<b>Mount Vernon Girls Ticketed for California</b>
The Mount Vernon girls basketball team will travel to Westlake Village, Calif., for a holiday basketball tournament on Dec. 26 and 28-30. Head coach Terry Henderson said the Majors raised money for the trip and he hopes the team can jell while on the West Coast. The team leaves Christmas night and returns Dec. 31.
"Basically, I wanted to do something different," he said, "and give the girls a new experience and a chance to get away and bond and play against some top-notch competition."
Last holiday season, the Majors traveled to Newport News and won the Lady Greyhound Classic.
Henderson said the team has activities planned for free time during the trip. Depending on the tournament schedule, the Majors could go to Magic Mountain, the Hollywood Walk of Fame or other destinations.
"It’s really going to bring us together as a team," Henderson said. "It’s an opportunity to bond with each other and then play against some tough talent. … [The girls can] use this experience as a life experience. Some of these kids might not ever make it out to California again."
Mount Vernon will face Washington-Lee on Dec. 18, Potomac High on Dec. 19 and Edison on Dec. 22.
<b>Majors’ King Nominated for All-American Honors</b>
Mount Vernon senior Tracy King was nominated as a potential McDonald’s All-American, Majors’ head coach Terry Henderson said. King, an all-state selection last season, has not played since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during the Majors’ regional semifinal loss to Oakton in late February. Henderson said King’s target return date is Jan. 8 against Yorktown.
<b>Mount Vernon Boys to Host 35th Annual Tournament</b>
The Mount Vernon boys basketball program will host its 35th annual holiday tournament Dec. 26 and 28-29. Yorktown, Paul VI, Stonewall Jackson, Forest Park McKinley Tech, Robinson, Oakton and Mount Vernon comprise the tournament field.
Among the Majors’ potential opponents are a National District foe (Yorktown) and the team which handed Mount Vernon its first loss (Paul VI). Also, Stonewall Jackson guard Darren Warren (6-foot-2) is a college prospect, according to ESPN.com.
"I think it will be some good competition," Mount Vernon head coach Alfonso Smith said.
Skylar Jones (18.3 points per game), Robert Smith (14.3), Jesse Konadu (13.7) and Sean Stewart (11.3) were carrying Mount Vernon offensively through three games. Smith said playing three games in four days at the holiday tournament provides others a chance for increased contribution while the minutes of the "big four" are scaled back.
Three games in four nights is "an opportunity for us to have guys step up in different roles," Smith said. "You can’t just lean on the big four. … We’re going to need some of those other guys to [score]."
Mount Vernon will face Washington-Lee on Dec. 18 and Edison on Dec. 22.
<b>West Potomac To Play at Westfield</b>
The West Potomac boys basketball team will participate in the Westfield Bulldog Bash on Dec. 28-30. The Wolverines lost to South County, 76-61, on Dec. 15.
West Potomac will face Centreville on Dec. 18 and Lake Braddock on Dec. 22.
<bn>West Potomac Girls Coach Searching for Tournament</b>
West Potomac girls basketball coach Vincent Tate said his team was scheduled to play in a holiday tournament at Oakton, but the tournament was cancelled, leaving him looking for someone to play.
The Wolverines lost to South County, 54-34, on Dec. 15. Kiara Artis led West Potomac with 15 points, while Talya Dawson added nine.
West Potomac wil face Centreville on Dec. 18 and Lake Braddock on Dec. 22.
<b>Wrestling League</b>
A wrestling club for second-eighth-grade boys and girls will be available from 7-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Jan. 12 in the West Potomac High School wrestling room. The club is non-competitive and runs through March. Cost is $85 and the first two practices are free. Contact Chuck Africano at africano5@cox.net or 703-655-3995 for more details.
<b>Avengers To Host Hawks</b>
The Alexandria Avengers, a professional basketball team and member of the Eastern Basketball Alliance, will host the Nova Hawks at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at Mount Vernon High School.