Story: Four questions on PD hoops

[R.L. Bynum]

Four questions on PD boys hoops

By JASON JORDAN
jjordan@dailypress.com | 247-4648


1. What are the must-see games?

It will be interesting to see how host Kecoughtan handles Denbigh at 7 tonight. The Warriors escaped with a 55-53 road victory Dec. 14. Looking further out, Hampton hosts Bethel on Feb. 12. The Crabbers took the No. 1 Bruins to three overtimes before falling 78-71 on Jan. 8.

2. Who are the bubble teams?

Eight teams make the district tournament and Phoebus has a one-game lead on Menchville for the final spot. But with six games left in the regular season, anything is possible.

3. How does the individual scoring race shape up?

It looks to be another landslide victory for Kecoughtan’s Ricardo Ratliffe. The reigning PD Player of the Year won the scoring title last season and has a sizable lead this year, averaging 25.6 points. Gloucester’s Drew Bush is second at 20.6.

4. Who is the best bet to win the regular season?

Hard to argue with Bethel’s chances of claiming its second regular-season title in three years, even with potentially difficult games against Denbigh, Heritage, Hampton and Kecoughtan. The Bruins’ defensive toughness and depth should earn them an automatic berth in the Eastern Region tournament.

District tournament
The Peninsula District tournament will be held Feb. 18-21 at Heritage. Girls quarterfinals are Monday, boys Quarterfinals are Tuesday, semifinals Thursday and the championship is Friday. Four boys and four girls teams advance to the Eastern Region tournament.

[twiceasnice757]

I'm getting excited. Can't wait for tourney time. Just be on the watch for those Wolverines, boys and girls. Everyone is sleeping on the boys squad, and the girls upset someone year in and year out.(Remember, the girls lost to Heritage twice last year as well, and they knocked them off in the district semifinals)

[VA High Sports]

Im hyped about districts also but unfortunately I wont be able to see them because im away at school. Anyway, its going to be interesting to see Warwick and how they handle the position the hold at this current point (Second). Thats a huge leap from their position last year. Besides Bethel, I can see some of this districts top seeds being uprooted from their soil of glory, especially Warwick. They started off the year on a basketball high and lately they've slumped as far as im concerned. BUT I heard that they are retuning Micheal Davis and if this is true they just may be that unstopable team that most thought they were. Davis is so exciting...I think i'll fly back home for districts.:)

[2ndbaseall-star]

it will be very interesting to see what four teams go to regionals
my four are:
Bethel
Warwick
Hampton
Denbigh

[VA High Sports]

I think that denbigh spot is interchangeable. I think K-tan showed everyone that they could compete on a high level by beating Warwick but it all comes down to their next game against each other. When is that game?

[cruz21]

it will be very interesting to see what four teams go to regionals
my four are:
Bethel
Warwick
Hampton
Denbigh


I can c y u picked these 4 but I feel differently, I know Heritage has been in a slump but I think with the group of guys(Lawrence Turner, Tri Batten, Shymeek Stanfield, Jamar Harris and co.) they have now playing like they should then they will be in the regionals and on that note.... it will be...depending on brackets

Bethel
Warwick
Heritage
Kecoughtan

K-tan's Ricardo Ratliffe has a chip on his shoulder and has the leadership and skill to take his team to regionals

[RSpen]

I can c y u picked these 4 but I feel differently, I know Heritage has been in a slump but I think with the group of guys(Lawrence Turner, Tri Batten, Shymeek Stanfield, Jamar Harris and co.) they have now playing like they should then they will be in the regionals and on that note.... it will be...depending on brackets

Bethel
Warwick
Heritage
Kecoughtan

K-tan's Ricardo Ratliffe has a chip on his shoulder and has the leadership and skill to take his team to regionals

ONLY if somene else steps up, he can't and won't do it by himself, no team on the PD has a player that good to carry his team.

[Dave Robicheaux]

A fifth question to ponder is which school has the best young talent in the Peninsula District. There are several freshmen and many sophmores starting or contributing for many teams. The freshman tandem of Bryan Darden and Daquan Romero at Phoebus is just one example.

[2ndbaseall-star]

i agree
yes ratliffe is a beast
we all know that
but kecoughtan has poor guard play and he cant do it all himself
tonights game @Denbigh will sort some things out

[cruz21]

I know Ratliffe's suppport hasn't been strong all year but they came up big against Warwick.That was a sign to me to answer their critics about not showing up and I feel they'll come through the rest of the season too.

