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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Photo Gallery: Girls Basketball - 200+ Shots from Freedom's State Title Win

VivaLoudoun.com editor Dan Sousa was courtside for Freedom's big win Saturday at VHSL for a second straight state girls basketball title. Click on any photo to view the gallery with 200+ shots!




Monday, March 15, 2010

News: Loudoun Soccer Rallies Supporters to Save Bolen Park

(Mar. 15, 2010) - Loudoun Soccer is rallying its supporters to try and save the Bolen Park project and its much needed playing fields.

A letter from Loudoun Soccer:

On the Sidelines with Dan Sousa - Big Game Buchanan Goes Out in a Big Way

On the Sidelines with Dan Sousa
Richmond (Mar. 15, 2010) - Kelsey Buchanan and the Freedom High School girls basketball team ended a brilliant four-year run Saturday night in a big way, naturally, bringing home a second straight Virginia High School League state title with a big 68-44 win over Spotswood in the Division 4 finals.

For Buchanan, at 6-foot-3 almost always the biggest player on the floor, she had her usual big night as the Delaware-bound senior always seems to play her best in big games and in the win Saturday at VCU's Siegel Center she came within one block of a triple-double, finishing with 25 points on 11 of 14 shooting, 16 rebonds and nine blocks.

Photo Gallery: Boys Basketball - Potomac Falls in Double Overtime for First State Title

Craig "Panther Purple" Sterbutzel was on hand for the amazing double overtime state title win by the Potomac Falls boys basketball team Saturday at VCU. Enjoy his great photos!




Photo Gallery: Girls Basketball - Freedom Wins Back-to-Back State Titles!

Craig "Fly Like an Eagle" Sterbutzel was on hand for Saturday's big Freedom win at VCU for back-to-back state titles! Click on any photo to view the entire gallery




Photo Gallery: Girls Basketball - George Mason Wins D2 State Title!

Craig "Siegel Center" Sterbutzel was on hand for George Mason's state title win Saturday so we thought we would share his photo gallery with you! Click on any photo to view all shots ...


News: More Postponements -- 3 Soccer Games Remain on Schedule

(Mar. 15, 2010) - The soggy weather isn't being kind to the first day of the spring sports season as everything has been postponed except for the Stone Bridge High School girls and boys soccer doubleheader at West Springfield and the Freedom boys soccer opener at Handley.

Hit the "Scores" button at the top of the page for the make-up information.

News: Freedom Reschedules Today's Spring Sports Events Except for Soccer

(Mar. 15, 2010) - The rain has rescheduled the Freedom High School baseball, tennis and lacrosse events today but boys soccer at Handley is stil on.

Freedom High School spring sports:
Boys Tennis has been moved to tomorrow March 16th at 4:30 at Loudoun County.
Girls Tennis has been moved to tomorrow March 16th at 4:30 home vs. Loudoun County.

Boys Soccer is on as scheduled at Handley.

Varsity Baseball vs. Hylton has been moved to Wednesday March 17th at 6:00 p.m. at home.
JV Baseball at Hylton has been moved to Wednesday March 17th at 6:00 p.m. at Hylton.

Girls Lacrosse scheduled for today vs. Fauquier will be played on April 7th at 6:00 p.m. at Fauquier.
Boys Lacrosse scheduled for today vs. Fauquier will be played on April 7th at 6:00 p.m. at home vs. Fauquier.

Lacrosse: Park View vs. Potomac Falls Lacrosse Rained Out

(Mar. 15, 2010) - The boys and girls lacrosse games scheduled tonight at Park View between the Panthers and neighbor Potomac Falls have been cancelled due to the weather. Make up date is TBA.

Boys Basketball: VHSL Division 4 State Title Game Official Box - Potomac Falls 69, Broadway 64 (2OT)

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Live! VHSL D4 State Basketball Finals - Freedom Wins Back-to-Back State Titles -- Potomac Falls Wins in Double Overtime!

12:30 a.m. The Potomac Falls press conference didn't end until well after midnight after the Panthers thrilling 69-53 double overtime thriller over Broadway in the VHSL Division 4 boys basketball state finals. It was the first ever state title in boys hoops for any Loudoun team and it came only have Potomac Falls survived a game winning shot in regulation by the Gobblers and then a missed free throw by Broadway with two seconds left in the first overtime.

