Tonight, I’m joined by the starting five of the 2024-2025 South Lakes High School basketball team to discuss their recent defense of the Virginia state championship. With me are: Jordan Scott, F, Sr., Merrick Rillstone, F, Sr., Toshi Elston, F, Sr., Alec Saunders, G, Sr., and CJ Kemmerer, G, Sr. We explore their thoughts on what the championship means to them, their admiration for the excellent Coach Mike Desmond, and the highs and lows of navigating a tough, challenging season.

In this episode, I revisit how the VHSL is eroding interest in Virginia high school basketball and explore ways we can improve the management of the game, as well as other sports, particularly football. I discuss how top programs like Princess Anne and John Marshall should be competing at the highest classification and suggest reducing the number of classifications to make grouping more manageable. I also touch on important topics like bringing back doubleheaders, returning to neutral courts for big games, and much more.

In her first season at Heritage, Coach Tayler Cook has led the Pride to the state final showdown against Salem this week. She previously guided Tuscarora to the state playoffs for the past two seasons and has quickly turned around the fortunes of her young team. A former Virginia HS Player of the Year and daughter of a coach at Spotswood HS, Tayler is also one of the career leaders in rebounds and assists at GMU. In this episode, we explore her basketball philosophy, this year’s team, and the keys to success as they prepare for Friday’s championship game!

Martinsville graduate Michael Barrows ('67) was a key player on a state championship-winning Bulldog team under the guidance of the legendary Coach Robert "Husky" Hall. After playing college basketball at Maryville College (TN), Michael returned to the Martinsville area to coach at Drewry Mason for two years, securing a Piedmont District title. In this episode, Michael joins me to share what made Martinsville such a unique and successful basketball hub. We dive into the racial tensions of the time and the challenges of integrating the schools. We also discuss the secrets behind Coach Husky Hall’s success, as well as Michael’s role assisting legendary UVA Coach Terry Holland in winning the ACC Championship in 1976. This is a must-listen for fans of Virginia history and high school basketball!

Hayfield graduate Carlos Poindexter has guided his alma mater to two state titles and is now aiming for a third with the 24-5 Hawks, who will face defending champion South Lakes this week. In this episode, Coach Poindexter talks about this year's team, their journey to the state quarterfinals, and the keys to advancing further in the tournament. We wrap up with Coach's analysis of the other quarterfinal matchups across all classes.

Gordon Austin ('83) is one of the greatest players in American University history, leading the Eagles to some of their most memorable victories, including an iconic win over Patrick Ewing and #5 Georgetown on the Hoyas' home court. Gordon joins me to reflect on those golden years of DC college basketball and his time playing for the legendary Coach Gary Williams. We also discuss Gordon's career in media, where he serves as AU's color commentator and is part of the DC Coaches Basketball Podcast alongside Gary Williams, Ed Tapscott, and Chris Knoche. Additionally, we touch on the evolution of college basketball and take a look at the '24-25 Eagles.

McLean’s Mike O'Brien had a week that every coach dreams of: defeating three higher-seeded teams on the road to capture a district championship. As the Northern Region tournament kicks off this week, Coach O'Brien sits down with me to talk about the Highlanders' surprising post-season run and the keys to succeeding in regionals. His passion for the game and his players shines through, and it was a pleasure to chat with him after such a thrilling week.

Coach Ben Farquhar is a relatively new addition to the NOVA coaching scene, but he recently led Heritage (Leesburg) to its first district title since 2017. Coach joins me to talk about the Pride’s incredible turnaround this season and the young players who’ve helped surprise local basketball followers. We wrap up by diving into the key factors for this week’s Broad Run matchup and the prospect of making it to the state tournament!

In college, Daniel "The Flea" Dixon once said he never thought he would even graduate high school, convinced he was destined to be another statistic. Today, he’s remembered as one of the most compelling players in NOVA history, not only for his exceptional basketball talent but for his inspiring life story. Raised by a mother struggling with legal troubles and an unstable father, Daniel and his twin brother, Bradley, faced immense challenges, including periods of homelessness and isolation. Despite these hardships, Daniel’s life took a positive turn when he transferred to Marshall High School, where he led his underdog team to the state semifinals in his senior year and earned a scholarship to D2 Augusta State under coach Dip Mistress. At Augusta, Daniel played a key role in leading the team to a national championship game in his sophomore year, marking one of many milestones in his standout career. After basketball, Daniel discovered his true calling in ministry and now leads Redeemer Fellowship in Vienna. This episode explores Daniel’s remarkable journey, telling a powerful story of resilience, transformation, and the strength to overcome that will inspire all who listen.

Broad Run Coach Jacob Krogh has led the Spartans to their first regular-season district championship in over 20 years. Coach Jake joins me to share his journey from Western Michigan to becoming the young head coach at the Ashburn school. We explore his coaching philosophy, break down this year’s team strengths, and discuss the keys to success moving forward. With the post-season underway, it was exciting to hear Coach’s thoughts on what’s needed to keep the team’s momentum going.