Boys Basketball: Where Would This Year's VHSL State Teams Be in the New Playoff System Next Year?

(Feb. 22, 2013) - Next year the VHSL will hold two sectionals in each of the boys basketball six classifications with 48 teams in all vying for Final Four spots in the state tournament. Taking the final 48 teams left in action this year, where would they fall in next year's new sectional and conference systems.

Note: There are 4 conferences per section and each conference sends two teams to the sectional to create an 8-team sectional tournament. (VHSL is calling the new sectionals "regionals" but we are using the term sectional as to not confuse with the current regional set-up and also the state is divided into two sections in each of the six classifications so they are true "sectionals")

To come up with 48 teams we took the final four teams left in each AAA regional as that region currently does not divide its tournament into D5 and D6 but has just one AAA tournament.

**A balanced sectional going forward would have 4 teams from this year, more than 4 teams could be considered a basketball-heavy sectional and less than 4 teams a basketball-weak sectional.**

Boys
6A South (1 team)
Kecoughton - conference 2

6A North (5 teams)
Robinson - conference 5
South County - conference 7
Woodson - conference 7
Battlefield - conference 8
Stonewall Jackson - conference 8

5A South (4 teams)
Great Bridge - conference 10
Hampton - conference 10
Henrico - conference 11
L.C. Bird - conference 12

5A North (3 teams)
Wakefield - conference 13
Potomac Falls - conference 14
Mountain View - conference 15

4A South (2 teams)
King's Fork - conference 18
Grafton - conference 19

4A North (7 teams)
Millbrook - conference 21
Chancellor - conference 22
Handley - conference 23
Carroll County - conference 24
E.C. Glass - conference 24
Salem - conference 24
GW-Danville - conference 24

3A East (4 teams)
Armstrong - conference 26
John Marshall - conference 26
Loudoun Valley - conference 28
William Monroe - conference 28

3A West (4 teams)
Fort Defiance - conference 29
Spotswood - conference 29
Heritage-Lynchburg - conference 30
Abingdon - conference 32

2A East (3 teams)
Bruton - conference 33
Brunswick - conference 34
Page County - conference 35

2A West (4 teams)
Dan River - conference 37
Martinsville - conference 38
Gate City - conference 40
Virginia - conference 40

1A East (6 teams)
Surry County - conference 41
West Point - conference 42
Essex - conference 43
Northumberland - conference 43
Alatavista - conference 44
Parry McCluer - conference 44

1A West (3 teams)
Bland County - conference 45
Castlewood - conference 48
J.I. Burton - conference 48

Girls Basketball: Where Would This Year's VHSL State Teams Be in the New Playoff System Next Year?

(Feb. 22, 2013) - Next year the VHSL will hold two sectionals in each girls basketball division with 48 teams in all vying for Final Four spots in the state tournament. Taking the final 48 teams left in action this year, where would they fall in next year's new sectional and conference systems.

Note: There are 4 conferences per section and each conference sends two teams to the sectional to create an 8-team sectional tournament. (VHSL is calling the new sectionals "regionals" but we are using the term sectional as to not confuse with the current regional set-up and also the state is divided into two sections in each of the six classifications so they are true "sectionals")

Girls
6A South (4 teams)
Woodside - conference 2
Cosby - conference 3
Colonial Forge - conference 4
Forest Park - conference 4

6A North (4 teams)
Centreville - conference 5
Oakton - conference 5
South Lakes - conference 6
Stonewall Jackson - conference 8

5A South (5 teams)
Princess Anne - conference 9
Maury - conference 9
Highland Springs - conference 11
Meadowbrook - conference 12
L.C. Bird - conference 12

5A North (2 teams)
Edison - conference 13
Potomac - conference 15

4A South (2 teams)
Grafton - conference 19
Lake Taylor - conference 17

4A North (5 teams)
Loudoun County - conference 21
Woodgrove - conference 21
Courtland - conference 22
Bassett - conference 24
Salem - conference 24

