Oakton Ready for Another Big Postseason
Cougars' girls lacrosse playing at a high level.
The Oakton High girls' lacrosse team, along with being talented and experienced, is also playing at a high level at the right time of the spring season with the start of the postseason set to begin this Friday night with opening round games of the six-team Concorde District tournament.
Lancers Girls Lacrosse Readying for Districts
Lee, behind good senior leadership, competing hard in Patriot.
The Lee Lancers girls' lacrosse team is having a good season thus far. The team started out the spring with four straight wins during its non-district schedule. Over the past few weeks, the wins are not coming for Lee, which competes in the ultra tough Patriot District, but the team continues to play hard and, for the most part, good lacrosse.
Northern Region Sports Notes (April 25-May 1)
Girls sporting pink look at district lax playoffs; McLean boys tennis unbeaten; Templin leads Saxons softball over Marshall.
This week the undefeated McLean High boys' tennis team, under head coach Aavo Tomkov, had a challenging slate of competition versus Liberty District opponents. The Highlanders (8-0), earlier in the week on Tuesday, April 24, were scheduled to travel to cross-town and Liberty District rival Langley High (7-1).
Oakton Baseball Trying to Regain its Footing
Since 6-1 start, Cougars have struggled in Concorde District play.
A tough stretch of the season has hit the Oakton High baseball team since the start up of play within the Concorde District schedule a few weeks ago. The Cougars, who were 6-1 at one point this spring, entered this week in the midst of a tough five-game losing streak.
Madison Boys' Tennis Falls to Talented McLean Team
But Warhawks bounce back with Liberty win over Fairfax.
On Wednesday April 11, at Madison High School, the undefeated McLean High boys’ tennis team defeated Madison 8-1. Madison was competitive in all three doubles matches and three of the singles matches against a deep and impressive Highlander team.
Sports Notes From Around the Region
Highschool, youth, college news.
On Wednesday April 11, at Madison High School, the undefeated McLean High boys’ tennis team defeated Madison 8-1. Madison was competitive in all three doubles matches and three of the singles matches against a deep and impressive Highlander team.
Chargers Defeat Hornets in Softball
Sallberg fans 11 Herndon batters
The Chantilly High girls' softball team, earlier this week on Tuesday, April 17, won a Concorde District road game at Herndon High, 6-0.
Stallions Softball Wins Hayfield Spring Break Tournament
Dillow's team, despite a youthful look, is 11-2 overall and 7-1 in district play.
Fielding a young lineup has not stopped the South County girls' softball team from having one of the better outfits in the Northern Region once again. The Stallions, with a starting lineup filled mostly with freshmen and sophomores, still showcased an impressive 11-2 overall record following a 3-2 loss at Lake Braddock earlier this week on Tuesday, April 17.
In Baseball, Concorde District Title is up for Grabs
No clear cut favorite as the six teams gear up for final month of regular season.
Back and refreshed from spring break week, the local high school baseball teams opened up the Concorde District portion of their schedules last week. For the final month of the regular season, the six Concorde teams, including Centre View area schools Centreville, Chantilly, and Westfield, will go head to head to determine regular season final standings and seedings for the postseason district tournament set to begin May 15.
College Recruiting Seminar to be Held at Robinson Secondary
Parents, student-athletes to learn ins and outs of choosing a college.
A seminar to prepare parents and athletes for the college recruiting road ahead - complete with all its bumps - will be held on Monday night, May 7 at 7:30 in Russell Theater at Robinson Secondary School.
Madison Girls Looking to Get on a Soccer Roll
3-2-1 Warhawks aiming for their first district win this Friday night at Marshall.
With the second half of the high school girls’ soccer season having started up with district play last week, the Madison High Warhawks, while having played stretches of good soccer at 3-2-1, are still working to achieve bigger and better things.
Rams Reach .500 Mark in Baseball
Robinson gets Concorde wins over Oakton and Westfield.
The Robinson Secondary baseball team reached the .500 record mark this past Tuesday night, April 17 when the Rams defeated host Oakton, 6-4, in a Concorde District game played in the Vienna area. It was the second district win in a row for Robinson, which had also won a road game at Westfield High, 3-1, last Friday night, April 13.
