Girls Tournaments

Wootton and Springbrook Are Among Powerful Players

Tarik Hislop and Paint Branch have won 17 of their last 18 games after losing their first two.
Tarik Hislop and Paint Branch have won 17 of their last 18 games after losing their first two. (By Toni L. Sandys -- The Washington Post)
Discussion Policy
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Thursday, February 22, 2007

4A West

Team to beat: Wootton. Even though they have never won a region title, it's hard to go against the Patriots, who entered the week having won 13 straight since Dec. 29. They are the county's deepest team, with nine players scoring in double figures at least once this season.

What to watch for: When Whitman is on, the Vikings are tough, but their past three losses have each been by at least 15 points. . . . Churchill, Northwest and Walter Johnson each had losing streaks of at least three games earlier this month. With those slumps over, each is capable of pulling an upset, behind their respective stars, Carole Dempsey, Deven Green and Alex Chili.

4A North

Team to beat: Springbrook. Winners of two straight region titles, the Blue Devils have mastered the key to playoff success -- defense. They have allowed only three of their last 17 opponents to surpass 40 points.

What to watch for: Two of Blake's five losses were to Springbrook, which the Bengals wouldn't have to play until the region final. . . . Undefeated Dulaney, which features 6-foot-2 junior Danielle Parker (16 ppg, 13 rpg), last won a region title in 1988.

3A West

Team to beat: Paint Branch. State finalists in 2004 and '05, the Panthers lost their first two games -- to Damascus and Springbrook -- and have since won 17 of 18, along the way avenging their other defeat to B-CC.

What to watch for: Bethesda-Chevy Chase has never won a region title, and the Barons have home-court advantage throughout, in addition to the county's leading scorer, Nalini Hawkins. . . . After starting the season 1-5, Urbana, the defending region champion, won 13 of 14.


CONTINUED     1        >


More in the High Schools Section

Recruiting Insider

Recruiting Insider

The Post's Josh Barr provides the latest news about all of the top talent in the area.

Recruiting Database

Recruit Database

All the information, as well as photos and videos, on the area's top recruits.

Varsity Letter

Varsity Letter

Preston Williams provides context to the Washington area prep sports scene.

© 2007 The Washington Post Company