LoudounPrepSports.com 2008-09 Girls Basketball Preview
AA Dulles District
2007-08 Rewind: Loudoun County and Freedom were the top two teams in the area last season with the Raiders defeating the Eagles twice in the regular season before Freedom upended LC, 70-66, in the final regular season contest to stop a 17-game Raider winning streak. It was no surprise then that the two teams would meet for the Dulles District tournament championship and it appeared that the Eagles would take the title on their home floor but sophomore Alissa Kain’s buzzer beater gave the Raiders the thrilling 48-47 victory. While Freedom went on to defeat Western Albemarle on the road in the regional quarterfinals, both teams fell one win shy of qualifying for the state tournament in heartbreaking fashion as Freedom lost to Brentsville on a shot in the final seconds, 52-51, and LC lost to Charlottesville in overtime, 64-62 … Broad Run went 10-4 in district but suffered through a late January slump, dropping three of four to LC, Freedom and Briar Woods. The Spartans only managed 27 points in a tournament semifinal loss to Freedom … Briar Woods had the best year in school history with a 14-8 record and 8-6 Dulles mark. The Falcons defeated Park View in the first round of the playoffs, 48-44, but fell to LC in the semifinals by eight points … Park View took a step back, going .500 in district (7-7) after compiling an 11-3 mark the year before. The Patriots finished the season with five losses in six games, including back-to-back defeats to BW in the final regular season game and tournament quarterfinals … Dominion, Heritage and Potomac Falls managed to combined for six district wins, all in contests against each other … In AAA, Loudoun Valley struggled at the start, going 2-9, but the Vikes improved and defeated a Liberty team in the Cedar Run District quarterfinals that had blown them out by 23 points in December. Valley just missed qualifying for regionals, losing to Osbourn Park by four points in the semifinals … Stone Bridge went 10 games under .500 and had just three wins in the Liberty District.
2008 Outlook
Coaches: Almost half of the area coaches are either in their first season (Dave Morris of Briar Woods and Chris Jones of Stone Bridge) or second season (Anthony Long of Heritage and Jen Picoolomoni of Loudoun Valley) with their teams. While Lynn Ewald starts his third season at Potomac Falls, three area coaches are strarting a fourth season, the first year that all players have come through the school since they started: Anne Gasser at Dominion, Jason Eldredge at Freedom and Kim Grigley at Park View. The dean of local girls coaches are Mike O’Hara at Broad Run (eight seasons) and Kevin Reed at Loudoun County (seven seasons)
Preseason Coaches Poll: Before the seaon got underway two weeks ago, we asked the Dulles District coaches, how they saw the race shaping up. Here are the results:
1. Freedom
2. Loudoun County
3. Briar Woods
4. Potomac Falls
5. Park View
6. Broad Run
7. Heritage
8. Dominion
Since Freedom defeaed Loudoun County in a non-district game in a tournament in Fauquier, then their top ranking by the coaches is valid
LPS Editor Dan Sousa puts his spin on the Dulles District: It is the perfect storm for Freedom High School as the Eagles not only have the most talent returning (Kelsey Buchanan, Meixandra Porter and Dionna Scott forming a powerful trio) to a team that just missed the state tournament but Freedom will compete in the postseason in Division 3 which puts them away from teams such as Loudoun County and Brentsville and Charlottesville and Western Albemarle — all playoff teams in 2007-08. Expect LC, as usual, to challenge for a district regular-season and tournament title. Raider Brittany Batts should challenge for district Player of the Year honors. Briar Woods was expected to take another step forward but new coach Dave Morris lost two starters early, Krysta Gardner who is not playing so she can concentrate on volleyball and another starter who dropped on the first day of practice. The Falcons with Kim Bell should still be top four in the district. Potomac Falls was picked by some to be top four this season but an early district loss to Heritage shows the Panthers still have some work to do. Broad Run is rebuilding and young. Park View may be the biggest unknown at this point in district and Heritage and Dominion are looking to turn the corner from tough seasons a year ago.
In AAA, Loudoun Valley is fighting the injury bug and will need a full healthy squad to compete in the competitive Cedar Run District … Stone Bridge has a new coach in former BR assistant Chris Jones and he will have to make do with an undersized squad against some good Liberty District teams.
Team by Team Look
AA Dulles District
Briar Woods
Ashburn (school opened 2005)
2007-08 Record: 8-6 district, 15-9 overall
3-Year snapshot: 13-28 in district, 24-45 overall
Coach: Dave Morris (1st season)
Key losses: Krysta Gardner, did not come out to concentrate on volleyball; Sierra White, a starter as a sophomore, is not playing this season.
