.         Everybody is excited for the Westfield Bulldogs basketball season, to see new Freshman basketball faces, Junior Varsity faces, and Varsity faces. Varsity played their first game against Washington Liberty High School with the score of 49-37 (1-0), then against PVI for a final score of 49-116 (PVI). PVI is a Top 2 ranked school in the country by MaxPreps. PVI is a college preparatory catholic school in Fairfax, Virginia (PVI) (2-0).

.         Westfield guard and sophomore Jemon Price transferred from PVI in the summer of 2022-23. He was one of the few freshmen on PVI’s Varsity basketball team. The 2022-23 Varsity team ended up going 31-4 overall and 15-0 in the region last year: ranked 3rd in VISAA Division 1 basketball and 1st in the state.

.         We interviewed Price before the game. Price explained that he left PVI because he felt like it was a better opportunity to come to Westfield. Price said it was a very big accomplishment joining the PVI varsity team as a freshman but there’s more improvement to go: that is a very big accomplishment especially because it’s a top 5 ranked team!

.         Price said he is not worried about the upcoming game, and he’s going to come out focused and play his game. Jemon doesn’t know how many points he’s going to drop but he’s just focused on helping his team win. Price ended up with 15 points to lead all Westfield scorers, price did everything he said he would and executed his plan but fell short.

.         There are a couple of NBA players that grew up in the DMV. They are some icons to the DMV basketball nation, giving the key to making the league. They’re influencing the young kids today to push harder and never give up. Let’s talk about three key NBA all-star players that do big in the league.

1. Allen Iverson (Retired). Iverson was born June 7th, 1975 in Hampton Virginia. Allen grew up in Virginia for most of his life and attended Bethel High School in Hampton VA. Then ended up going to Georgetown University in 1994-95. Iverson got drafted in 1996 to the Philadelphia 76ers 1st pick in the first round averaging 23.5 in his first, 22.0 in his second, and 26.8 points per game in his third season. Iverson was a 7-time star and went to the finals 1 time, but in the finals went viral for his Allen Iverson-Ty Lue over. He also went viral for a Micheal Jordan crossover in March 1997. Iverson averaged 33.1 points per game in his 10th season. Iverson played for four teams and ended his career on October 30th, 2013. Iverson is known as “Ai”, “The answer”, and “The 3rd degree”.
2. Grant Hill (Retired). Hill was born October 5, 1972 in Dallas TX, Hill moved to Reston, VA at a very young age. Hill attended South Lakes High School in Reston Va. Hill later attended Duke University in 1990-94, He won two national championships with Duke in the ’90s. Hill got drafted in 1994 to the Detroit Pistons Hill was the 3rd pick in the 1st round. Hill averaged 19.9 in his first, 20.2 in his second, and 21.4 in his third season with the Pistons. Hill was a 7-time all-star, Hill never won a finals or made it to the finals, Hill was known for his points, rebounds, and his assists. Hill played for 4 teams and retired on June 1st, 2013. Hill had the nicknames of, “G” and “G money”.
3. Kevin Durant. Durant was born September 28th, 1988 in Washington DC, Durant lived in DC for most of his life, and he attended Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. Later Durant attended UOT (University of Texas), and went 25-10 in his first season with UOT. Durant was drafted to the OKC Thunder in 2008. KD played alongside Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Durant averaged 20 in his first, 25 in his second, and 30 ppg in his third season. Durant has gone to the finals four times winning two out of four of them, and Durant has two final MVPs. Durant has been with four teams but isn’t done with his career. Durant has played with stars like Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thomson, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Kevin Durant isn’t done with his career but has made it to the Hall Of Fame. Durant is known for his great midrange isolation, shooting, and his amazing scoring off the dribble. Durant has nicknames like Slim Reaper, KD, Durcant, Durantula, The Servant, Green Room, and Easy Money Sniper.