Boys Lacrosse: Dominion's Flynn Scores Six as Titans Double Up Spartans, 16-8, in State Quarterfinals

Dominion's Benjamin Tarrant makes a move prior to scoring a goal as teammates 
Brett Bushman and Cody Farmer look on. (photo by Owen Gotimer)

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern

Sterling (May 31, 2013) - From the opening faceoff to the air horn signaling the game’s end, the Titans boys lacrosse team put on a show for the home fans at Dominion High School as they took down the Broad Run Spartans, 16-8, in the quarterfinal of the Virginia State tournament Friday.

“We play a simple game: groundballs, catch, throw, play great defense,” Dominion coach Pete Lenottii said. “We work hard. This was just another game, just a little harder.”

Led offensively by junior Jack Flynn (6 goals) and senior Brett Bushman (2 goals, 3 assists), the Titans took the lead 52-seconds in -- senior Cody Farmer (3 goals) shot into the lower right hand corner of the net while cutting through across the seam -- and they never looked back.

Boys Soccer: Tuscarora's Carey Moves from Midfield to Forward, then Moves Huskies Forward to Region II Semifinals with Two Goals

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern
Leesburg (May 28, 2013) - Tuscarora High School’s Justin Carey transitioned from center midfielder to forward at just the right time as he connected with the game’s only goals in the 55th and 65th minutes giving the Huskies the advantage over Potomac Falls, 2-0, in the Region II quarterfinals Tuesday.

“We took him out of the central midfield and moved him up to striker just trying to get another push from somebody else, a little bit of effort up there,” said Tuscarora coach Dave Gryder, who notched career win No. 200 with the victory. “He got the ball at a good opportunity and made a good shot. He’s got the scoring ability. We’re using him at center midfielder this year to control the ball, but we know he can finish.”

Baseball: Fletcher Swings Momentum with 3-Run Blast as Loudoun Valley Beats Heritage, 10-4, in Region Opener

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern 
Leesburg (May 27, 2013) - A monumental momentum swing during the first round of the Region II baseball tournament came off the bat of Loudoun Valley High School’s Chad Fletcher in the form of a 3-run home run over the scoreboard in left field as the Vikings went on to defeat Heritage, 10-4.

“One swing of the bat, momentum can change in a game whether it’s a home run or a groundball with a double play,” said Fletcher, a senior first baseman. “I was just trying to make something go for my team. I hit it pretty good and gave us some momentum.”

Baseball: Potomac Falls' Engelmann Outduels Heritage's Hopeck as Panthers Win Dulles District Tournament Title

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern

Sterling (May 24, 2013) - The top four hitters in the Potomac Falls High School batting order combined for six hits, reached base eight times and scored all four runs in the Panthers 4-3 win over Heritage Friday night in the Dulles District baseball tournament championship. It was the Panthers third title in the last five years.

“The top of our order needs to get it started,” senior cleanup hitter Zachary Engelmann said. “We're knocking in runs. But it was a total team effort. We need the whole order to win games. Everyone is important and everyone showed up tonight.”

Baseball: Hopeck Throws 1-Hitter as Pride Knock off Raiders, 10-0, in Dulles District Quarterfinals

Zack Hopeck fired a 1-hitter Friday (photo courtesy Susie Howard)

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern
 Leesburg (May 17, 2013) – On a night full of extra innings in the Dulles District, the Heritage Pride, backed by a Zack Hopeck one-hit shutout, knocked off their crosstown rival Raiders 10-0 in a shortened five inning game.

“It was typical Hopeck,” Heritage coach Ryan Price said. “He was commanding the zone, keeping his pitch counts down, getting ahead of hitters and making them take defensive swings. He gave our defense all the opportunities to make plays behind him.”

Boys Lacrosse: Loudoun County's Defense Steps Up Late as Unbeaten Raiders Gather First Ever Dulles District Tournament Title with 7-6 Win Over Dominion

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern

Leesburg (May 15, 2013) – With just under two minutes to play, the Loudoun County High School boys’ lacrosse team made the most of a set of screens in front of the net as senior midfielder Jacob Averys sent a shot cruising into the back of the net to take a 7-6 lead over the Dominion Titans in the Dulles District Tournament championship game.

