Who are the best players in the Atlantic Coast region? This is an open thread to discuss All-Region nominations, All-Freshman nominations, coaching awards, and more. Stay positive and keep it civil.
Wembenyama:
Guy Cardwell (Virginia)
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Charlie Panarella from Georgetown is the undisputed freshman of the region. He’s raw at disc
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I’m a UVA player so got some bias but…
Tyler Husband. He has grown with the Virginia Night Train program having an excellent season while dominating top college players such as Miles Grovic and Adam Grossberg. Athletic monster, incredible break throws, and the best teammate which has been a key contributor in winning Virginia the section and putting them 3 seed in the region. I don’t think he has gotten a lot of recognition due to UVA’s history, but every time he’s on the field he’s the best player.
Other people within the region are Jacob Slade on Virginia Tech. He has helped contribute to a very competitive Tech team with consistently great throws and the ability to always be open in the handler space. As captain (without a long term coach) he has helped propel the team to 5th in the region. Gavin Russell on South Carolina is up there for the best handler in the region. Marcus Lee on William and Mary is the by far the best rookie we have faced all year.
I have to plug my own coaching staff because their work the past few years has to be recognized. Franklin (Summer) Ahrens, Michael Klemencic, Andrew Kennedy, Joe Spaeth are the core that have raised this team from game to go to regionals in Covid fall to now third seed at regionals. They have brought in a much needed culture shift and since each coach has joined, there has been a clear upwards trajectory of the team.
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All Region:
Ben Dameron
Josh Singleton
Eli Fried
Miles Grovic
Tyler Husband
Coby Loveranes
Matthew Callen
Rookies:
Marcus Lee
Isaac Lee
Worst Spirit:
Christian Belus
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All Region:
Ben Dameron (UNC)
Tyler Husband (UVA)
Josh Singleton (UNC)
Kevin Pignone (UNC)
Miles Grovic (UMD)
Matthew Callen (UVA)
Gavin Russell (USC)
Best Rookies:
Isaac Lee (UMD)
Sammy Calhoun (UVA)
Alright, let’s be real the AC is a fraud region. You’ve got some solid teams, but nothing that screams consistent national contender. And don’t come at me with “but Keller Fraley!” yes, he’s the one bright spot, but c’mon, one guy? That’s your best shot?
Until the Atlantic Coast starts showing up with more than just Fraley, I’m calling it: fraud region. Prove me wrong.
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Bilal Nizamani at Georgetown is one of the most underrated players in the region without question. Consistently takes the top players on teams like UVA, Georgia tech, and UMD and has shown he can go toe to toe, and get the better of, great players like Tyler Husband and Isaac Lee on both sides of the ball. Real competitor. Huge in Georgetown’s upset win over UMD at Capital Conferences.
Charlie Panarella is also a sleeper rookie of the region pick. Big game skys over top jump-men in the region game after game, and a dominant 10g5d0t game in the Capital sectional.
Outside of Georgetown, Matthew Callen (UVA) is a huge and highly consistent threat with the disc in his hand. (His teammate Joe Dokken deserves a shoutout as a top regional breakout player too!) Vincent Zhong at UMD is another player deserving of a shout. Finally with all i’ve said about Charlie Panarella, Marcus Lee at W&M is absolutely the safe pick for rookie of the region.
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All regional:
Kevin Pignone (UNC)
Josh Singleton (UNC)
Ben Dameron (UNC)
Miles Grovic (UMD)
Matthew Callen (UVA)
Tyler Husband (UVA)
Joe Dokken (UVA)
I think this 7 beats any other combination of 7 in the region while also respecting output this spring.
Also dudes totally deserving of it are Christian Belus (UNCW), Gavin Russell (USC), Slade (VTech), Coby (VTech), Bilal (Georgetown), Luke Barry (JMU), Charlie Gaylord (JMU), Isaac (UMD), and Trowbridge, Barcellos, Frieds (UNC).
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All Region:
Ben Dameron
Kevin Pignone
Eli Fried
Josh Singleton
Tyler Husband
Matthew Callen
Jacob Slade
Best Rookie:
Marcus Lee
All Region:
Ben Dameron
Kevin Pignone
Jacob (Coby) Loveranes
Eli Fried
Josh Singleton
Tyler Husband
Jacob Slade
Honorable Mentions:
Christian Belus
Henri Lessard
Ben Greenburg
Matthew Callen
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Macus Lee from W&M is the best rookie by far
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Did I watch a different SMI than everyone else? Why is there no Matt Barcellos nominations?
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Charlotte-
Matt Nightingale (Great throws, Great catches, Great player)
Jamie Williford (Fast, intense on both sides of the ball, amazing throws, gives 100% 100% of the time)
Ben Evanshavik ( Crazy Bids, consistent throws, makes huge plays)
Jonah Moran for least respected deep cutter in the regionđź’Ż
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Current Georgetown Justice coach. I want to recognize a few of our outstanding & perhaps under the radar players who helped propel the team to semis this past weekend, as well as a few from team’s we’ve played this year.
