Boys Basketball: VivaLoudoun 2010-11 Hoops Preview: Can Anybody Tame the Panthers?

Lukas Mihailovich: 1,000 points and counting!

Panther senior Lukas Mihailovich became the first player
in school history to break the 1,000-point mark .

(Dec. 17, 2010) - Can anybody stop the Panthers? That is simply the biggest question this high school basketball season as Potomac Falls High School returns all five starters and 11 players total from last year's team that went 23-2 and captured the first boys state basketball title in Loudoun history.

"It is a very unique situation. I've been coaching for 23 years and the good Lord willing, I'm going to coach 20 more, but I've never seen anything like this," said Panther coach Jeff Hawes, the only boys basketball coach at the school since it opened in 1997.

The Panthers finished their dream season with a double overtime 69-64 thrilling win over Broadway in the VHSL Division 4 state title game. Senior Lukas Miahailovich -- Potomac Falls' version of Jimmy Chitwood -- scored 33 points in that state title game to match his jersey number. He would need a jersey with four numbers to match his career totals this season as the Panther's all-time leading scorer became the first basketball player to break 1,000 career points, doing it last Saturday in a win over Heritage.

Mihailovich, in a rematch with Broadway in a season-opening tournament, had a school record 13 assists to go with eight rebounds and 31 points. Hawes says the driven player has worked in the offseason on his 3-point shooting as teams will look to prevent the gifted driver to the hoop from getting near the basket.

"He's the best scorer with the basketball I've ever had," said Hawes.

Mihailovich had 29 against Heritage. He needed 18 to reach the 1,000-point milestone and did it in the first half ... getting fouled on a 3-point attempt and he sank all three free throws. The game was stopped and his family joined him on the court and his teammates gave him hugs and Hawes presented the senior with the game ball.

Mihailovich is just one piece of the PFalls puzzle as the Panthers return 6-foot-7 junior Greg Graves, the area's top big man, as well as 6-6 senior Mickey Waggenhoffer, 6-2 Brendon Chesson and 6-2 Zack Curran. Graves is staring to throw down dunks in each game and has worked on his short-range jumper.

The bench features a never ending supply of role players that appear ready to run through a wall for Hawes. Pete Simoneau has been running the offense early in the year iwth Curran recovering from an ankle injury. Ben Sweger, Matt Hoover, Alex Kress and Matt Byrd are all players that Hawes is unafraid to throw into the contest at any point.

"I have a starting five I wouldn't trade anybody for and a bench I wouldn't trade anybody for. That is a pretty lethal combination," said Hawes.

In a 94-52 win over Park View, Simoneau had eight points in the second quarter as the Panthers turned up the defensive pressure and turned a 6-point game into a whopping 54-27 halftime lead.

"It's no accident that they are good. They do all the right things," said Park View coach Mike Koscinski.

The trick for Potomac Falls this season may be to stay motivated during a 16-game district schedule.

"We are vowing to not overlook anyone ... ever," said Hawes.

Tonight's Schedule
Broad Run at Briar Woods, 7:30 p.m.
Ashburn's version of the Hatfield and McCoy's ...
Dominion at Freedom, 7:30 p.m.
Two teams trying to establish an identity
Osbourn at Loudoun Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Vikes open Cedar Run season against district favorite Eagles
Woodgrove at Park View, 7:30 p.m.
Wolverines already have one big upset this season with win over Valley
Stone Bridge at TJ, 7:30 p.m.
Bulldogs can put 0-5 start behind them with a win in Liberty District opener
Potomac Falls at Tuscarora, 7:30 p.m.
Huskies get a look at the top dog in Dulles District

LoCo Elite Top 5
1. Potomac Falls (5-0)
Panthers return all five starters from only boys team in Loudoun history to win a state basketball title ... they are scary good!

2. Broad Run (4-0)
Super soph Nigel Johnson, who played last year at Paul VI, is averaging 27 points per game

3. Park View (4-1)
Patriots only loss thus far came at Potomac Falls

4. Briar Woods (3-3)
Falcons can improve on pecking order as they host Broad Run tonight

5. You Pick'Em!
After one week this fifth spot is up for grabs with Dominion, Heritage, Loudoun County, Loudoun Valley and even new school Woodgrove all laying claim to "elite status".

Top 5 Scoring Teams
1, Potomac Falls 80.6
2, Broad Run 79.5
3, Park View 70.0
4, Loudoun Valley 67.0
5, Heritage 62.5

Top 5 Defenses
1, Loudoun County 50.6
2, Broad Run 52.0
3, Freedom 52.6
4, Woodgrove 53.5
5, Briar Woods 55.8

Dulles District Preview
For at least half of the Dulles District, defending district, region and state champion Potomac Falls won't be a road block as basketball's postseason is split into divisions with Sterling schools Dominion and Park View, as well as first year schools Tuscarora and Woodgrove, all Division 3.

The Patriots, led by Ryan McCarter, appear to be the team to beat in D3 but Dominion and Woodgrove are teams to watch as the season moves along.

In D4 an early season showdown comes Monday when Potomac Falls travels to rival basketball rival Broad Run. Park View and Briar Woods add depth to this division along with Loudoun County.

In the Cedar Run District, Loudoun Valley and Heritage have their work cut out for them against a talented Osbourn team and a Battlefield school with a current enrollment of 10,000 students (kidding!).

In the Liberty District, Stone Bridge is fighting the affects of losing two key transfers but Bulldog fans get the joy of seeing what athletic sophomore and uber football recruit Jon Allen can do on the baskeball court.

Check back Saturday for VivaLoudoun's girls basketball preview