The Anne Arundel Hoops Report

Slowly, but surely Anne Arundel County is starting to get its due around the area. Undefeated in league play, the Arundel boys rocketed up to No. 13 in the latest Washington Post basketball rankings. Annapolis, whose 58-35 win over Severna Park Friday night was featured in Saturday's print edition, also entered the rankings at No. 20; its only loss this season came against the Wildcats.

On the girls' side, while everyone in Anne Arundel prepares for the looming Feb. 2 battle between No. 9 Arundel and No. 14 Meade — which colleague Preston Williams wrote about in his story on how the area’s remaining unbeaten teams are dealing with the growing pressure of having no losses — there's also a couple of others that could play a role in the Anne Arundel title picture.

Click below to find out more as Anne Arundel takes the week off for exams before heating up for the stretch of what should be an exciting finish to the regular season.

Anne Arundel Boys' Standings

Arundel 12-1, 8-0
Annapolis 11-1, 7-1
Old Mill 9-3, 7-1
Severna Park 10-3, 5-3
Glen Burnie 8-5, 5-3
North County 9-4, 4-3
Southern 8-5, 4-4
South River 7-6, 4-5
Broadneck 4-8, 3-6
Meade 5-8, 2-5
Northeast 2-11, 1-10
Chesapeake 1-11, 0-9

Three teams have separated themselves from the pack on the boys' side: Arundel, Annapolis, and Old Mill. Arundel defeated Annapolis, 78-71, on Jan. 8, but Annapolis was able to recover to beat Old Mill — last year's regular season champion — 81-66, four days later.

So according to the transitive property (and the standings below), that makes Arundel the team to beat the rest of the way. And while many rightfully credit the Wildcats' fast start to the talented back court of seniors Brandon Belt and R.J. Harris (averaging more than 27 points per game combined), perhaps the most important development for Arundel in recent weeks is the discovery of a third cog to supplement Belt and Harris.

Junior forward Tyler Washington has averaged more than 16 points per game in four games since the holiday break and has added an inside presence for the well-balanced Wildcats, who have six players averaging more than nine points per game. Washington has been making his living on offensive putbacks.

“We knew coming into the season he was gonna be capable of scoring inside, but he’s not your typical post player,” said Coach Jeff Starr of Washington, who played on Arundel’s JV team last year. “He’s just in the right place at the right time, he’s got a knack for the basketball.”

Arundel and Old Mill don't face each other until Feb. 16, while Annapolis gets its rematch against the Wildcats on Feb. 12. Those two games should decide who takes home the Anne Arundel regular season title this year.

The Honor Roll

Senior F Delmore Howard, Annapolis (16.4 ppg)
Senior F Justin Kuntz, Glen Burnie (20 ppg)
Senior G Chris Day, Old Mill (16.7 ppg)
Junior G Bryan Harris, Southern (19.2 ppg)
Senior G R.J. Harris, Arundel (14.25 ppg)

Anne Arundel Girls' Standings

Meade 12-0, 7-0
Arundel 10-2, 7-0
Old Mill 8-5, 7-1
South River 7-5, 6-1
North County 4-6, 4-4
Northeast 8-4, 3-4
Annapolis 5-7, 3-4
Southern 3-10, 2-7
Broadneck 2-9, 1-7
Chesapeake 1-9, 1-7
Glen Burnie 0-13, 0-8

Though all the attention of late has gone to either Arundel or Meade when discussion about the county takes place, I wanted to take a moment to highlight a couple dark horses that could throw a wrench into what, at first glance, looks to be a two-team race.

Old Mill may have an average 8-5 record, but the Patriots have started the conference season 7-1, the only defeat coming against Meade back on Dec. 11. The overall record has a lot to do with who Old Mill has played thus far. In addition to the loss to undefeated Meade, the Patriots have a three-point defeat to No. 4 Wise, holiday tournament losses to previously ranked Urbana and North Point, and a six-point setback against Severn, which is currently 13-1 this year.

South River also has just one conference loss (a 29-point defeat last Friday at Arundel). The Seahawks have yet to face the brunt of their schedule, and with games against Northeast, Old Mill, Meade, and a rematch with Arundel in the next month, we should know soon whether South River is the real deal.

The Honor Roll

Sophomore G Aleeyah Hopkins, South River (14 ppg)
Senior G Alissa Chambliss, Meade (21.09 ppg)
Senior F Sheronne Vails, Arundel (19.42 ppg)
Senior F Kamyiah Surgeon, Annapolis (14 ppg)
Senior C Monet Nias, Old Mill (14.88 ppg)

If you have any suggestions or noticed any errors in this week's report, please email me at giannottom@washpost.com.