Ashburn, Va. — From start to finish, the VHSL Region 5D championship game delivered in every way possible. It was a close battle throughout, as no team led by more than a dozen, but ultimately the Briar Woods Falcons (10-0, 25-1) were able to hang on and pull away with a 49-45 win over their Ashburn-rival Stone Bridge Bulldogs (7-3, 18-7) to win their first region championship in program history on February 23 in Ashburn.
“This team is amazing,” Briar Woods head coach Raven Short said. “They bought in from day one and everyday they keep pushing.”
The Falcons are led by a core of eight senior players, all of whom played on each of Briar Woods’ playoff teams the last two seasons.
With their experience, the Falcons were able to get off to another fast start, similar to their first quarter performance last week in the Potomac District championship game against Stone Bridge. Briar Woods grabbed the momentum early and created a 9-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
“This year is special,” Short said. “The seniors feel that and they believe in it too.”
It took some time, but the Bulldogs found their footing in the second quarter and used Briar Woods’ poor shot selection to their advantage, outscoring the Falcons by three in the quarter.
The more physical intensity from Stone Bridge helped jumpstart their second half as well. Stone Bridge got multiple Briar Woods players in foul trouble and used their free throw shooting to slowly cut into the lead.
Stone Bridge sophomore guard Sravya Janapati exploded offensively to start the second half, scoring 11 of her team-leading 21 points in the third quarter alone. Janapati was efficient, making 7 of her 14 shots, including 3 of her 4 three-point attempts in the second half.
Stone Bridge was able to take the lead towards the end of the third quarter and take the home crowd out of the game completely. That was until Briar Woods senior forward Hope Drake made a lead-taking three pointer right before the third quarter buzzer to rejuvenate the team and crowd heading into the fourth. Drake finished with a team-leading 17 points along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
“We had eight minutes,” Short said. “Eight minutes was standing between what we wanted and disappointment.”
Early turnovers by the Falcons gave the Bulldogs opportunities to capitalize and take the lead to begin the fourth quarter. Additionally, Briar Woods struggled shooting from the field, with only 4 of their 9 attempts finding the net.
However, the Falcons’ intensity and game plan to attack the paint allowed them to capitalize at the free throw line. Drake and senior forward Jadyn Shin combined to make 6 of 8 free throw attempts to help maintain a small Briar Woods lead down the stretch.
With multiple clean inbound passes in the final two minutes, the Falcons were able to hold on to a 4-point lead and secure the VHSL Region 5D title, 49-45.
“We have such great chemistry,” Drake said. “We have been playing together for so long and everyday we work on it.”
Both teams have earned berths to the VHSL Class 5 State tournament, where the Falcons will host Region 5C runner up Patrick Henry in a state quarterfinal on February 27, while the Bulldogs travel to Midlothian to battle Region 5C champion James River on the same day.
“We are fortunate to be in this group,” Short said. “We know that everyday will be a battle and that every team left is an amazing team.”