Entering this week, the top three girls basketball teams in the Shenandoah District are a combined 15-1 in district play and 26-5 overall. We'll get a better idea of those three teams — Wilson Memorial, Buffalo Gap and East Rockingham — this week.
Wilson has, by far, the most difficult week. The Hornets play East Rock in Fishersville Wednesday and Buffalo Gap on the road Friday. Then, as part of the Play for Preemies Showcase at Western Albemarle Saturday, the Hornets take on William Monroe, which is 9-0 after winning the Daily Progress Holiday Hoops Classic last week.
But what makes Monroe so difficult is Sam Brunelle, the No. 1 ranked high school player for the class of 2019 in the country. On the list of possible colleges for the junior is UConn and Notre Dame.
Brunelle averaged 29.6 points and 21.6 rebounds in the holiday tournament. Wilson assistant Becky Burns saw Monroe and Brunelle in that tournament.
"I saw them play Brooke Point, and Sam Brunelle is a great player," Burns said. "We will give her the respect she is well deserving of while keeping in mind that we are playing William Monroe, not just Sam Brunelle."
But while that game will get a lot of attention, it's the two before it that are more important. Wilson has won seven games in a row since losing to Loudoun County on Dec. 1. East Rock is unbeaten when the opponent isn't Spotswood.
Buffalo Gap meanwhile hasn't played since losing to East Rock on Dec. 20. The Bison are dealing with injuries. Point guard Hannah Varner is out for the season with an ACL injury, while Marybeth Strickler is still dealing with an ankle injury she suffered early in that East Rock game.
Strickler doesn't think she will play Wednesday against Stonewall Jackson, but said she hopes to be back Friday against Wilson Memorial.
Wilson has, by far, the most difficult week. The Hornets play East Rock in Fishersville Wednesday and Buffalo Gap on the road Friday. Then, as part of the Play for Preemies Showcase at Western Albemarle Saturday, the Hornets take on William Monroe, which is 9-0 after winning the Daily Progress Holiday Hoops Classic last week.
But what makes Monroe so difficult is Sam Brunelle, the No. 1 ranked high school player for the class of 2019 in the country. On the list of possible colleges for the junior is UConn and Notre Dame.
Brunelle averaged 29.6 points and 21.6 rebounds in the holiday tournament. Wilson assistant Becky Burns saw Monroe and Brunelle in that tournament.
"I saw them play Brooke Point, and Sam Brunelle is a great player," Burns said. "We will give her the respect she is well deserving of while keeping in mind that we are playing William Monroe, not just Sam Brunelle."
But while that game will get a lot of attention, it's the two before it that are more important. Wilson has won seven games in a row since losing to Loudoun County on Dec. 1. East Rock is unbeaten when the opponent isn't Spotswood.
Buffalo Gap meanwhile hasn't played since losing to East Rock on Dec. 20. The Bison are dealing with injuries. Point guard Hannah Varner is out for the season with an ACL injury, while Marybeth Strickler is still dealing with an ankle injury she suffered early in that East Rock game.
Strickler doesn't think she will play Wednesday against Stonewall Jackson, but said she hopes to be back Friday against Wilson Memorial.