Averys’ goal would be the decider as the Raiders’ defense stepped up late en route to Loudoun County’s first ever district tournament championship, capping off an undefeated 11-0 run in the Dulles District -- an 8-0 regular season run followed by three tournament wins.

Baseball: Unearned Run the Only Difference as Heritage's Gloger Triumphs over Loudoun Valley's Reed, 1-0, in Pitcher's Duel

Heritage's #21 Matt Gloger was the winning ace Thursday in a
pitching duel against Loudoun Valley's  Will Reed
(photo courtesy Susie Howard)

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern

Leesburg (May 9, 2013) – Heritage High School right-hander Matt Gloger was dominant on Thursday night, allowing only six base runners in the midst of throwing a complete game, 1-0, shutout over the Loudoun Valley Vikings (12-7 overall, 10-5 in the district).

The Pride (12-7, 11-4) scored their only run of the game in the third inning, against equally as dominant Loudoun Valley starter Will Reed, on a Brandall Peter’s infield pop fly that was dropped allowing sophomore Tyler Richards to score.

Baseball: Bowman Gets Plenty of Run Support as the Wolverines Topple Top-Seeded Panthers

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern

Purcellville (May 8, 2013) – The Woodgrove High School Wolverines’ seven-run first inning proved to be plenty of support for their starting pitcher Kaleb Bowman who gave up one just unearned run while surrendering two hits through six innings in a 9-1 win over Dulles District baseball’s first place squad,  Potomac Falls (14-4 overall, 12-2 in the district).

“Kaleb has been this way all year for us,” Woodgrove’s head coach Brad Bauder said of the sophomore. “He knows exactly what it takes to keep us in the game and getting him some run support early made him want to win even more.”

Girls Soccer: Hartman Celebrates Senior Night with Big Assist to Downey in Tuscarora's 1-0 Win vs. Woodgrove

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern
Leesburg (May 7, 2013) – On a rainy Tuesday evening in which the Tuscarora High School varsity girls’ soccer team honored their seniors, junior Abby Downey provided the game’s lone goal as the Huskies (10-0-4 overall, 4-0-3 in district) defeated the reigning VHSL AA state champions and a team in a 3-way atop the Dulles District standings, the Woodgrove Wolverines (9-4-1, 5-2-1).

In the 11th minute of the first half, senior captain Annie Hartman placed a corner kick near the far side of the goal and Downey stepped forward knocking in her 12th goal of the season on the Huskies’ first shot attempt of the match from around six yards out.

Girls Basketball: Woodgrove Takes Possession of First Place in Dulles District with Win Over Loudoun County

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern 
(Jan. 9, 2013) - In the Dulles District girls basketball battle for first place, Woodgrove High School matched up against Loudoun County last Friday in the most highly anticipated game of the season. Woodgrove (10-0, 11-2) stole the basketball 18 times, forcing 29 Raider turnovers, and kept the defensive pressure on all night as they took sole possession of first place in the district by knocking off Loudoun County (9-1, 12-2) 58-49.

Boys Basketball: One-on-One with Heritage Transfer Jesse Case

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern 
(Jan. 8, 2013) - High school is a period of time where students begin to transition into a more independent lifestyle. It’s a time where students get to choose, more frequently, who they want to hang out with, who they associate themselves with and what they get to do during their free time from school.

During Jesse Case’s freshman year of high school, his free time consisted of playing basketball and the roughly hour long drive back and forth from Leesburg to Fairfax County where he attended Paul VI Catholic High School. Case, now a sophomore and starting point guard for Heritage’s varsity boys basketball team said that he enjoys the opportunity the local public high school gives him because he gets to be closer to home with his friends.

