The Bishop O'Connell Knights, coached by Joe Wootten, were the only diocesan team to advance beyond the quarterfinal round in the 2005 WCAC basketball playoffs.

In earlier tournament action, the Knights defeated Gonzaga 71-60 in the quarterfinal round on Feb. 26. The Knights led the Eagles 35-27 at intermission, and then outscored their rivals 36-33 in the second half to claim victory. Pacing O'Connell offensively: Neal (23 points), Ginyard (20), Jason Clark (11), Rockwell Moody (six).

On Feb. 27, the Knights soundly defeated Archbishop Carroll 52-36 in the semi-final round. DeMatha needed overtime to dispatch St. John’s 48-47 in the other semi-final. O’Connell led Carroll 28-12 at intermission. Both the Knights and the Lions scored 24 second half points each to account for the final margin.

Ginyard led O'Connell with 31 points, many of them the result of spectacular dunks. Neal had eight and Clark finished with six.

As of March 3, O'Connell weighs in with an overall record of 26-3 and is ranked fifth by the Washington Post. In WCAC regular season play, the Knights' lone setback was to DeMatha.

Paul VI Catholic High School, coached by Levi Franklin, dropped its quarterfinal game to St. John’s 60-55. The game was tied 22-22 at intermission. St. John’s outscored PVI 38-33 in the second half to prevail.

Pacing the Panthers offensively was Danny Sumner (12), Jean Cajou (11), Artie Dabney (nine), Anthony Brown (eight), Donald Johnson (eight).

At this juncture, PVI weighs in with an overall record of 16-8. The Panthers were ranked 13th by the Washington Post prior to their loss to St. John’s.

Bishop Ireton, coached by Chuck Driesell (first season), did not advance to the quarterfinal round. The Cardinals (fourth-seeded in the WCAC "South") absorbed a seven point defeat at home in the "preliminary round" on Feb. 23 at the hands of the Good Counsel Falcons (fifth-seeded in the WCAC "North"). The loss denied Ireton the opportunity to advance to the quarterfinal round at Gallaudet.

All three diocesan teams are scheduled to participate in the Virginia Independent State Tournament this week. Top-seeded O'Connell defeated eighth-seeded St. Anne's from Belfield on March 2 in overtime 76-71. The game was played at Ireton. Neal had 29 points and Ginyard had 20. The Knights will play Flint Hill in the semifinals March 4 in Petersburg.

Third-seeded PVI defeated sixth-seeded Benedictine from Richmond March 1 at Episcopal High School in Alexandria. Seventh-seeded Ireton was scheduled to play second-seeded Blue Ridge School, Shenandoah March 1 on the road at Steward School in Richmond. The V.I.S. arranged the tournament in such a manner that each of the boys opening round games (quarterfinal games) were played at neutral sites.

All three of the girls teams advanced to the WCAC quarterfinal round, and all three girls teams came up short in their efforts to advance to the semi-final round. (All of the games were played at Gonzaga).

Paul VI, coached by Scott Allen (third season), dropped their quarterfinal game to Holy Cross 47-37 (Feb. 26). The Lady Panthers (second-seeded in the WCAC "South") were tied with the Lady Tartans (third-seeded in the WCAC "North") 20-20 at intermission.

Holy Cross, Kensington, Md. outscored the "Black and Gold" 27-17 over the games final 16 minutes to prevail.

Pacing the Lady Panthers offensively: Kendra King (11), Scarlett Williams (10), Sara Vargas (nine), Rebecca Grimes (four). PVI currently weighs in with an overall record of 16-9 following the loss.

O'Connell, coached by Jimmy Brown (first season), dropped their quarterfinal game to eventual WCAC champion Good Counsel 62-36 (Feb. 26), which defeated top-ranked St. John's in the title game on March 1.

The Lady Knights (third-seeded in the WCAC "South") trailed the Lady Falcons (second-seeded in the WCAC "North") 33-15 at intermission. Good Counsel, Wheaton, Md. outscored the "Royal Blue and Silver" 29-21 over the games final 16 minutes to prevail.

Pacing the Lady Knights offensively was Shannon Ambrose (eight), Cara O'Brien (seven), Kelly Hogan (six), Mary Jo Bean (four) and Cassidy Burton (four).

O'Connell currently weighs in with an overall record of 14-13 following the loss.

Ireton, coached by Mike Hutton (first season), dropped their quarterfinal game to St. John’s 72-51 (Feb. 26).

The Lady Cardinals (fourth-seeded in the WCAC "South") trailed the Lady Cadets (top-seeded in the WCAC "North") 32-28 at intermission. St. John’s outscored Ireton 40-23 over the game’s final 16 minutes to prevail.

Pacing the Lady Cardinals offensively was Becky Fernandes with a game-high 28 points. Rachel Martin had 11, while Courtney Cleaves had four.

"I was pleased with the way that the girls were able to compete. We took it one possession at a time. This will give us confidence going into the V.I.S. Tournament," said Hutton.

Ireton had to play an opening round game Feb. 22 in order to advance to the quarterfinal round. The Cardinals defeated Elizabeth Seton 68-55. Becky Fernandes poured in 17 points versus the Lady Road Runners.

Ireton currently weighs in with an overall record of 16-11 following the loss to powerhouse St. John’s. Ten of the Cardinals 11 losses this season have been to WCAC opponents.

All three girls’ teams were scheduled to host V.I.S. tournament home games this week. On March 1, second-seeded PVI defeated seventh-seeded St. Catherine’s of Richmond. Third-seeded Ireton hosted sixth-seeded Norfolk Collegiate. Fourth-seeded O'Connell, led by senior Shannon Ambrose (20 points) and freshman Chastity Clayton (10) defeated fifth-seeded Flint Hill for the third time this season.