Cheers Sports and Viva Loudoun 2012-13 Winter Sports "Fan Favorites"

(June 20, 2013) - For the first time this year Cheers Sports and Viva Loudoun teamed up to pick an All Loudoun team for every varsity sport played in the 13 public high schools in Loudoun County. The competition was fierce to make the teams so we wanted the fans input to honor those athletes that just missed the All Loudoun cut or those that showed team spirit and hard work that often gets overlooked when it comes to honors.

After voting that saw more than 300 nominations, here are the "Fan Favorites" for Winter 2012-13. Athletes selected will be invited to a photo shoot this Sunday, June 23 at 12:30 p.m. at Replay Sports in Ashburn. RSVP and full details here.

Cheers Sports and Viva Loudoun 2012-13 All Loudoun
Winter Sports "Fan Favorites"

Boys Basketball
Quad Borup (SO) Loudoun County
What the fans are saying: "He saved two games this year with buzzer beater 3-pointers ... two weeks in a row had a game winning buzzer beater as clock ran out to give LC the wins against their two strongest rivals, Heritage and Tuscarora."

Jesse Case (SO) Heritage
What the fans are saying: "Case is the most calm, collected and confident point guard I've ever seen play in Loudoun. His court presence is flawless and while not a scoring guard (although he definitely has scoring potential), Case sees his outlets without even looking."

Connor Gaines (SO) Briar Woods
What the fans are saying: "Gaines is an extremely talented "two guard". While his size may limit him rebounding in the paint, he is truly a 4-tool guard averaging over 10 points a game while dishing out assists all over the court. He is often seen jumping passing lanes, causing turnovers leading to fastbreak transition buckets ... kid shot 70 percent from the free throw line in a year when free throw shooing was an after thought for most athletes in Loudoun."

Jovon Miller (SR) Loudoun Valley
What the fans are saying: "Just a fun player to watch .. exciting to watch him elevate along the baseline ... a reason the Vikes did so well the past two seasons."

Steven Tondi (SR) Potomac Falls
What the fans are saying: "Big man for Panthers played with a lot of heart ... ability to knock down a key shot helped Panthers."

Girls Basketball
Maggie Buxton (SR) Woodgrove
What the fans are saying: "She has heart, dedication, competitiveness and leadership."

Chloe Knox (SO) Loudoun County
What the fans are saying: "A threat from underneath and on the perimeter, Knox is a brilliant complement to teammate Maggie Phillips. With both Knox and Phillips under the basket, teams find it hard to grab rebounds and the Raiders score a lot of second chance points on put backs by Knox but don't be surprised when she sneaks out and hits a baseline 3-pointer with a girls in her face."

Megan Leonard (SO) Tuscarora
What the fans are saying: "Leading 3-point shooter in the Dulles District with 59. She was top eight in the Metro area."

Teal Reynolds (JR) Potomac Falls
What the fans are saying: "All around player averaged 13 ppg which was third in the conference and she led her team in assists with 3.1 a game. She had 3.2 steals a game and six rebounds a game as a point guard .. She has been a starter for three years and scored 23 vs. Broad Run and 22 vs. Park View ... Teal is a good all around athletic who loves the game and respect other players. She is dedicated to hard work and wants to win. She would be a great candidate for the All Loudoun team .... Teal has overcome great hardships throughout her high school career ... She is a 3-year letter winner and is on pace to be our school's leading scorer. She missed out on all district because of the strong players in our district and the larger number of teams ... Teal performed consistently well for her team by scoring, rebounding, and stealing at a very high clip ... she's the starting point guard and does everything to help them win."

Taylor Tibbits (JR) Loudoun County
What the fans are saying: "She has kept every high scorer in Loudoun to less than 3 pints a game ... gets no credit for playing great defense!"

Boys Swim
Justin Allen (SR) Broad Run
What the fans are saying: "Strong finish to BR career saw him top 10 in Loudoun in 4 events including 200 free, 200 IM, 500 free and 100 breast."

Matthew Woodmancy (SR) Potomac Falls
What the fans are saying: This young man has stepped up and did whatever was asked of him and he was the true leader of the Potomac Falls swim team."

