David Coccoli, an assistant at Warwick High School in Newport News, takes over the Cougars’ program.

Sophomore Monica Wright (Forest Park, 2006) scored 21 points on Thursday night to lead the Virginia women’s basketball team to a 67-57 victory over Boston College.

There were stark contrasts among the faces of the Potomac and George Washington-Danville players in the final substitutions of Thursday night’s Northwest Region semifinal, clearly delineating between the team continuing on to the Group AAA state tournament and the one staying home.

Danni Jackson stepped into the classroom that serves as a post-game gathering place for the Forest Park girls’ basketball squad Thursday night and greeted her teammates with a euphoric scream — one that came from the pit of her stomach and the depths of her soul.

Potomac’s coach and star player were nowhere to be seen at the end of the George Washington girls’ 60-41 victory in a Northwest Region semifinal playoff game on Thursday night in Danville.

When Brentsville’s Kimmy Hopkins drove the baseline with 12 seconds to play, she knew what would be waiting for her — the outstretched arms of Freedom-South Riding center Kelsey Buchanan.

When he was introduced to the crowd at Patriot Center Wednesday night, Folarin Campbell nearly leapt out of his seat on the George Mason bench.

Region hoops schedule

Upsets seemed to be the order of the day during Tuesday’s round of regional tournaments in Virginia. Several top-ranked teams fell across the state and they didn’t go unnoticed.

A perennial state power for years, Potomac’s boys basketball team missed the region tournament in 2007 for the first time since the 2000-01 season in Keith Honore’s first year leading the squad.

The Potomac girls’ basketball schedule featured a slew of difficult opponents from around the region; coach Mike Wilson can rattle them off: Forest Park, Stonewall Jackson, H.D. Woodson in D.C.; Riverdale Baptist in Maryland.

It has already been the best season ever at Brentsville District High School for its girls’ team.

As the college basketball season enters its final weeks and Colonial Athletic Association teams begin preparing for the conference tournament, coaches are beginning to ponder their choices for postseason awards.

While his teammates were on the bus ride to the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex, Eric Gyamfi sat in his doctor’s office, hoping to receive clearance to participate in Tuesday’s Northwest Region track meet after suffering a dislocated right shoulder during the Cardinal Dis-trict meet.

During this breakthrough season for the Osbourn Park boys basketball team, effort has meant everything.

When the Yellow Jackets weren’t shooting well, effort on the defensive end helped create transi-tion baskets. When they were shooting well, effort to execute the offense meant the difference be-tween a small lead and a big one.

The transformation occurred gradually over three varsity seasons. It was so subtle, in fact, that Danni Jackson hardly noticed it at all.

In basketball, the fortunes are sometimes cruel and for Freedom sophomore guard Joseph Fears on Tuesday, the fortunes were not just cruel — they were excruciating.

There were plenty of tears shed by both teams following the Northwest Region Tournament quarterfinal game between Potomac and Stonewall Jackson on Tuesday night.
Lynetta Kizer’s tears were tears of joy.

The Potomac boys basketball team led North Stafford by just nine points after a four-point effort in the third quarter of Tuesday night’s Northwest Region quarterfinal in Dumfries and they were in danger of letting the Wolverines claw their way back into contention.

Battlefield coach Al Ford and his Bobcats sat in the stands during George Washington victory against defending Class AA state champion William Fleming on Friday, the Eagles’ third win this season against the Colonels.

“That was quite an education,” Ford said. “That game gave us an idea of how good Nick Barbour was. We were right in his face. He had a little spurt there in the third quarter that helped them stay ahead, so that hurt us.”

The High School basketball quarterfinals begin tonight. 

Five things to look for:

Patriots see win streak end

According to Joseph Fears, the substitute guard’s job for Freedom is to do a little of everything—score, distribute the ball, rebound and play defense.

CHESAPEAKE – Greg Martino looked at his younger brother with a knowing smile.

Jackson leads Forest Park with 25 points

Pressure defense and 27 points from Gwen Washington help Raiders win Cedar Run District tournament

Team wins second straight state championship with 150.70 score

Bargeron leads OP with 13 points

United States Bowling Congress Youth Volunteer, Coach and Ambassadors of the Year have been selected. The recipients will be presented their awards May 9 at the 2008 USBC Convention in Kansas City, Mo.