Annandale Hoops

Annandale's Atomic Rush
--By B.J. Koubaroulis
Special to The Washington Post

Annandale is warming to the role as the fastest team in the Virginia AAA Patriot District.

Led by senior Erik Etherly's 17.3 points per game, the Atoms (10-7, 8-2) are averaging 76.1 points per game, the top public school offense in Northern Virginia and sixth-best in the area entering tonight's game against Lake Braddock (11-6, 5-5).

The flip side: The Atoms' defense, however, is ranked seventh out of the eight teams in the Patriot District as it allows 67.8 points per game.

"When you run and you play an up-tempo transition style game, in return, you are going to give up points," said Etherly, a 6-5 Northeastern-bound left-handed slasher. "So, teams that might only average 40 points might come in here and score 60 or 70, but at the same time, we are going to come in and put up 90."

Annandale has won seven of eight and, since returning from their December holiday tournament in Georgia, the Atoms have lost just two games -- both to No. 10 T.C. Williams (15-3).

Etherly, senior guard Jay Washington (12.4 points per game) and junior guard Alan Stalp (12.2) are all scoring in double figures and three other Atoms add more than six per game, including freshman starter D'Angelo Boyce (7.8).