Lots of brackets to discuss as local holiday tournaments start Thursday on the boys side. Five major Northern Virginia eight-team tournaments to discuss:
Lake Braddock Tournament (Thursday-Saturday)
This was a memorable tournament last year when an ascendant Woodgrove team was bested by Flint Hill in a overtime classic in the championship. This year should be even better with lots of teams a threat to take it.
In the top half of the bracket, Woodgrove will probably still be without two starters, but is capable enough to still beat good teams, as the Wolverines proved against Loudoun Valley last week. Don’t know about Atlee? They’re undefeated and already have wins over Highland Springs and Henrico this season. Have to consider them the favorites in the top half of the bracket, though Battlefield and Oakton are also solid, well-coached teams that can make a run.
In the bottom half of the bracket host Braddock is very improved from last year, as is Heritage. That should be a good first round matchup with the winner the favorite to make the title game. We’ve watched Lightridge a few times online this season and their guards are capable. They’ll open up against Jefferson (WV).
George Long at Wakefield (Thursday through Saturday)
While Lake Braddock has invited a good team from Richmond (Atlee) to complete, Wakefield again has Oscar Smith from the 757 up to compete at George Long. Last year Oscar Smith won the tournament, defeating Wakefield in the title game after Carlton Young ran into foul trouble. This year they’re again the favorites–Oscar had a young team last year that mostly returns, plus some of the football players from their recent state title are starting to get onto the hardwood.
Oscar Smith is very beatable, though, with several NOVA teams capable, especially up here. Chantilly will get the first crack at them, and the Chargers do have a fairly experienced squad that can play defense. They, like most teams in the bracket versus Oscar Smith, will have to control pace somewhat to win.
Wakefield is incorporating several new pieces this year, but remain capable, especially with Ethan Poole running things. They’ll open up with West Springfield, subbing in for Freedom-Woodbridge, which had to withdraw. South County and Potomac play early, and they should win their first-round games. Both are good teams, but have yet to cement their status as legit state contenders. Winning George Long would definitely increase their standing in the state pecking order this season.
Briar Woods Tournament (Thursday through Saturday)
The Briar Woods tournament features Riverside, a top ten team in Northern Virginia so far this season. They are the strong favorites in the tournament, though Class 6 teams like Langley and TJ certainly aren’t going to be intimidated. On the bottom half of the bracket, Briar Woods is a pretty good bet to make the title game with do-everything guard Devon Pettibone. The host Falcons are the defending champions, having beaten Massaponax last year in the title game.
Edison Holiday Classic (Friday, Saturday, and Monday)
This looks like a fun tournament. Edison lost a lot of firepower from last year, but the Eagles have a pretty deep program and they can be very dangerous, especially at home. Colonial Forge is undefeated and a recent addition to our Nova Nineteen rankings. We can’t wait to get a look at the Forge live.
Paint Branch from Maryland is solid, but Westfield should advance past them and has to be considered the favorite in the tournament, although not by much. That Centreville-Tuscarora game is perhaps the best first round tourney game you can see this week, anywhere. It features a senior guard (Jaxson Davis, Centreville) and a senior forward (Joshua Feagin, Tuscarora) who are among this area’s hidden gems.
Mount Vernon Tournament (Friday, Saturday, and Monday)
We were unable to get the bracket for this one, but will update in the schedule section when we get it. The tourney features the host Majors, Gainesville, Lewis, Unity Reed, Robinson, Gar-Field, and Justice.