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

Young Marshall hoop team falls to Mount Vernon in tournament final

By Dave Facinoli
Marshall finished second at the Mount Vernon Holiday Classic (courtesy of Marshall athletics)

With a new head coach and young basketball team, some early-season ups and downs were expected for the Marshall Statesmen.

A high point was the second-place finish at the recent Mount Vernon Holiday Classic for the girls high school team.

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Sports

Many Flint Hill grads playing on men’s college basketball teams

By Dave Facinoli
Noel Brown plays for St. Bonaventure (courtesy of St. Bonaventure athletics)

At least eight former Flint Hill Huskies boys high-school varsity basketball players are continuing to play the sport at different levels in college.

One of the most notable is 6-foot-11 graduate student Noel Brown at Division I St. Bonaventure University.

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Sports

McLean grad kicked in national-championship football contest

By Dave Facinoli
Ivan Maric kicked for Mount Union (courtesy of Mount Union athletics)

The process took longer and became more involved than hoped, but Ivan Maric eventually achieved his goal of becoming a place-kicker in college football.

The McLean High School graduate was the starting kicker during the 2024 season for the Division III University of Mount Union football team (14-1) in Alliance, Ohio — a squad that finished second in the NCAA playoffs.

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Sports

Marshall’s annual hoop rivalry for first continues with Wakefield

By Dave Facinoli
Marshall plays zone defense (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The district they now play in has changed in recent years, but not the annual rivalry for first place in boys basketball between the Marshall Statesmen and Wakefield Warriors.

The high-school teams are members of the Liberty District for the fourth straight season, and are expected to be contenders for first.

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Sports

Local players key members of Gettysburg women’s hoop team

By Dave Facinoli
A.B. Holsinger plays for Gettysburg College (courtesy of Gettysburg athletics)

Two local players who graduated from Fairfax County schools continue as big contributors for the success of the Gettysburg College women’s basketball team this season.

Both are starting junior guards: Alayna Arnolie a graduate of Madison High School and A.B. Holsinger is a Langley High grad. The two have helped the Bullets to an 11-1 overall record through Jan. 7 action.

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Sports

Local high school sports squads enter key month for winter season

By Dave Facinoli
The Lake Braddock girls basketball team (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

January opens the most important portion of the winter sports seasons for local high-school teams.

Once schools restart play following recent snowy weather conditions, the majority of the remaining regular-season contests will be against district opponents, followed by postseason tournaments.

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Sports

Christopher Newport women’s hoop team includes local players

By Dave Facinoli
Hannah Kaloi plays for Christopher Newport (courtesy of Christopher Newport athletics)

A number of graduates of Fairfax County high schools are members of the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport University women’s basketball team that is scheduled to play a game in Northern Virginia this week.

The 14-1 Captains from Newport News will travel to Arlington and compete against the host Marymount University Saints in a Division III game.

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Sports

South Lakes boys basketball team off to strong start, stands 10-1

By Dave Facinoli
Jordan Scott is the top player for South Lakes (file photo by Deb Kolt)

With a 10-1 overall record and seven-game winning streak, the South Lakes Seahawks are off to a strong start in the squad’s effort to defend three postseason tournament titles the boys basketball team won last season.

South Lakes won Concorde District, 6D North Region and Virginia High School League Class 6 state championships in 2024.

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Sports

Fairfax wrestling teams place at annual Chantilly tournament

By Dave Facinoli
Robinson placed at the Chantilly tournament (courtesy of Robinson athletics)

The host Chantilly Chargers finished third while three other Fairfax County high-school teams placed among the top squads at the annual Joe Verciglio Memorial wrestling tournament.

Grassfield High School from Chesapeake won the 16-team competition with 246.5 points. Chantilly had 167.

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Sports

Oakton girls basketball team keeps winning, now stands at 12-0

By Dave Facinoli
Oakton's Brooke Chang, right, is guarded by Lake Braddock players (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

If an undefeated record over the course of a dozen games qualifies as a strong start — and it does — the Oakton Cougars are off and running in the girls high-school basketball season.

Two lopsided victories in recent days and a 3-0 mark in its own holiday tournament give the Cougars a 12-0 record, the team’s best start since beginning 13-0 in the 2021-22 campaign.

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