Even though we have not even finished the football regular season, much less the playoffs, I for one am looking forward to basketball. The Shenandoah has expanded to nine teams this year so here is how I see the race shaping up.
1) Lee High: This is a slam dunk, and the Leemen will flush plenty of those. With ODU-bound Jarvis Vaughan in the middle, no one will be able to touch them in the district. I will not be surprised if they go unbeaten in league play, if not overall.
2) East Rockingham: Earlier we learned that their excellent point guard Chris Rogers was transferring to a private school for his senior year. If he had stayed, I would be giving the Eagles a fighting chance against Lee. Even without him, I think they have enough horses to be a solid second choice.
3) Page County: This vote will be more about tradition than anything. The Panthers are up there every year, they just seem to re-load and can always find the depth, tenacity, and quickness to drive everybody else crazy.
4) Riverheads: The Gladiators will be in a unique position this year of being both young but still experienced. That eighth-grade class that won 17 games two years ago blossomed nicely last year and made some immediate contributions as freshmen. So with (hopefully) all five of them back together this year and playing as a team, they can make some noise. There will also be a handful of upper classmen who will help out. Size will be a problem again for the Big Red but they will offset that with an abundance of quickness and hustle.
5) Stuarts Draft: That run n gun style the Cougars use will create the same kind of havoc it always does, but most teams in the district have figured them out enough to beat them at least once. So unless they have some superstar instead of just their usual two and three platoon system, they will be middle of the pack.
6) Wilson: Can't say that I remember much about the Hornets from last year. I think they have graduated their 7 footers that they had, so they may have to get by on three-point shooting and hustle. They might be a spot or two better than I am expecting, but I don't see them as a contender.
7) Luray: The Dogs had a down year last year and I remember a less-than-impressive JV team. So there is no reason that I can see to boost them up from the bottom three.
8) Stonewall Jackson: The Generals have had their share of suffering the past decade or so, but they are showing signs of snapping out of it. Still can't expect too much out of them, but they will have the potential to be pesky on any given night.
9) Buffalo Gap: Not sure what the solution is, but the Gap is just in a funk right now. The athletes are out there, as evidenced by their competitive football team, but it is just not translating on to the hardwood. I forecast another 3-4 win season for the Bison.
1) Lee High: This is a slam dunk, and the Leemen will flush plenty of those. With ODU-bound Jarvis Vaughan in the middle, no one will be able to touch them in the district. I will not be surprised if they go unbeaten in league play, if not overall.
2) East Rockingham: Earlier we learned that their excellent point guard Chris Rogers was transferring to a private school for his senior year. If he had stayed, I would be giving the Eagles a fighting chance against Lee. Even without him, I think they have enough horses to be a solid second choice.
3) Page County: This vote will be more about tradition than anything. The Panthers are up there every year, they just seem to re-load and can always find the depth, tenacity, and quickness to drive everybody else crazy.
4) Riverheads: The Gladiators will be in a unique position this year of being both young but still experienced. That eighth-grade class that won 17 games two years ago blossomed nicely last year and made some immediate contributions as freshmen. So with (hopefully) all five of them back together this year and playing as a team, they can make some noise. There will also be a handful of upper classmen who will help out. Size will be a problem again for the Big Red but they will offset that with an abundance of quickness and hustle.
5) Stuarts Draft: That run n gun style the Cougars use will create the same kind of havoc it always does, but most teams in the district have figured them out enough to beat them at least once. So unless they have some superstar instead of just their usual two and three platoon system, they will be middle of the pack.
6) Wilson: Can't say that I remember much about the Hornets from last year. I think they have graduated their 7 footers that they had, so they may have to get by on three-point shooting and hustle. They might be a spot or two better than I am expecting, but I don't see them as a contender.
7) Luray: The Dogs had a down year last year and I remember a less-than-impressive JV team. So there is no reason that I can see to boost them up from the bottom three.
8) Stonewall Jackson: The Generals have had their share of suffering the past decade or so, but they are showing signs of snapping out of it. Still can't expect too much out of them, but they will have the potential to be pesky on any given night.
9) Buffalo Gap: Not sure what the solution is, but the Gap is just in a funk right now. The athletes are out there, as evidenced by their competitive football team, but it is just not translating on to the hardwood. I forecast another 3-4 win season for the Bison.