Herndon Softball Impressive Over Season's First Half
Young Hornets team set to host defending region champs Westfield this Friday night.
The Herndon High girls' softball team, under the direction of head coach Jourdan Coombs, has played with a freshness and vibrancy which has resulted in numerous wins this spring season. Despite having an overall inexperienced and young varsity roster made up mostly of freshmen and sophomores, the Hornets have proven to be a handful for their opponents to handle on way to winning seven of their first 11 games thus far, going into this week's action.
Chargers Off to Fast Start in Concorde Baseball
Chantilly, following successful spring break showing, wins first two district encounters.
The winning ways for the Chantilly High baseball team have continued, from the Chargers' strong showing at a spring break tournament to its more recent victories in Concorde District games. The Chargers, under head coach Kevin Ford, won both of their district games by one run last week. On Tuesday, April 10 at Westfield High, Chantilly edged the Bulldogs, 4-3. Then in a home game last Friday night, April 13, the Chargers defeated Oakton High, 3-2.
Robinson Girls' Soccer Hopefully on the Mend
Rams looking to get players back for season's second half.
The Robinson Secondary girls' soccer team opened the second half of the season with a close 2-1 road loss at Chantilly High earlier this week on Tuesday, April 10. It was the Concorde District opener for the Rams, whose record stood at 3-2-1 following the setback to the highly-ranked Chargers. Few girls' soccer teams across the Northern Region probably needed last week's spring break to rest and mend like Robinson, which has faced an assortment of injuries thus far. Rams' head coach Jim Rike, going into the Chantilly game, was looking forward to his squad getting into the district portion of its schedule but disappointed the spring break week, in which the Rams did not have any scheduled games, had not resulted in more girls being healthy enough to get back on the field for the Chargers.
Lee Girls Softball in a Winning Mindset
Lancers, under coach Willemssen, set to host Annandale this Friday night.
One week following spring break has seen the Lee High girls' softball team already match last year's win total of five. With the second half of the regular season ahead, the Lancers are now set to delve into the bulk of their Patriot District schedule, where they will hope to earn several more victories.
Reston Raiders Compete in National Ice Hockey Championships
12-under team trades pins with players from other states.
The Reston Raiders won their first game, 4-2, over a team from Arizona at the USA Hockey 12 and Under Tier II National Championships, which ran March 28 through April 1 at the twin rink Ashburn Ice House and SkateQuest Reston facilities.
Ireton Grad Rodriguez Earns Prestigious Sports Award
Football star served as Army Football team captain last fall.
Andrew Rodriguez, a 2008 graduate of Bishop Ireton High (Alexandria) and a member of the Army football team, was awarded the 2011 James E. Sullivan Award by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) at the prestigious New York Athletic Club on March 20.
Centreville Softball in Winning Mode Under Dutton
Wildcats sport winning record going into Friday's Concorde home game with Herndon.
All things considered, coming off a three-win season in 2012, being under a new head coach, and playing a tough schedule over the season's first half, the Centreville High girls' softball squad has been quite impressive thus far this spring.
Chantilly's Gembarowicz Tosses Softball Perfect Game
Charger pitcher fans 19 in spring break tournament win.
The Chantilly High girls' softball team received perhaps the best pitching outing by a Northern Region player thus far this season when senior Emily Gembarowicz, during the Chargers' spring break trip to Myrtle Beach last week, tossed a perfect game, no-hitter in her team's 6-0 win over Jamestown High (N.Y) on the morning of April 3.
New Life as a Texas Ranger for Snyder
Former Westfield baseball star is no longer part of Orioles' organization.
Westfield High graduate Brandon Snyder, the first round baseball selection of the Baltimore Orioles in the 2005 first year player draft, made the 25-member Texas Rangers roster which broke spring training camp to begin the new season last week.
Madison Boys Tennis Triumphant at South Lakes
Liberty District win puts Madison over the .500 mark.
This past Monday, April 9, the Madison High boys' tennis team improved its season record to 3-2 with a 7-2 win at Liberty District rival South Lakes in Reston.
Seahawks Take First two Games in S.C.
South Lakes baseball competing in out-of-state spring break tourney.
