Festival Preview: Dangerous Upstart Paul VI Not To Be Slept On

Ron Bailey, Publisher

November 24, 2007 – Having recently joined new head coach Glenn Farello at Paul VI (VA) Catholic High School, assistant coach Ken Johnson and the rest of that school’s staff have been busy, as he put it, “making up for lost time”, as not only must the team’s players mesh together and pick up on their coaches’ concepts, but those in charge of the program must orient themselves to their players.

“It’s a great challenge” said Johnson of the process. “But when you have kids with such great character and work ethic, it makes it easier. Not only do they want to learn, but are also great listeners”.

Leading the Panthers, are seniors 6’2” swingman Adrian Mills, who Johnson noted “is primed for a great season”, and 6’4” forward Ronald Burks, a player the coach shared “has shown great leadership and desire”. Currently, both have not received extensive attention from colleges, a fact Johnson is sure will change in short order.

Adrian Mills, one of the D.C. area’s most unhearlded talents.

Seniors Westley Ford – a 6’3” forward that is willing “to do all the dirty work” according to Johnson - and perimeter scoring, 6’3” swingman Darren Warren will also factor greatly into the team’s success.

Finishing 17-13 last year, Paul VI has a daunting task this season, as not only do the Panthers have a December 9th tilt with Baltimore’s St. Frances Academy in the National High School Hoops Festival, but will continue to compete in the perennially challenging Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. Add to that out of conference battles in South Carolina’s Chick-fil-A Classic and Miami’s Christmas-time Junior Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, along with DC area contests with fellow private schools Flint Hill School (VA) and St. Stephens/St. Agnes (VA), plus public school power Freedom-Woodbridge (Va), and it’s clear the new collection of coaches and players at Paul VI have their work cut out for them.

“We are progressing well, playing as a team” shared Johnson of the team’s development. Soon enough, their running and gunning style should cause opponents to forget the relative disadvantage the Panthers face.