These are just my predictions and just for fun. This preview is just for conversation purposes and because I just love talking about high school basketball. Plus it's a lot less stressful in the winter when I can be a fan unlike the fall when I'm on the sidelines. Some really tough matchups. I'm almost sure that I will have a few wrong and I certainly hope I dont jinx your team. Lol.
1st Round:
#5 Northampton vs # 12 Northumberland.
Interesting matchup. Northampton played really well at the beginning of the season, but towards the end of the season they barely beat Arcadia twice and lost to Nandua. Both of those teams have losing records. Northumberland has been a huge disappointment to many this year after coming off a Final 4 appearance last year and returning several key players. They didn't fare very well in district play, but had multiple games against top competition where they lost close games.
Prediction: Can the Indians overcome the long bus trip to the Shore? Can Coach Stephenson get his team inspired now that the playoffs are here? For this night, I say he does. Northumberland 62 Northampton 60.
#6 Lancaster vs #11 Charles City.
Another team that has a long trip ahead of them. Despite their overall record, Charles City played well during the second half of the season. In fact, they were the only team in the Tidewater District to beat Carver Academy. They have proven weapons and are more than capable of pulling off the upset if Lancaster is caught looking ahead.
Prediction: Which Charles City team will show up? Are the defending state champion Devils ready to defend their title? I think Coach Rice will have his guys ready and focused. Lancaster 72 Charles City 59
#7 King and Queen vs #10 Sussex Central
The battle of the Tigers. King and Queen has had a bit of a resurgence this year as they've won nearly as many games this year as the previous three years combined. In Gerald Hill, they have a guy who can score at will. His brother D'andre Hill and forward Lamont Robinson round out the big 3 for K&Q. Sussex despite their losing record is battle tested. They play in a district that features 1A favorite Surry plus Franklin as well as 2A stalwarts Greensville and Brunswick plus a couple of 3A schools.
Prediction: Will the Tigers of Sussex prove to be too battle tested for the Tigers of King and Queen? Does Sussex have an answer for Gerald Hill? In the end, K&Q rides the home crowd and advances.
King and Queen 78 Sussex 73
#8 Washington and Lee vs #9 Mathews
These two split during the regular season, both winning on their home floor. Mathews won by 2 points, and W&L by 3. Both have upset wins over top seeded teams in Region A. Washington and Lee with an upset victory over Colonial Beach and Mathews with an upset over Rappahannock.
Prediction: Will these two play a close game like their two regular season games? Can Mathews slow down high scoring John Day? In the end I think the home team pulls out another close one.
W&L 64 Mathews 59
Regional Quarterfinals:
#1 Surry vs #8 Washington and Lee
Does anyone in Region A have anything for Surry? They have size, speed, scoring and great defense. Their only losses have been to private school power Cape Henry by 1 and to 5A Norview by 2. They went unscathed in a very tough district. With that said, W&L has scorers in Day and JJ McNeil and have nothing to lose.
Prediction: Does Surry get caught looking ahead? Can W&L pull off another upset like they did against Colonial Beach? I think the Eagles keep it close for a bit, before the Cougars pull away. Surry 79 W&L 56
#4 Colonial Beach vs #12 Northumberland
If my prediction holds then these two district rivals meet again. The Drifters won comfortably in their matchups in the regular season. But the postseason is a different monster. At the beginning of the season, the Drifters were picked to finish last in the NND and the Indians first. But that's why they play the games.
Prediction: Can the Indians pull another upset? Will the Drifters continue their dominance over the Indians from the regular season? I say yes the Drifters do. Colonial Beach 65 Northumberland 47
#2 Rappahannock vs #7 King and Queen
These two met twice very early in the season. The Raiders won twice by six and by fifteen. But those games were over 2 months ago. The Tigers despite losing in the Tidewater District championship, have been playing with loads of confidence. The Raiders have played a ton of close games this year, winning more than their share. At times down the stretch though, they haven't looked cohesive. Colonial Beach beat them badly twice and had to come from double digits down to get by Lancaster. Out of their last 10 games, each win has been by single digits, with a majority of them by 5 or less.
Prediction: Will the Raiders have another close game? If so, can they continue to win most of them? Can the King and Queen Big 3 get it done? My heart says K&Q, and I truly believe they could win this game, if they get by Sussex. My head says Rappahannock finds a way again. Since I'm being unbiased, Rappahannock 67 King and Queen 61.
