The Bishop O'Connell Knights, coached by Joe Wootten (fifth season), have an overall record of 8-2 and are ranked fourth in the entire metropolitan area by the Washington Post.

The Knights, lead by junior forward Dave Neal's 22 points, defeated previously unbeaten McNamara Jan. 6 in Arlington. Senior Freddie Stanback had 15 points.

O'Connell finished last season with a record of 25-5. The Knights were surprisingly bounced from the WCAC post-season tournament in the quarter-final round by DeMatha.

This season, the Knights have defeated St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes (88-49), Friendly, Md. (66-56), Ballou, D.C. (96-69), Cleveland (Ohio) Rhodes (69-49), Stonewall Jackson (81-42) and Parkdale, Md. (111-48) to begin the current campaign 6-0.

"We played real good offense and real good defense [during the early season win streak]," said senior center Ernie Lomax.

The Knights traveled to Myrtle Beach during the Christmas Holidays to participate in the prestigious "Beach Ball Tournament." The "Royal Blue and Silver" defeated Warren Central (Ky.) in game one (78-63). Warren Central had been ranked as the number one team in Kentucky prior to the loss to the Knights.

Following a 77-65 loss to Rufus King (Wisc.) and a 61-58 loss to St. Raymond’s (N.Y.), the Knights returned to Virginia with a 7-2 record. Rufus King and St. Raymond’s were ranked fourth and seventh in the entire nation at the time they played O'Connell.

"It was a good experience in South Carolina, but unfortunately we didn't come away with the championship," said senior point guard Erik Smith.

"After playing such a competitive early season schedule we are quite battle tested," said Wootten

The Knights feature a near-perfect combination of older and younger players. Five seniors, four juniors and three sophomores comprise the 2004 varsity roster. The starting lineup usually includes senior guards Smith and Jeremy Trimble, senior small forward Freddie Stanback, junior power forward Dave Neal and Lomax.

In addition to Lomax, Trimble was also a football standout who played for his father Steve.

If not included in the starting lineup, then junior forward Marcus Ginyard is usually the first player off the bench. Ginyard and Neal have missed one or more games thus far due to injury.

Other key reserves include senior Noah Rogers, juniors Bryant Majors and Andy Stockel, and sophomores Rockwell Moody, Jason Colenda and Wil Johnson. Rogers and Stockel also competed in football for head coach Steve Trimble).

Thus far, Stanback (17.3 points per game), Smith (16.1), Ginyard (14.0), Neal (11.5) and Trimble (7.1) lead the Knights’ scoring parade.

Some individual highs have been: Stanback - 24 vs. Parkdale, 22 vs. Warren Central and 19 vs. St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes; Ginyard - 24 vs. Ballou and 18 vs. St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes; Smith - 22 vs. Friendly, 19 vs. Warren Central and 17 vs. Stonewall Jackson; Colenda - 16 vs. Stonewall Jackson and Trimble - 14 vs. Parkdale.

In terms of rebounding, Neal (7.7 boards per game), Lomax (6.2), Stanback (6.2) and Ginyard (5.8) have proven to be the Knights’ "Chairmen of the Board" thus far.

Smith (3.9 assists per game), Ginyard (2.4) and Trimble (2.2) have combined for nearly nine assists per game. Ginyard (3.1 steals per game), Neal (2.0), Smith (2.0) and Trimble (2.0) have combined for over nine steals per game.

"We've got a very deep team. We're going to have to go out there this season and play hard on each and every play," said Stanback.

"In January and February we're going to have to play real tough defense to be successful, and we're going to have to play team ball," said Smith.

"The WCAC is a very tough league. We're going to have to be ready to play every night out, and we're going to have to improve with each and every game we play," said Wootten, who is assisted by Jason Donnelly, Seth Goldberg and Ron Ginyard, Marcus's brother.

The Knights host Ireton Jan. 11 and visit St. Mary's Ryken and Good Counsel Jan. 8 and 16 respectively. The WCAC Tournament will take place Feb. 27-29.