[2ndbaseall-star]

A fifth question to ponder is which school has the best young talent in the Peninsula District. There are several freshmen and many sophmores starting or contributing for many teams. The freshman tandem of Bryan Darden and Daquan Romero at Phoebus is just one example.

woodside has two good sophmores that start
Chris Burton and Kevin Wiggins
watch out for them next year

[Inthemist 2]

Menchville has a talented sophomore (starting/6th man) named Andre Simon. Although collectively they have not had a good season so far. He has had flashing of very good play and should a very good player in the near future.

[VA High Sports]

If I remeber correctly K-tan lost to Denbigh, so do you all think that that puts them out of position to be one to advance to the eastern region?

[MYVOICE1]

I can't wait too see the tournament, there should be some big upsets. Give the sports writers' something to really write about. I always root for the underdog, it always makes a compelling story line. I've seen very solid play in the PD this year, some very talented players have emerged. I wonder what the district will look like next year, I've heard some transfer rumors though, that could hurt the district. We'll just have to wait and see.

[cruz21]

If I remeber correctly K-tan lost to Denbigh, so do you all think that that puts them out of position to be one to advance to the eastern region?

I wouldn't say it puts them out of position because come District time every team is gonna cometo PLAY and anything is possible!!!

[pendistrictfan]

Big question: What teams will lose players due to grades? Two years ago PHS was down to 6 players after report cards. What team gets the shaft this year??

[VA High Sports]

Only time will tell the teams who sometimes get laxy dazzy with their students education. Just pay attention next year to who is not playing. Sounds crazy but it happens every year. I am intrigued by the possibility of a rematch between BETHEL and WARWICK. They split the series 1-1 but just as Bethel regrouped over the period of their loss (team chemistry) Warwick has done the same. The emergance of their best guard yet, Micheal Davis, is going to make them a force to be reckoned with. It's also clear that Bethel has stepped their game up as well. They have not loss since that game against Warwick and have been playing well but I just think it will be a match that will ignite the flame of a great game. What do you all think?

[tidewaterbaseballfan]

To answer the question of which teams has the most potential for the up and coming years, my vote goes to Woodside. They are one of the youngest varsity teams in the district this year with Wiggins, Burton, and Jones (all sophomores) starting. they also have a rookie coach this year. Not to mention, they're JV squad is in the top 4 with a lot of size and good coaching by Coach Jackson. good call 2nd base.

[twiceasnice757]

I know the Woodside Coaching staff is focused on this year. But man oh man, they have to be the favorites going into next year. 6 of their top 8 players are underclassmen (Wiggins, Scott, Ortega, Burton, Jones), and let's not forget Dadrian Collins, one of the best players in the district. Now before I get ahead of myself, that's if they all return of course. Woodside was predicted to be one of the top 4 teams in the league this summer. AND THEN, two of their best players go to prep school. But i'm excited about tourney time, can't wait for the week of February 18th.

[MYVOICE1]

Woodside will be a very deep team next year. Woodside has to develop a point guard, that's the only thing holding them back. This year me & my associates, at the Peninsula Boys & Girls Club, plan on running a 32 game season. For Menchville, Denbigh, & Woodside JV & Varsity mixed inter squads. Give some of the JV players a feel of Varsity basketball. Collins is going to get much better next year. I think him not starting last year, kinda slowed his production this year. Chris Burton though is another story, his learning curve from JV to Varsity was amazing to say the least. He's continued to shut down the opposite sides shooting guard, proving he's Woodsides' top defender. Last game he had 12pts. 6rebs. 3blks. 3asst. (& 8stls. a Woodside record). Even though with all those steals, his point total should of reflected his total game that night. He still has much to learn, but still he's played solid all year! Next year will really be different for him. Jones is moving to Turkey, after the season. The tourney should be great for the underclassmen.

[MYVOICE1]

To answer the question of which teams has the most potential for the up and coming years, my vote goes to Woodside. They are one of the youngest varsity teams in the district this year with Wiggins, Burton, and Jones (all sophomores) starting. they also have a rookie coach this year. Not to mention, they're JV squad is in the top 4 with a lot of size and good coaching by Coach Jackson. good call 2nd base. Its gonna be really hard for some of the Jr. Varsity players to crack the line up next year, cause the talent gap will be very evident, on Woodsides' team. Some of the returning players will find that out too.