3A East (1 team)
Poquoson

3A West (7 teams)
Monticello - conference 29
Spotswood - conference 29
Western Albemarle - conference 29
Brookville - conference 30
Heriage-Lynchburg - conference 30
Lord Botetourt - conference 31
Patrick County - conference 32

2A East (4 teams)
Brunswick - conference 34
Clarke County - conference 35
George Mason - conference 35
East Rockingham - conference 36

2A West (4 teams)
Floyd County - conference 38
Richlands - conference 39
Gate City - conference 40
Central - Wise - conference 40

1A East (5 teams)
Charles City - conference 42
Colonial Beach - conference 43
Lancaster - conference 43
Northumberland - conference 43
Altavista - conference 44

1A West (5 teams)
Covington - conference 45
Patrick Henry-Glade Spring - conference 46
Northwood - conference 47
Castlewood- conference 48
Clintwood - conference 48

Health News: Real Men Do Yoga! Check it Out March 3!

(Feb. 22, 2013) - Real men do yoga?!? You beatcha ... and if you don't beleive it check out "Real Men Do Yoga" session by Carlos Salazar at Inner Power Yoga in Potomac Falls on Sunday, March 3 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Cost is $35 for the 2-hour workshop specifically designed for guys. Salazar will share his perspective on the countless benefits of yoga and will lead a fun and strength-based practice for all levels (beginners to more experienced).

This class will be a great intro to yoga to those who have been thinking about chdecking this "yoga thing" out. And, no, you don't have to wear yoga pants! Visit their website for more information.

 **Sign up for the March 3 Real Men Do Yoga session and Viva Loudoun will send you a cool Viva T-Shirt (great to do yoga in!) ... Email Viva editor Dan Sousa (dan.sousa@vivaloudoun.com) after you sign up for the session and we will have a t-shirt waiting for you on March 3!**

Inner Power Yoga is located at 46090 Lake Center Plaza, Suite 205, Potomac Falls, VA 20165. Phone 703.795.8400.
 

Youth Sports: Girls Basketball - Loudoun Xtreme 9th Grade AAU Tryouts

(Feb. 22, 2013) - Loudoun Xtreme's girls 9th grade basketball team is seeking players for the spring season. We are looking for highly competitive players to join our team which finished 17th at AAU D2 Nationals last year. If interested, please contact Rob Green at alfredhoops10@gmail.com or call 703-999-4607 for tryout information.

Softball: Woodgrove OF Ashley Cole Named by MaxPreps as 2nd Team Preseason All-American

(Feb. 22, 2013) - Woodgrove High School senior Ashley Cole, who helped the Wolverines win the VHSL AA state title last season, has been named by MaxPreps as a second team Preseason All-American. Cole hit .512 in 2012 with 38 RBIs, 36 runs scored and 43 stolen bases.

Replay Sports N Training is the sponsor of Viva Loudoun's
softball & baseball coverage!

Girls Basketball: Woodgrove Leads Wire-to-Wire in 59-39 Win Over 3-Time Defensing State Champion Millbrook

By Carl Lukat 
Times-Mirror Sports Editor 
Special to Viva Loudoun 
Purcellville (Feb. 22, 2013) - Woodgrove High School combined its trademark suffocating defense with a very efficient offensive performance to derail three-time defending state champion Millbrook, 59-39, in the Region II Division 4 girls basketball semifinals Thursday.

The Wolverines (24-3) jumped out to an 18-4 lead and extended that advantage to 25-6 after junior Halle Lynch drained a 3-pointer to open scoring in the second quarter. Woodgrove led by double digits the rest of the game.

Boys Basketball: History on Its Side, Potomac Falls Returns to Regional Finals and State Tournament

By Alanna Dvorak
Times-Mirror Staff Writer
Special to Viva Loudoun 
Sterling (Feb. 22, 2013) - For Jeff Hawes, the Potomac Falls basketball program is shrouded in history. Hawes has led the program since the school's inception. Flanking his side as assistant coaches are two former players, Brandon Jackson and Darien Almond. And during a Region II Division 4 boys semifinal win against Loudoun County Thursday, Hawes saw glimpses of the 2010 and 2011 state champion Panther squads.

