Loudoun County, Va. — As the high school boys basketball season heats up in Loudoun County, a few local teams have started to stand out from the crowd, while several others are potential contenders. Each week, Varun Shankar and I will be alternating releasing our boys and girls basketball rankings. In a three-district county, we wanted a way to put things into perspective. Enter: the LoCo Top 5.
(Note: Varun was going to write this edition, but he said he was traumatized after the Potomac Falls–Dominion game, so I’m stepping in this week)
Of course, if you’re into hard numbers, check out the full Cedar Run District, Potomac District, and Dulles District standings.
1. Loudoun Valley (1-0, 6-2) —
Loudoun Valley is the clear front-runner in the Dulles District, however, they will have a big test coming off winter break when they travel to Loudoun County on January 7. Most recently, the Vikings took their talent down to the 33rd Annual Seahawk Holiday Classic in South Carolina where senior guard Zion Ball hit seven three-pointers to lead Loudoun Valley past host Hilton Head Island. Following a 67-48 loss to Archbishop Alter on December 22, Loudoun Valley senior point guard Trent Dawson scored 21 points and added 9 rebounds while senior forward Clyde Volker added 18 points and 7 rebounds as the Vikings defeated Greenbrier East, 85-67.
Next up: Loudoun Valley travels to Loudoun County on January 7
2. John Champe (1-0, 7-2) —
John Champe has played in a lot of close games of late, but the important thing is they keep coming out on top. Led by junior guards Jalen and James Jasper and senior forward Tyler Savage, the Knights rebounded after a tough loss to No. 5 Briar Woods on December 18 with a win over No. 4 Freedom on December 20. John Champe traveled down to Hampton where they went 2-1 in their holiday tournament including two 3-point wins over Maury and Lakeland.
Next up: John Champe hosts No. 4 Freedom on January 3
3. Potomac Falls (1-0, 6-3) —
Potomac Falls doubled down on their claim as Kings of Sterling when they cruised past Dominion, 69-38, in their second meeting of the season on December 19. The Panthers then opened their Potomac District schedule with a big, 71-66, win over Riverside on December 20. While Potomac Falls will try to separate itself in district play, at least three different teams in the Potomac – including No. 4 Freedom, No. 5 Briar Woods, and Riverside – are going to challenge the perennial power.
Next up: Potomac Falls travels to Park View on January 3
4. Freedom (1-0, 6-4) +1
After a convincing win over Tuscarora to open its season, the Freedom basketball team hit a brief rough patch with a string of losses to Robinson, Battlefield, and Loudoun County. A 29-point win over No. 5 Briar Woods got the Eagles back on track on December 13. Freedom put up a good fight against rival and No. 2 John Champe on December 20, falling 64-60. Then the Eagles dominated during their holiday trip to West Virginia, knocking off Spring Mills, 74-44, and Martinsburg, 72-49.
Next up: Freedom travels to No. 2 John Champe on January 3
5. Briar Woods (0-1, 6-4) +3
After falling to Dominion and Freedom in early December, Briar Woods bounced back with a statement win over No. 2 John Champe on December 18. A trio of senior guards – Aidan Clark, Ian Haufler, and Will Shin – pair nicely with senior forward Holden Phillips in an athletic defense that is holding teams to the fewest points allowed per game in Loudoun County this season (49.10).
Next up: Briar Woods hosts Stone Bridge on January 6
On the bubble: Loudoun County (1-0, 5-3), Riverside (0-1, 6-3)
Wanna discuss the rankings? Hit Varun up via email at varun@locosports.info or on Twitter/Instagram @byvarunshankar.