January 2026 Basketball Coaches' Panel

On today’s episode, I’m joined by a panel of top Northern Virginia high school basketball coaches for a wide-ranging conversation on the NOVA hoops landscape. We break down the top teams and players in the area, look ahead to the stretch run of the season, and tackle several hot-button issues impacting the local game.Topics include:Unrealistic expectations placed on players by parentsThe impact of the recent snowstorm on schedules and postseason preparationWhether the 2025–26 season represents a “down year” for Northern Virginia basketball — and what that really meansJoining me for the discussion:Doug Craig — WoodsonSherman Rivers — PatriotDavid Houston — West PotomacMike Desmond — South LakesCarlos Poindexter — HayfieldInsightful, candid, and grounded in decades of coaching experience, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at where NOVA basketball is right now — and where it’s headed next.