“The tradition we've built pushes them to want to back up the name on their chests: Panther basketball. We're very organized and very passionate about everything we do,” Hawes said. “You combine that with the talent and the dedication that everyone puts in and it's been very rewarding.”

Potomac Falls downed Loudoun County 79-53 at home in Sterling, earning the Panthers a trip to the regional finals and another appearance in the state tournament.

Boys Basketball: Methodical Loudoun Valley Dispatches Monticello in Region Semifinals

By Jason S Rufner
For Viva Loudoun
Purcellville (Feb. 22, 2013) - The Loudoun Valley High School boys basketball team inflated a four-point halftime lead into a 70-49 romp over visiting Monticello in their Region II Division 3 semifinal game Thursday.

The win earned the Vikings a second straight state tournament trip and another home game as No. 3 seed Valley will host No. 4 Handley Saturday at 7 p.m. in the regional finals. Both teams advance to states with the winner Saturday earning a state quarterfinal date close to home (most likely in Fairfax County) and the loser hitting the road for a Region I site.

Boys Basketball: Briar Woods Falls Just Shy of State Tournament

By Dan Sousa
Viva Loudoun Editor

Ashburn (Feb. 21, 2013) - Despite a boys basketball season that started late once again as the football team made a third straight VHSL state title run and a roster that included just one senior in uniform Thursday, the Briar Woods High School Falcons came within one shot of advancing to the state tournament as they fell to an experienced Millbrook squad, 70-67, in the Region II Division 4 semifinals.

Briar Woods sophomore Connor Gaines, one of three sophomore starters, dropped 25 points on the night, including five 3-pointers in the first half as the Falcons turned a 11-point first quarter deficit into a 43-38 halftime lead.

The Falcons, down by three with 10 seconds left, got the ball in Gaines' hands and he got off a tough 3-pointer that just missed, hitting the back of the rim.

The loss ended the career of senior Jake Ryan who scored 21 points and drew the attention of college scouts in the stands, and Kevin Galang, who didn't dress out due to concussion issues. Sophomore Darrell Ramey had a huge game inside for Briar Woods with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

Photo Gallery: Girls Basketball - Loudoun County vs. Sherando Region II D4 Semifinal by Gary Sousa

(Feb. 22, 2013) - When Loudoun teams travel "over the mountain" they can count on super photographer Gary Sousa to show up and he caught all the action of the Loudoun County High School girls basketball win over Sherando Thursday in the Region II Division 4 semifinals. View all 104 shots here!

Basketball: Region 2 Semifinals Scoreboard

(Feb. 21, 2013) - Four Dulles District teams advanced to the Region II finals and clinched state tournament bids with wins Thursday in the semifinals.

Both Potomac Falls (Division 4) and Loudoun Valley (Division 3) boys will host title games Saturday with Panthers tipping off at 6 p.m. and Vikings at 7 p.m. On the girls side, No. 3 Loudoun County is at top-seed Woodgrove in a rematch of the district finals at 6 p.m.

Region II Boys Basketball

Division 3

No. 3 Loudoun Valley 70, No. 7 Monticello 49

No. 4 Handley 58, No. 1 Western Albemarle 55

Finals - Saturday
No. 4 Handley at No. 3 Loudoun Valley, 7 p.m.

Division 4

No. 1 Potomac Falls 79, No. 4 Loudoun County 53

No. 7 Millbrook 70, No. 6 Briar Woods 67

Finals - Saturday
No. 7 Millbrook at Potomac Falls, 6 p.m.

Region II Girls Basketball

Division 3

No. 1 Monticello 50, No. 5 Heritage 40

No. 3 Western Albemarle 51, No. 7 Handley 25

Finals - Saturday
No. 3 Western Albemarle at No. 1 Monticello, 7 p.m.

