Gameday Boys Basketball Power Poll - Jan. 28
STERLING, VA - Say Hello to a new #1 in the Power Poll, and to several smoking hot teams that are changing the entire landscape of the Poll.
First, we can't say enough about TC Williams. Winning by sizable margins in what is the toughest district in the area says a lot about just how good the Titans really are. They again will go up against a national powerhouse in Benedictine on Friday, and this particular writer can't help but turn himself into a huge homer in that match-up. Just thinking about how much a TC victory would help this area's sagging basketball reputation makes me want to go out and purchase my own set of Titan pom-poms.
Now, on to our fast-risers. Woodson, Annandale, and Freedom-Woodbridge are all hitting their stride as they've successfully beaten some of the top teams in their respective districts. Better yet, they've done it with consistency. How they perform down the stretch will certainly make the Power Poll and playoffs a whole lot more interesting.
Lastly, the Dulles Districtstill remains to be the most perplexing district in the entire state of Virginia. Who knew a fifth-place team a mere 3 weeks ago (Potomac Falls) could in fact be a favorite to win the district? Or that a team with a 12-4 overall record (Loudoun County) would be fourth in their district. If you like parity, then you probably love the Dulles District. But if you're a Power Pollster, you can't help but hate it.
So factor in your mighty Titans, fast-risers, and wacky Dulles District, and you have yourself an updated version of the Gameday Power Poll. Enjoy!
1. TC WILLIAMS 13-2
Previous: 2
Up Next: vs. Annandale (1/29); vs. Lee (1/31); at Benedictine (2/1)
Welcome in TC Williams into the top spot of our Power Poll after Hylton's loss to Potomac. Yet as they've done all year, TC has controlled their tough district and have done it with relative ease. Beating both Hayfield and West Potomac last week, it's tough to not picture this team in our top position. A huge match-up against national power Benedictine will again be a great test for TC Williams.
2. CHANTILLY 14-1
Previous: 3
Next Up: at Fairfax (1/29); at Oakton (2/1)
Continuing to climb the rankings is Chantilly. Sitting pretty at 14-1, the Chargers have been steady and consistent throughout the year as they remain in great position to take the Concorde and Northern Region championship. A big contest with Westfield looms ahead in several weeks, but until then, look for this team to coast.
3. WESTFIELD 13-2
Previous: 4
Next Up: at Oakton (1/29); vs. Fairfax (2/1)
With a huge win over Herndon last week, Westfield was able to remain tied for first in the Concorde with Chantilly. As a result, they move up one spot in the poll and their sights right now should be set on a rematch with #2 Chantilly. Until that colossal match-up comes, look for this team to breeze on through the rest of their district games.
4. HYLTON 11-3
Previous: 1
Up Next: vs. Freedom-Woodbridge (1/29); vs. Brooke Point (1/30); vs. Forest Park (2/1)
Hylton takes a huge hit in the Power Poll as they lose their #1 ranking and drop three spots thanks in part to their loss to rival Potomac. The Bulldogs now face a rough schedule in front of them as they play on three consecutive nights, including a game with red hot Freedom-Woodbridge. If Hylton can survive through next week, then we can expect this team to be for real.
5. MILLBROOK 16-1
Previous: 5
Up Next: vs. Central (1/29); vs. James Wood (2/1)
Following Millbrook's first loss of the year last week to Jefferson County (WV), the Pioneers reestablished their dominance by soundly beating Skyline (65-55) and Handley (64-46). Don't expect this team to lose another game the rest of the way as they could very well get a top two spot before all is said and done.
6. LANGLEY 14-2
Previous: 6
Up Next: at Stone Bridge (1/29); vs. #7 South Lakes (2/1)
Langley was able to get sweet revenge last Friday after they beat rival McLean, who earlier in the year scored a huge upset against the Saxons. Now a critical district match-up versus South Lakes is up next for Langley. A win then would surely help this team rise in the rankings.
7. SOUTH LAKES 13-3
Previous: 9
Up Next: vs. #8 Madison (1/29); at #6 Langley (2/1)
South Lakes keeps getting hotter and hotter as they have now won five in a row since losing by one point to #6 Langley earlier in the month. Yet the Seahawks now have a brutal schedule in front of them as they must face two top ten teams this week, including a tilt against first-place Langley. South Lakes could either sink or swim next week, as we'll surely know whether this team is for real about contending for a region title.
8. MADISON 13-3
Previous: 7
Up Next: at #7 South Lakes (1/29); vs. Stone Bridge (2/1)
Madison drops one spot in the Power Poll after losing to previously unranked Woodson. The Warhawks could get redemption, however, if they were able to beat #7 South Lakes this week. Yet a loss to the surging Seahawks might end up effectively knocking Madison out of the Power Poll for good.
9. WOODSON 11-5
Previous: NR
Up Next: at Marshall (1/29); at McLean (2/1)
Don't look now, but Woodson is hitting their stride and that means trouble for the rest of the region and Liberty District. Winners of seven of their last eight, it looks as if the dominant Woodson team everyone expected to show up at the beginning of the year has finally arrived. Keep in mind Woodson's five losses have all been to non-region powers and to teams ranked in the Power Poll. Look out for the Cavaliers folks!
10. GAR-FIELD 11-4
Previous: 8
Up Next: vs. Forest Park (1/29); vs. Woodbridge (2/1)
Gar-Field last week suffered a tough ten point loss to suddenly red hot Freedom-Woodbridge, and are now teetering on the edge of the Power Poll. They still look to be a contender in the ever-so tough Northwest Region, so don't get ready to push the panic button on this team yet.
HONORABLE MENTION:
LOUDOUN VALLEY 12-3: "Just win baby." That's the quote made famous by outspoken Oakland Raiders owner, Al Davis, and the Vikings have fully come to embody that statement. Barely getting by last place Stonewall Jackson and next-to-last Battlefield, give the Vikings credit for finding ways to win. 2 much tougher tests in Osbourn Park and Liberty are up next for this team, and wins then would give this team a chance at entering the Poll.
ANNANDALE 9-6: No team in the entire Northern Virginia area is hotter than Annandale. After getting off to a sluggish 3-6 start, the young Atoms have proceeded to win six straight, and have done so against the best in the brutal Patriot District. If you're counting at home, that's now six teams in the Patriot District that have an honest shot at reaching the Patriot Center. Problem is, they keep beating up on each other, but if Annandale continues to win consistently look for them to be in the Poll real soon.
PARK VIEW 11-4: Standing at 11-4, and 6-2 in their district, Park View now looks to be the favorites in the Dulles. If they can keep up with their winning ways, Park View might even make a case to enter the Power Poll. Two key match-ups against Heritage and Potomac Falls are up next for the Patriots and wins there will help cement their first-place status.
FREEDOM-WOODBRIDGE 9-6: Having Freedom-Woodbridge starting to win this late in the year can't be good news for the rest of the Northwest Region. We saw what this team was capable of in the state tournament, and they look to certainly be in post-season form at this point. A rough start however may keep Freedom away from the Power Poll for the rest of the year.
HANDLEY 9-4: The Judges suffered a rough 18 point loss to the Millbrook basketball machine, but this is still a team that should contend in Region II. Handley won't go away quietly and we expect them to continue to win.
