Highland Springs Too Much for West Springfield at State Quarterfinals

UPDATED STORY: Spartans fall 53-46 in tournament-opener at VCU

RICHMOND—West Springfield's senior trio of Logan Battle, April Robinson and Jordan Miller advanced to the VHSL Class AAA tournament for the third year in a row, but saw their storied careers come to an end Friday night in the opening round at Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegel Center in Richmond. Highland Springs, a local school and the Central Region champion, proved too fast and aggressive for the Spartans. The Springers slashed to the basket and got in front of West Springfield's passes, building a 12-point lead before ultimately winning 53-46. "We couldn't stop them on defense," said Battle, who led all scorers with 23 points.  The Spartans struggled on offense, too, shooting just 33 percent (17-for-51) in the game, with only a …

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Slideshow: Two Weeks in February

Robinson, Fairfax County School staff members band together to support teams and fans from around the state during playoff push.

Jeff Ferrell, the Robinson High School director of Student Activities (DSA), along with a dozen other school staff members and contributors from neighboring schools like Lake Braddock, will have a long-lasting walkie-talkie impression somewhere on their bodies after the winter sports championship season wraps up later this week. By the time the Rams’ staff puts its bleachers away after the opening-round state tournament basketball games on the night of March 2, they’ll have been pulling double-duty as coaches, teachers, administrators and tournament organizers since the wrestling state tournament opened on Feb. 17. Physical Education and spring sport practices that would normally use the cavernous Harry M. Smith Field House have been …

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Sports Highlights from WSHS, Robinson, Lake Braddock

Lady Spartans win two; Rams boys on a winning streak; Lake Braddock girls host Annandale on Jan.10.

Players mostly came back strong and healthy from winter break. Here’s a round-up of sports highlights from Alexandria and southern Fairfax County. West Springfield: Life without starting point guard April Robinson hasn’t been too difficult for the Lady Spartan (10-2, 4-0 Patriot District) basketball team. Robinson’s been sidelined with an ankle injury since early December. The Spartans defeated South County by 40 points on Jan. 3 and beat T.C. Williams 49-48 on Jan. 6 in a rematch of last year’s Northern Region championship. Up Next: West Springfield hosts West Potomac on Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Robinson: Rams boys basketball (10-3, 2-0 Concorde District) defeated Yorktown 63-53 on Jan. 3 and Centreville 54-44 on Jan 6. The Rams are currently…

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GMU's Ryan Pearson 'Player of the Week'

Ryan Pearson was named player of the week on Jan. 2

George Mason University’s Ryan Pearson was named men’s basketball Player of the Week by the Colonial Athletic Association. The association gave Pearson the honor after achieving a career-high 35 points and 14 rebounds in a victory over the College of Charleston, according to the organization’s website. The Colonial Athletic Association is an NCAA Division I conference. To read more about Pearson, read Patch’s recent profile on the player.

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Bruins Fall to Highlanders on Last Day of Tourney

Lake Braddock wins one of three in Cougar Holiday Classic

The Lake Braddock Bruins may not have walked out of the Cougar Holiday Classic with as many wins as they would have hoped, but they will enter Patriot District play a better team. "We showed a lot of growth, and we're not making the same mistakes we were making five, six games ago," said Leigh Janis, Bruins head coach. "As a team, we're just gelling a lot better." The Bruins lost two of three games in the tournament, first to Stone Ridge 37-32 on Wednesday, then to McLean High 51-46 on Thursday. But the Bruins started the tournament with a 54-50 double-overtime win over Loudoun County on Tuesday. In that game, they entered halftime down 32-21, but fought back in the second half to hold the Raiders to six points, tying the game at the end …

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Weekend Planner

Carriage Rides, Light Displays, and Ebenezer Scrooge

Weekend Events from Friday, Dec. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 25

A selection of events to enjoy with family and friends this holiday weekend. George Mason University Men’s Basketball Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides The Ice Palace Festival of Lights Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol 13th Annual Gingerbread Village Outdoor Hanukkah Festival Dec. 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Lake Anne Plaza, Reston. Gather with the community at Lake Anne and take part in the lighting of a giant ice menorah by Reston founder Robert E. Simon. The celebration will continue at Reston Community Center-Lake Anne  for family entertainment, prize drawings, Hanukkah donuts, latkes, chocolate gelt, a family Hanikkah film and fun. Free admission. Family Chanukah Music Service Dec. 23, 6:45 pm.  Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, 1441 Wiehle …

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Weekend Planner

Holiday Concerts, Chanukah Shopping and More This Weekend

Local Weekend Events from Friday, Dec. 16 through Sunday, Dec. 18

Whether you’re interested in sports, concerts, or having breakfast with Santa Claus, Patch has found a wide variety of events for you to choose from this weekend. High School Varsity Basketball Home Games Friday, Dec. 16. Boys: Girls: Please click on the links provided for information about locations, start times and admission. Christmas Concerts and Shows: Holiday Themed Events: Santa Sightings: If you know of other events this weekend, please add them in the comments section.

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Susan Larson

9:40 am on Friday, December 16, 2011

Saturday, Dec. 17 Ballroom Social Dance: Dancing, food and fun! Led by an instructor (with a pre-dance mini lesson available, $5/person.) Complimentary refreshments and cash bar available. All skill levels are welcome. Dress is casual. Doors open at 7 p.m., mini-lesson from 7:30 to 8 p.m. and open dance from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton. $10/person. Tickets available online. For …   more ›

Weekend Planner

Holiday Concerts, Breakfast with Santa, and More This Weekend

Events for the Weekend of Friday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec.11

The holiday season is in full swing, and we’ve got a weekend planner full of local events for you to choose from. High School Varsity Basketball Home Games Boys: West Springfield HS, Lake Braddock SS Girls: Lake Braddock SS, Falls Church HS, Annandale HS Falls Church High School Craft Show Concerts and Shows: Holiday Themed Events:

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Weekend Planner

Tree Lighting, Model Trains, and More This Weekend

Local Events for the weekend of Friday, December 2 through Sunday, December 4

The month of December begins with a weekend full of events. Here are our top picks for the local area. High School Varsity Basketball Home Games Boys: Lake Braddock, South County Girls: Lake Braddock, Robinson, West Springfield Clifton Holiday Events High School Theatre and Concert Performances Annandale Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony 22nd Annual Holiday Model Train Showcase Holiday Arts and Craft Fairs

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