This should be quite the Thursday with numerous games on the schedule. Here’s a quick look at some of the key regional playoff contests involving area public school teams.
Group AAA Northwest Region quarterfinals
Albemarle takes on Patrick Henry (7 p.m.): The Patriots’ reward for an impressive run into the Northwest Region playoffs? The top-ranked team in the Roanoke area according to the Roanoke Times. The scrappy, versatile Patriots squad will tackle a team that recently showcased an incredible long range assault against George Washington in the Western Valley District title game, burying 12 3-pointers in the victory. Cam Jones in particular lit it up for Patrick Henry with four 3-pointers en route to 18 points. For more on the Patriots, click here to listen to a podcast from last night’s team appreciation night at Chick-fil-a.
Division 3, Region II semifinals
Fluvanna’s girls take on Western Albemarle (7 p.m.): With a trip to the state quarterfinals on the line, it’s two Jefferson District rivals in a head-to-head battle at Fluvanna. Expect, as usual, a defensive battle. Fluvanna managed a run in the second quarter of the last meeting, the JD championship game last week, that allowed the Flucos to hold off the Warriors. Western, on the other hand, gets one more shot against Fluvanna after picking up the school’s first Region playoff victory since 2002.
Charlottesville’s boys host Kettle Run (7 p.m.): The Cougars sit at 11-6 and will come to Charlottesville after eliminating Warren County 56-47 earlier this week. But CHS should be more than ready to get back on court. Odds are good that the Black Knights’ JD final loss to Western Albemarle — a team they’d beaten twice during the year — left a sour taste in their mouth. Kettle Run boasts athletic Jimmy Hargo, an all-region tight end in football.
Western Albemarle’s boys take on Handley at home (7 p.m.): Western has its Jefferson District tournament title, but the Warriors are looking for more. For one, they want to avenge last year’s loss in the Region II, Division 3 playoffs quarterfinals. They’ll have to fight past Handley, who crushed Skyline 70-41 in the quarters, making it clear that the Judges’ 9-9 record isn’t exactly indicative of their abilities. Keep an eye out for Jeremiah Wilson, a Maryland football signee as a running back who had 14 points and dished out six assists against Skyline.
William Monroe girls at Millbrook (7 p.m.): The Dragons pulled off a strong win over Handley Tuesday night on the strength of Alex Cave’s 24 points. William Monroe will have to find another trick or two in its bag in order to unseat the Pioneers, who currently sit at an unbeaten mark of 17-0 and rolled past Handley by 20 in the Northwestern District tournament title game.
Group A
Luray boys vs. Madison County at Orange County High: Luray crushed Cumberland 85-40 in the regional quarters, but two early season wins give Madison the edge. And don’t doubt for a second that Orange County, won’t, for a night, feel like Mountaineer country.
Clarke County boys vs. Buckingham County at Cumberland High: Clarke beat Central Woodstock 66-60 in the quarterfinals while Buckingham rolled over Strasburg. Can Taylor Boyers and the gang punch the Knights’ ticket for the state tournament?
