Madison High Softball Defeats Majors
Ross earns win on the mound.
Spring Break is set to begin next week, but the Madison High girls’ softball team got an early start in Spring Break tournament play with the first game of its own `Madison Spring Tournament’ last Thursday, March 22 versus Mount Vernon High.
NOVA Women Capture State Basketball Crown
Vienna’s Carlie Zirkle earns MVP honors.
The Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) women’s basketball team won the 2012 Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Championship by defeating Southside Virginia Community College, 48-26. The tournament was held March 2-4 in Chesapeake. Former Marshall High standout Carlie Zirkle (Vienna) received the most valuable player honor and was named to the All-Tournament team, along with Halley Cummins (Vienna) and Yvette Gilliam (Woodbridge).

Sports Notes from the Northern Region
State high school hoops champs; Jimmy Lange wins again; Westfields hosts prestigious golf tourney.
Game Reports Wanted: Coaches, team managers/parents - Please send high school team game results to sports editor Rich Sanders at richsand8@aol.com, or contact him on twitter at richsand8. In game reports, please include date and place of game, game highlights, team win-loss record, and any other news-worth items. Photos are also accepted.

Reston/Herndon Sports Notes
Reston Raiders competing at youth ice hockey Nationals.
The Reston Raiders PeeWee AA Blue team has had a season of exceeding expectations. Coached by Dave Regan, the locals amassed 24 points and put together an 11-7-2 record in the competitive CBHL. The Raiders’ season will continue on as they were honored by a selection to represent Virginia at the 12-under U.S. National Championships, set to take place here at home (Ashburn and Reston) from March 28 through April 1.

Huge Turnout for South Lakes Baseball Opener
Seahawks fall to Herndon in local rival game, 13-3; Oakton off to 3-0 start.
The South Lakes Seahawks varsity baseball team kicked off their 2012 high school season Friday night, March 16 against rival Herndon High. The rain cleared and the stands at South Lakes were packed with a large contingent of fans, including students and little leaguers. Reston Little League was well represented on both teams with 18 alumni participating.

St. Patrick’s Day Basketball Celebration at Wakefield High
Northern Region’s top seniors boys’ high school players, including Westfield’s Quentin Basil, compete in All-Star game, festivities.
Bryant Fultz wasn’t among the top performers in the dunk contest during the Northern Region Coaches Association All-Star Boys’ Basketball festivities on March 17, but the West Potomac senior made his mark during the main event.
Exciting All-Star Afternoon
Concorde/Patriot All-Stars beat the Liberty/National team 109-108 in overtime.
West Potomac's Bryant Fultz threw down a fourth-quarter alley-oop dunk from fellow Wolverine Randall Brobbey, scored a team-high 15 points and earned game MVP honors as the Concorde/Patriot All-Stars defeated the Liberty/National team 109-108 in overtime at Wakefield High School.

Colvin Run in Top Six at Regional Science Olympiad
Colvin Run Elementary School (CRES) participated in the Regional Science Olympiad (SO) Tournament, Division B (grades 6-8) on Feb. 25. Twenty-four teams from several middle schools and elementary schools competed in each event.

Chamber Honors Local Schools’ Talents
Annual event honors academics, arts and sciences.
The ViennaTysons Regional Chamber of Commerce [VTRCC] honored Vienna-area schools at its annual Youth and Education Luncheon on March 15 at the Westin Tysons Corner.

Celtic Arts Festival Features Music and More
Vienna Choral Society drew more than 500 guests to four hours of Celtic inspiration.
If the crowds were a indication – and they usually are – the premiere Celtic Arts Festival on March 17 hosted by the Vienna Choral Society [VCS] at Vienna Elementary School was a smash hit. Throughout the four-hour program on St. Patrick’s Day, more than 500 guests listened to music on two stages, ate Cornish pasties sold by The Pure Pasty Company, and browsed through vendors’ stalls.
Risky Behavior by the Numbers
Youth Survey highlights risks, assets for students.
Periodically, Fairfax County conducts a youth survey which polls thousands of students to get a glimpse into issues of substance abuse, antisocial behaviors as well as factors such as mental health and civic engagements.
Weekly Entertainment (Vienna/McLean/Great Falls)
March 16-23.
Things to do in the Vienna/McLean/Great Falls area.
Perfect Ending for Oakton Girls Basketball Season
Unbeaten Cougars defeat Princess Anne in state finals.
Completing one of the best athletic seasons any Northern Region team has ever known, the Oakton High girls’ basketball squad put a final exclamation point on its 2011-12 winter season for the ages when it defeated state nemesis Princess Anne High of Virginia Beach, 58-39, in the Virginia State AAA Tournament championship game, which took place last Friday night at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Siegel Center in Richmond.

Emerson Set for One Final Season as Paul VI Baseball Coach
Panthers have enjoyed incredible success under longtime skipper.
In an emotional address to players and families last Thursday night, March 8 at the Paul VI High baseball team’s annual `First Pitch Dinner,’ Billy Emerson announced he will step down as the Panthers’ head baseball coach at the end of this upcoming spring season.

Virginia Officials Deliberately Moving Slowly on Health Care Exchange
If Supreme Court upholds health-care reform, governor would have to call special session.
Virginia has eight months to create a certification plan for how it plans to create a health-care exchange, a legal requirement of President Barack Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.