#3 Franklin vs #6 Lancaster
Franklin has quietly been under the radar this year. They've played a very tough schedule in the Tri Rivers. In Drelyn Ford, they have one of the best players in the Region Lancaster will have to keep him under control and also be able to block out the loud Franklin crowd. This is a game where I think it could go either way.
Prediction: Will Ford prove to be too much for the Devils? Are the defending champs ready to give up their crown? I say not just yet. Lancaster 64 Franklin 62.
Regional Semifinals:
#1 Surry vs #4 Colonial Beach
I've said in other posts how I hate how the Region does the seeding, and this is the reason why. These have been the two best teams in the Region this year and have proved it on the floor. Now one of them won't even go to the state tournament. I think if there was one team in the Region who could matchup with the Cougars, then the Drifters were that team. They are fundamentally sound, have multiple weapons on offense and play great defense. Things that are needed against a team like Surry.
Prediction: Is Colonial Beach the kryptonite to the Surry powerhouse? Will Surry prove why they've been #1 in the state all year? It really is a shame that one of these teams has to go home. This is the real regional championship in my opinion. Surry 69 Colonial Beach 61
#2 Rappahannock vs #6 Lancaster
This is the 4th meeting of the year between these two. The Raiders have won the previous three, but all have been down to the wire. Lancaster blew a ten point 4th quarter lead, just last week. You have to wonder if a game like that gets into the players heads.
Prediction: Does Rappahannock continue their streak against the Devils? Is the 4th time the charm for Coach Rice and Lancaster? I say it indeed is. Lancaster 56 Rappahannock 53
Regional Finals:
#1 Surry vs #6 Lancaster
A championship game between two regional powers. The defending state champions vs the favorites for this years title. It definitely will be a ton of athleticism on display in this one and you can expect a packed house wherever the game is played. Prediction: At this point both are already in the state tournament, but this game is still huge for obvious reasons. Can Surry turn it on again after a physical game against Colonial Beach? Can Lancaster get up themselves after their own tough game against Rappahannock? Both teams will leave it all on the court. Surry 79 Lancaster 64
Region 1A Champion - Surry
Region 1A Runner-Up- Lancaster
1st Round:
#5 Northampton vs # 12 Northumberland.
Interesting matchup. Northampton played really well at the beginning of the season, but towards the end of the season they barely beat Arcadia twice and lost to Nandua. Both of those teams have losing records. Northumberland has been a huge disappointment to many this year after coming off a Final 4 appearance last year and returning several key players. They didn't fare very well in district play, but had multiple games against top competition where they lost close games.
Prediction: Can the Indians overcome the long bus trip to the Shore? Can Coach Stephenson get his team inspired now that the playoffs are here? For this night, I say he does. Northumberland 62 Northampton 60.
#6 Lancaster vs #11 Charles City.
Another team that has a long trip ahead of them. Despite their overall record, Charles City played well during the second half of the season. In fact, they were the only team in the Tidewater District to beat Carver Academy. They have proven weapons and are more than capable of pulling off the upset if Lancaster is caught looking ahead.
Prediction: Which Charles City team will show up? Are the defending state champion Devils ready to defend their title? I think Coach Rice will have his guys ready and focused. Lancaster 72 Charles City 59
#7 King and Queen vs #10 Sussex Central
The battle of the Tigers. King and Queen has had a bit of a resurgence this year as they've won nearly as many games this year as the previous three years combined. In Gerald Hill, they have a guy who can score at will. His brother D'andre Hill and forward Lamont Robinson round out the big 3 for K&Q. Sussex despite their losing record is battle tested. They play in a district that features 1A favorite Surry plus Franklin as well as 2A stalwarts Greensville and Brunswick plus a couple of 3A schools.
Prediction: Will the Tigers of Sussex prove to be too battle tested for the Tigers of King and Queen? Does Sussex have an answer for Gerald Hill? In the end, K&Q rides the home crowd and advances.
King and Queen 78 Sussex 73
#8 Washington and Lee vs #9 Mathews
These two split during the regular season, both winning on their home floor. Mathews won by 2 points, and W&L by 3. Both have upset wins over top seeded teams in Region A. Washington and Lee with an upset victory over Colonial Beach and Mathews with an upset over Rappahannock.
