Boys Basketball: Potomac Falls Celebrates Another District Title ... One Phone Call at a Time

By Dan Sousa
VivaLoudoun.com Editor

Sterling (Feb. 10, 2010) - As far as Dulles District boys basketball titles go for Potomac Falls High School this had to be the strangest celebration as Panther head coach Jeff Hawes made phone calls yesterday to his players to congratulate them one-by-one on having secured the school's fifth Dulles regular-season title since 2003.

Hawes couldn't meet with his players due to the ongoing snowstorm and the team didn't have an oncourt celebration because when they left the school last Thursday, on the eve of the weather system that has dumped 40 inches of snow in Loudoun in six days, they had no way of knowing that the regular season would be curtailed. A one-game playoff would have been in order but Broad Run High School as knocked off on Thursday by Park View, giving Potomac Falls the title to go with outright or shared titles in 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2007-08.

"We knew we were happy Thursday night, but we probably didn't realize how happy we should have been," said Hawes, who has coached the Panthers since the school opened in 1997.

Overall Potomac Falls is 16-2 on the season with the two losses coming to AAA Loudoun Valley in an early season tournament and to district rival Broad Run. The Panthers finish the district regular season 9-1.

"We feel like (the district title) is deserved," said Hawes.

Hawes during this extended layoff, with school out for six consecutive days since last Thursday, has tried to remain in contact with his team via texting ... even sending his players quizzes regarding defenses and offenses.

"I've been trying to keep their minds churning," said Hawes.

When the Panthers do return to the basketball court it may be as long as 10 days since they last met and conditioning will be a factor.

"I know next Monday and Tuesday are going to be like training camp all over again," said Hawes.

The good news is that the regular season title not only gives PF a bid into regionals but a bye in the district tournament so the Panthers won't have to play until Feb. 19 in the district semifinals at Freedom High School.