basketball

Local Teams Limp into Post-Season Play

By David Steinbacher
Special to the HERALD
(From the Issue of 2/22/07)

With the WCAC playoffs looming, all six diocesan basketball teams are feeling the effects of a long season. It has been a somewhat perplexing season on the boys’ side. Both Bishop O'Connell and Paul VI Catholic at various times were ranked in the top 20. With some late season losses, however, neither team is ranked as of Feb. 20.
In their most recent contests, O'Connell (14-13) defeated Carroll 62-45 on Feb. 19. The Knights led the Lions 26-12 at halftime and outscored Carroll 36-33 in the second half. Junior Jason Clark led O’Connell with 23 points. Keith Mitchell had 10.
In a Feb. 17 game, O'Connell dropped a 57-50 contest to DeMatha. O'Connell Head Coach Joe Wootten is a 1992 DeMatha alumnus coincidentally. The Knights trailed the Stags 27-23 at intermission, but were outscored 30-27 over the game’s final 16 minutes. Clark led O'Connell with 25 points, while senior Zack Crimmins had 12.
Paul VI dropped a 67-65 contest to St. Mary's Ryken on Feb. 18. The Panthers trailed 42-36 at halftime. Even though the "Black, White and Gold" outscored the Knights 29-25 in the second half, it was not enough to claim the victory.
The Panthers, coached by Levi Franklin, were paced by Ron Burks (17), Luc Atangana (13), Westley Ford (11) and Calvin Mainor (11). The Panthers weigh-in at 16-10 overall (9-8 WCAC).
PVI earlier dropped a 63-58 contest to McNamara. The Panthers were paced by Burks (14), Mills (13), Kevin Ford (eight), Westley Ford (seven), Ricardo Bailey (five), Atangana (three), Johnson (three), Mainor (three) and Hill (two).
Bishop Ireton dropped a 71-49 contest to DeMatha on Feb. 19. The Cardinals trailed the powerhouse Stags (ranked #2 in the Washington Post) 31-20 at halftime. Ireton was outscored 40-29 after intermission.
Ireton was paced by Javorn Farrell (22) and Kyle Snodgrass (10).
Ireton broke into the WCAC win column for the first time this season on Feb. 18.
The Cardinals, coached by Mark Vincent (first season), defeated Carroll 70-61 at home. Ireton led from start to finish in the 32 minute contest and led the Lions 26-20 at halftime.
The Cardinals were paced by Farrell (30), Sutherland (14), Snodgrass (12) and Rodriguez (nine).
"We're probably playing in the toughest league in the country. We've had some adversity this year. Our players are starting to defend better [defensively], read things better [offensively]. The guys are starting to trust one another. It's a process here at Ireton. I wish it could go faster. Our record doesn't reflect how competitive we have pretty much been - 12 losses this season by six points or fewer" said coach Vincent.
The Cardinals travel to O'Connell on Feb. 22 for one of two WCAC "play-in" games. It will be the third time that the two teams have met this season.
The winner of that game will advance to the WCAC quarterfinal round on Feb. 24 at Galludet University in Washington..
The WCAC championship game is scheduled for Feb. 26 at American University.
In recent girls’ action, Paul VI, coached by Scott Allen, dropped a 48-39 contest to McNamara on Feb. 19. The Lady Panthers have a 15-10 overall record. O'Connell, coached by Jimmy Brown, dropped a 65-50 contest to Carroll on Feb. 19. The Lady Knights are 5-17 on the season.
Ireton, coached by Mike Hutton, most recently defeated Elizabeth Seton
59-45 (Feb. 19). The Lady Cardinals weigh-in at 11-16 overall (5-13 WCAC).
The girls WCAC playoffs also take place this weekend.