In one week the existing hierarchy of DMV high school hoops transformed. Four teams from powerhouse DC-area private schools hold at the top but upsets caused upheaval amongst local high school rankings.
A week ago we sat here with Gonzaga undefeated, despite their superstar point guard Nate Britt being sidelined with an injury. DeMatha just lost to Gonzaga, their only loss on the local circuit this season. Montrose Christian had only lost one game in the past two seasons and hadn’t lost a game on the local circuit since KIMA (now defunct) upset them a couple of years ago. Paul VI was undefeated on the local circuit as well, only suffering two losses in national tournaments, without their full line-up in tact. In the last week three of these four teams lost games.
One week later so much has transpired and the WCAC and the area’s #1 ranking has never been so up for grabs. DeMatha, Gonzaga, Montrose Christian, and Paul VI are considered the “big 4” in the DC metro area. But other top 10 teams have had similar results in the last week. Episcopal, the heavy favorite to win the IAC suffered a major upset on Friday night, losing to a struggling Landon squad when Joe McDonald had a game for the ages.
There are a few teams who stand undefeated in the DC/Maryland area. Thomas Stone out of the SMAC is the best of that bunch as they stand at 16-0. Thomas Stone hasn’t gotten to 16-0 by accident. It took a major upset over defending Maryland 4A state champions North Point on December 21st to get there. Many people aren’t looking at that game as an upset now though. Arundel out of Anne Arundel County and Patterson Mill of Harford County are both undefeated but both team’s schedule lacks strong competition. A handful of Virginia schools are undefeated as well.
As we look into Baltimore City’s top teams there is more parity then the DC metro area. Dunbar had separated itself as the top team in the 410 after its nine point victory over Patterson a few weeks ago but Dunbar has since lost, dropping their first game of the season to Milford Mill in this weekend’s Basketball Academy tournament at Lake Clifton. Milford Mill promptly lost two days later to host Lake Clifton in the very same tournament. Patterson, led by 5’7” point guard Aquille Carr, who entered the season as the #1 team in B-more has lost five games so far this season, although they have played a national schedule for the first time in school history. St. Frances, Mount St. Joseph, and John Carroll are all strong as usual, but all have lost at least 4 games. McDonough of the IAAM stands at 17-1 and has a huge game on Tuesday as they host St. Frances.
Montgomery County appears to be signed, sealed and delivered. Magruder has the best starting five of any team in Maryland’s public schools. They do lack depth, especially along their front line, but they have the experience, the shooting, the finishers, and the coach to do what’s necessary. Springbrook always has a chance, especially when Demetric Austin is in the middle and has a sidekick like Charles Taylor, who is one of the best finishers and arguably the best defender in the county.
Prince George’s county is wide open, a host of teams could emerge. As always, Eleanor Roosevelt will be a heavy favorite. ER plays the best defense in the state and they always seem to improve in the post-season. DuVal, Gwynn Park, Flowers, Largo, and Suitland all have legitimate shots to reach the Comcast Center as well. Largo may have the best shot of that group as they feature one of the best point guards in the state in Derrick Colter, a great finisher in Michael Graham, and two solid scorers who can give you 20 on any given night in Lafayette Nelson and Damante McNeill. Suitland has begun to click lately as well, behind Roddy Peters and three legitimate big men.
Many thought the DCIAA was spiraling downhill fast, but with last year’s showing in the City Title Game by Theodore Roosevelt and some splendid play this year out of Spingarn and Coolidge it’s apparent the DCIAA is back. Coolidge, undefeated in league play, certainly put their name on the map with a pair of wins over Phoebus and Montrose Christian in an 11-day span. Khalen Cumberlander and De’Shaun Morman are absolute studs. Both will have successful careers on the next level. Perhaps the one team having the best under the radar year in the DMV is Spingarn. Most know Spingarn as Elgin Baylor, Dave Bing, and Sherman Douglas’ alma maters, but the Northeast school is putting together a season that may quite possibly culminate in a DCIAA championship and a trip to the Verizon Center to play for the City Title. Spingarn, who is also undefeated in league play, is led by 6’2” guard Jerome West who has scored in double figures in 15 of his team’s 16 games. West, just a sophomore, is the second leading scorer in the DCIAA at 19.0 PPG and is poised to take DC by storm in the next few years.
As the high school season enters the home stretch one thing can be agreed on: Almost every league is up for grabs. Dunbar is probably the only lock to win their respective division. Let’s be honest, Dunbar winning the Maryland 1A state championship is a lock every year. Patterson is certainly the favorite to win the 3A but that is far from a lock. Magruder is the favorite in the 4A, but a lot of teams have a good chance to compete for that crown, especially a couple of teams out of the SMAC. Episcopal appears to be a heavy favorite to win the IAC, but with their loss to Landon this past weekend its obvious that they’re not invincible. Bullis may have something to say about the IAC before it’s all said and done. The Baltimore Catholic League, the MIAA, is a three team race. John Carroll, Mount Saint Joseph, and St. Frances all have their eyes on the prize.
And last but certainly not least we have the WCAC. DeMatha and Gonzaga certainly have the experience factor but the new kid on the block, Paul VI is playing as well as any team in the area. Nate Britt’s injury appears to be more of a concern that originally thought. It will be interesting to see if he laces them up on Tuesday night as Gonzaga looks to rebound versus Paul VI. Gonzaga was having unquestionably the best season of any team prior to Sunday afternoon’s loss to St. John’s. As long as Nate Britt can come back healthy, theres no reason that they shouldn’t still be ranked the #1 team in the area. But Paul VI could change that on Tuesday night. And we all know to never count out DeMatha. It’s been such a great season ….. and the best part is yet to come.