Boys Rankings

NOVA NINETEEN (Final)

1. Paul VI (33-2)–VISAA Division I State Champions for the fourth straight year after defeating St. Anne’s Belfield 72-62. With all the great players we’ve seen to come through PVI, this might be the Panthers’ best season since we’ve been a website. Nationally ranked, their season isn’t even over…
2. South Lakes (26-2)–An impressive, surprisingly decisive victory over Patriot in the Class 6 title game nets the Seahawks the final #2 spot. A really deep senior class leaves but Jordan Scott will still have Sol Vita next year and a very solid 2026 class. Who cares about next year right now anyway, Reston is still celebrating the program’s first state title.
3. O’Connell (23-9)–The Knights had a surprise loss to a very good St. Christopher’s team in the VISAA Division I quarters, but still enjoyed a very successful season. Bryson Tucker, Jadyn Harris, and AJ Swinton graduate, but look out for Tim Walker next season, and you know the Knights will add talent.
4. Patriot (24-5)–Nobody expected the Pioneers to lose like they did to South Lakes in Richmond, but as Sherman Rivers said, the Basketball Gods just weren’t with his talented Pioneers that day. We will miss Dez Hopkins, Isaiah Vick, Tey Barbour and the other seniors. This is a deep program that probably isn’t leaving these rankings next year, however.
5. Highland (23-12)–A disappointing loss to Miller School sustained in the VISAA DII Final. Still, a very good Hawks season which included winning Sleepy Thompson early and the tough MPSC Tournament late. If Nate Ament and all the junior talent on this team returns, they could be as good as anybody next season.
6. Bishop Ireton (18-12)–Jamari Hodnett and Mekai Johnson are big losses, but the young Cardinals in theory only lose those two plus one more senior off a solid WCAC squad. Silas Devonish continues to be a star in the making, and there is lots of young talent to supplement him on this roster.
7. Fairfax Christian (36-8)–Another VISAA Division III title for the Cardinals through the challenge of another 40-plus game schedule. Sophomore big man Frank Siaca Bey has the makings of a star, and there should be a ton of guard talent back next year.
8. Hayfield (22-7)–What a successful season for the Hawks, who advanced to the state semis before falling to South Lakes. They beat a tough Landstown team on the road in the state quarters and there’s a case to be made that this was a better coaching job this year by Carlos Poindexter than even the last two years (both state titles).
9. Potomac (24-4)–Potomac had an excellent season, giving eventual state champion South Lakes its toughest game of the state tournament. The Panthers lose a very good senior class that includes Peter Mitchell, TJ Bethea, and Kenneth DeGuzman, but their young talent started to flash potential this year.
10. Alexandria City (19-7)–The Titans fell to Hayfield in the Occoquan Region Semis and we’re left to wonder if the game might have been much closer if Darius Bivins was healthy. Still, a great year in which AC dominated the tough Patriot District regular season race. Whoever ends up signing senior Kye Robinson will get a heckuva player.
11. West Potomac (20-8)–West Potomac was stunned by Oscar Smith in the state quarters at the last second. Despite losing seven very solid seniors, the Wolverines should be a major factor the next two years, with 2026 standouts Chris Morrison and Justin Edwards leading the way.
12. Tuscarora (24-3)–Oh, so close! Tuscarora’s furious fourth quarter rally against Hampton in the Class 4 State Final came just short. Payton Williams, TJ Duggan, Jayden Johnson and the seniors went out in style though with a memorable postseason run that included stunning Charlottesville down there.
13. Potomac Falls (26-1)–An undefeated season came crashing to a halt with a state quarterfinal loss to Albemarle. That doesn’t erase the contributions of a very memorable senior class that included Opiola, Prince, Margenau, Delaney, and newcomer David Marshall.
14. Fairfax (19-8)–Fairfax started iffy the first couple of months, but buckled down in 2024 to win the Patriot District Tournament. They lost a tough one to West Potomac in the Occoquan Semis, but still went out fighting all the way. A great senior class graduates highlighted by Lions all-time steals leader Ronnie Peters.
15. Flint Hill (16-12)–A solid year for the Huskies ended like O’Connell’s, with a loss to St. Christopher’s in the VISAA Division I tourney. Stony Brook commit Quin Gorman is gone next year, but a lot of guards will be back who improved rapidly this season.
16. Seton (26-3)–A very good year for the Conquistadors ended with a loss to Norfolk Collegiate in the VISAA DII Semis. Lose a good senior class (Patrick Nguyen, two Vander Woudes, more) but retain the services of sensational sophomore guard Dom Nguyen.
17. Wakefield (21-5)–Got upset in the regional semis by Madison. Nevertheless, a great season where the Warriors won the Liberty District regular season and tournament titles. A wonderful senior class, which includes Carlton Young, Miles Hancock, and defensive stalwart BJ Willis, graduates.
18. Loudoun Valley (16-10)–This team showed us what experienced seniors can do. Guys like Nathan Boner, Joey Danielson, and the very-underrated Landen Conrad netted the Vikings a surprise regional title with an upset of Tuscarora. Never forget there’s a good basketball program out at Valley.
19. Woodgrove (21-4)–Purcellville actually has two good basketball programs, although only one exit off Route 7. The Catoctin District champs burst on the scene this year, winning 21 games. They lose a really good senior class with guys like Jack Hill, Colin Fuller, and more, but return guys like Kenny Chicas and Dane Marsh back next year.

Others Receiving Votes–St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (15-13), Madison (15-13), Gainesville (17-8), Marshall (19-7), South County (16-10), Freedom-Woodbridge (15-10), W.T. Woodson (16-10)