The South Lakes High baseball team won its first two games at the BATRUP Tournament over spring break week (April 2-6) in Bluffton, S.C.
Herndon Boys' Soccer Ready for District Play
Lanigan's Hornets enter this week's play unbeaten through six games.
The Herndon High boys' soccer team has experienced a successful opening half of the season, going 4-0-2 over its first six games. The team's solid play thus far has the Hornets in a good mindset as they prepare for a tough Concorde District schedule ahead.
Basketball’s Capital Classic Showcase Set for April 21
Preliminary game will feature Westfield’s Zach Elcano and former Chantilly player Kethan Savage.
The 39th Annual Capital Classic high school basketball event, set to take place on Saturday, April 21, will consist of a full day of All Star hoops games at T.C. Williams High in Alexandria.
Herndon Baseball Off to Fast 4-0 Start
Hornets spending spring break week in Myrtle Beach; South Lakes baseball notches first win.
The Herndon High baseball team is spending its spring break week competing in a tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Hornets, who won their first three games of the season prior to making their trip down south, saw their record improve to 4-0 with a 13-5 win over Monticello High (Charlottesville) this past Saturday, March 31 in its first of three scheduled games in the Gamecock state. Herndon was scheduled to play games versus Pickerington High School North (Ohio) at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3 of this week, and Hancock County High (Lewisport, Kent.) on Thursday, April 5 at 3 p.m. Herndon's spring break games are taking place at Griffith Stadium at the Cal Ripken Experience facility in Myrtle Beach.
Saxons' Softball Enters Spring Break With Winning Mark
Langley shuts down South Lakes for Liberty win; In girls' lacrosse, Saxons, Highlanders meet in early season cross-town match.
Going into this week's spring break, the Langley High girls' softball team, under head coach Jessica Roche, had put together a winning record at 3-2. The Saxons, in a high-scoring road game last Thursday, March 29 versus Liberty District opponent Stone Bridge High in Ashburn, lost to the Bulldogs 11-7. Langley opened the game's scoring in the top of the first inning with two runs, the highlight being a two-run double off the bat of senior third baseman Julia Weeks. However, the home team Bulldogs, an inning later, answered with three runs in the second and four more in the third to build a 7-2 lead.
Madison Softball Captures Own Spring Break Tournament
Warhawks win two Saturday games, including finals victory over Centreville.
The Madison High girls' varsity softball team won its own ‘Madison Spring Break Tournament’ last Saturday afternoon, March 31 with an impressive 8-2 finals win over Centreville High. That same day, in a morning game versus Annandale High, the Warhawks defeated the Atoms handily, 19-0, in a semifinals contest of the tournament. That set up the title game between Madison and Centreville, which had defeated West Potomac in the other semifinals matchup. The participating schools in the Madison Spring Break Tournament were: Lee, Edison, Annandale, Mount Vernon, West Potomac, Centreville, and the host Warhawks.
South County Competing at the Mingo Bay Baseball Classic
Stallions playing three games in South Carolina over spring break.
For the third straight year, the South County High baseball team is spending its spring break week competing at the Mingo Bay Baseball Classic, at the Carolina Forest venue in Myrtle Beach, S.C. There, South County, last year's Patriot District and Northern Region champions, had won its first two games going into its final game of the trip on Wednesday, April 4.
The Winding Baseball Trek Towards Becoming a Cincinnati Reds’ Fan
With Opening Day here, its’ fun to follow more than one major league team.
I did not grow up as a Reds’ fan. In fact, Cincinnati’s great Big Red Machine caused me great heartache when, as a 12-year old boy growing up in Northern Virginia, I watched on TV as my favorite team, the Red Sox, lost to Sparky Anderson’s crew, 4-3, in Game 7 of the 1975 Fall Classic. I had been ecstatic after Carlton Fisk’s 12th inning game-winning home run had given the ‘Sox a 7-6 win in Game 6. But following the Game 7 loss, in which my favorite player, the great Carl Yastrzemski, flew out to end the game in the bottom of the ninth inning at Fenway Park, I was in tears – a broken kid.
Centreville Girls Enjoying Four-Game Win Streak
Wildcats preparing for next week's start of Concorde soccer play.
