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The Week in Review:
Most Lethargic Cavaliers: Maybe UVA men's basketball coach Pete Gillen's halftime speeches are about as inspiring as a biochemistry professor's lecture on electro-magnetism. Or maybe the Wahoos are just not drinking enough Gatorade. No matter what the reason, the Cavaliers (9-3, 0-2) are once again embarrassed in their second conference game due to another second-half collapse. The Hoos hang tough on the road with the No. 10 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, (11-3, 0-2) yet are throttled by 17 points in the second half en route to a 92-69 blowout. "They are a terrific team, and they played great defense," Gillen told the AP following the loss. "We couldn't score, we got frustrated, and things just fell apart." With a brutal 0-2 start in conference play, UVA finds itself facing a major uphill battle if they hope to make any noise this season.
Hottest Ladies in Town: While the men are sputtering, Debbie Ryan's UVA women's basketball team (12-3, 2-0) adds an exclamation point to their current eight-game win streak with a dominant 61-38 road victory over a solid Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets squad (9-3, 1-1) Monday, January 10. The Wahoos' recent success has quickly transferred into conference play as the Cavs opened their ACC campaign with a thrilling 85-83 overtime road triumph against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (11-3, 0-2) Thursday, January 6. "It's fun to win, and this senior class has put an awful lot into what they're doing," UVA coach Debbie Ryan told The Daily Progress. The women will look to take their winning ways to unprecedented levels with a Friday night showdown against America's No. 2 ranked Duke Blue Devils.
Best Patriots in the Pool: With plenty of local town bragging rights on the line, the Albemarle High School swim teams sweep the City County Championship meet held at the UVA aquatic center, Wednesday, January 5. Competing against their three main local rivals (Western Albemarle, Charlottesville, and Monticello), AHS controls the meet as the boys earn a 328.5-263.5 win over their closest competition, while the girls also cruise to a 345.5-250 victory. (Western earned second place on each side.) Albemarle senior Kevin Jewell may have summed up the Patriot's night best. "I almost missed my event. I dropped my towel and sprinted for the blocks," Jewell told the Daily Progress. "I didn't have my goggles or hat, so I grabbed my teammates, hopped in the pool, and won the race."
Biggest show in D.C.: Even if they're just a bunch of young athletes having fun playing together, now, more two months into the NBA season, the Washington Wizards (19-13) continue to prove themselves as contenders rather than pretenders. Behind a career high 40-point night from Gilbert Arenas, Washington captures its fourth consecutive victory with a 117-114 home win over Minnesota. The most memorable moment however comes Thursday, January 6 as the Wiz knock off the high-flying Seattle Supersonics (24-8) by the convincing tally of 107-96. "We couldn't even break huddle," Washington's Larry Hughes told the Washington Post following the Seattle game. "We couldn't even discuss practice tomorrow or we had a good game or nothing. [Arenas] was just talking about winning on TNT, winning on National TV. It was a big step for us."
The Week Ahead:
UVA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL (12-3, 2-0) VS. NO. 2 DUKE (15-1, 1-0)
Friday, January 14 @ 6:30pm
The Lady Cavs have been quietly sneaking up on everyone, but now is their chance to sound the trumpet across America.
HIGH SCHOOL GIRL'S BASKETBALL
Charlottesville (9-1, 3-0) at Orange (9-3, 3-0)
Albemarle (9-3, 4-0) vs. Brooke Point
Friday, January 14 @ 7:30pm
With their midterm exams complete, these girls return to action vying for district supremacy. Admission: $5.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS (19-13) VS. PHOENIX SUNS (30-4)
Saturday, January 15 @ 7pm
The Wiz are prepared for anything these days... even if it means taking on the best team in the NBA. Tickets vary, but they're much hotter than what we're used to.
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