March Event May Help Answer Big Question

Ron Bailey, Publisher

March 6, 2007 – Debate springs eternal regarding who is the best high school team in the Washington, D.C. area – on a weekly, annual, generational, or all-time basis. Finally, there is a tournament that if nominated schools opt to participate, will go a long way to answering that question for the 2006-2007 year.

Enter, the D.C. Metro Public-Private High School Invitational 2007. Spanning March 21st – 25th, the tournament will afford teams who that commit to participate an opportunity to play squads from schools across geographic, organizational, and conference demarcations. In doing so, match ups are bound to ensue that would/could never take place in the normal environment of a season.

“We’ve heard from a lot of teams” said Progressive’s Christian Academy’s coach, Van Whitfield of the event his school is sponsoring. “They are all considering it. A lot of people want to be involved”.

Whitfield, well aware of the ongoing debates that have raged for decades and continue to do so is proud to possibly provide some reality to the supposition. “I am excited to be part of (answering) that question, of that movement” he said. “There are so many good teams in this area”.

[For a list of the nominated schools and some fundamental information, click here, while frequently asked questions are presented here].

“We are truly blessed to be in that position where we have the facility (Progressive’s new gym) to host it” he continued.

Early returns are good, with “Laurel, M.M. Washington, Flint Hill, Largo, Friendship Edison, T.C. Williams, KIMA, PCA and several others” having confirmed participation, said Whitfield, who later shared the registration end date has been extended.

Interested individuals/organizations should call 301.219.6391

If Whitfield has his way, a larger venue will be necessitated, as he holds out hope “Eventually, it will be a tournament that teams will schedule for”.

That would be a tournament that allows players, coaches, and fans to see who is the best high school team – on the court.

There’s no doubt this and future D.C. Metro-Private High School Invitational tourneys will be events to remember.