Check out the Prince William DigitalSports Group on Facebook! Click here to join.
The Paul Monitor #5: Predicting the District Winners By Paul Frommelt
———————————
UPDATE: So that worked out well — 5-for-7 in the first round of the playoffs. Apologies to Loudoun Valley and Gar-Field, please don’t punch me in the nose. I like Gar-Field and Fauquier as the favorites and Woodbridge and Stonewall as underdogs in the second round. No witty insight, just the facts ma’am.
———————————
You want to know my favorite thing to do besides watching television in my underwear while eating frozen pizza? Providing locker-room motivation. Back at my old job, we made weekly football picks and I can’t even count how many times I got heat from for picking against a certain team. I used to giggle to myself thinking of coaches’ grabbing the paper and saying to their squads, “Look at what Paul Frommelt thinks of you! He’s says that we’re going to lose. It’s his friggin’ lock of the week!” At that point he would tear up the newspaper and the players would burn an effigy of me while chanting in a circle.
Of course, this probably didn’t happen — but it’s a pretty cool visual.
With the district basketball season starting tonight — I’m going to put on my Swami hat that I stole from Chris Berman and give you my picks for the first round of district play.
Fire up those printers and get that effigy ready (by the way, I dropped a few pounds, so not as much straw in the belly area this time).
Boys Basketball — Cedar Run District
No. 8 Culpeper (0-22) at No. 1 Fauquier (18-3)
Previous Meetings: Jan. 6 — Fauquier 89-57; Feb. 3 — Fauquier 74-60
Swami Sez: Really? Do I have to pick this one? Alright, I’ll take Culpe— just kidding. Falcons all the way.
No. 7 Osbourn Park (10-12) at No. 2 Battlefield (14-7)
Previous Meetings: Jan 6. — Battlefield 63-49; Feb. 3 — Battlefield 79-72
Swami Sez: Battlefield had a bit of a collapse midway through the season and gave up the No. 1 spot in the district. They look to be back to normal with three straight victories. I’ll take the Bobcats, because even during their swoon, they didn’t lose to the Yellow Jackets.
No. 6 Liberty (9-12) at No. 3 Stonewall Jackson (11-11)
Previous Meetings: Jan. 13 — Liberty 83-76; Feb 3. Stonewall Jackson 61-51
Swami Sez: This one is tougher than it looks. I’ve seen both teams a few times and remember being more impressed with the Eagles, but that 10-point victory for the Raiders on Feb. 3 speaks volumes. They’re the better team right now. Gimme the Raiders.
No. 5 Osbourn (9-12) at No. 4 Loudoun Valley (12-9)
Previous Meetings: Jan. 10 — Loudoun Valley 62-52; Feb. 3. Loudoun Valley 52-51
Swami Sez: Here it is! My upset special! I know that the Vikes have beaten the Eagles twice this year, but I like the Eagles in this spot. The Vikings have lost three straight. Sure Osbourn has dropped 3-of-4, but I’m gonna take Osbourn. The two team’s last meeting was only a 1-point game and remember, Osbourn has beaten Battlefield this year and only lost to Fauquier by two points in their first meeting. Call it a hunch or call it indigestion — I’ll take the Eagles.
Boys Basketball — Cardinal District
No. 3 Woodbridge (15-7) vs. No. 6 Freedom (1-19)
Previous Meetings: Jan. 16 — Woodbridge 74-53; Feb. 6 — Woodbridge 70-64
Swami Sez: There are four extremely talented teams in the Cardinal District that will be playing for a district and region title this year. Woodbridge is one of the four. Freedom is not.
No. 4 Potomac (13-9) vs. No. 5 Forest Park (9-13)
Previous Meetings: Jan. 16 — Forest Park 78-70; Feb. 6 — Potomac 63-60
Swami Sez: As much as I want to like the Panthers this year, losing 4-of-5 district games heading into the district tournament is never a good sign. I’m still picking them over the Bruins in the first round, but I’m not sure that they win a second game. Prove me wrong.
C.D. Hylton (17-4) vs. Gar-Field (14-8)
Previous Meetings: Jan. 16 — C.D. Hylton 76-62; Gar-Field 73-61
Swami Sez: Anybody have a coin? This game for the No. 1 seed and automatic region berth is really that much of a coin flip. Going on pure instinct I’m going to take the Bulldogs. Five will get you ten that this will also be the district championship game.
There it is — it’s out there now. Can’t take it back.
Add Prince William Digital Sports as a Friend on Facebook!
Processing your request, Please wait....
