Virginia
Josh Eilert Gives West Virginia’s Javon Small the Ultimate Compliment
West Virginia guard Javon Small has been a nightmare for opposing teams this season. He’s the central focus of every scouting report on West Virginia, yet he always finds a way to impact the game, even if he’s not scoring 15-20 points.
He’s a playmaker that stays composed, doesn’t try to make things happen that aren’t there, and because of it, he’s turned into one of the most productive players in the entire country, and certainly the Big 12 Conference.
Following his 18-point, seven-assist, four-rebound game in the win on Tuesday night, Utah interim head coach Josh Eilert didn’t hide his end-of-year vote for Big 12 Player of the Year.
“He’s got my vote. He’s the ultimate winner,” Eilert stated. “I saw him last year at Oklahoma State and he hit a big three against us late and it was a very similar game that I managed in Stillwater against him. He hit that critical three late against us again. He’s a winner. He plays the game the right way. He doesn’t force things when he doesn’t have to. A lot of people are throwing a lot of different guys at him and being really physical with him and he keeps on producing.”
Most years, the award is typically given to the best player on the best team or one of the top teams in the league. That shouldn’t be the case this season. You can’t identify one other player in the Big 12 who is more valuable to his team than Javon Small is to West Virginia. If it weren’t for him, the Mountaineers would be nowhere near the NCAA Tournament.
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There’s little change in the latest High School on SI Virginia girls basketball Top 25 poll as all 25 squads return from last week.
Undefeated Princess Anne is again No. 1 followed by The Saint James Performance Academy, Bishop Ireton, Catholic-Virginia Beach and Menchville. Shining Stars Sports Academy, Manchester, Potomac School, Saint Anne’s-Belfield School and Osbourn Park complete the Top 10.
Five teams – Langley, Manor, Thomas Dale, Oakton and Centreville – each moved up one spot.
Here’s this week’s High School on SI Virginia girls basketball Top 25:
Previous rank: No. 1
Record: 17-0
The Cavaliers defeated No. 16 Salem-Virginia Beach, 70-45, and Bayside, 86-13.
Previous rank: No. 2
Record: 12-3
The Strivers extended their winning streak to 10 with a 63-37 decision over Kingdom Collegiate Academy (Tex.).
Previous rank: No. 3
Record: 14-5
The Cardinals defeated No. 11 Saint Paul VI Catholic, 57-53 after a loss to Elizabeth Seton (Md.)
Previous rank: No. 4
Record: 12-8
The Crusaders defeated Norfolk Academy and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy by a combined 148 points.
Previous rank: No. 5
Record: 11-1
The Monarchs are scheduled to play Woodside Tuesday.
Previous rank: No. 6
Record: 12-4
The Panthers defeated Newman (Mass.) and Saint Frances Academy (Md.) at The More Than A Highlight Showcase in New York.
Previous rank: No. 7
Record: 14-1
The Lancers ran their winning streak to 13 with a 93-22 victory over Huguenot.
Previous rank: No. 8
Record: 12-6
The Panthers rebounded from a loss to District of Columbia No. 2 Sidwell Friends School with wins over Georgetown Day School (D.C.) and Flint Hill School (Va.).
Previous rank: No. 9
Record: 13-3
The Saints defeated Trinity Episcopal School, 80-33.
Previous rank: No. 10
Record: 12-6
The Yellowjackets defeated Unity Reed.
Previous rank: No. 11
Record: 16-5
The Panthers dropped an overtime decision to No. 3 Bishop Ireton.
Previous rank: No. 12
Record: 14-5
The Patriots dropped decisions to Monsignor Scanlan (N.Y.) and Gill Saint Bernard’s School (N.J.).
Previous rank: No. 13
Record: 15-1
The Stallions defeated Lake Braddock and Carter G. Woodson.
Previous rank: No. 16
Record: 15-1
The Eagles have won eight straight by double-digits.
Previous rank: No. 15
Record: 12-3
The Wolverines defeated West Springfield and James W. Robinson.
Previous rank: No. 16
Record: 15-3
The Sundevils rebounded from a loss to No. 1 Princess Anne with a 78-7 win over Kempsville.
Previous rank: No. 17
Record: 13-4
The Knights defeated Landstown (75-47) and First Colonial (73-21).
Previous rank: No. 19
Record: 16-1
The Saxons defeated McLean, 55-23.
Previous rank: No. 20
Record: 12-1
The Mustangs defeated Churchland.
Previous rank: No. 21
Record: 14-0
The Knights defeated Petersburg (73-30) and Hopewell (72-46).
Previous rank: No. 22
Record: 15-4
The Cougars defeated Westfield and James Madison.
Previous rank: No. 23
Record: 13-4
The Wildcats defeated James Madison and then-No. 18 Chantilly.
Previous rank: No. 23
Record: 17-1
The Spartans defeated Lord Botetourt (42-31) and Cave Spring (56-19).
Previous rank: No. 24
Record: 14-2
The Bulldogs defeated Indian River and Oscar Smith by an average margin of 65 points.
Previous rank: No. 25
Record: 10-7
The Ambassadors defeated Norfolk Collegiate Academy, 77-32.
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