Boys Basketball: Heritage Starts off New Year with 70-56 Win Over Briar Woods

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern 
(Jan. 8, 2013) - The Heritage High School boys basketball team, which had the entire winter holiday to mull over a tough loss to Dulles District leader Loudoun Valley, bounced back from the break last  Wednesday by knocking off the Briar Woods Falcons, 70-56. Heritage committed just five turnovers in their first outing of the New Year.

“We always try to limit ourselves to under 10 turnovers,” said Heritage head coach Greg Grimes. “We haven’t been able to do that for much of the season, but five that’s impressive.”

Boys Basketball: Jake Ryan Leads Briar Woods to 64-52 Win Over Stone Bridge in Battle of Ashburn

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern
Ashburn (Dec. 28, 2012) – The Briar Woods High School boys basketball team hustled and defended their way to a 64-52 win over Stone Bridge Friday in the second night of the Honda of Dulles Battle of Ashburn Tournament.

Briar Woods (3-4 record) and Stone Bridge (2-8) matched up pretty evenly throughout the first half, but late in the second quarter Falcons’ senior forward Jake Ryan (27 points, 6 rebounds) got hot, connecting on baskets on four of Briar Woods’ last five possessions of the half.

Boys Basketball: Broad Run Bench Scores 58 as Spartans Run By Briar Woods, 85-63, in Battle of Ashburn

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern 
Ashburn (Dec. 27, 2012) - Broad Run High School's offensive execution and defensive tenacity allowed for transition baskets and an advantage in ball control against Briar Woods in the first round of the Honda of Dulles Battle of Ashburn Tournament on Thursday night. The Spartans secured the victory, 85-63, thanks to a kick start from their bench.

Starting the game on the poor end of a 10-4 run, the Broad Run starters looked out-matched and out of condition so Spartans head coach John Costello quickly pulled all five starters. Entering the game were senior Mitch Pittman, juniors Khiorie Stewart, Justin Hart and Chris Coggins and freshman Jaleel Robinson ... and they made a powerful statement. Stewart led all scorers with a season-high 26 points, while Coggins finished with 18 points, 12 points more than his previous season high.

Girls Basketball: Broad Run Forces 22 Turnovers to Blow by Briar Woods, 49-21, in Battle of Ashburn Opener

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern 
Ashburn (Dec. 27, 2012) - In the first varsity level matchup of the Honda of Dulles Battle of Ashburn basketball tournament on Thursday, the Broad Run High School girls forced 22 turnovers and wrapped up an easy 49-21 victory over Briar Woods.

The Spartans (7-5 overall) were  led by senior guard Ellie Ferguson (14 points) and freshman forward Mariah Leonard (8 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals). Broad Run scored early and often, seeing double digit scoring in the first three quarters.

Boys Basketball: Strong Second Half Leads Loudoun Valley to 61-54 Win Over Heritage

By Owen Gotimer
Viva Loudoun College Intern
Purcellville (Dec. 26, 2012) - A combination of excellent rebounding, stellar 3-point shooting and an advantage at the foul line helped undefeated Loudoun Valley High School rally past Heritage Friday night, 61-54, in a highly anticipated Dulles District game. The Vikings’ (6-0, 9-0) timely scoring came in the second half as they outscored the Pride (4-3, 8-3) 32-22 after trailing 32-29 at the half.

Led by junior Paul Rowley (21 points, 9 rebounds) and senior Josh Grimard (17 points, 8 rebounds), Loudoun Valley dominated the offensive boards in the first half scoring on four second chance opportunities early, while limiting Heritage to only six total offensive rebounds on the game.

Boys Basketball: Loudoun County's Senior Make a Statement on Their Night

By Owen Gotimer
Heritage High School student journalist

Leesburg (Feb. 11, 2012) - Fighting to a Dulles District boys basketball tournament first round game and
celebrating their three graduating seniors, Loudoun County High School (9-7, 13-9) made a statement Friday night at home against Woodgrove (8-8, 11-11). Seniors Zack Ballinger, Neil Turnage and Stephen Veschi commemorated their four years of high school basketball with a win as the Raiders defeated the Wolverines
54-44.

