The Bishop O'Connell Knights, coached by Joe Wootten (fourth season), currently have a 4-0 overall record after defeating McNamara Monday night. The Knights are not only ranked first by the Northern Virginia Journal, but they are also ranked first by the Washington Post (after finishing last season as the third-ranked team in the area).

Some of the key players for the Knights this season include: senior Robert Wills, juniors Erik Smith, Brian Johnson, Freddie Stanback, Ernie Lomax, Jeremy Trimble and sophomores Dave Neal and Marcus Ginyard.

Thus far, O'Connell has soundly defeated St. Mary's Rykken, Eleanor Roosevelt and Bishop Ireton.

The Knights are averaging 83 points per game, while only allowing 43 points per game.

Against St. Mary's Rykken, Stanback (27 points), Neal (26), Lomax (17) and Johnson (15) paced the Knights. Against Ireton, Smith (20), Neal (18) and Johnson (14) led the way.

The Knights toughest competition will take place in January and February when they tangle with the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) opponents.

Currently, conference foes DeMatha and Gonzaga are ranked fourth and fifth respectively by the Washington Post. O'Connell lost to DeMatha in last season's championship game.

The Paul VI Panthers, coached by Levi Franklin (second season), currently weigh-in with a 3-3 overall record. The Panthers started the season ranked second by the Northern Virginia Journal, but have dropped in recent days due to playing the toughest December schedule in Northern Virginia.

The Panthers have dropped games to Gonzaga (overtime), Christ the King and Georgetown Prep (overtime).

Christ the King is among the top-ranked teams in the New York area. Gonzaga and Georgetown Prep are ranked high by the Washington Post.

Some of the key players for the Panthers this season include seniors Steve Proctor, Joe Cascio, Nick Grant, Sam Ellis-Johnson, Terron Diggs and juniors Darryl Proctor and Ryan Williams.

Both Sam Ellis-Johnson and Darryl Proctor played football this fall for coach Mark Collier, and both received post-season honors. PVI lost to DeMatha in last season's post-season tournament semi-finals.

The Bishop Ireton Cardinals, coached by Pete Hamer (seventh season), currently weigh-in with a 2-3 overall record. The Cardinals have defeated Flint Hill 69-61 and Saint Stephen’s/St. Agnes 62-60.

Ireton dropped narrow games to Episcopal and St. Alban’s and lost to O'Connell 83-55.

"We played pretty well against O'Connell all things considered," said Hamer. "It was only a four point game after the first quarter. They basically hurt us from the perimeter with seven three point baskets during the game. O'Connell is definitely a very good team."

Ireton returns one of its deepest teams in recent years led by senior captains: Trey Blincoe, Ben Sprague and Dan Blaine. Blincoe needs around 370 points this season to reach 1,000 for his career.

Other key players include seniors Matt Coleman, Peter delaCruz, David Lynch and sophomores: Daeshawn Branch and Sean Sutherland.