Hunter Langley, Kate Casper and Riley Bucholz
Boys Basketball
While the season did not end the way the team wanted it to, with a loss in the regional semifinals, a 13-12 record was still a huge success compared to the previous season. Athletic Director James Parker made a great decision with the hire of coach Darryl Prue who turned this basketball program around and brought respect to the program. Rival West Potomac’s District Player of the Year, senior Jonas Munson said, “ Over the past couple years there have obviously been some difficulties with coaching and continuity, but the new staff seemed like they knew what they were doing. They played to the strengths of the team and always made it difficult on us matchup-wise… I’m glad they were successful this year, even if records and accolades may not show that.”
Senior Jaquan Johnson established himself as one of the best players in the district and the region earning a First Team All District nod. Sophomore Takao Carpenter’s growth over the year earned him a Second Team All District nod. Carpenter has developed a consistent three point shot and seems to be the most likely candidate to replace Johnson’s production going into next year. “He will definitely be better than I ever was,” Johnson said.
Senior Jayden Thrash was extremely reliable at guard earning himself Second Team All District and Defensive Team. Senior Sean Walsh also earned an All District honor due to his ability to hit a clutch three ball and distribute the ball efficiently and on time. Johnson said, “Losers assemble in small groups and complain about the coaches and other players. Winners assemble as a team and find a way to win.”
Girls Basketball
The Lady Titans headed to states with a strong 16-5 record including a record of 11-1 in the last 12 games. They captured a District banner over rival West Potomac in a convincing fashion. Senior Geonna Stockton said, “I think we’ve came out playing the best basketball we’ve played all year. We are playing very hungry and vengeful, taking it game by game to make it and win the state championship for the first time in T.C. Williams girls basketball history.”
The team’s success can most likely be contributed to great coaching by District Coach of the Year Lisa Willis to extremely talented players. Willis said, “Over the playoff stretch we’ve grown as a team and as leaders. We’ve made it a part of our identity to play hard the moment we step out on the court. That’s serious growth. We still struggle in certain areas that, if we don’t fix immediately, it will prevent us from getting a state championship. Nonetheless, I have faith that we will step our game up another notch and overcome our obstacles.”
The duo of seniors Trinity Palacio and Sasha Bates, both All District First Team Players, has been playing phenomenal basketball being aggressively onoffense and defense. All District Defensive Player freshman N’jya Hopkins has been sensational on both ends of the floor as well. Juniors Halle Walker and Caroline Schie have been a tough duo to stop in the post with both having the ability to hit from underneath and with range. “I think as a team we played hard and agressive, we are a small team, but we are extremely scrappy and that is what keeps those big teams on their toes,” Bates said.
Swim and Dive
The swim and dive team closed out the season with a record turn out at Regionals on February 8 & 9; some swimmers moved on to States on the 22nd. T.C. sent 21 swimmers to compete at Regionals and 13 moved on to States. It was the first time in 10 years that TC Swim and Dive has competed at Regionals.
The girls and boys 200 freestyle relay teams and 400 relay teams broke records at Regionals. 15 swimmers moved to finals and then 13 went on to compete at states.
At states, individual swimmers from teams advance instead of the whole team. 13 swimmers from T.C. along with 4 alternates went to states.
The last time T.C. swimmers went to states was in 2013. Out of the 13 swimmers, the boys 400 free relay (Freshman Emil Lasida, Senior Brendan Huber-Wilker, Sophomore Quinn Hardimon, and Senior Lutfi Lasida); Sophomore Ronan Lauinger and Sophomore Myla Rice advanced to the finals later that night. Hardimon said, “It was really tough getting there but it was a lot of fun and it was good for the seniors to at least make it to one state championship meet.”