Key Returners: Kim Bell, Aminah Aziz, Erica Kiechlin and Ashley Adams.
Newcomers to Watch: Brittany Gilbert.
Morris on his team’s outlook: “We have three juniors and two at this poin are looking to start while the third will be coming in early each game. Most of our squad is made up of sophomore, five of our 11. Adams, who started at point last year, will lead the team while the incoming freshman will look to surprise a lot of opponents with their natural freel for the game. Our outlook is to improve throughout the season while trying to stay in the top half of district play.”
Morris on district race: “Freedom and Loudoun County look to be the strongest teams while it may be a rat race for the third slot.”
Broad Run Spartans
Ashburn (school opened 1969)
2007-08 Record: 10-4 district, 15-9 overall
3-Year snapshot: 36-6 in district, 52-26 overall
Coach: Mike O’Hara (8th season)
Key losses: Alexis Campbell, Holly King
Key Returners: Hailey Johnson, Maggie Andricosky, Chelsea Gantt, Morgan Roehling
Newcomers to Watch: none listed
O’Hara on his team’s outlook: “Rebuilding, hope to get better with each game.”
Costello on district race: “Competitive with Freedom and County at the top.”
Dominion Titans
Sterling (school opened 2003)
2007-08 Record: 2-12 in district, 5-18 overall
3-Year snapshot: 13-29 district, 20-49 overall
Coach: Anne Gasser (4th year)
Key losses: TJ Jones, Aly Reed, Deedee Fryar and Kate Gooding. Also. Lauryn
Hutchinson did not return to play this season.
Key Returners: Says Gasser: “Once again we have a young team. We have three seniors who will see a lot of playing time. They are Alex Long, Haley “Patty” Patterson, and Kathleen Carter. Colleen Reynolds and Haley Landry are our other returning players from last years squad.”
Newcomers to Watch: Imani Smith 6’1 freshman, Jasmine Thomas, 5’5 Jr guard, and Amber Clemmons Soph 5’8 forward. Other players include Jumana Abu-ghanam 5’7 post, Latisha Baker 5’6 guard, Anshu Pal Soph 5’3 guard, Brittanne Gasser 5’8 freshman guard
Gasser on her team’s outlook: “We will be tested early against teams like Garfield ,Hylton, and WT Woodson.”
Freedom Eagles
South Riding (school opened 2005)
2007-08 Record: 12-2 district, 20-7 overall
3-Year snapshot: 21-20 district, 36-37 overall
Coach: Jason Eldredge (4th year)
Key losses: Alicen Heinrich
Key Returners: Meixandra Porter (Colorado State signee), Kelsey Buchanan, Dionna Scott.
Newcomers to Watch:
Weeren on his team’s outlook: See video interview
Weeren on district race: See video interview
Heritage Pride
Leesburg (school opened in 2002)
2007-08 Record: 1-13 disrict, 3-19 overall
3-Year Snapshot: 10-32 district, 19-50 overall
Coach: Anthony Long (1st year)
Key losses: Brianna Mitchell -Senior, Ceara Scott – trasnferred
Key Returners: Necole Sterling, Danielle Launi, Kristen Pappalardo, Erika Grabbi ( Only 4 returning from team).
Newcomers to Watch: Chelsea Paskowski- from Jv, Hannah Mclaughlin- Did not play last year
Long on team’s outlook: “Very young team, looking to push the pace and run as much
as possible. Hope to turn things around
this year and move up in the district.“
Long on district race: “VERY competitive and wide open.”
Loudoun County Raiders
Leesburg (school opened 1954)
2007-08 Record: 13-1 district, 22-4 overall
3-Year snapshot: 37-5 district, 67-14 overall
Coach: Kevin Reed (7th season)
Key losses: Dulles District Player of Year Samantha Akers – scholarship athlete to University of Pitt-Johnstown but has transferred to play at DIII Christopher Newport University this second semester, Amy Williams 67-14 career record
Key Returners: Kerry Sarver, 7 pts, 4 assist, 3 steals, Kendra Holmes, 9 pts, 10 rbs – one of the most athletice players in Region II, Alissa Kain – can play any position on the floor and tough, Brittany Batts, 15 pts, 71% FT shooter as freshman, amazing shooter
Newcomers to Watch: Freshman class is quick, big, and intelligent. If they can mature quickly, then LC will have great depth. Players on verge of breaking out: Says Reed: “The four key returners all had good games last year, and I think they are well known in the County, however, Alissa Kain is ready to have an even bigger impact on our team and in the District. She is mature and ready to help keep this team at the top. Also, Jocie Collins was a varsity player as a freshman, and this year she is ready to step up and give the Lady Raiders substantial help on both ends of the court. The Freshman Class is also ready to have an immediate impact. It should be fun!”
