Keeping up with the 14 conferences that the various girls and boys public school basketball teams play in is flat out maddening. It’s hard to get accurate results or information. But after some research and help from local coaches, we’ve got some educated guesses as to how the conference tournaments, now less than two weeks away, are going to shake out.
In the new Power Rating system, teams get seven points for a win and anywhere from 1-5 points for a loss if the team they lose to is in a higher classification. You add those points up and divide by the number of contests.
If you see anything that doesn’t look correct or needs to be adjusted let us know. These are truly just educated guesses and a lot can change this week with as many games as teams are playing after postponements.
BOYS
Conference 16
There is a narrow split between Albemarle and Halifax right now, but Halifax’s loss to G.W. Danville certainly helped Albemarle’s effort. Wins against Orange and Western this week could lock up the No. 1 spot for the Patriots.
1. Albemarle
2. Halifax
3. Orange County
4. Patrick Henry-Ashland
Conference 23
Charlottesville (14-2) and John Handley are still battling it out for first place in Conference 23 while Fluvanna appears to be solidly in third. That potentially could seed the Flucos against Louisa in the opening round of the conference tournament.
1. Charlottesville
2. John Handley
3. Fluvanna County
4. Harrisonburg
5. Amherst County
6. Louisa County
Conference 28
It appears that William Monroe (14-5), now in first place in the Bull Run, will be one of the top two seeds in Conference 28, with Loudoun Valley also in position to win a district title.
1. Loudoun Valley
2. William Monroe
3. Central-Woodstock
4. Warren County
5. John Champe
6. Skyline
Conference 29
This is a very challenging bracket with five teams that could contend deep into the region playoffs and a Draft team that plays an unorthodox up-tempo style that forces opponents to adjust. Western can avoid Spotswood by hanging on to the third spot, making this week’s games with Powhatan and Albemarle important.
1. Spotswood
2. Fort Defiance
3. Western Albemarle
4. Turner Ashby
5. Waynesboro
6. Stuarts Draft
7. Broadway
8. Monticello
Conference 34
Goochland is sitting around fifth at best, and maybe in last, which would pit them against James River District foe Bluestone in the first round. This is another extremely tough bracket with Brunswick, the perennial state champions from Division 3 now down in Division 2.
1. Brunswick
2. Bluestone
3. Prince Edward
4. Amelia County
5. Greensville
6. Nottoway
7. Goochland
Conference 35
Madison County could finish as high as third with a strong run, sitting at five right now. The Mountaineers have suffered at least one critical injury with Bobby Ford out. Luckily they have a lot of familiarity with these teams as it’s mostly Bull Run district foes.
1. George Mason
2. Strasburg
3. Luray
4. Clarke
5. Madison
6. Page
7. Stonewall
Conference 37
Buckingham is now comfortably in first or second along with Dan River. Those two appear to clearly the top squads in Conference 37.
1. Dan River
2. Buckingham
3. Appomattox County
4. Chatham
5. Gretna
6. Randolph-Henry
GIRLS
Conference 16
Albemarle appears to be comfortably in second place in the conference. Patrick Henry is dealing with a lot of postponed games and it’s hard to get a read but they’ll likely end up in first.
1. Patrick Henry-Ashland
2. Albemarle
3. Orange County
4. Halifax
Conference 23
With 12 wins, CHS appears to be way out front of Amherst at 8-5. Fluvanna is 8-11 but could potentially leapfrog Amherst into second place.
1. Charlottesville
2. Amherst
3. Fluvanna County
4. Louisa County
5. John Handley
6. Harrisonburg
Conference 28
At 12-5, Loudoun Valley appears to be in control of the Conference 28 standings, but we’ve got the least information here. William Monroe appears to be somewhere in the middle of the pack.
Loudoun Valley 12-5
Central-Woodstock
John Champe
Warren County
William Monroe
Skyline
Conference 29
In the World Cup, there’s always a group of death. Well, Conference 29 is it in 3A girls basketball. Spotswood’s squad is the defending state champion and Monticello was a final four team last year. The Mustangs’ win over Fort Defiance probably locked up the No. 3 seed, which means they’ll avoid Spotswood in the semifinals. The Warriors’ youth makes competing in this conference particularly tough.
1. Spotswood
2. Broadway
3. Monticello
4. Fort Defiance
5. Waynesboro
6. Turner Ashby
7. Stuarts Draft
8. Western Albemarle
Conference 34
Goochland is sitting in the middle of the pack at 5-7 overall with a talented Brunswick team down in 2A. This is a tough bracket too, with Amelia and Bluestone, who are currently second and third in the James River, also in the group.
1. Brunswick
2. Bluestone
3. Amelia County
4. Greensville
5. Goochland
6. Nottoway
7. Prince Edward
Conference 35
Madison is sitting near the middle of the pack at 8-10 overall, 6-7 in the Bull Run. Challenging conference slate with Mason, Clarke and Luray in the mix. Each has at least 14 wins.
1. Mason
2. Clarke
3. Luray
4. Strasburg
5. Madison
6. Page
7. Stonewall
Conference 37
Buckingham’s girls squad with 14 wins are well out of ahead of everyone in Conference 37. The Knights are 15-2 on the year.
1. Buckingham
2. Dan River
3. Gretna
4. Appomattox County
5. Chatham
6. Randolph-Henry
