The Patriot District continues to make a case as not only Northern Virginia’s strongest top-to-bottom, but the state’s as a whole. It was another unbelievable year in the district, with classics like Woodson’s four overtime win over West Potomac now in the books.
As expected, the district was powered by five teams at the top, with Alexandria City, South County, West Potomac, Fairfax, and Woodson all bona fide state contenders. Alexandria City had the best year of the bunch during the regular season, going 13-1 in the formidable district. For that reason the Titans swept the major Patriot honors: Ty Sally won Coach of the Year, senior guard Kye Robinson won Player of the Year, and sophomore guard Darius Bivins won Defensive Player of the Year.
Robinson and Bivins unsurprisingly was one of, if not the best public school backcourt in Northern Virginia. Robinson averaged over 20 points a game and absolutely dissected defenses and double teams, getting to the basket at will. He was good defensively, but Bivins could be an absolute terror defending other guards. Bivins, who set a school record for steals in a season, could take the ball away with his lightning-quick hands if you even gave him the smallest opportunity.
Unfortunately for the Titans, a hand injury to Bivins’ hampered them in the postseason. Fairfax started the season somewhat slowly, but finished strong, winning the district tournament and falling to West Potomac in the regional semis. Those Wolverines ended up winning the region, defeating Hayfield in the Occoquan title game.
West Potomac fell to Oscar Smith in the first round of states in a close one, but there is very good reason to believe they’ll get another crack at states next season. Their first team selections, small forward Justin Edwards and point guard Chris Morrison, are only sophomores. They’re going to be stars if they aren’t already. Wolverine seniors BJ Nkrumah and John Colligan were second team as both concluded solid high school careers with very good seasons.
Woodson tied with West Potomac for the most players on the first and second teams with four. Forward Sean Donovan was First Team All-Patriot, while freshman guard Kaylen Chilton and juniors Noah Limbago and Theo Burke were second team. Chilton poured in points like few seniors can, much less freshmen, and if all three return next year the Cavaliers should again be strong.
Fairfax’s Cam Love and Ronnie Peters, plus South County’s Jamal Miles rounded out the Patriot District First Team. The Lions graduate a very good senior class (Love, Peters, Elijah Thomas, and Josh Smith) but do get Honorable Mention selection Cam Yingling back next year. SoCo loses Miles, but has a lot of talent coming back, to include second-teamer Elija Eccleton and HM Jared Jackson. Eccleton improved rapidly as the season went on–he’s a very physical player who gets to the line.
The bottom three of the district had their bright spots, although Robinson didn’t have anyone selected on the all-district teams. Lake Braddock junior Xavier Main is a physical point forward type who will be back next year. West Springfield had two seniors make Honorable Mention: Inan Sharif and tall forward Jeremiah Hightower. Despite their impending graduation, the Spartan still have junior guard Robin Casapao and more next year, and could improve on their sixth-place finish.
–Chris Jollay