Division 4

No. 1 Woodgrove 59, No. 4 Millbrook 39

No. 3 Loudoun County 68, No. 2 Sherando 45

Finals - Saturday
No. 3 Loudoun County at No. 1 Woodgrove, 6 p.m.

News: Sterling Library Safely Evacuated After Electrical Fire Prior to Opening Thursday

(Feb. 21, 2013) - The Sterling Library was closed Thursday when an electrical fire broke out shortly before the normal opening time of 10 a.m. Everyone was safely evacuated from the building. Loudoun County fire officials are investigating.

The library will re-open Friday, February 22, 2013. However, there may be limited availability of public internet and computers. Updated information on the library's€™s status will be posted at http://library.loudoun.gov.

News: Loudoun County Sheriff's and Clerk of Circuit Court Advise Residents on New Concealed Handgun Permit Application Process

Special to Viva Loudoun via Loudoun County Sheriff's Office

(Feb. 21, 2013) - In an effort to better streamline the process for applying for a concealed handgun permit, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman and Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary M. Clemens are advising residents of changes in the application process to obtain the permit that will take effect on February 25, 2013. 

News: Loudoun County Schools Superintendent Outlines 2014 Budget

Special to Viva Loudoun via Loudoun County Public Schools

(Feb. 21, 2013) - Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick III outlined the School Board’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2014 Operating Budget for the Loudoun Education Alliance of Parents (LEAP) on Wednesday, February 13th.

• In presenting the $859.7 million proposed budget, Hatrick noted the historical climate in which it was crafted.
• Between the 2008-2009 school year and the projected enrollment for 2013-2014, LCPS will have grown by 13,846 students.
• Reflecting the downturn in the economy, LCPS’ budget remained relatively flat for several years; dropping from $745.6 million in FY09 to $732.6 million in FY10 before growing to $745.9 million and $823.1 million during the past two years.
• At the same time frame, the average cost per pupil has dropped by $915 to the $11,865 reflected in the School Board’s proposed budget.
• Hatrick noted that while the LCPS budget grew between FY12 and the current budget year, much of that increase was unavoidable. “We’ve heard several times that the cost per pupil increased this year by 5.3 percent, which was more than inflation. So I think it’s important to note that almost half that 5.3 percent was due to a change in the Virginia Retirement System. The School Board… (did not have) control over that increase.” 

News: Citing Rival's Disrespectful Actions, Wakfield School Drops Sports with Middleburg Academy

(Feb. 20, 2013) - Peter Brewington on Fauquier.com on Tuesday reports that sportsmanship incidents stemming from Middleburg Academy's boys basketball 108-33 win over the Wakefield School on Feb. 14 has led Wakefield officials to announce that their teams will not play Middleburg teams in any sports for at least the rest of the school year.

Wakefield is going as far as to forfeit Wednesday's CAC girls basketball championship game against Middleburg Academy. Read the full article here.

Girls Basketball: VHSL Division 3 Brackets and Results from All Regions

(Feb. 19, 2013) - Complete brackets and results from across the state:

VHSL Division 3 Girls Basketball Playoffs
Region 1 (Feb. 19, 21, 22)
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Brunswick 61, No. 8 Bruton 21
No. 4 Greensville County 44, No. 5 Prince Edward 34
No. 6 Lafayette 75, No. 3 Park View-South Hill 53
No. 2 Poquoson 67, No. 7 James Monroe 31

Semifinals
No. 1 Brunswick 79, No. 4 Greensville County 50
No. 2 Poquoson 49, No. 6 Lafayette 47

Finals - Friday
No. 1 Brunswick 67, No. 2 Poquoson 52


Region 2 (Feb. 19, 21, 23)
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Monticello 74, No. 8 Kettle Run 33
No. 5 Heritage 47, No. 4 Brentsville 25
No. 3 Western Albemarle 40, No. 6 Fluvanna County 26
No. 7 Handley 52, No. 2 Warren County 31