Junior Lukas Mihailovich scored 33 points to match his number including 10 points in the overtime periods. Sophomore Greg Graves just missed his second straight triple-double with eight points, 15 rebounds and eight blocks. Junior Zack Curran only had seven points but they came in the fourth quarter and helped PF get back in the contest after trailing from the start.

11:16 p.m. Potomac Falls heads to double OT with Broadway ... what a wild game! 57-57 as we start another 4 minute period! 52-52 after regulation. Mihailovich has 28 for Panthers. Graves with 15 rebounds, 8 points, 8 blocks!

10:12 p.m. Gobblers are in control ... up 29-23 at the half. PF trailed almost from the start. Lukas Mihailovich has 15 points for PF but the rest of the team is 1of 16 from the field. Could be some big game jitters for Panthers but credit Broadway which is scrapping and getting almost all the loose balls. PFalls has also missed 8 free throws, going 12 of 20 from line.

More on Freedom's win, Kelsey Buchanan finishes career with near triple-double with 25 points, 16 rebounds and 9 blocks! Dionna Scott with 12 and Jessica Escorza with 11.

9:05 - Freedom girls win back-to-back state titles with 68-44 runaway vs. Spotswood tonight at VCU. Eagles won D3 title last year to go with this year's D4 title ... and the team had back-to-back state title t-shirts already on by the time they collected the trophy! Brilliant end to career of Kelsey Buchanan and Jessica Escorza and other Eagle seniors! Potomac Falls boys warming up ... 12:15 until introductions vs. Broadway ... who have a cool Gobblers mascot!

7:55 p.m. - Freedom girls running away with second straight state title ... up 30-16 at halftime on Spotswood. Kelsey Buchanan has 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Jessica Escorza has 9 points and 3 assists. Spotswood is shooting just 5 of 25 from the floor vs. tenacious Eagle defense

6:50 p.m. - Matt Brooks of the Washington Post says more like 7:15 and Matt always likes to be right. Carl Lukat from Loudoun Times-Mirror is here ... that is it as far as I can tell for print reporters from Loudoun.

6:47 p.m. - Awards ceremony on court as James River collects the state title ... Freedom game will probably start late ... I figure around 7:10

6:07 p.m. - Potomac Falls boys are walking, dressed up in suites and everybody has their tunes hooked up and it appears that to a man they have their "game faces" on.

6:04 p.m. - George Mason girls, with state trophy in hand, are heading out of the arena to their bus. Second straight D2 state title for the Mustangs ... congrats to the Falls Church school! Craig Sterbutzel shot the game and should have some photos up on VivaLoudoun later!

VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa has set up on press row here at VCU's Siegel Center and the place is rocking as James River is leading Buckingham, 26-18, in the boys D2 finals ... At 7 p.m. it will be Freedom playing Spotswood as the Eagles look to add the D4 state title to the D3 state title they won last year and then at 9 p.m. it is the Potomac Falls boys basketball team playing Broadway in a bid for the first ever state title won by a Loudoun team ... check back for updates!

Boys Basketball: 3 Keys to Potomac Falls Winning First Ever State Title Tonight

Potomac Falls vs. Broadway
VHSL Division 4 Boys Basketball Finals
VCU's Siegel Center in Richmond, 9 p.m.

Potomac Falls (22-2) defeated Spotswood, 66-57, in semifinals to advance
Broadway (21-6) defeated Courtland, 65-60

3 Keys to Potomac Falls Winning First Ever State Title
1. Make VanOrden Ordinary: Kyle VanOrden scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the Gobblers win over courtland that snapped the Cougars 35-game winning streak
2. Rebounds, rebounds, rebounds: Rebounds usually earn teams titles and 6-6 Greg Graves had a triple-double in the semifinals and with 6-5 Mickey Wagenhoffer starting with him, Pfalls looks to control the boards tonight
3. Big gameson a big stage: Lukas Mihailovich has staked himself as the leader of the Panther team and look for this junior to set the tempo for PF and drive to the basket for 20+ points tonight. If Mihailovich is on, PFalls will make history tonight

Girls Basketball: Three Keys to Freedom Winning Back-to-Back State Titles

Freedom vs. Spotswood
VHSL Division 4 Girls Basketball State Finals
VUC's Siegel Center in Richmond, 7 p.m. tipoff