John Paul Popovich (SO) Dominion
What the fans are saying: "Placed top three in 200 IM and 100 breaststroke at Districts and Regionals .... Performed well at States."

Justin Touve (SO) Potomac Falls
What the fans are saying: "He had the 4th best 200 free time, 6th best 500 free time and 7th best 100 free time on the season in Loudoun plus was top 15 in the 200 IM and 100 fly."

Girls Swim
Erica Comm (JR) Briar Woods
What the fans are saying: "Dulles District champ in the 100 free. Second consecutive year the BWHS girls MVP. Third consecutive year qualified for States in multiple events. ... She has leadership qualities, was a great teammate and had a great smile! ... She has leadership, attitude and ability, in that order ... she is a terrific teammate ... Erica is a great competitor and athlete, but most importantly, a great person and student!"

Eileen Fauteux (SR) Potomac Falls
What the fans are saying: "Eileen is a 3-sport athlete that holds school records in volleyball, swim and track. She has been All-District in all, All-Region swim and Track and state finalist in swim and track. She has been Potomac Falls Female Athlete of the Year three times and is the best female athlete to ever walk through PFHS."

Caroline Ruttenberg (SR) Broad Run
What the fans are saying: "Broke 3 school records! Represents the sport of swimming with class and sportsmanship; always cheering for everyone on the team."

Cynthia Vu (JR) and Catherine Vu (SO) Park View
What the Fans are saying: "The Patriot swim program may struggle a bit but these two sisters give Park View fans reasons to celebrate swimming ... Catherine was on the  top times charts in Loudoun in five events including 8th in the 200 IM and 100 fly .. Cynthia was 9th in the 100 back.

Wrestling
McKinnon Bowen (SO) Stone Bridge
What the fans are saying: "He faced the Broad Run 106-pounder who was All County, twice last season and pinned and majored him ... runner-up at Liberty District meet."

Micah Hotz (JR) Park View
What the fans are saying: "Made the AA state tournament in the 152 pound weight class."

Luke Rivera (SO) Loudoun County
What the fans are saying: "Helped Raiders to best season ever ... wrestled at tough AA state tournament at 145 pounds."

Luke Segerdahl (SR) Woodgrove
What the fans are saying: "Finished fifth at Region II meet and was runner-up as the Dulles District meet in tough 145 pounds class to help Wolverines take championship."

Gymnastics
Alyssa Del Prete (FR) Potomac Falls
What the fans are saying: "She had one of the 12 top All Around scores in Loudoun in the winter. She also scored 8.9 on the beam."

Brooke Wivagg (JR) Briar Woods**
What the fans are saying: "Brooke battled back from three stress fractures in her back to help lead the Falcons to their best season ever. She competed in the All Around at ever meet except for one, finished in the top 15 in the County in all events, had a fantastic showing at the State Qualifier and competed at the State meet in two events ... Brooke is the co-captain of the Falcons as a junior, earned the Coaches Award for her accomplishments and attitude this season ... she is a great, wonderful, talented person and is a great captain for the Briar Woods gymnastics team! ... I think Brooke my sister should be picked because she is always positive and always tries the best. She encouraged me to tryout for the gymnastics team although I couldn't compete this year because of a broken elbow. She always helped make sure I was included in everything the team did. She was a great captain, she supported all the gymnasts and made the season fun. Most importantly we could always count on her to turn in a great score ... She is a very dedicated athlete and student who is a positive role model for underclassmen ..  She showed positive team leadership as a captain this season ... I managed the Briar Woods gymnastics team this season and I know Brooke is a great team player and leader. The younger girls always came to her for advice on their routines or technique. She was always a very positive role model and showed that not even winning is more important than good sportsmanship and a good attitude. She even took a huge spill off the beam at one meet and finished the routine with a huge smile on her face, while most people would have given up. The team picked her as one of the captains, so they obviously see her as a leader and value her opinion ... She should be chosen as a fan favorite because of her determination and ability to motivate and pick people p when they might have had an off day ... I've been on Brooke's club gymnastics team for five years and she was almost always one of the reasons I came to practice. She always had a really positive attitude and never failed to cheer you up. Brooke is one of those people that makes you believe that you can do it no matter what. Her favorite saying was 'you're not going to die. And if you do, you'll never have to do it again' ... I went to the Districts meet and thought Brooke gave an amazing performance. She stood out as a great leader and captain with a positive attitude, cheering on all her teammates during the meet and posing as a wonderful role model .. She is a great leader and consistent performer and all around just a great person! ... She is very positive and a hard working leader. She is always there to encourage you and help you. She has been a role model for our team ... I did competitive gymnastics with Brooke and she is an amazing teammate and a very talented gymnast. She is so encouraging and always pushed me to do my best! ... She was very helpful, enthusiastic and a great teammate ... As captain she has led her team in events and brought out the fun and excitement of gymnastics in practices and competitions. Brooke's dedication to her teammates and willingness to choreograph and help them to improve their skills are what allowed the Falcons to have their best season yet. Brooke has also shown that with hard work and dedication you can overcome injury or obstacle and still succeed ... She was always smiling and showed great sportsmanship toward her own team as well as athletes on other teams ... Brooke IS Briar Woods gymnastics. She may not have the top scores, but she is consistent and the most supportive, enthusiastic teammate! My 6-year-old made us go to the Briar Woods meets just to watch Brooke! She's ALL heart and dedication!"
(**Brooke had more nominations than any athlete for Fan Favorite with many of the nominations coming from opponents!)

