season.

Can anyone knock the Cadets off the top of the mountain? Only time will tell.

Contenders North

No. 3 (VA/DC) St. John's College
Though the team will have some new faces this spring, the Cadets still have a plethora of talent and will compete for a title again in 2020. A steady balance of offense and defense will again play a key role for the cadets. Offensively, the Cadet hitters will be led by returners Justin Riemer (Wright State), Dylan Winebrenner (Iona), DM Jefferson (Notre Dame), and Casey Gibbs (VCU). Talented 2021 Jason Schiavone (JMU) should also add some quality depth and athleticism for the Cadets this spring. Cooper May should also add some depth to the roster and bring potential on the offensive end. On the mound the Cadets will have a ton of depth with the likes of Xan Wojie (Washington College), Chris Bookhultz (Maryland), Dom Valis, Ethan Mishra (VCU), Vinny Walsh, and Reimer. Keep an eye out for talented 2022 JT Gibson (Virginia Tech) as a potential breakout arm for the spring.

DeMatha Catholic (Soon to be ranked in MD Power 25 release)
The stags possess two of the top players in the conference with Alex Bulger (Vanderbilt) and Alex Greene (Virginia). Bulger is one of the top offensive prospects in the country and will again be a big threat in the middle of the order while Greene is a uber talented two way prospect with a strong arm and athleticism from the outfield. The Stags will possess possibly the top offense in the conference with Bulger and Greene along with Coleman Calabrese (2021, JMU), Jake Maske (2020, Mount St. Mary's), and Blake Badman (2020, Virginia) who all make for an extremely tough lineup. Donovan Teel could also see some important time along with Justin Burrows.
Pitching depth will be one of the bigger questions for the Stags after Greene, there is plenty of talent and experience there and depending on how the Stag staff shapes up could play a key role to title contention. Noah Johnson, Badman, Bulger, Tyson Nercessarian, Brenden Thomas, and Mike Morley could all see some time on the mound as the Stags look to shape their staff.

Contenders South

No. 2 (VA/DC Power 25) Bishop O'Connell
A talent full roster in 2020 has O'Connell looking like they have the potential to make a run at the championship this spring coming out of the South division. Leading the way is possibly the top player in the conference in 2020 SS/RHP Eddie Eisert (NC State), who has skyrocketed this summer/fall and is potentially one of the top draft prospects coming out of Virginia/DC this spring. Eisert will pace the offense along with transfer Jack O'Connor (2022, Virginia) who will add a big bat to the lineup this spring. 2020 Riley O'Donovan (Lynchburg) will also be a key stick from the catching position along with 2021 OF/SS Ryan Bhojwani. On the mound, O'Connell has an extremely deep staff in 2020 with LHP Jake Berry (2020, Virginia) anchoring the staff and is also a top draft prospect in Virginia as well. O'Connor will add to the staff as a talented power arm ready to breakout to make a statement this spring. Corey Knauf returns after a solid 2019 season for O'Connell and another transfer, 2021 LHP Jake Feffer (South Florida) will make for a very impressive staff for the Knights. New face Nick Frazier will also add quality depth along with Eisert as a key bullpen option. Keep an eye on Bhojwani and Paul Glenchur as potential breakout players this spring.

No. 8 (MD) Bishop McNamara
The reining south division champs look to build off that strong 2019 campaign and make a run this spring for the championship. Donovan Frayer (Shorter) Will anchor the staff after the loss of 2019 arm Joe Quelch (Patrick Henry CC). 2020 RHP Noah Wiggins (Norfolk State) could be a potential breakout arm with his projectable frame and ability on the mound that looks to be coming together very well for this spring and play a major role. Ryan Davis and Jon Rodenhaver (Fairleigh Dickinson) will also play key roles on the mound for McNamara this spring. On the offensive end, Ryan Shieh (Liberty) should lead the way offensively from the catching position as a top bat. Frayer will also pace the offense along with Brandon Baker (Belmont Abbey) and new face transfer Cam Jones Jr. Keep an eye on freshmen Cameron Johnson who could also be an interesting two way prospect at McNamara.

Don't Count Out

Paul VI - South
Do not take lightly a youthful and talented Panther squad who should again contend in 2020. Senior Patrick Ashby (Stevenson) will play a key two-way role for PVI along with 2021 RHP/CIF Daniel Quintana (JMU). Both players should lead the way on the staff along with new faces 2021 Rixon Webb and 2021 Remi Ferrara. Offensively Ashby and Quintana will pace the bats along with senior Matt Coritz. New talent bodes will for the Panthers with the likes of 2022 1B Jack Starzyk, and 2022 MIF Carlos Irizarry. Ferrara, and Webb will also play key parts on offense along with Garrett Appleton. Keep an eye on Irizarry and Appleton as potential breakout candidates this spring.

Gonzaga - North
Some young talent with strong veterans make for an interesting year for Gonzaga. Seniors RHP/OF Garrett Newsome (William & Mary) and C Christian Ficca (Georgetown) will be the two major players on the offensive end. Keep an eye out on 2022 Nicholas Morabito who could be a breakout player on the offensive end. Greg Kopp is a sweet swinging lefty who could also add some quality depth on offense. Keep an eye out for Finn Cousins and Will Carr who should see plenty of time on the offensive end. On the mound, Newsome will pace the starters, but a duo of quality freshmen in Marcus Leclair (Virginia) and Bryson Moore who could play big roles on the staff.

St. Mary's Ryken
Ryken has continually gotten better in the conference in the past years and could be a surprise team to make the playoffs this spring. Key players include 2020 RHP/OF Austin Luther, 2020 RHP/3B Mike Guy and 2022 RHP/SS Blake Pesante. Guy and Pesante will be offensive leaders as well. Keep an eye out for 2021 RHP/OF Will Johnson who could play a key role this season.

Bishop Ireton
After some tough seasons, this looks like it could be one of the more talented teams Ireton has fielded in recent years and they could find a way into the playoffs if they play well. Jack O'Grady will be the key arm for Ireton on the mound, but depth could be a big problem unless they can find the arms to supplement O'Grady. Offensively Ireton has a strong core in Jesus Del Valle, Gavin Brunsman, Jack Baldridge, and Jack Schultz. Keep an eye out for Del Valle, who has the potential to be a breakout player in the league this season.

Good Counsel
Good Counsel have one of the better position players in the league in 2022 Nick DeLisi (East Carolina), who will pace the offense. Ben Keefe and Aidan Cooney could play key roles on the mound this spring.

The Heights

Year one of joining the WCAC was a tough one for The Heights, who did not win a conference game in 2019. Alex Terry-Emmanuel looks to lead the team on offense with John Nava and Billy Barvick back to pace the hitters.