BOYS BASKETBALL POWER POLL - FINAL
TC Williams and Hayfield battled hard in the Northern Region final game, with the Titans coming from behind to claim their repeat title.
Photo By Marc Gold \ Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
The Mount Vernon Majors capped an impressive season by finishing in the #3 spot of the final Power Poll. Junior Skylar Jones was one of the main cogs for the Majors this year, and will look to return next year in hopes of hoisting the Northern Region trophy that eluded them this season.
Photo by Dave Bernhardt \ Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Dimitri Sakallarides and the R.E. Lee Lancers came on strong in the 2nd half of the season and earned the #10 spot in the final Boys Power Poll of the season.
Photo By Dave Bernhardt \ Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
In collaboration with Tom Whipple, Senior Editor
STERLING, VA - Hit the rewind button for a second and travel back with us one year...
At this point of the basketball season last year, we had two dominant area teams...the TC Williams Titans and Millbrook Pioneers...storming through the state playoffs in Richmond, and both came home with state titles. The feeling was great for area fans (this writer included) who had long awaited, and endured, the 20-plus year drought to finally end.
Now, back to the present...
In contrast to the joys and anticipations of a year ago, no teams will be traveling down to Richmond to play for a state title as all four area teams that competed in the state playoffs lost in the quarterfinals. It's not what area basketball fans wanted to see, but what else can you say? It is what it is. What a difference a year makes.
Hayfield drew a matchup against a nationally ranked team and nearly pulled off the upset if it wasn't for a fourth quarter run. Handley lost by just a field goal while also running into some missed chances they'd love to have back. The Dominion Titans' "Cinderella Slipper" fell off during their bout with a Region II powerhouse, but during regional play, that slipper already looked to be 2 sizes too big at the start. The area's dominant team, T.C. Williams, ran out of steam in the second half of their quarterfinal game, which is something we've not seen from them in a long time.
So again, what else can you say? All four teams had their chance to win, but to draw from another over-used phrase; our hats are off to all area teams. The 2008-09 season was a great one and we can't wait for next year. This was the most involved Gameday had ever been with area basketball, and next year should be even better as we look to continue to deliver groundbreaking coverage of high school sports.
One thing we (the Boys Power Poll collaborators) WILL say, however, is CONGRATULATIONS to local Girl's teams Oakton, Freedom (South Riding), Loudoun County, Millbrook, and George Mason! These five teams will carry on the torch the Boys collectively weren't able to continue with, and now all hopes and eyes will be on you ladies. Four of these five teams have the potential to bring home the coveted state crown (Freedom and Millbrook play each other Tuesday night at 7:00, at VCU's Seigel Center), and we are all rooting for you!
And with the season coming to close, that means it's time to unveil our final rankings in the Power Poll. Just like last year, it's T.C. Williams closing out the year as the area's best team, but some new and old faces occupy the poll. In total, there are five Northern Region schools, three Northwest Region schools and two schools from Region II included the final Power Poll.
1. T.C. WILLIAMS (27-3)
Previous: 1
Last Week: 59-52 win over #2 Hayfield; 72-61 loss to John Marshall
This Week: Season Complete
Over the course of last week, T.C. Williams added to its already illustrious basketball history with a region championship, but just days later their season came to an abrupt end after falling to John Marshall 72-61. In addition to their region title, T.C. will also close out the year as our #1 ranked team in part because no other area team advanced in the state playoffs. And while T.C. closes out the year with our number one ranking and a district and region title, it all must seem a little bittersweet as they were unable to defend their state title. But this program isn't self-proclaimed as a dynasty for nothing as they'll surely be ready to make a run in 2010.
2. HAYFIELD (21-8)
Previous: 2
Last Week: 59-52 loss to #1 T.C. Williams; 59-48 loss to Petersburg
This Week: Season Complete
Hayfield suffered yet another crushing defeat at the hands of T.C. Williams, but maybe a tougher loss to take was when they fell to Central Region champ Petersburg. Coming in as a nationally ranked team, Petersburg received all they could handle from Hayfield, but in the end it wasn't meant to be as the Hawks were unable to pull off the upset, thus effectively ending their season. Like T.C. Williams, Hayfield stays right where they were in the Power Poll despite the two losses they suffered last week.
3. MOUNT VERNON (21-5)
Previous: 3
Last Week: N/A
This Week: Season Complete
4. HYLTON (20-6)
Previous: 4
Last Week: N/A
This Week: Season Complete
5. GAR-FIELD (17-10)
Previous: 5
Last Week: N/A
This Week: Season Complete
6. FAUQUIER (21-4)
Previous: 6
Last Week: N/A
This Week: Season Complete
7. CHANTILLY (23-2)
Previous: 7
Last Week: N/A
This Week: Season Complete
8. HANDLEY (22-4)
Previous: 8
Last Week: 64-62 loss to Greensville County
This Week: Season Complete
This past week must not have been an easy one for the Handley faithful as they lost a 64-62 heartbreaker to Greensville County in the state playoffs. The loss ends Handley's season, but the Judges still walk away as Northwestern District and Region II Division 3 champions. With the loss, they stay in the eighth spot in our Power Poll, unable to move up, but they also won't be moving down.
9. DOMINION (20-8)
Previous: 9
Last Week: 48-36 loss to Brunswick
This Week: Season Complete
Just like their adversaries in Winchester, Dominion ended their season with a loss in the state playoffs. The Titans fell victim to the Region II, Division 3 champions Brunswick, and were held to a season low 36 points in the process. Despite the loss, Dominion's post-season run and success this basketball year should be commended as they did what no other team at Dominion had ever done and that was rally the entire Dominion community. As a fairly new school located in Sterling, this year's Titans gave their faithful something to believe in and get passionate about, and boy were they passionate and supportive. Never before had a Dominion team have such a faithful following. Hats off to this year's Dominion squad for starting what may be the beginning of something special for the entire Titan athletic program.
10. LEE (13-11)
Previous: 10
Last Week: N/A
This Week: Season Complete
HONORABLE MENTION
11. Stuart (18-7)
12. Westfield (20-6)
13. Langley (20-7)
14. Battlefield (16-9)
15. Woodson (16-10)