Potomac Falls: Panthers Hold Ceremony for 13 Athletes Headed to College Ranks

(May 30, 2013) - Earlier this month, Potomac Falls High School held a ceremony for 13 athletes who will play next year at the college level:

Baseball 
Zach Engelmann, Lynchburg College
Jared Goldberg, Christopher Newport University
Brandon Orbe, Marymount University
James Pearson, James Madison University

Girls’ Basketball 
Patricia Mook, Emory University

Football 
Alex Bouchard, West Virginia Wesleyan College
Sean Brown, Alderson-Broaddus College
Zach Causey, Randolph-Macon College
Kareen Watson, California University of Pennsylvania

Boys’ Soccer 
Ian Waltz, University of Mary Washington

Girls’ Soccer 
Anna Gruenberg, Shenandoah University
Anna Mueller, Shepherd University
Kylie Shultz, George Mason University

Heritage: A Whole Lot of Pride on College Signing Day

(May 22, 2013) - There was a whole lot of Pride at Heritage High School this week as the school held a ceremony for athletes playing in college next year. The 10 athletes featured in the ceremony, some of them previously not on our College Choice Chart, brings Heritage's total commitments from the Class of 2013 to 22 athletes.

Those in the photo above:
Front row:
Kayla Corey – Lake Erie College, Lacrosse
Rachel Klainer – Eastern Mennonite University Soccer
Sam Denuccio - Ferrum College Softball

Second Row:
Breana Smart – Lynchburg College Basketball
Jacob Thiel – Seton Hill University Soccer
Tim Bryden – Ferrum College Football
Ryan Douglass – East Carolina University, Golf
Austin Brundage – Emmanuel College, Lacrosse
Matt Gloger – Randolph Macon College, Baseball
Lauren Wood – West Virginia Wesleyan, Soccer

Heritage will also celebrate on Friday, Marissa Ohngenmach's commitment to run cross country and track at Christopher Newport. She missed Thursday's ceremony while at the Region II track and field meet.

Girls Basketball: Cheers Sports and Viva Loudoun 2012-13 All-Loudoun Team

(May 13, 2013) - Cheers Sports and Viva Loudoun have teamed up to selected their first ever All-Loudoun selections ... the top varsity athletes across the county's 13 public high schools for the 2012-13 school year.

We kicked off the selections with the fall sports season (boys cross country, girls cross country, golf, girls volleyball, competitive cheer and football) and we are covering the winter selections now with gymnastics, boy swim, girls swim, wrestling and girls basketball released so far.

There will be a photo shoot at Cheers Sports in Ashburn on Sunday, May 19 for those athletes selected with the girls basketball group photo at 12:45 p.m. Please RVSP to dan.sousa@verizon.net or text to 703.509.8826.