The Centreville High girls' soccer team, following a breakthrough 2011 season a year ago which saw the Wildcats go 13-3 and advance all the way to the Northern Region tournament semifinals before their season ended with a Final Four loss to eventual state champion McLean, is off to a solid start this spring. Centreville, after beginning the season with a 2-0 road loss at W.T. Woodson High (Patriot District) on March 13 and then playing visiting Yorktown High (National District) to a 1-1 tie two days later, is currently on an impressive four-game win streak with the victories coming over visiting T.C. Williams (Patriot), 5-0, on March 19; at West Springfield (Patriot), 1-0, on March 23; a 2-1 triumph on March 27 over guest McLean (Liberty District), the same Highlanders' squad which ended the Wildcats' hopes of qualifying for the state AAA playoffs last year; and a decisive victory at Wakefield High (National), 8-0, last Thursday night. (See Centreville High Sports Notebook for details of the Wakefield game.)
Paul VI Defeats Coolidge in City Title Game
Panthers finish best-ever boys' basketball season 35-3.
The Paul VI High boys' basketball team concluded its historic 2011-12 winter season with a win in the Abe Pollin City Title Championship Game over DCIAA Champion Coolidge, 70-64.
12-under Springfield Storm White Girls Soccer Team Wins Jefferson Cup
A month earlier, youth team had captured Arlington Invitational.
Springfield Storm White followed up its recent Arlington Invitational Spring Soccer Tournament win with their biggest championship victory yet as they garnered the coveted gold medal in the girls’ under-12 Championship Division (eight versus eight) of the Jefferson Cup, held March 17 and 18 in Richmond.
Chantilly Boys Lose Close One to Bruins, 3-2
Chargers soccer makes spirited comeback after trailimng 3-0.
In Chantilly High boys’ soccer action last week, the Chargers, in a non-district game played at Lake Braddock Secondary, lost a close 3-2 contest to the Bruins.
Centreville Baseball Hoping to Remain Hot in Florida
Wildcats, winners of their first four games, are headed for Orlando for spring break week.
An early season trip to Florida for spring break week is always nice for a high school baseball team, but it’s even better when a team has gotten off to the sort of fast start that the Centreville Wildcats have.
Paul VI Defeats Coolidge in City Title Game
Panthers finish best-ever boys’ basketball season 35-3.
The Paul VI High boys’ basketball team concluded its historic 2011-12 winter season with a win in the Abe Pollin City Title Championship Game over DCIAA Champion Coolidge, 70-64.
Northern Region Sports Roundup
Lloyd to be inducted into basketball shrine.
The Lee High boys’ soccer team (1-2-1), under head coach John Millward, was able to hold off a late charge by the Oakton Cougars to win 1-0 in Lee's home opener this past Tuesday night, March 27. After a quick re-start, and some quick midfield play, Luis Aguilar, a senior forward, found senior midfielder Jamie Ahmed, who took a one-touch into space then placed a 36-yard shot into the upper net with 12 minutes left.
Vienna Finishes With Perfect 17-0 Record
Warhawks defeat McLean in Fairfax County youth basketball finals.
The Vienna Div. 1 eighth grade boys’ basketball team came from behind to beat McLean, 46-40, in the finals of the Fairfax County Youth Basketball League (FCYBL) Tournament Championship. The title game victory capped a perfect 17-0 season for the Vienna team, under head coach Dean Marsden.
Madison High Softball Defeats Majors
Ross earns win on the mound.
Spring Break is set to begin next week, but the Madison High girls’ softball team got an early start in Spring Break tournament play with the first game of its own `Madison Spring Tournament’ last Thursday, March 22 versus Mount Vernon High.
NOVA Women Capture State Basketball Crown
Vienna’s Carlie Zirkle earns MVP honors.
The Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) women’s basketball team won the 2012 Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Championship by defeating Southside Virginia Community College, 48-26. The tournament was held March 2-4 in Chesapeake. Former Marshall High standout Carlie Zirkle (Vienna) received the most valuable player honor and was named to the All-Tournament team, along with Halley Cummins (Vienna) and Yvette Gilliam (Woodbridge).
