John Marshall, Armstrong and Wythe all looking like they can win 3a this year. Probably one of the toughest conferences in the state.
Richmond Takeover
- Thread starter DanvilleSportsHead
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Not saying Spotswood will win but this is the most complete team they've had, maybe ever. Good guard play, good post play, good bench, good defensively, obviously well coached--this might be the best chance they've had to win it. I know the Richmond teams are always tough though. 3A is undoubtedly the toughest year in, year out.
I beg to defer with you about 3A being the toughest year in and year out. I think 5A have the nod on that with the likes of LC Bird, Albermarle, Potomac, Hampton, Bethel, Green Run, Maury, Salem and Varina. Just saying.
If I had to rank them for this year I'd say 1. 4a 2. 5a 3. 3a. You can make the argument for 4a and 5a. There's 5-6 teams from both that can win it. IMO, either Marshall, Wythe or Norcom will take 3a.
For 4a? In no order I'd say GW Danville, Lake Taylor, Loudoun Valley, Jamestown, Smithfield, John Handley, Monacan, Heritage NN and I'll put Huguenot in there too because they are battle tested. I like your list for 5a. 4a is wide open.
Haven't seen all the teams you mention, however, if GW is in the mix I would be forced to conclude they must have made massive improvements from earlier in the season. Just my opinion but, this may be the worst the entire state of Virginia has been in public high school hoops in the past twenty years if the teams I have seen so far are a representative sample of the state as a whole.
Just wondering, besides GW, what teams have you checked out? I definitely agree with you on the basketball quality here in Virginia. Monacan lost, what, 3 times during the playoffs last year and still won the state championship?? No disrespect to their guys, but that's atrocious by the VHSL. Give everyone a participation medal why don't they? GW's play has improved but they still resort back to their old ways which you and me know what those results lead to. 4a is going to be real deep this year. I wouldn't be surprised if a team I didn't mention such as Eastern View or William Byrd won it. You can't put a lot into these teams because you will get disappointed.
I saw Heritage Lynchburg (3A) play two weeks ago. If they beat G.W. of Danville and G.W. is one of the best in (4A) then (4A) is really weak.
Seen the large majority of teams in Roanoke Valley and Lynchburg area along with GW, Franklin County, Martinsville, and Halifax.
Not necessarily. Monacan lost 9 games
last year and won the state championship. They lost to teams waaaaaay worst than Heritage and imo I didn't think 4a was weak last year. I agree that the overall quality of basketball is weaker than 10 years ago but there's still some good teams.
How does GW stack up against the better teams of that area? What team do you think is better than GW? I ask because I find you very knowledgeable. I used to could tell you about all of the teams from Danville to Roanoke to Lynchburg, but now since I don't live in the area, I don't follow these teams as much.
GW stacks up favorably with the best teams in the area. There is not a single team or even 2 or 3 teams I would consider head and shoulders above the group and there are a group of teams 10(maybe more) that can beat any of the others on any given night(home or away). The issue in my opinion is nobody can score the basketball with consistency from night to night. Shooting from both the field and the charity stripe is pretty bad. Movement without the basketball, cutting, screening, etc. will be extinct like the dinosaurs before long. With no movement you get very little passing and the passes that are thrown are as likely to end up in the stands as the hands of the intended recipient. The combination of AAU and ESPN has produced an offensive game built off breaking a defender down one on one and the only consistent way most score is a layup off bad defense or a breakaway off an errant turnover. It's kind of ironic as one would think year round practice would promote better team play but, that is not the case, in my opinion.
Can't argue with FACTS! I agree 100%. Watched GW play Martinsville last night via stream and saw ball movement but it was lazy/lackadaisical ball movement. Throw it up for grabs and hope your teammate catches it. A Ridge/J. C. team would run these young guns off the court. However, Patrick Robinson looks to be their go to guy. He keeps the defense on their heels. Had some beautiful drives to the basket last night. They have a lot of work to do if they want to get back to state supremacy. Can tell these guys play a lot of AAU (aka the high school basketball killer). Too much one on one. I hate it.
Armstrong and John Marshall are on path to meet each other in Conference 26 Semis. One team will move on and the other's season will be over. Armstrong played John Marshall very tough earlier this season. Could this be a trap game for the early favorites to win it all Justices?
Semi-finals and Finals will be held at Petersburg High School
Armstrong almost got it done against Marshall. Marshall and Wythe looks to be the second best game in the area Friday night behind VCU/UR and thats saying a lot. Monacan should beat Hanover handily and Bird will beat up on Varina.
Sorry I missed this a while back.....EV had the lead on Handley and lost it at the end....and EV beat Heritage NN by 9. Cyclones will be tough unless there's a team with a dominant big man inside.
3A EAST:
Quarterfinals (Tuesday 2/21):
Game 1: John Marshall 105, James Monroe 47
Game 2: Phoebus 89, Southampton 42
Game 3: George Wythe 62, William Monroe 52
Game 4: I.C. Norcom 63, Colonial Heights 56
Semifinals (Thursday 2/23):
Phoebus vs John Marshall, time TBA
George Wythe vs I.C. Norcom, time TBA
Championship (Friday 2/24):
Semifinal Winners, time TBA at Higher Seed
Third Place Game (Friday 2/24):
Semifinal Losers, time TBA at Higher Seed
Quarterfinals (Tuesday 2/21):
Game 1: John Marshall 105, James Monroe 47
Game 2: Phoebus 89, Southampton 42
Game 3: George Wythe 62, William Monroe 52
Game 4: I.C. Norcom 63, Colonial Heights 56
Semifinals (Thursday 2/23):
Phoebus vs John Marshall, time TBA
George Wythe vs I.C. Norcom, time TBA
Championship (Friday 2/24):
Semifinal Winners, time TBA at Higher Seed
Third Place Game (Friday 2/24):
Semifinal Losers, time TBA at Higher Seed