Cheers Sports and Viva Loudoun All-Loudoun 2012-13
Girls Basketball
Brooke Basinger (SO) Woodgrove
Alysha Berry (JR) Tuscarora
Megan Della Penna (JR) Stone Bridge
Ellie Ferguson (SR) Broad Run
Sarah Hardison (SR) Woodgrove
Mariah Leonard (FR) Broad Run
Maggie Phillips (JR) Loudoun County
Niki Prince (SR) Stone Bridge
Stephanie Purnell (SR) Woodgrove
Breana Smart (SR) Heritage
Kayla Tibbs (JR) Heritage
Dominique White (JR) Potomac Falls

Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Stephanie Purnell (SR) Woodgrove
Girls Basketball Coach of the Year: Kevin Copley, Woodgrove

Girls Basketball: Woodgrove 3-Year Captain Stephanie Purnell Signs to Play at Bucknell

Purcellville (May 7, 2013) - Woodgrove High School senior Stephanie Purnell -- a 3-year captain and the school's all-time leader in scoring, rebounds and blocked shots -- signed her letter of intent to attend and play basketball for Bucknell University on Monday.

Girls Basketball: Heritage SR Breana Smart to Play Next Year at D3 Lyncyburg College

(May 3, 2013) - Heritage High School senior Breana Smart will be taking her basketball game to NCAA Division III Lynchburg College, according to Pride head coach coach Robert Smart.

Girls Basketball: Woodgrove's Purnell Named 1st Team All-State, Will Walk on to Bucknell Program

(March 20, 2013) - Last week was big for Woodgrove High School senior Stephanie Purnell as she was accepted to Bucknell University where she will walk on to the women's basketball program and she was named first team AA All-State by the Virginia High School Coaches Association.

Purnell's teammate, sophomore Brooke Basinger, and Loudoun County junior Maggie Phillips were both named honorable mention all-state.

VHSCA Girls Basketball 2012-13 AA All-State
Players of the Year
D3: Bailey Williams (SR) Spotswood
D4: Tay Taylor (SR) Salem

First Team
Bailey Williams (SR) Spotswood
Tay Taylor (SR) Salem
Janae McNeal (SR) Courtland
Stephanie Purnell (SR) Woodgrove
Olivia Watson (JR) Grafton
Myneshia Walker (JR) Brunswick
Brittany Allen (JR) Richlands

Basketball: VHSL State Tournament Brackets - Final for All Games

(March 9, 2013) - Final results for the 2013 Virginia High School League state boys and girls basketball tournament:

AAA Boys
Quarterfinals
Henrico 65, Kecoughtan 64
Woodson 65, Battlefield 52
John Marshall 66, Great Bridge 55
Wakefield 83, Mountain View 76

Semifinals
Henrico 75, Woodson 65
John Marshall 66, Wakefield 46

Finals
Henrico 72, John Marshall 48

AAA Girls
Quarterfinals
Lake Taylor 68, Highland Springs 55
Colonial Forge 58, Edison 52
Princess Anne 50, L.C. Bird 41
Stonewall Jackson 55, South Lakes 53

Semifinals
Lake Taylor 64, Colonial Forge 49
Princess Anne 48, Stonewall Jackson 38

Finals
Lake Taylor 56, Princess Anne 53

AA Division 4 Boys
Quarterfinals
Salem-Salem 63, Heritage-Lynchburg 45
Potomac Falls 73, Chancellor 53
E.C. Glass 61, Carroll County 46
Grafton 56, Millbrook 40

Semifinals
Salem-Salem 76, Potomac Falls 69
Grafton 51, E.C. Glass 48 (OT)

Finals
Salem-Salem 56, Grafton 48

AA Division 4 Girls
Quarterfinals
Bassett 57, Heritage-Lynchburg 47
Courtland 54, Woodgrove 51
Salem-Salem 46, Lord Botetourt 34
Loudoun County 53, Grafton 48

Semifinals: Tues. March 5
Courtland 64, Bassett 53
Salem-Salem 51, Loudoun County 38

Finals
Salem-Salem 51, Courtland 44

AA Division 3 Boys
Quarterfinals
Spotswood 61, Martinsville 44
Bruton 59, Handley 57
Fort Defiance 59, Abingdon 50
Brunswick 24, Loudoun Valley 22

Semifinals
Spotswood 70, Bruton 69
Brunswick 56, Fort Defiance 29

Finals
Brunswick 56, Spotswood 31

Girls Basketball: Salem Stops Loudoun County State Run, 51-38, Semifinal Knockout

(March 6, 2013) - Loudoun County High School girls basketball team, with no seniors on its roster, had its VHSL state title run end Wednesday morning with Salem knocking the Raiders out of the playoffs with a 51-38 win at VCU's Siegel Center in Richmond.

