Impressive VA Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code Proia30 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we gear back up for holiday tournaments this weekend, I'd like to take a look back at a few teams that have impressed so far this season without receiving the fanfare that they might deserve. Let's dive in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairfax Christian 11-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Balanced group under HC James Parker that has really been dominating the game at both ends of the floor thanks to a veteran group that returned all of their starters. The Cardinals have wins over Springdale Prep (70-62), defending SMAC champions Lackey (73-61), Prince George's Christian (55-52), DCIAA's Theodoore Roosevelt (75-56), The St James' EYBL Scholastic group (84-71) and a good young Landon team (84-51) in last weekend's MABC tournament. Fordham commit Frank Siaca Bey is averaging 21p 7r per game while buoying their team at both ends of the floor in the low post. '26 floor general [player_tooltip player_id='2605296' first='Messiah' last='Dixon'] has been very impressive as a ball-hawking guard that sets the table well at the other end without needing ball screens, putting up 12p 3a 4s per game. SSFS-transfer PG [player_tooltip player_id='1548389' first='Shane' last='Wellman'] has played great in a new role with the Cardinals, averaging 9p 3a 2s per game to give his team an efficient scorer and floor-spacer that can turn in some explosive scoring performances like his 14p 2r 2a 2s stat line in limited minutes in a blowout win over Spalding on their home floor in the MABC event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westfield (8-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Coach Harris has a balanced group this season that is off to a blistering hot start to the season. The senior backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1963548' first='Colin' last='Stemberger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2252294' first='Jemon' last='Price'] give their team a nice blend of playmaking and scoring in the halfcourt. The Lee brothers have also been a big part of their team's success with '26 Mathias flashing his athletic tools as a versatile W/F tweener in the games that he's played, while '28 [player_tooltip player_id='2918960' first='Malachi' last='Lee'] served as a dynamic slasher and 2-way guard before a wrist injury sidelined him last week. With wins over Robinson (86-57), PGCA (68-65), Hayfield (63-47), St. Andrew's (55-48)-- Westfield should be well-prepared to make a run in VHSL Class 6. The group's only loss was to Paul VI in their second game of the season and will take a 6-game winning streak into a matchup with a neutral site matchup with Prosser HS the 29th at 11:30 AM.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highland&nbsp;(8-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Coach Miller and co answered the bell immediately this season as they prove that they can win with a reloaded roster loaded with burgeoning young talent. The Hawks opened up with big wins over the Miller School (80-50) and Broughton (75-59), they haven't lost to a HS team this season and currently sit at 7-0. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2440984' first='Brayden' last='Ragland'] has been a consistent double-double force as a dynamic wing prospect that can bang in the paint or handle the rock/ shoot from the perimeter. The junior guard trio of [player_tooltip player_id='2470569' first='Jemal' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2353606' first='Amani' last='Asare'] take turns serving as scorers and distributors in the halfcourt for the Hawks. [player_tooltip player_id='2459367' first='Shivas' last='Taylor'] spaces the floor while the standout sophomore duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2548181' first='Isaiah' last='Carter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2847084' first='Blake' last='Fitzgerald'] have been productive. I expect [player_tooltip player_id='1782692' first='Ripp' last='Kodi'] to see a jump in his recruitment as college coaches take note of his shot-making ability from the perimeter. With nice wins over Riverdale Baptist, Evergreen Christian, and Virginia Academy in addition to a strong start in EPL play-- this young Highland group heads into the second round of the John Wall Invitational vs a really good Greenfield Central group today at 5 PM. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->