Rankings updated 1/16/22
1. Paul VI (12-2)––What a week for the Panthers. Four wins, with Michigan-commit Dug McDaniel logging his 1000th career point. Plus, a payback win over powerful Sierra Canyon (CA) in the title game of the Bass Pro TOC. Of course, we didn’t stay up to watch Saturday night…and Sunday morning we immediately regretted it.
2. Hayfield (12-0)–Still rolling after a 79-60 victory over rival Edison Friday night, and a tough 75-69 victory over Centreville at West Springfield Saturday. Wish we owned a college (for the record, we do not) so we could extend a dual football/basketball offer to Braylon Wheeler.
3. O’Connell (9-5)–It wasn’t a perfect week for the Knights, as they lost Saturday morning up in Massachusetts. But when you beat DeMatha on the road, who really cares. This is a veteran team that can pull more upsets in the WCAC–O’Connell will get a chance Tuesday at Paul VI.
4. Saint Stephen’s & St. Agnes (6-2)–Still trying to put a weekend highlights show together–if and when we do the Saints will be a regular part of it. Been perusing a lot of their highlights recently as this is a fun team to watch. Lost to Episcopal last week, but there will be a rematch (or two).
5. Episcopal (8-3)–We think it was an 11-game losing streak to the Saints Episcopal broke Friday night. That was a crucial win psychologically for Jim Fitzpatrick’s team, which also beat Trinity Episcopal from Richmond Saturday. Watch out for the Maroon.
6. Fairfax Christian (14-3)–Lost to DMV power National Christian but rebounded with a nice win over Cape Henry Collegiate, in no small part due to a triple-double by point guard Ryan Blakey. Cards in second place behind National Christian in the newly-formed Metro Private School Conference (MPSC).
7. Stone Bridge (10-1)–Starting to come together again, and got a nice road win over Riverside Friday night. The difficult Potomac District slate continues Tuesday night at home versus #19 Independence.
8. Patriot (9-0)–Two razor-close wins against a Unity Reed team that is better than its record and a very solid Battlefield squad. Three district games this week for Sherman Rivers’ balanced team.
9. South Lakes (11-1)–Huge Concorde District games for the Seahawks this week–one versus highly-dangerous Westfield on Tuesday, and one versus the Seahawks’ nemesis of late, #15 Madison.
10. Virginia Academy (6-5)–Had to forfeit a win against Richmond’s Steward School from a few weeks back–not sure why. Middle-of-the-pack right now in the tough MPSC but capable of beating anyone.
11. Lake Braddock (11-1)–The first of our five ranked teams in the Patriot District–honestly whoever comes out of it should get an automatic top ten ranking here. Dictating pace is the key in the district, and the Bruins (still) want to play as fast as possible.
12. Annandale (8-3)–Got three wins this week to follow up on the George Long Tournament win. Tuesday key home game against Edison, which is tied with the Atoms for second place behind Hayfield in the better-than-advertised National District.
13. Fairfax (9-1)–Lions suffered their first loss, a one-point defeat to Lake Braddock, though Margad Choijilsuren had 31 points in that game. Also got a three-point win over South County–Fairfax is currently in a three-way tie for first in the Patriot with Braddock and Woodson.
14. W.T. Woodson (9-2)–Pacheco and company got a nice road win over West Springfield on Saturday as well as a double-digit win over Lake Braddock earlier in the week. Big home game with #18 West Potomac this Tuesday.
15. Madison (10-3)–The Warhawks were extremely impressive in a 51-39 win over Centreville, which had a big size advantage down low. Andrew Gorkowski has been one of the more talented, underrated performers in NOVA this season.
16. Flint Hill (2-4)–Definitely some offensive rust, which showed in double-digit losses to talented Sidwell and Bullis. Not too concerned–those were back-to-back games and we expect the talented Huskies to slowly work off their long layoff.
17. South County (6-4)–Host Lake Braddock on Tuesday in what has been one of the best, 50/50 rivalries there’s been since we became a website. We’d say, “get your tickets now,” but cruelly, Fairfax County won’t allow crowds for one more week. We hope just one more week.
18. West Potomac (5-3)–A big opportunity for West Potomac this week. The Wolverines are currently the five seed in the Patriot (you don’t want that first round playoff 4-5 game!) but have a chance to rocket up the standings with games versus Woodson, Fairfax, and Lake Braddock. Contenders or pretenders, Wolverines?
19. Independence (9-2)–Lost to a good Riverside team at home as the Rams, as they typically do, played great defense in holding the Tigers to 46 points. Another tough week versus #7 Stone Bridge, as well as a game with a rapidly-improving Potomac Falls team.
Others Receiving Votes–Riverside (8-5), Loudoun County (10-4), Marshall (10-1), Potomac (7-2), Seton (5-5), John Champe (7-2), Bishop Ireton (4-2), The Potomac School (4-4), Potomac Falls (10-3)