MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Only one month remains until postseason play begins in boys basketball. By now, the contenders have almost certainly started to separate themselves, while the goal of every team is to peak when it matters most. A closer look at where we stand entering the stretch run of the regular season.
Class AAA
— After winning each of its first 12 games, Cabell Midland was knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten last Saturday in a 70-64 loss to Charleston Catholic. The Knights, who had won their previous two games by two points each over Huntington and George Washington, have scored at least 60 points in 13 of 15 games.
— Hedgesville (11-3) is coming off its first loss to an in-state opponent following Friday’s 71-61 setback against Martinsburg. The Eagles have played 10 of their 14 games against out-of-state teams to this point, though only two remain on the schedule.
— Defending state champion University (11-3) has won two straight since losing the second of two regular season meetings to Morgantown. That marks the only loss against an in-state school for the Hawks, who have surpassed 70 points in all but four contests.
— Martinsburg has won six straight to improve to 9-2. The Bulldogs are a perfect 5-0 against state competition and their one-point loss to Stafford (Va.) in the opener came without several key players transitioning to the hardwood following another state championship in football. In a rematch nearly a month later, the Bulldogs had their way with Stafford, 107-78.
— Morgantown (11-2) finished a challenging week splitting games against Martinsburg and Wheeling Park. The Mohigans’ only two losses to this point are against Martinsburg and University — the two teams that played in last year’s AAA title game.
— Wheeling Park enters the week 10-3 following Friday’s 14-point loss at Morgantown. The Patriots’ other two defeats have come against two defending state champions in University and Chapmanville.
— Other notes: Ahead of Tuesday’s matchup with Martinsburg, Jefferson (9-5) has won four straight … Woodrow Wilson is 7-5 overall, but several close losses to high-level teams suggest the Eagles will be dangerous in the postseason.
Class AA
— Defending state champion Chapmanville will soon get a rematch with Logan, which ended the Tigers’ 54-game win streak against in-state competition Jan. 14. The Tigers (11-2) have won two straight since, including a quality five-point victory at Poca. Chapmanville has surrendered more than 50 points in only five games.
— Shady Spring is the lone Class AA team without a loss. The Tigers (12-0) have a plethora of quality wins and will soon play three straight at home starting Tuesday against Liberty Raleigh. The Tigers’ next road game is Feb. 7 at Bluefield in a rematch of a game Shady Spring won 73-70 on Jan. 17.
— Since notching the marquee win over Chapmanville, Logan has won twice to improve to 10-3. The Wildcats host the King Coal Classic this weekend, where they will first face Wesley Christian (Ky.) and then Class A runner-up Parkersburg Catholic.
— North Marion had been unbeaten until last week’s 20-point loss to Robert C. Byrd. The Huskies have won twice since to improve to 13-1. Although the bulk of North Marion’s wins have come convincingly, the Huskies have victories by one point, two points and three points this month alone.
— Robert C. Byrd (9-2) is as hot as any team in the state, having won nine straight since dropping each of its first two games. The Eagles have recent quality wins over Tug Valley, previously unbeaten North Marion and Buckhannon-Upshur.
— Like Wheeling Park, Poca (11-2) has lost to University and Chapmanville. Otherwise, the Dots are unbeaten ahead of road trips to Lincoln County and Charleston Catholic this week.
— Others notes: Bluefield has won three straight and five of six to reach double-digit wins before the end of the month and improve to 10-3 … Mingo Central (9-4) had its six-game win streak snapped Saturday at Westside, 87-76.
Class A
— Of the state’s four remaining unbeaten teams, three are in Class A. Williamstown (14-0), Greenbrier West (10-0) and Pendleton County (10-0) have yet to suffer a loss.
The Yellowjackets are fresh off a 13-point win over Parkersburg Catholic followed by a 20-point triumph against Wheeling Central Catholic. Williamstown has a Feb. 12 matchup with the Cavaliers, who have won every game by at least 10 points since prevailing over Independence in its season opener, 64-61.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, have relied heavily on strong defensive play during their undefeated run. Pendleton County has held six opponents to 45 or fewer points and has yet to allow 60 in a game.
— Greater Beckley Christian (11-3) enters Tuesday’s matchup against defending state champion Webster County (9-4) having won six straight.
— Charleston Catholic will go for a second straight marquee win at home Friday when it plays host to Poca. The Irish (9-3) rallied to hand Cabell Midland its first loss of the season in one of the more significant regular season results this season.
— Notre Dame has hit its stride and picked up seven straight wins to improve to 10-3.
— Clay-Battelle is 12-1 and unblemished outside of a 17-point setback to Trinity on Jan. 8.
— Before suffering losses to Linsly and Williamstown, Wheeling Central (11-5) had won four in a row, the last of which was a 70-58 win against Magnolia (11-3).