Semifinals
No.1 Monticello 50, No. 5 Heritage 40
No. 3 Western Albemarle 51, No. 7 Handley 25

Finals - Saturday
No. 1 Monticello 50, No. 3 Western Albemarle 37


Region 3 (Feb. 19, 21, 23)
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Spotswood - bye
No. 4 Fort Defiance 44, No. 5 Alleghany 27
No. 3 Brookville 47, No. 6 Liberty-Bedford 42
No. 2 - Northside - bye

Semifinals at Brookville
No. 1 Spotswood 49, No. 4 Fort Defiance 45
No. 3 Brookville 51, No. 2 Northside 36

Finals - Saturday
No.1 Spotswood 60, No. 3 Brookville 41


Region 4 (19, 20, 22)
Quarterfinal
No. 1 Patrick County - bye
No. 4 Abingdon 75, No. 5 Martinsville 49
No. 3 Tazewell 63, No. 6 Cave Spring 40
No. 2 Richlands - bye

Semifinals
No. 1 Patrick County 59, No. 4 Abingdon 51
No. 2 Richlands 46, No 3 Tazewell 35

Finals - PPD until Monday
No. 2 Richlands at No. 1 Patrick County

Basketball: Region II Playoff Scoreboard - Loudoun Teams

(Feb. 19, 2013) - Score for Loudoun boys and girls basketball teams in Region II quarterfinal action Tuesday:

Boys Basketball

Division 3

No. 3 Loudoun Valley 48, No. 6 Heritage 46

Division 4

No. 1 Potomac Falls 82, No. 8 Tuscarora 37

No. 4 Loudoun County 66, No. 5 James Wood 59

No. 6 Briar Woods 69, No. 3 Liberty 67

Girls Basketball

Division 3

No. 5 Heritage 47, No. 4 Brentsville 25

Division 4

No. 1 Woodgrove 72, No. 8 Liberty 13

No. 3 Loudoun County 47, No. 6 Powhatan 42

No. 4 Millbrook 66, No. 5 Tuscarora 57

Track and Field: Briar Woods SR Justin "Jay" Bradley Commits to Top Notch NAIA Indiana Tech Program

(Feb. 19, 2013) - Briar Woods High School track and field senior Justin "Jay" Bradley has verbally committed to run at one of the top NAIA programs in the country at Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Bradley had an injury-derailed sophomore season at Potomac Falls before transferring to Briar Woods where he posed a 23.3 in the 200 last year and turned a 52.7 400.

Viva Loudoun's "College Choice" chart is now at 100 athletes for the Class of 2013. The Class of 2012 had a record 207 athletes listed on the chart.

News: Gum Spring Library Grand Opening Set for Feb. 23

(Feb. 19, 2013) - The Loudoun County Public Library will celebrate the grand opening of Gum Spring Library at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 23, 2013. The public is encouraged to attend the opening celebration which will include remarks from local dignitaries, a ribbon cutting, storybook characters and live performances throughout the day. Gum Spring Library is located in the Stone Ridge community at 24600 Millstream Drive, at the intersection of Stone Spring Boulevard and Route 50.

Softball: Stone Bridge Celebrates Olivia Tatara's Signing with Mary Washington

Click here to view all 33 photos from this celebration

(Feb. 19, 2013) - Stone Bridge High School held a signing ceremony for senior catcher Olivia Tatara who has committed to play softball next year at the University of Mary Washington. Tatara helped the Bulldogs win the AAA Northern Region title and go 24-3.

Replay Sports N Training is the sponsor of Viva Loudoun's
softball & baseball coverage!

Boys Basketball: Loudoun Valley Repeats Dulles District Title, Hosts Dangerous Heritage in Regional Quarterfinal Tonight

Paul Rowley scored 24 points, including this first quarter buzzer beater in Loudoun Valley's 71-60 win over Potomac Falls in the Dulles District tournament title game Friday at Tuscarora.