Georgetown
Charlie Panarella - There is no doubt in my mind that Chuck should be AC Freshman of the year. Across his 6 games played at regionals Charlie posted +/- of +40. He was tied as the team goal leader on the weekend with 25 & had a team leading 14 Ds as well. He is a safety valve as a deep threat & able to track down errant hucks regardless of if they are too far in front or float too high. He is a grinder on defense too, hitting the deck constantly. It’s remarkable that a freshman with 0 ultimate experience has had such an impact in such short time.
Thomas Schmitt - Thomas is another astounding Justice O-line player. He tied with Chuck for 25 goals on the weekend & is practically unguardable downfield. He fires off 50 yard flick hucks in flow with ease. Thomas is a tremendous puller as well, pinning teams in their own endzone or near their goal line 9/10 times. A true lead by example player on the field who is not afraid to be a vocal leader on the sideline too.
Josh Datz - A d-line menace & absolute work horse of a player. In our zone sets, Datz excels as a communicator to those in front of him & came up with several jump balls in the deep space to prevent easy scores. In person sets he neutralizes opposing teams ball dominant handlers with terrific upline defense. On a turn he drives the ball for the D-line & unsurprisingly had 20 assists across the 6 games that he played. Datz also contributes as a meaningful voice on the line & in the huddle.
Bilal Nizamani - A true jack of all trades. A lot is asked of Bilal & he always rises to the occasion. He led the team in points played & assists at regionals. Throughout the year he has handled, initiated, & been a finishing cutter. Rarely do you find someone who can do all 3 of those things at such a high level. On defense he can dominate an opposing teams’ most talented player & came up with several huge layout Ds & a vicious sky in his 1 point as deep in a zone set this past weekend.
Other All Region Nominees
- Coby Loveranes (Virigina Tech)
- Jacob Slade (Virginia Tech)
- Ryan Manuel (UNCW)
- Marcus Lee (William & Mary)
- Isaac Lee (Maryland)
- Luke Barry (JMU)
- Tyler Husband (UVA)
- Matthew Callen (UVA)
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Although I am a current player at Georgetown Justice, I truly believe that both Ethan Heiss and Ryan Kelly (two of our coaches) deserve to win coaching awards for the Atlantic Coast region. Over the past year, both coaches have poured countless hours into our team through traveling to practices, coaching at tournaments, and investing real thought into designing sets and plays that have elevated our gameplay to a new level. Ethan and Ryan have also transformed Justice’s culture for the better, creating an environment where each member of Justice feels valued as a player, motivated to improve, and eager to give their all for the team. Under their leadership, we have evolved from a team once susceptible to mental booms into one of the most resilient and underrated programs in the Atlantic Coast region.
I am confident I can speak for my teammates in stating the immeasurable impact that both Ethan and Ryan have had on us both as players and people, which is supported by the difference in our results from the past two years: In 2024, Justice placed 2nd at Colonial Conferences and 15th at regionals, finishing under seed by three places. This year, Justice upset Maryland to win Colonial Conferences and placed 4th at regionals, breaking seed by five places. This is Justice’s 2nd-highest finish in program history at regionals. Ethan Heiss and Ryan Kelly played an irreplaceable role in this success and should be recognized for it.
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All Region (without UNC):
Luke Barry (JMU): While his throws, game sense, and cutting were all impactful, his leadership and heart drove this team in the bracket. Down big in semifinals, Barry made play after play and was always the loudest guy encouraging his teammates that they still had a shot and then willed that into existence, all-region team makes no sense without the guy who drove a team to 2nd place, this guy is a lock imo
Vincent Zhong (UMD): Despite having 2 USA U24 teammates, Vincent consistently finds a way to stand out on this Maryland squad. Always makes good choices with the disc, an exceptional layout block generator on D, and I’ve never seen this dude stopped from getting to the front cone. Despite being the quickest dude in the AC, he still stands out just as much for the energy and positivity he brings to every game. I can confirm that nobody can guard this dude, I’m glad to never have to try again in college, and everyone should check out his Callahan video once it drops, undoubtedly gonna be a crazy tape.
Tyler Husband (UVA): Great defender who is also a more than capable thrower for UVA, also getting open on pretty much anybody at will
Coby Loveranes (VT): Maybe the most well rounded offensive player we saw this year, high efficiency, great speed, good in the air, and moves the disc down the field while making it all look easy
Ryan Zhu (Duke): Solid matchup defender who executes a bunch of really big hucks for this team to convert breaks, also a good downfield guy who did well with the disc in a bunch of different spaces.
Gavin Russell (USC): So reliable with the disc, always open strike, and solid bag of throws, prototypical college handler and the offensive engine driving the success of the Gamecocks.
Isaac Lee (UMD): Best handler we played all year, exceptional thrower and defender for UMD, Truck, and DC Breeze, easily a lock
Honorable Mentions:
Miles Grovic and Christian Belus are locks if they weren’t hurt, also I guess all of those Darkside guys.
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