It was the second time in less than 14 hours that a Salem team sent a Loudoun squad packing as the Spartans boys ended Potomac Falls state run late Tuesday night in the semifinals.

The winter sports season is now finished in Loudoun with spring sports playing games for keeps starting Monday, March 6, 2013. Here is a look back at champions from the 2012-13 winter season:

Girls Basketball: Salem vs. Loudoun County D4 State Semifinal Preview

Winning as a team!

(March 4, 2013) - The Loudoun County High School girls basketball team is one win away from a third trip to the state finals in five years! Here is their semifinal preview:

The Skinny: VHSL Girls Basketball Division 4 Semifinals
Loudoun County vs. Salem
Date: Wed. March 6, 2013
Location: VCU's Siegel Center in Richmond
Tip Off Time: 11 a.m.

Loudoun County High School
Location: Leesburg
Nickname: Raiders
Colors: Navy Blue, Gold
District: Dulles
Region: II
Enrollment (March 2012): 1,357
Head Coach: Derek Fisher

Record: 24-5
Past Semifinals: 4
Past State Championships: 1

Basketball: Loudoun County Girls, Potomac Falls Boys Continue State Success

(March 3, 2013) - It shouldn't be a surprise that the Loudoun Count High School girls and Potomac Falls High School boys basketball teams are still playing in March as the two programs have had a lot of recent success in the VHSL state tournament with Loudoun County girls winning a Division 4 state title in 2009 and Potomac Falls taking back-to-back D4 state titles in 2010 and 2011.

Both teams are back to the Final Four -- 4th straight year for Potomac Falls boys and fourth time in third time in five years for Loudoun County girls -- after big wins Saturday in the state quarterfinals.

Potomac Falls boys cruised by Chancellor, 73-53, at Robinson High School, while the Loudoun County girls went on the road and beat Grafton, 53-48, at ODU.

Both teams face Salem High School in the state semifinals with Potomac Falls playing Tuesday night at VCU at 9 p.m. and the Loudoun County girls playing Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. at VCU.

Loudoun County Girls & Potomac Falls Boys Since 2008-09
2008-09: LC girls win state title; PF boys lose Region II first round
2009-10: LC girls lose Region II semifinals; PF boys win state title
2010-11: LC girls lose in state title game; PF boys win state title
2011-12: LC girls lose state quarterfinals: PF boys lose state semifinals
2012-13: Both teams are in Final Four!

Photo Gallery: Girls Basketball D4 State Quarterfinal Woodgrove vs. Courtland by Gary Sousa

(March 3, 2013) - Gary "Big Game" Sousa was on hand for the state quarterfinals at Robinson High School Saturday and captured this great photo gallery from the Division 4 girls game between Woodgrove and Courtland. See all 100 photos here!

Basketball: State Quarterfinal Scoreboard

(March 3, 2013) - Loudoun teams started the day 2-0 in VHSL state quarterfinal basketball action with the Loudoun County girls and Potomac Falls boys advancing but Purcellville-based teams, Woodgrove girls and Loudoun Valley boys, each lost close games:

State Quarterfinal Finals for Loudoun Teams
Boys
Potomac Falls 73, Chancellor 53 (D4)
Brunswick 24, Loudoun Valley 22 (D3)

Girls
Loudoun County 53, Grafton 48 (D4)
Courtland 54, Woodgrove 51 (D4)

Girls Basketball: Loudoun County Advances to State Semifinals

(March 2, 2013) - The Loudoun County High School girls basketball team advanced to the VHSL Division 4 state semifinals with a 53-48 win over Grafton today at ODU. The Raiders will face the winner of Salem vs. Lord Botetourt on Wednesday morning at VCU at 11 a.m. at VCU in Richmond.