“It's a great start for us and the win should really jump start us into the tournament,” said Turnage. “We know that we've prepared for this all season and we're looking to make a strong run in the tournament.”

Girls Basketball: Heritage's Seniors Shine on Their Night

By Owen Gotimer
Heritage High School student journalist

Leesburg (Feb. 4, 2012) - Coming off a big 50-47 non-district win against Stone Bridge Thursday night 50-47, the Heritage High School girls basketball team (9-6, 11-10) looked to continue with their winning ways on Senior Night against Dulles District opponent Loudoun Valley (0-15, 0-19).

Heritage'’s seniors Chelsea Evans, Sydney McDonald, Laura Nibbelink and Kayla Whoolery combined for 33 points in the Pride’s decisive 49-35 win over the Vikings.

Girls Basketball: Heritage Sweeps Season Series with Loudoun Valley

By Owen Gotimer
Heritage High School student journalist

Purcellville (Jan. 30, 2011) - The Heritage High School girls basketball team shot a season high 51 percent from the field, 33 percent from behind the arc, and 73 percent from the free throw line Saturday night for their second Cedar Run District win over Loudoun Valley this season, as they beat the Vikings, 67-50, on the road.

Earlier in the season the Pride had defeated Valley 58-41 at home.

Valley controlled the game for the first four minutes, using a full court zone press that allowed the Vikings to start the game on a 15-4 run.

The Pride, however, quickly answered with a firm press break and press of their own, ending the first quarter on a 7-0 run.

When Heritage wins a game, they usually don’t play from behind, but for the second time on the week – Tuesday they came from behind to beat Potomac Falls – the Pride fought hard while trailing, outscoring Valley 24-13 in the second quarter.

Pride freshman Kayla Tibbs was the first half leading scorer with 12 as she led her team into the locker room at the half, up 35-28.

Valley didn’t get a break in the second half as Heritage continued to pour on the points. This time led by junior guard Kayla Whoolery, who scored 12 second-half points, the Pride looked to have a healthy lead after three quarters of play, 51-40.

In the fourth quarter, Heritage, a 54 percent free throw shooting team connected on all six of their free throws icing the game for the Pride.

Heritage’s head coach Anthony Long felt that the key to victory was that “tonight we had the game and pace of the game where we wanted them.”

He added that in order to beat Battlefield this Friday, a team that beat Heritage in their first meeting 50-42, his girls need to “take better care of the ball and attack the zone.”

Heritage Stats:
Erika Grabbi – 5 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 deflection, 2 blocks, 1 assist
Sydney McDonald – 7 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 deflection
Mackenzie Moore – 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 deflection, 2 blocks, 3 assists, 5 of 7 FT
Laura Nibbelink – 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 deflections, 1 assist
Debbie Reilly – 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 assist
Myah Robinson – 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Kayla Tibbs – 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 deflections, 1 block, 2 assists, 5 of 5 FT
Kelsey Tidgewell – 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 deflection, 2 blocks
Kayla Whoolery – 22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 deflections, 3 assists

Valley Scoring:
Lauren Jane – 7 points
Kelsey Luck – 3 points
Jamie Gutch – 16 points
Jerica Mingo – 6 points
Katie Stevenson – 5 points
Jill Hurtt – 13 points

Girls Basketball: Heritage Hurdles First Half Deficit for First Time

By Owen Gotimer
Heritage High School student journalist

Leesburg (Jan. 27, 2011) - The Heritage High School girls basketball team, coming off a non-district win last Friday against Broad Run that put them over .500 for the season, looked to knock off Potomac Falls for the second time this season. In order to win Monday's non-district game, however, the Pride would need to do something they hadn't done all year, which was win a game after trailing at halftime.

And that is exactly what Heritage (9-7, 1-2) did as the Pride edged Potomac Falls (6-10, 5-5), 33-32 on Sydney McDonald's free throw in the final seconds, to sweep the season series. Heritage won the first meeting, 53-47.