Spotswood (20-6) defeated York in semifinals, 60-47
Freedom (20-5) defeated Turner Ashby, 44-27

3 Keys to Freedom Winning
1. Control Carter: Carter Williams makes the Spotswood offense go and she had nine points and eight assists in the semifinals including a behind-the-back pass that ignited the Trailblazers win
2. Double-Double Trouble: Freedom's Kelsey Buchanan averages a double-double each game and that is trouble for opponents as the 6-3 senior has had her way inside in last year's Division 3 state title run for Freedom and this year. If Buchanan owns the paint again tonight, expect an Eagle celebration
3. Turn the Tide on Turnovers: Spotswood has a balance attack that will want to pressure Freedom and the Eagles at times this year have struggled with turnovers. On the other hand, Freedom turned turnovers forced against Liberty, Courtland and Turner Ashby into easy points in the last three playoff wins.

Read More
http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=12119585
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/sports/high_school_prep/high_school_basketball/article/spotswood_girls_eliminate_york_60-47_in_group_aa_tournament/329476/

Photo Gallery: Youth Basketball By Nick Lutkins - Playoffs!

Nick Lutkins has been shooting some of the county middle school basketball this week ... please click on any photo to enjoy the full galleries!

River Bend vs. Stone Hill - Playoffs - March 12



River Bend vs. Simpson - Playoffs - March 9



River Bend vs. Belmont Ridge - Feb. 27

Friday, March 12, 2010

Boys Basketball: Graves Has His Breakout Moment as Panthers are Poised to Make History

(Mar. 12, 2010) - The problem with scouting the Potomac Falls High School boys basketball team this season is that in any game you watch a different player has his breakout moment.

It could be Lukas Miahailovich pouring in 50 points and a halfcourt buzzer beater in a triple overtime win against Stone Bridge or Zack Curran hitting the game-winning buzzer beater early in the season against Broad Run or Mickey Wagenhoffer stepping up big in the Dulles District tournament finals or Brendon Chesson swooping past Liberty in the Region II title game and on Tuesday night in the VHSL Division 4 state semifinals it was Greg Graves turn as the 6-foot-6 sophomore center turned in a triple-double (15 points, 12 rebounds, 10 blocks) to help lead the Panthers to a 66-57 win.

All of those players -- Mihailovich, Curran, Wagenhoffer, Chesson and Graves -- are starters for the Panthers and none of them are seniors but the PF head coach Jeff Hawes has been following this group since they were in sixth grade and now they are poised to earn the school's first ever state title in basketball -- Loudoun's first every boys basketball state title -- when they play Broadway Saturday at VCU's Siegel Center at 9 p.m.

Girls Basketball: A Beautiful Run to Come to An End Saturday for Freedom Girls

(Mar. 12, 2010) - During a stretch of Tuesday's VHSL Division 4 girls state semifinal, during which both his high-flying Freedom High School squad and opponent Turner Ashby went scoreless for more than five minutes, Eagles coach Jason Eldredge had one word in mind: Ugly.

And while the aesthetics may have been lacking in Freedom's defensive, 44-27, win over the Knights, there can be no denying that the Eagles (20-5) are about to finish up a beautiful 4-year run when they take the court at VCU's Siegel Center Saturday night at 7 p.m. in the state title game against Spotswood.

Freedom seniors Kelsey Buchanan (22 points, 19 rebounds, 5 blocks) and Jessica Escorza (7 points, 4 assists) are about to finish what they started four years ago when as freshmen they upset then district power Broad Run at home. It was -- at that time -- the school's biggest win ever but there was much more to come.

Basketball: Live Television Broadcast Options Saturday Night

(Mar. 12, 2010) - Not making the trip to Richmond Saturday night to watch the Freedom High School girls and Potomac Falls boys try to win VHSL state basketball titles? Here are your live television broadcast options:

VHSL Basketball finals broadcast live

WRLH Fox Richmond, owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, will broadcast all 10 2010 VHSL Basketball Championship final games live to the state of Virginia. Statewide partners that will broadcast the FOX Richmond productions of the championships are: WDCW - CW affiliate, Washington D.C.; Cox Cable – Chesapeake; MyC’Ville TV – Digital station in Charlottesville, Gray Television Group and WDRL-TV 24 – Roanoke

Basketball: Sold Out! VHSL AAA State Finals at VCU Sold Out Tonight

(Mar. 12, 2010) - There is more than rain headed to Richmond tonight as the Virginia High School League announced at 5:25 p.m. that all tickets for tonight's AAA girls and boys basketball state finals are sold at VCU's Siegel Center which has a capacity of 7,500 seats.

