Author: Dave Facinoli

Dave Facinoli grew up in Prince George’s County, Md. and attended Friendly High School. After attending Prince’s George Community College and James Madison University, where he covered sports on both college papers, he launched a local newspaper career that included roles as the sports editor of the Alexandria Gazette, the Arlington Sun Gazette and GazetteLeader, and other local papers.

Sports

Madison football team ranked among top 10 in final state polls

By Dave Facinoli
Madison gathers with the championship banner (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The Madison Warhawks finished ranked second, seventh and ninth in three different final statewide high-school football polls for the 2024 season as compiled by MaxPreps.com.

In the public-school Class 6 (schools with the highest enrollment) poll, the Concorde District and 6D North Region champion Warhawks (14-1) were ranked second.

Go to Madison football team ranked among top 10 in final state polls Read more
Sports

Football players from multiple Fairfax schools chosen all-state

By Dave Facinoli
Lake Braddock's Zach Hipner was chosen all-state (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Players from multiple Fairfax County football teams, including the region-champion Lake Braddock Bruins and Madison Warhawks, recently were honored as Virginia High School League Class 6 first- or second-team all-state selections.

From Madison, senior slotback Dominic Knicely earned the biggest award as the Offensive Player of the Year.

Go to Football players from multiple Fairfax schools chosen all-state Read more
Sports

Madison slotback chosen state’s top football player on offense

By Dave Facinoli
Dominic Knicely is the state's best on offense (photo by Deb Kolt)

Dominic Knicely has received the highest honor for his performance on the football field for the Madison Warhawks during the fall season.

The senior slot back and kick returner has been named the Virginia High School League Class 6 state Offensive Player of the Year.

Go to Madison slotback chosen state’s top football player on offense Read more
Sports

Marshall, Madison basketball teams set for holiday action

By Dave Facinoli
Madison and Marshall will play in different holiday tournaments (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The Madison Warhawks and Marshall Statesmen had opposite results in their final boys basketball games prior to participating in holiday tournaments later this week.

Madison (6-2) routed visiting Independence, 62-39, in a non-district high-school game for its fifth-straight win on Dec. 20, while host Marshall (6-3, 1-1) lost to the Yorktown Patriots (7-1), 59-57, in a seesaw Liberty District contest on the same night.

Go to Marshall, Madison basketball teams set for holiday action Read more
Sports

Flint Hill defeats Potomac School in big rivalry basketball action

By Dave Facinoli
Flint Hill's Ty Harris, middle, is a top returner (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

With an out-of-town holiday tournament next on the schedule, the Flint Hill Huskies warmed up by winning a key local boys basketball game.

In that Dec. 19 high-school contest, visiting Flint Hill (4-3, 2-0) defeated its top neighborhood and Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference rival Potomac School Panthers, 81-64.

Go to Flint Hill defeats Potomac School in big rivalry basketball action Read more
Sports

McLean, Oakton, West Springfield volleyball players make all-state

By Dave Facinoli
The region champion McLean team (courtesy of McLean Athletics)

Boys volleyball players from three different district-championship squads in Fairfax County recently were chosen to Virginia High School League Class 6 all-state teams.

From the Liberty District and region-champion McLean Highlanders team, senior Evan Li made the first team and senior Luke Cowan was selected to the second.

Go to McLean, Oakton, West Springfield volleyball players make all-state Read more
Sports

Senior field-hockey players participate in one final salute

By Dave Facinoli
Players from Christina Carroll's team prior to the matches (courtesy of DL Action Sports Photography)

The third Senior Salute girls field-hockey tournament was held recently at Meridian High School in Falls Church.

The all-star event consisted of three games and included 48 of the top 6D and 6C North Region senior public-school players in Northern Virginia. Each player participated in two matches.

Go to Senior field-hockey players participate in one final salute Read more
Sports

Madison football team begins filling the holes for next season

By Dave Facinoli
Madison fullback Matthew Weiler will be a returner next fall (photo by Deb Kolt)

Anytime a high-school team accomplishes what the Madison Warhawks did in football this fall, the natural question is: What about next year?

So what about the 2025 season for the Warhawks? Will Madison have the potential to win a sixth straight 6D North Region championship and again challenge to capture its elusive first state title?

Go to Madison football team begins filling the holes for next season Read more
Sports

McLean has defeated some top girls basketball opponents so far

By Dave Facinoli
McLean's Tatum Olson, right, is a top player for the team (photo by Deb Kolt)

The McLean Highlanders certainly have played a difficult basketball schedule so far this season, and the experienced girls team has a 4-2 overall record to show for its efforts.

Among the high-school squad’s victories, the Highlanders have defeated defending Virginia High School League Class 4 state champion Woodgrove along with recent four-time defending Class 6 state champion Madison, as well as defeating perennially strong West Springfield.

Go to McLean has defeated some top girls basketball opponents so far Read more
Sports

Oakton wins big over Lewis in basketball, improving to 7-0

By Dave Facinoli
Lewis' Donnie Goodwin shoots a free throw (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

It’s no surprise that the Oakton Cougars girls basketball team is off to a strong start this season.

With three returning starters from last winter’s Concorde District champion and 6D North Region tournament runner-up squad, the high-school unit (22-7 last fall) is expected to be a contender for those titles again this year.

Go to Oakton wins big over Lewis in basketball, improving to 7-0 Read more
View More Stories