Last year was no different, as St. John’s marched to an undefeated regular season and conference title to finish atop The Post’s rankings. To start this season, the Cadets — still loaded with top-to-bottom talent — haven’t budged, coming in at No. 1 in the first rankings of the year.
Also dominating its league of late is Georgetown Prep, which won its fourth straight Interstate Athletic Conference title last season. Despite losing some dynamic seniors, the Little Hoyas are again slotted near the top of the rankings, as is Archbishop Spalding, the recipient of the last two Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association Conference A crowns.
Among public schools in Virginia, Freedom (South Riding) is looking to build off a Virginia Class 6 semifinal appearance and recapture the magic of its 2022 championship run. The Class 6 victor last year, Madison, will stay in the mix alongside plenty of hungry challengers.
As has become tradition, the team to beat in Maryland’s 4A classification is three-time reigning champion Sherwood, a perennial Montgomery County power. Meanwhile, 3A squads will contend with defending champ River Hill, which brings back all but five players from last spring.
(All records are from last season)
St. John’s (30-1-1)
St. John’s has been the class of the area in recent years, and those winning ways are likely to continue this season. The Cadets are favorites to repeat in the WCAC.
Georgetown Prep (25-7)
With a loaded roster featuring 10 college commits, the Hoyas are well-positioned for their pursuit of a fifth straight IAC crown.
Archbishop Spalding (22-6-1)
Spalding is looking for a third straight MIAA A title and will have electric top-line pitching once again, with a staff that includes Maryland commit Jake Yeager and East Carolina pledge Nathan Wines.
Freedom (South Riding) (23-4)
With West Virginia commit Griffin Burkholder — named a preseason all-American by Baseball America — back for his senior year, Freedom has a strong case as the top team in Northern Virginia.
Sherwood (23-3)
Last spring, Coach Sean Davis’s program became the first Maryland team in over 30 years to win three consecutive state titles.
St. Albans (25-9)
Junior Alabama commit Myles Upchurch headlines the defending D.C. State Athletic Association champions.
River Hill (21-4)
River Hill won the Maryland 3A championship last season, led by now-senior Henry Zatkowski — a Duke commit who hit over .500 and sent down opposing batters with ease.
Madison (23-5)
Madison, looking to make up for the loss of first round MLB draft pick Bryce Eldridge, returns a group more than capable of defending its Virginia Class 6 title.
Gonzaga (22-11)
The Eagles were the runners-up in the WCAC last season and project to be among the league’s top squads again this spring.
Severna Park (20-4)
The Falcons have made a habit of deep runs in the Maryland 4A playoffs, advancing to at least the semifinals in each of the past three seasons.
On the bubble: Broadneck, Paul VI, Walter Johnson, Westfield, Whitman