Sports Notes from the Northern Region
State high school hoops champs; Jimmy Lange wins again; Westfields hosts prestigious golf tourney.
Game Reports Wanted: Coaches, team managers/parents - Please send high school team game results to sports editor Rich Sanders at richsand8@aol.com, or contact him on twitter at richsand8. In game reports, please include date and place of game, game highlights, team win-loss record, and any other news-worth items. Photos are also accepted.
Langley Softball Wins Opener Over Robinson
Saxons knock out three home runs.
The Langley High girls’ varsity softball team started their 2012 spring season with a home game versus the Robinson Secondary Rams on March 16. The Saxons had a strong game at the plate on way to a 16-4 victory.
Reston/Herndon Sports Notes
Reston Raiders competing at youth ice hockey Nationals.
The Reston Raiders PeeWee AA Blue team has had a season of exceeding expectations. Coached by Dave Regan, the locals amassed 24 points and put together an 11-7-2 record in the competitive CBHL. The Raiders’ season will continue on as they were honored by a selection to represent Virginia at the 12-under U.S. National Championships, set to take place here at home (Ashburn and Reston) from March 28 through April 1.
Huge Turnout for South Lakes Baseball Opener
Seahawks fall to Herndon in local rival game, 13-3; Oakton off to 3-0 start.
The South Lakes Seahawks varsity baseball team kicked off their 2012 high school season Friday night, March 16 against rival Herndon High. The rain cleared and the stands at South Lakes were packed with a large contingent of fans, including students and little leaguers. Reston Little League was well represented on both teams with 18 alumni participating.
Lancers’ Baseball Team Ready to Step Up
Lee, under new coach John Dowling, looking to improve on two-win 2011 season.
The Lee High baseball team, under new head coach John Dowling this spring, opened the season up by splitting a pair of games at the Langley High Ice Breaker Invitational last week. The Lancers, in their season-opener last Thursday night, March 15, could not hold onto a large lead in an 8-6 loss to Washington-Lee High of Arlington. But they came back the following night at the four-team Invitational with a 5-2 victory over Edison on Friday, March 16. Both games took place at Langley High School in Great Falls.
Langley, McLean Enjoy Successful Ice Hockey Seasons
Local high school rival teams face off in postseason quarterfinals.
Kevin Diner scored twice and Evan Sterling had a goal and three assists as Langley High School posted a 6-1 upset win over McLean in the recent quarterfinal round game of the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League (NVSHL) playoffs at SkateQuest Reston.
Perfect Ending for Oakton Girls Basketball Season
Unbeaten Cougars defeat Princess Anne in state finals.
Completing one of the best athletic seasons any Northern Region team has ever known, the Oakton High girls’ basketball squad put a final exclamation point on its 2011-12 winter season for the ages when it defeated state nemesis Princess Anne High of Virginia Beach, 58-39, in the Virginia State AAA Tournament championship game, which took place last Friday night at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Siegel Center in Richmond.
High School Basketball Season Now Complete
Edison and Fairfax boys made super postseason runs; West Springfield girls qualified for states.
The high school basketball season is now complete for all Northern Region girls’ and boys’ teams. On the girls’ side, Oakton High captured the Virginia State AAA title for the first time ever under longtime head coach Fred Priester. The Cougars defeated Princess Anne (Virginia Beach), 58-39, in the state title game last Friday night at the Siegel Center in Richmond. Oakton, which has won three region crowns over the past four years, finished the winter season with a perfect 31-0 record.
Westfield’s Breakthrough Season Will Long be Remembered
Following tough loss in Concorde finals, Bulldog boys road region tournament wave to first-ever title.
Over an eight-day period in late February, the Westfield High boys’ basketball team put together a remarkable stretch of play which resulted in the program’s first-ever Northern Region title and provided a lifetime of highlight moments for Bulldog players, coaches and fans.
Another Crowning Success for Westfield Wrestler Beau Donahue
Westfield junior gains his second straight state championship.
Winning one individual state title is an accomplishment a high school wrestler will always treasure. But winning two is an enormous feat when one considers the pressure to live up to the high expectations of a state champion and the fact that every opponent is highly motivated to defeat the best wrestler out there.