At 7 p.m. in an All-Eastern Region affair, Princess Anne will battle Lake Taylor in the girls AAA final followed by Eastern vs. Central in the 9 p.m. boys game with Eastern Region champion I.C. Norcom playing Central Region winner Petersburg.

News: Flash Flood Watch for Loudoun

(Mar. 12, 2010) - The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the area and Loudoun County Emergency Personnel are reminding residents of the dangers of attempting to drive through flooded roadways.

A low-pressure system impacting the region will bring periods of rain through Saturday night. This rain, combined with already saturated ground, will bring the risk of flooding to streams, creeks, and low-lying areas Friday evening through Saturday. This may cause many secondary roadways to become impassable. Motorists are reminded that if you find yourself driving in potential flash flood conditions, never drive through standing water on a roadway. Water may be much deeper than you think, causing your car to stall or even get stuck in hidden debris.

Loudoun Emergency Personnel are closely monitoring roadways that are susceptible to flooding as some areas may experience high water even after the rain tapers off.

To view real-time traffic incident information from the Loudoun Sheriff's Office, go to www.loudoun.gov/traffic or via your web browsing cell-phone at www.loudoun.gov/mobiletraffic.

News: Freedom Cancels Scrimmages for Friday, Most Other Schools Will Do The Same

(Mar. 12, 2010) - Freedom High School has announced that all scrimmages for today have been cancelled. We figure most others schools will do the same with so much rain headed our way, so please check with your school website. Freedom was just nice enough to email us ... um, that was hint to our friends the Athletic Directors!

College: More Area Athletes Make College Choices!

Cool Signing: As we had previously announced, Loudoun Valley senior Lauren Privette has signed to be on the James Madison track and field squad next year. Good luck Lauren! (Photo courtesy of Carl "Coolhand" Lukat of the Loudoun Times-Mirror who must have requested that the heat be turned off for this signing!)

(Mar. 12, 2010) - VivaLoudoun keeps adding area athletes to our College Choice chart with the Class of 2010 up to 59 Loudoun students that will play at the college level next year.

Making the chart is Stone Bridge High School senior Abdul Shaban who will celebrate his NCAA Division I signing with George Washington University to play soccer this coming Tuesday at 4 p.m. in a ceremony in the school's library. Jennifer Skogerboe who plays for the Bulldogs girls soccer team and previously announced that she will play at D1 UConn, will also be honored in the ceremony.

And Loudoun Valley keeps holding signing ceremonies (though VivaLoudoun is not invited ... what happens in Purcellville must stay in Purcellville! Come on Vikings parents and fans, drop us an email with your proud news!) as we read in the Loudoun Times-Mirror that senior Shelby Wassmann will play softball next year at NCAA Division II Dominican College in New York.

And there is more! Heritage held a signing ceremony this Tuesday for Josh Labuhn and Josh Toney, both whom will play football next year at NCAA Division II Shepherd. (No we aren't "Joshing" you)

We also read in the Loudoun Times-Mirror very cool Loudoun County's Future Leaders 2010 section that Loudoun Valley (another Vike!) senior Daniel Nesbit will play next year at NCAA Division III Carnegie Melon. Congrats Daniel ... we remember watching you play at U10 on the Loudoun Cyclones ... on the same team with Stone Bridge's Abdul Shaban!

Here are the signings we have ... are we missing your favorite prep star? Email us! And check out the Behind the Numbers chart ... Loudoun Valley now has more athletes to play in college than Broad Run and soccer by far has the most athletes moving to the next level!

News: Free Friday Night Soccer at Dulles Sports Plex Tonight

(Mar. 12, 2010) - Loudoun Youth Inc. will be hosting a free Friday Night Soccer open to all high school students at the Dulles Sports Plex tonight from 8:30 p.m. until midnight.

No tickets are needed, just show up to the Dulles Sports Plex located at 21610 Atlantic Boulevard in Sterling. There will be free pizza and sodas.

Thursday, March 11, 2010