It’s arguably the best set of home-and-aways in all of Central Virginia. When Blue Ridge and Miller meet up, it’s a showdown of private school basketball royalty that never disappoints. The nature of this rivalry brings out the best in both teams, but it also helps that these two programs never have down years when they rebuild. When either group reloads, it brings in talent. And if you break down these two teams between this year and last you can see why this game, slated for Tuesday at 6 p.m. out at Blue Ridge, is always as good as advertised.
By all accounts, Miller should not have been able to do what they did last year. Graduation completely purged the Mavericks roster of collegiate talents Mychal Parker (Maryland), Hyppolite Tsafack (Memphis) and Brice Kofane (Providence). Andrew White, Chase Cannon and Janiel Jenkins were thrown into the fire last year, but by season’s end they were on to something as they made it the VIC championship to square off against Blue Ridge, and then saw the Barons one last time, this final meeting coming in the VISAA Division 1 quarterfinals. With White, Cannon and Jenkins all back and the emergence of Devon Anderson and Travis Hester as reliable scorers, the Mavericks are one of the most respected teams in the state, and White’s verbal commitment to Kansas shows that Miller has what it takes in terms of star power.
White is more than living up to the hype around his college decisions as he’s pouring in 21.1 points per game and hauling in 5.4 rebounds, a team best in both categories despite being the primary focus of the opposition, each and every game. Cannon is the big x-factor for Miller, hitting an average of 3.1 shots beyond the arc and scoring 13.1 points per game, giving this team a major scorer to step up if White is having a quiet night. With Anderson, Hester and Jenkins all scoring at least six a game, this is as balanced and deep a squad as third year coach Scott Willard has had to the opportunity to lead.
What Miller went through last year, Blue Ridge is going through this year, and by their performance so far, you’d have no idea. The Barons have made it to the state championship game three straight times, and if they get there again this year, it’ll be the third vastly-different group of players to do so. Blue Ridge thrived the last two seasons behind Malick Kone (now at Rutgers), Chad Holley (Mt. St. Mary’s), Isaiah Battle (Clemson, for football) and Cameron Anderson. That core is gone — guard Darryl Smith was the lone returning starter for the Barons when the season began.
The top three scorers for Blue Ridge are all new with junior Ahmad Fields stepping into a role vastly similar to Kone’s old job as he’s averaging 16.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, a team best in both categories. Nipping at Field’s heels is guard Jarod Williams who’s good for 14.2 points per contest, and then Paris Maragkos who averages 11.6. Those three are shooting at least 48 percent from the field or better with Williams leading that stat at 53%. As the lone returning starter from last year, Smith’s only further developed into that offensive and defensive threat as a point guard. He averages 5.2 assists ad 4.1 rebounds to go with his 6.7 points per game.
The bottom line is that the numbers for both these teams are there. Blue Ridge comes into the first meeting with an 8-3 record and is coming off of a huge home victory over Middleburg Academy on Saturday. Miller comes to St. George for this first of potentially four meetings sporting a 10-4 record and deadest on ending a 5-game skid against their rival with the last victory coming on Blue Ridge’s court in February of 2010.
With this being a light week of games because of exam schedules, anyone looking for solid Tuesday entertainment, this is it. When it comes to basketball rivalries in Central Virginia, Blue Ridge/Miller is as good as it gets.
Boys Top 5
1. Blue Ridge (8-4)
The Barons move up into the top spot with a win over Middleburg and Miller’s loss to the same squad. But these two squads get to settle it on the court Tuesday night, at least for right now.
2. Miller (10-4)
Mavericks shift down a spot simply based on the Barons’ victory over Middleburg, a team that the Mavericks couldn’t put away at the Chance Harmon Classic. Now they face the Barons head-to-head in a battle of the area’s two elite private school squads.
3. Fluvanna County (13-1)
It’s hard not to like how the Flucos are playing right now, with the squad’s defense led by Vinny Agee’s efforts. With YaYa Anderson leading the way, Fluvanna may be on the march to another Jefferson District title.
4. Charlottesville (8-4)
The Black Knights seem to have finally found an identity on the defensive end and with Dashaun Blakey coming out of his shell offensively (14 points against Albemarle) CHS might be coming around.
5. Western Albemarle (9-5)
The Warriors are playing rock solid on defense and have a solid one-two offensive punch from Parker Morris and Ben Turner while Chase Stokes can also get in on the mix. They’ve clearly made the Jefferson District a three-horse race.
On the cusp: William Monroe, Buckingham County, Madison County
Girls Top 5
1. Miller (13-3)
The Mavericks started the week with a tough 38-32 to Thomasville Prep out of North Carolina, but followed up by beating the VISAA Division 1 defending champs Norfolk Collegiate, and then taking down the team they beat last season for the Division 3 title, Williamsburg Christian.
2. Charlottesville (8-4)
The Black Knights are rolling right now. They picked up two Jefferson District wins over Fluvanna County and Louisa County before taking down Group AAA opponent and cross-town rival Albemarle on Saturday. A big test awaits them to start this week with Powhatan paying a visit. Winner there takes sole possession of first place in the JD.
3. William Monroe (8-6)
George Mason is still the team to beat in the Bull Run after taking down the Dragons 55-22, but a rebound win over Rappahannock helps to right the ship. Meetings with Strasburg and Manassas Park should help Monroe find another groove.
4. Monticello (6-6)
A tough 4-point loss to Powhatan drops the Mustangs out of what was a 3-way tie a top the JD standings, but they keep themselves just one behind of the Indians and CHS by taking down Western for the first time in five years. A Friday showdown with CHS looms large.
5. St. Anne’s-Belfield (7-9)
The Saints started out strong last week against Trinity Episcopal and Covenant, picking up a pair of wins there, but struggled offensively against LCA. That’s a bit of surprise when Sarah Tolliver, Nkechi Ilani and Haley Kent all average at least 10 points a game for STAB.
On the cusp: Western Albemarle, Covenant