Girls Basketball: Coastal Sports Network to Broadcast Woodgrove Girls State Quarterfinal Live Online Saturday

(Feb. 28, 2013) - Purcellville-based Coastal Sports Network will broadcast live online the Woodgrove High School girls basketball VHSL state quarterfinal game against Courtland Saturday at Robinson High School with a 4:30 p.m. tip off. The Broadcast, with Troy Bye on the play-by-play and Woodgrove boys coach Stephen Douglas on the color, will start at 4:20 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Two Foxcroft Players Named All-DAC

Middleburg (Feb. 28, 2013) - Debbie Cadenas and Caroline Huckabay, the two leading scorers on Foxcroft School’s team, have been named to the All-Delaney Athletic Conference Division II basketball team, Athletic Director Michelle Woodruff announced Wednesday.

Debbie Cadenas

The selection by the league’s coaches marks the second year in a row that Cadenas, a senior from Middleburg, VA, was named to the first team. The speedy guard finished second on the team in scoring with a 7.8 points per game average. She also led the team in steals (3.5 spg) and assists (12).

Huckabay’s selection completed a remarkable comeback effort by the junior guard. After starting for much of her freshman year, she missed all of last season after a riding accident. The Paris, KY, resident, who is as passionate about horses as she is about hoops, broke her arm suffered in the fall and later had surgery because it did not heal correctly. Despite the injury, Huckabay was awarded the Coaches’ Award for attending practices and games and supporting her teammates through the season.

Caroline Huckaby

After rebuilding the strength in her arm through therapy, Huckabay was able to return to the court, although the arm bothered her at times this season. It didn’t stop her, however, from leading Foxcroft in scoring (8.5 ppg), 3-point field goals (11), and blocked shots (12). She also finished second in rebounding (5.5 rpg) and steals (3.0 spg), and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player by Coaches Patrick Finn and Fred McMane

Foxcroft went 7-11 on the season and reached the semifinals of the DAC postseason tournament.

Girls Basketball: This Defense Never Rests! Woodgrove Girls Shut Down County in 38-22 Region II Title Win

By Dan Sousa
Viva Loudoun Editor
Purcellville (Feb. 26, 2013) - High School basketball offenses tend to run hot and cold but a great defense never takes a night off. And the Woodgrove High School girls have a great defense, allowing opponents just 31 points per game, and Saturday the Wolverines had an off night offensively but shut down rival Loudoun County in a 38-22 Region II Division 4 title game win.

It was Woodgrove's fourth win over County this year and earned the Wolverines (25-3) a VHSL D4 state quarterfinal game Saturday, March 2 against Region I runner-up Courtland (25-3). Game time is 4:30 p.m. at Robinson High School in Fairfax.

The loss puts the Raiders (23-5) on the road in Norfolk in a quarterfinal match-up with Region I champion Grafton (26-2). Game time is 11 a.m. at Old Dominion University.

Basketball: VHSL Supersite Schedule

(Feb. 26, 2013) - Here is the VHSL supersite schedule for the 2013 boys and girls basketball state quarterfinals:

At Robinson HS
Friday March 1
5 p.m. AAA Girls: Edison vs. Colonial Forge
6:45 p.m. AAA Girls: Stonewall Jackson vs. South Lakes
8:30 p.m. AAA Boys: Woodson vs. Battlefield

Saturday March 2
1 p.m. D2 Girls: George Mason vs. Northumberland
2:45 p.m. D4 Boys: Potomac Falls vs. Chancellor
4:30 p.m. D4 Girls: Woodgrove vs. Courtland

At ODU
Friday March 1
5:30 p.m. D2 Girls: Lancaster vs. Clarke County
7 p.m.  AAA Girls: Princess Anne vs. L.C. Bird
8:30 p.m. AAA Boys: Great Bridge vs. John Marshall

Saturday March 2
11 a.m. D4 Girls: Grafton vs. Loudoun County
12:30 p.m. D4 Boys: Grafton vs. Millbrook

At VCU
Thursday Feb. 28
5:30 p.m. AAA Boys: Mountain View vs. Wakefield
7 p.m. AAA Girls: Highland Springs vs. Lake Taylor
8:30 p.m. AAA Boys: Henrico vs. Kecoughtan

