Grace VanderWaag ’26
In just two years at Episcopal, senior Co-Captain of the basketball team Matthew McCarthy ’25 has had an enduring positive influence both on and off the court. Renowned for his exceptional skills and competitive nature, McCarthy has been crucial to the team’s success over the past two seasons as he has set the standard for dedication and hard work.
Introduced to the sport by his dad, McCarthy began playing basketball at a very young age. His career began with a local travel team, the Aston AA Bandits, and from there, his passion for the game exploded. McCarthy previously attended high school at Archmere Academy. However, during his junior year, he caught the attention of EA’s head coach, Taylor Wright.
Wright remembers his thoughts the first time he saw McCarthy play, recalling, “We knew we needed to get this kid into the school and that he would be a perfect fit for our system. I had heard very good things about his character as well, so I was very excited at the prospect of him coming to Episcopal.”
At the beginning of last year, McCarthy reclassed to the Class of 2025 and began his career at Episcopal.
McCarthy’s ability to lead the team by example has gained him great respect from his teammates and coaches alike. He understands that all eyes are on him, stating, “Some of the younger guys, you know, they’re looking to me for guidance.”
Photo courtesy of @voss.media on Instagram
Teammate Torey Cooper ’26 adds, “Matt’s really a leader by example, honestly. He does all the little things that Coach talks about. So he’ll dive on the floor, and he’ll run up and down the court for the entire game. He’s relentless.”
Teammates and coaches alike admire McCarthy for his consistent focus and perseverance throughout the season. His unwavering dedication to improvement, both on and off the court, has earned him respect from everyone around him. According to Cooper, “Matt is a great example of what an EA basketball player should be.”
Apart from his strong leadership abilities, McCarthy’s diligent work ethic and competitive nature separate him from the rest of his teammates. He states, “I really love the game and I think that the success that I’ve been able to have in basketball kind of all just stems from outworking other people and just being willing to put in a lot of hours.” Whether it is in practice or on his own time, McCarthy proves that hard work does pay off.
As of this season, McCarthy became a 1,000-point scorer and has led the Churchmen in points per game. Last year, he was awarded Second Team All Inter-Ac.
When asked how McCarthy adds to each game, teammate Reggie King ’26 continues by saying that his defense has also been one of his most important contributions. “He’s been guarding the other team’s best players all year now, and he’s been holding the majority of them to a low amount of points. So I’d say his defense really helps us out as a team.” Playing Division One basketball has been McCarthy’s lifelong goal and dream. This fall, he committed to Florida Gulf Coast University. McCarthy talks about why he chose the school, saying “A lot of the guys and the coaching staff were really welcoming and I really feel like I was able to build a good relationship with them. I am looking forward to be surrounded by other guys who love basketball, and being able to compete with the best.”