Loudoun County, Va. — As high school basketball wraps up in Loudoun County, a few local teams stood out among the crowd this winter. In a two-district county, we wanted a way to put things into perspective. Enter: the LoCo Top 5.
Of course, if you’re into hard numbers, check out the full Potomac District and Dulles District standings.
[adrotate banner=”31″]1. Freedom (14-0, 28-2) —
The Eagles have held the top spot in the LoCo Top 5 since January 28, 2018 – with good reason. Since that date, Freedom has compiled a 40-3 record, including a 28-2 mark in 2018-2019. This winter, the Eagles outscored opponents 1757-1034, averaging more than 58 points of offense per game, while holding opponents to less than 35. Freedom is graduating a core group of seniors – including guards Jaelyn Batts, Morgann Harden, Kamryn Meador, and Jalyn Scales and forward Rose Burnham – so rising senior forward Brenna Haley will have her hands full as the only Eagle starter returning in 2019.
2. Loudoun Valley (12-0, 23-3) —
Led by first team All-Region 4C selections Olivia Badura, Haley Pasqualone, and Megan Stevenson, the Vikings dominated the Dulles District regular season, then went on to cruise to a Dulles District tournament championship. But that much was expected. What Loudoun Valley did in the Region 4C tournament is what solidified their spot at No. 2 in the LoCo Top 5. The Vikings defeated James Wood in a region semifinal before knocking off perennial power Millbrook in the region championship. While Loudoun Valley fell short in a VHSL 4A State quarterfinal, the Vikings’ season was filled with historic success.
3. Tuscarora (11-3, 20-6) —
We said it early and we said it often: Isabellah Middleton is a beast. The junior guard averaged nearly 25 points and more than 11 rebounds per game in her 17(!!!) double-doubles this season. The No. 3 Huskies and No. 2 Vikings will more than likely duke it out for the top spot in the newly realigned Dulles District in 2019-2020.
4. Potomac Falls (10-4, 18-7) —
Throughout the season, Potomac Falls proved to be one of the top defensive teams in Loudoun County, holding opponents to less than 39 points per game. The Panthers used that defense to sweep Potomac District foes Briar Woods, Broad Run, John Champe, and Rock Ridge. Potomac Falls also picked up a momentum-grabbing win over No. 3 Tuscarora to close out the regular season. Of all the teams in the realigned Potomac District in 2019-2020, the Panthers might be the most poised to make a run at the district title as they return 11 of their 13 varsity players from this season.
5. Briar Woods (8-6, 13-12) —
Briar Woods will be one of the few teams standing between Potomac Falls and the Potomac District title. (FYI, I’m not counting Freedom out either, and Riverside and Woodgrove both move up to 5A next winter). Graduating senior point guard Sara Duffie will no doubt hurt the Falcons, but rising junior forward Grace Nathan has another season under her belt and should be a big factor for Briar Woods in 2019-2020.
On the bubble: Woodgrove (8-4, 13-11), Riverside (8-4, 14-9)