Prediction: Will these two play a close game like their two regular season games? Can Mathews slow down high scoring John Day? In the end I think the home team pulls out another close one.
W&L 64 Mathews 59
Regional Quarterfinals:
#1 Surry vs #8 Washington and Lee
Does anyone in Region A have anything for Surry? They have size, speed, scoring and great defense. Their only losses have been to private school power Cape Henry by 1 and to 5A Norview by 2. They went unscathed in a very tough district. With that said, W&L has scorers in Day and JJ McNeil and have nothing to lose.
Prediction: Does Surry get caught looking ahead? Can W&L pull off another upset like they did against Colonial Beach? I think the Eagles keep it close for a bit, before the Cougars pull away. Surry 79 W&L 56
#4 Colonial Beach vs #12 Northumberland
If my prediction holds then these two district rivals meet again. The Drifters won comfortably in their matchups in the regular season. But the postseason is a different monster. At the beginning of the season, the Drifters were picked to finish last in the NND and the Indians first. But that's why they play the games.
Prediction: Can the Indians pull another upset? Will the Drifters continue their dominance over the Indians from the regular season? I say yes the Drifters do. Colonial Beach 65 Northumberland 47
#2 Rappahannock vs #7 King and Queen
These two met twice very early in the season. The Raiders won twice by six and by fifteen. But those games were over 2 months ago. The Tigers despite losing in the Tidewater District championship, have been playing with loads of confidence. The Raiders have played a ton of close games this year, winning more than their share. At times down the stretch though, they haven't looked cohesive. Colonial Beach beat them badly twice and had to come from double digits down to get by Lancaster. Out of their last 10 games, each win has been by single digits, with a majority of them by 5 or less.
Prediction: Will the Raiders have another close game? If so, can they continue to win most of them? Can the King and Queen Big 3 get it done? My heart says K&Q, and I truly believe they could win this game, if they get by Sussex. My head says Rappahannock finds a way again. Since I'm being unbiased, Rappahannock 67 King and Queen 61.
#3 Franklin vs #6 Lancaster
Franklin has quietly been under the radar this year. They've played a very tough schedule in the Tri Rivers. In Drelyn Ford, they have one of the best players in the Region Lancaster will have to keep him under control and also be able to block out the loud Franklin crowd. This is a game where I think it could go either way.
Prediction: Will Ford prove to be too much for the Devils? Are the defending champs ready to give up their crown? I say not just yet. Lancaster 64 Franklin 62.
Regional Semifinals:
#1 Surry vs #4 Colonial Beach
I've said in other posts how I hate how the Region does the seeding, and this is the reason why. These have been the two best teams in the Region this year and have proved it on the floor. Now one of them won't even go to the state tournament. I think if there was one team in the Region who could matchup with the Cougars, then the Drifters were that team. They are fundamentally sound, have multiple weapons on offense and play great defense. Things that are needed against a team like Surry.
Prediction: Is Colonial Beach the kryptonite to the Surry powerhouse? Will Surry prove why they've been #1 in the state all year? It really is a shame that one of these teams has to go home. This is the real regional championship in my opinion. Surry 69 Colonial Beach 61
#2 Rappahannock vs #6 Lancaster
This is the 4th meeting of the year between these two. The Raiders have won the previous three, but all have been down to the wire. Lancaster blew a ten point 4th quarter lead, just last week. You have to wonder if a game like that gets into the players heads.
Prediction: Does Rappahannock continue their streak against the Devils? Is the 4th time the charm for Coach Rice and Lancaster? I say it indeed is. Lancaster 56 Rappahannock 53
Regional Finals:
#1 Surry vs #6 Lancaster
A championship game between two regional powers. The defending state champions vs the favorites for this years title. It definitely will be a ton of athleticism on display in this one and you can expect a packed house wherever the game is played. Prediction: At this point both are already in the state tournament, but this game is still huge for obvious reasons. Can Surry turn it on again after a physical game against Colonial Beach? Can Lancaster get up themselves after their own tough game against Rappahannock? Both teams will leave it all on the court. Surry 79 Lancaster 64
Region 1A Champion - Surry
Region 1A Runner-Up- Lancaster
