Leesburg, Va. — When you jump on a team from the get go, you can steal the momentum, knock the wind out of your opposition’s sails, and put a cushion on the scoreboard. That’s just what the Loudoun Valley High School boys basketball team did when they traveled to Tuscarora on January 7 as the Vikings outscored the Huskies 21-8 in the first quarter and went on to win the non-district clash, 66-52. “We’ve got good shooters so that wasn’t surprising, but it was definitely a motivating factor to see the ball go in the hole early,” Loudoun Valley head…

Ashburn, Va. — Just over three years ago, then Stone Bridge freshman Audrey Cowden, Taylor Hafer, and Sarah O’Day stepped on the court for the varsity Bulldogs for the first time. That team was led by a pair of elite scorers, but Cowden, Hafer, and O’Day did their part to contribute. Now, the three are suiting up together for one final season as seniors, and their growth over the past three years has proved fruitful. “They started with us as freshmen, and during those years we had a few superstars, but this year, we don’t have someone that stands out…

Ashburn, Va. — From the opening “tip” to the final whistle, the night belonged to the Broad Run Spartans. Traveling into enemy territory against an athletic and physical Independence team, the Broad Run boys basketball team knew they had their work cut out from them—and the Spartans rose to the occasion. Broad Run senior guard Luke Schwartzbeck, junior guard Arnav Thornhill, and sophomore forward Matin Perdue all finished in double figures as the Spartans rolled past the Tigers, 64-40, on January 5 in Ashburn. “You don’t have to worry about anybody taking away this or taking away that because it’s…

Ashburn, Va. — For the last few years, Greg Spurlock has been too unselfish. But, now, after years of convincing, the 6-foot-5 point guard is showing why he’s one of the most lethal scorers in Loudoun County. Spurlock put his scoring prowess on display as he dropped a game-high 29 points, leading the Rock Ridge Phoenix past Potomac District foe Potomac Falls, 72-52, on January 4 in Ashburn. “Greg has been too unselfish to start the season. That’s just his nature. For the last two years, we’ve had to hammer him, ‘Shoot more. Shoot more. Shoot more,’” Rock Ridge head…

Aldie, Va. — Since they transferred to John Champe High School prior to the 2019-2020 season, Jalen and James Jasper have been a daunting duo for teams in the Cedar Run District and throughout Loudoun County. Last season, the Jasper twins led the Knights to an 18-7 finish, including an 8-2 mark in the Cedar Run. But with the end of their first season at John Champe came the exit of two all-district teammates: senior forward Tyler Savage—who graduated and enrolled at East Carolina—and junior forward Ishmael Carter—who transferred to Fairfax Christian. With the exit of Savage and Carter, room…

Aldie, Va. — From the opening tip to the final whistle, Tatiana Galindo gives her team consistency: consistent scoring, consistent hustle, and, most importantly, consistent leadership. That’s exactly what the John Champe Knights are looking for out of their senior point guard, especially in a season that’s already seen a tremendous amount of change. From not knowing if they’d even have a season, to following new COVID-19 protocols, to a first-year head coach, the Knights have been fortunate to have a poised and consistent floor general who’s able to get it done on both ends of the court. And Galindo…