By Dan Sousa
Viva Loudoun Editor
(Feb. 19, 2013) - After Loudoun Valley High School repeated its Dulles District boys basketball tournament title on Saturday with an impressive 71-60 win over district co-champion and top seed Potomac Falls, Viking coach Chad Dawson and Panther coach Jeff Hawes said the same thing to the media: "Glad we don't have to face them again."

With Loudoun Valley (22-3) in Division 3 this season, there is no chance of a repeat of the 2012 Division 4 finals when Potomac Falls (22-4) faced and beat the Vikings.

There is, however, a case of deja vu for both teams as the top-seeded Panthers open the D4 quarterfinals by hosting Dulles District foe Tuscarora tonight at 7 p.m. Potomac Falls beat the No. 8 seed Huskies (11-12) twice in the regular season, 77-35, on Jan. 2 and a much closer contest, 74-62, on Feb. 5.

For Valley, the assignment is even tougher as No. 3 Vikings must face one of only two teams to beat them this season, No. 6 seed Heritage (17-7). Valley won the first meeting between the two schools, 61-54 in December but the Pride stunned undefeated Valley on Feb. 1 with junior Zach Coffman scoring an area-best 32 points in Heritage's 77-70 win.

News: Loudoun County Sheriff's Locates Driver of Vehicle Involved in Reported Hit & Run of Ashburn Teen

(Feb. 19, 2013) - The driver involved in a reported hit and run of a 15-year-old high school student has been identified. The case remains under investigation and will be reviewed with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Music: Feb. 20 Guitar Concert Dedicated to Jim Harmon

Special to Viva Loudoun via Loudoun County Public Schools

(Feb. 19, 2013) - The Martha Masters Guitar Concert on Wednesday at Heritage High School will be dedicated to the memory of former Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Music Supervisor Jim Harmon.
The concert, which begins at 7 p.m., is free and open to the public.

News: Ashburn Stadium Backers Plan "Rally for the Ballpark" at Tuesday's Planning Commission Meeting

(Feb. 18, 2013) - The group planning the new stadium in Ashburn, that is the hopeful future home of the Loudoun Hounds minor league baseball club and Virginia Cavalry North American Soccer League franchise, is planning a "Rally for the Ball Park" prior to the Tuesday, Feb. 19 planning commission public hearing on the development.

Starting at 4:45 pm. on the lawn at the Loudoun County government center in Leeesburg (1 Harrison Street, SE) the rally will include former Major League Baseball player Frank Howard and also former D.C. United and U.S. Men's Soccer star John Harkes.

Replay Sports N Training is the sponsor of Viva Loudoun's
softball & baseball coverage!

Briar Woods: Three More Falcons to College Level - Barta (Football/William and Mary), Basso (Women's Soccer/Shippensburg) and Haufler (Swim/Villanova)

(Feb. 18, 2013) - Briar Woods High School has had three more senior athletes make their college playing choices with Kristin Haufler signing her National Letter of Intent to swim at NCAA Division I Villanova, Mike Barta accepting a preferred walk on status with the William and Mary football program and Leah Basso signed her National Letter of Intent to play women's soccer at Shippensburg University. More on each:

• Senior safety Mike Barta has accepted a preferred walk on at William and Mary. Barta has been instrumental in the Falcons three straight state championship runs. He is a two-year starter at safety and coach Charlie Pierce says that Barta "did an outstanding job in our secondary. Mike was outstanding in our coverage checks, a sure tackler and a ball hawk. Mike is an outstanding student and a tremendous worker and knows what it takes to win."    
  
• Leah Basso, signed a National Letter of Intent to play Division 2 women’s soccer at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Leah is a senior at Briar Woods and will attend Ship and play soccer this fall. 

• Kristin Haufler has signed a National Letter of Intent to swim for Villanova University starting this fall.