updated 3/9 (final rankings, decision on #1 to come)
1. Paul VI (27-6)–.Ambushed by O’Connell in the VISAA Semis…are the Panthers still number one? There’s a case the WCAC Champions still are, from their body of work, or…
1. Highland (38-5)–Are the VISAA Division I champions the top team in NOVA? Hawks aren’t done, they’ll compete in “The Throne” national bracket in late March…
3. O’Connell (23-10)–A really valiant effort from the Knights at the VISAA Tournament, defeating a tough Belfield team, arch-rival Paul VI, then giving Highland all it could handle in the title game. Props to Joe Wootten this year, in our opinion he did a very good job of managing minutes and making lineup adjustments. Next season the faces will again probably change, but if Darius Bivins returns that’s a really stable block.
4. South Lakes (26-4)–Seahawks will defend their state title against Woodson this Saturday at VCU. Talk about a completely different team from the start of the year–great to see guys like CJ Kemmerer and Alec Saunders starting to get some due respect, plus juniors Mekhai Ramos and Merrick Rillstone progressing. Then, there’s that other guy…
5. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (23-8)–Saints made a nice run to the VISAA Division I Final Four this year before falling to Highland. Really good backcourt threesome should return next year with Devin Ainsworth, Marcus Hancock, and Julian Burgdolf–if the Saints can add a big to help replace Riley Jacobs and Colin Pollock the outlook will be even brighter.
6. Woodson (25-4)–In perhaps the win of the year for a NOVA public school team, the Cavs went to Oscar Smith and beat that team by double digits. It’s nice to have multiple point guard-types against the type of defensive pressure a team like that can exert, and the Cavs have very good ones. Now, a different test against South Lakes at Siegel Center, and after the Oscar win it is hard to imagine Woodson will be overwhelmed by the moment.
7. Riverside (27-2)–A very memorable season comes to an end for the Rams in the Class 5 state semis at Albemarle. The Rams will lose some really nice, somewhat underrated pieces to graduation, but should have the firepower next season to perhaps go just as far.
8. Bishop Ireton (16-14)–The WCAC is unforgiving, but the Cardinals had a pretty good season despite finishing eighth in that league. Got some very good wins this year, including over Hayfield and Evergreen Christian, plus postseason wins over Good Counsel and Episcopal. A strong junior class led by Silas Devonish is slated to return, so the Cardinals should be even better next year.
9. Hayfield (23-7)–The Hawks lost their last two games in Class 6, falling to eventual state finalists Woodson (in the Occoquan Final) and South Lakes (state quarters). Still a great year, with the Hawks registering wins over both those teams earlier this season, and a great one at Flint Hill later in the year. There are significant losses to graduation–but, program depth, and some big guns (Judy, Prosper, Carmichael, etc.) return.
10. Flint Hill (17-13)–Good season (second place, MAC) concluded with a loss at Belfield in the VISAA Tournament First Round. Graduate a pretty good senior class, but you know the Huskies will add some talent via transfer. A real player to keep an eye on next year is 2027 Blake Fitzgerald–he impressed a lot of people down the stretch.
11. Westfield (21-7)–Like Hayfield, also ended the season with losses to Woodson and South Lakes. The Bulldogs established themselves as real contenders this season, and defeated South Lakes twice. Next year with pretty much the entire rotation returning Kevin Harris’ squad will be arguably the favorite to win a title in Class 6.
12. Fairfax Christian (26-12)–You could make the argument this team could/should be ranked higher. The VISAA Division III state champs, Fairfax Christian played better and better as the year went on, going 17-2 down the stretch. The roster isn’t that young, age-wise, but there are no seniors on it.
13. John Handley (25-2)–Handley fell at home to Varina in a good game in the Class 4 Semis, 56-52. Still a good postseason run, defeating an EC Glass team that beat Tuscarora, plus a walloping of Heritage in the state quarters. Judges lose three seniors, but will be among the Class 4 favorites next year led by Will Braun-Duin, who averaged almost 30 ppg this season.
14. Patriot (22-6)–Another good year for the Pioneers, who fielded a fairly young team and lost sophomore starter Jamison Ross to transfer mid-season. Ethan Kacou, Jeremy Hanton, and Carter Crumity are significant losses, and Patriot might be a little smaller next year, but they’ll be very good and more experienced, especially with do-everything guard Elijah Gaskins returning.
15. Yorktown (20-5)–Patriots gave Westfield a good run in the regional semis, but this time couldn’t upend the Bulldogs like they did earlier in the year at home. The Liberty District champions lose a very good senior class, though if district POY junior Jake Coulam returns, Yorktown isn’t going to be hurting at all next season.
16. Meridian (27-1)–Mustangs had a very memorable year, going undefeated until the Class 3 State Semis where they fell to Hopewell. They lose a very talented senior class (Lyman, Jardine, Rosenberger, Alverson, Asel) and almost certainly won’t win 27 games next year, but Class 3-4 opponents are dreaming if they think Meridian won’t be solid next year.
17. Gainesville (18-7)–A very good season for the Cardinals, who got a win versus Cedar Run District foe Patriot earlier this year. The Cardinals fell to the Pioneers on the road in the 6B regional semis in a good one, 63-56. Preston White leaves, though a very good sophomore class led by the athletic Kam Brangman-Cain gives Gainesville a very solid foundation to build on.
18. Colonial Forge (20-8)–Colonial Forge saved its best ball for last, stunning Forest Park at regionals and giving Patriot a good game before falling to Oscar Smith at states. Even on the road in that loss, Colonial Forge was right there at halftime. Finn Perschau is a big loss, but keep an eye on junior Jayden Morris and the rest of the Eagles next season.
19. Tuscarora (22-7)–Very disappointing loss to EC Glass at home in the first round of states, though the Huskies had a good year. Colin Byrd and Chas Battaglia are two big weapons we assume will return next season for the 4C Regional champs.
Others Receiving Votes–West Potomac (14-10), Heritage (20-7), Potomac (18-6),, Evergreen Christian (24-15), Broad Run (19-6), Episcopal (13-11), South County (15-9), Forest Park (20-7)