Reed on his team’s outlook: “Strengths: Quickness and a core group of girls who knows how to win. Areas to improve: Players playing multiple positions, rebounding, new faces stepping up on the varsity level. Season Hinges On: No one getting injured and the team playing as “one unit”.
Reed on district race: “Team goals: The goal at LCHS is to always to win the Dulles District title. This year’s team is no different. Lady Raiders expect to go to the next level of Regions and States.”
Park View Patriots
Sterling (school opened 1976)
2007-08 Record: 7-7 district, 12-11 overall
3-Year snapshot: 28-14 district, 42-31 overall
Coach: Kim Grigley (4th year)
Key losses: Lauren Tomlinson and Julia Anyaugo
Key Returners: Rachael Miller, Megan Barnes and Karita Brown
Newcomers to Watch: none listed
Grigle on team’s outlook: “We plan to be very competitive throughout the
season with a “Winners never quit” attitude!”
Potomac Falls Panthers
Sterling (school opened in 1997)
2007-08 Record: 3-11 district, 6-17 overall
3-Year snapshot: 9-33 district, 15-54 overall
Coach: Lynn Ewald (3rd year)
Key losses: Keisha Carter and Katie Hibson. Both graduated.
Key Returners: Sara Hibson, Raven Short, Jasmin Jefferies, Symone Berry.
Newcomers to Watch: Rebecca Perez and Kayla Stephens (JV).
Ewald on team’s outlook: “Good returning core. Planning to build on last year.”
Ewald on district race: “I think the district is pretty open this year. Freedom and County will be up towards the top. I think the rest of the teams could finish pretty much anywhere in the district.”
AAA Teams
Cedar Run District
Loudoun Valley Vikings
Purcellville (school opened in 1962)
2007-08 Record: 5-9 district, 8-13 overall
3-Year Snapshot: 5-9 district (Vikes did not play district schedule while in National District), 37-29 overall
Coach: Jen Piccolomini (2nd year)
Key losses: Perrin Raudabaugh
Key Returners: Jessica Mullen (SR) G, Kayla Sweet (JR) G, DiDi Haraci (JR) F, Brea Calhoun (JR) F, Chrystal Oden (JR) F.
Newcomers to Watch: Christina Blue (SO) G, Lisa Beksel (SO) G, Jaimie Gutch (SO) F.
Piccolomini on team’s outlook: “Strengths are speed; work ethic. Season hinges on our ability to be patient and wait for scoring opportunities.”
Liberty District
Stone Bridge Bulldogs
Ashburn (school opened 2000)
2007-08 Record: 3-11 district, 6-17 overall
3-year Snapshot: 20-22 district, 35-38 overall
Coach: Chris Jones (1st year)
Key losses: Graduated five seniors including Naiomi Session; Soph Blair Brady – moved to Seattle
Key Returners: Courtney Bryant – scorer – 11.4 points per game last year; Sakai Williams – tenacious; Kayleigh Guzek – floor leader; Alex Walcott – athletic and can finish.
Newcomers to Watch: Cori Prince – excellent 3 point shooter – sophomore from JV; Sara Stancik – solid screener, does all the little things – Junior from JV.
Jones on team’s outlook: “Our goal is to get better every day and develop into a solid team by midseason. The girls are really working hard and adjusting well to a new system, but it does take some time. I don’t want to predict wins or losses because of inexperience in this district. With us, we have to show up and play well every game or we could lose to any team in our district. If we can build a solid foundation with pressure defense and improve as the year goes on with our offense, we will be able to compete and gain confidence as the year goes on. We are a small team so tenacity and work ethic are two things we are stressing that can help make up for some of the height deficit we may face. Also, being fundamentally sound is important for our team to succeed. We have a hard working, scrappy bunch of girls who want to start winning basketball games and are taking the necessary steps to do that.”
Green on district race: “Since this is my first year at Stone Bridge , I am not as familiar with the district as other coaches. I do know Woodson is always good and presents problems with their height. Madison is always strong and McLean should be very good this year.”
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