Friday March 1
5:30 p.m. D1 Boys: West Point vs. Page County
7 p.m. D1 Girls: Colonial Beach vs. Altavista
8:30 p.m. D2 Boys: Northumberland vs. William Monroe

Saturday March 2
7 p.m. D3 Girls: Brunswick vs. Western Albemarle
8:45 p.m. D3 Boys: Brunswick vs. Loudoun Valley

Boys Basketball: Potomac Falls Captures 4th Straight Region II D4 Title; Loudoun Valley Falls in D3 Title Game

Potomac Falls SR D'Shawn Shorts helped Panthers
win a 4th straight Region II title on Saturday
(photo by Steven Holland/Viva Loudoun)

By Jason S Rufner 
Special to Viva Loudoun via Loudoun Times-Mirror
Sterling (Feb. 25, 2013) - A 13-2 run in the second quarter got the Potomac Falls High School back into it, and an 11-2 run in the fourth quarter sealed it in the Panthers 63-53 victory Feb. 23 over Millbrook in the Region II Division 4 boys basketball championship game in Sterling.

The win nets the Panthers their fourth consecutive regional crown, a fact that fills Panther coach Jeff Hawes -- the only head boys' basketball coach in school history -- with pride.

"It was my dream 16 years ago to build something the community could be proud of. It hasn't just been me -- it's been a ton of great people, players and parents and coaches," said Hawes, glancing up at the gym's banner proclaiming his program's many championships, another of which now has to be added. 

The outcome of the region title match was in doubt until the midpoint of the last quarter, when senior guard D'shawn Shorts' deep 3-pointer followed by six straight points from sophomore forward Wanya Allen gave the Panthers a lead they would not relinquish. Potomac Falls' characteristic man defense stepped up its intensity and limited the Pioneers' quality looks in the final frame.

"We knew they were going to come in here and give us all that we wanted," said Hawes of Millbrook, who earlier in the tournament upended Briar Woods in Brambleton. "Through the first three quarters we weren't playing particularly well and they had a lot to do with that."

Next up for Potomac Falls is a state quarterfinal date with Chancellor on March 2, 2:45 p.m. at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax.

Potomac Falls 63, Millbrook 53
PF: Thomas 19, Allen 18, Shorts 7, Fischetti 4, Janowski 4, Mologne 4, Orbe 4, Barton 3 
MB: Culbreath 16, Deneal 10, Brooks 6, Bruce 6, Harrell 5, Baylor 4, Trexler 4, Russell 2 
Halftime: Potomac Falls 32, Millbrook 31 
3-pointers: PF 1 (Shorts); MB 5 (Culbreath 2, Deneal 2, Harrell) 
Free throws: PF (14 of 19); MB (16 of 18)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Handley 58, Loudoun Valley 47
By Dan Sousa
Viva Loudoun Editor
Purcellvile (Feb. 25, 2013) - The Loudoun Valley High School gym was packed so full Saturday night that officials stopped letting fans in and there was a line at the door as people waited to get in all the way until the final quarter as soon as somebody exited.

Girls Basketball: Woodgrove's Purnell Named Region II D4 Player of the Year; WG's Copley is Coach of the Year

(Feb. 24, 2013) - Woodgrove High School senior Stephanie Purnell has been voted Region II Division 4 girls basketball Player of the Year by the coaches. Woodgrove's Kevin Copley is Coach of the Year.

Monticello's Molly Shepard is D3 Player of the Year and Monticello's Josh McElheny Coach of the Year.

2013 Region II Girls Basketball Selections

First Team
Stephanie Purnell (SR) Woodgrove
Lauren Reed (FR) Sherando
Brenna Cook (JR) Millbrook
Molly Shephard (SO) Monticello
Maggie Phillips (JR) Loudoun County
Brooke Basinger (SO) Woodgrove
Timesha Morris (SO) Powhatan

Second Team
Alesha Adams (JR) Warren County
Kayla Tibbs (JR) Heritage
Bridgette Holleran (SR) Monticello
Brooke Borlie (SR) Millbrook
Haleigh Kilby (JR) Brentsville