The opening month of the girls basketball season was an accomplished and championship time for the Washington-Liberty Generals.
In December, the high-school team compiled a 7-4 overall record, including a 3-0 mark to win the Boltball Holiday Invitational tournament Dec. 26-28 at Lightridge High School in Aldie.
The holiday title is the first in many years for W-L, which finished second in such an event at Falls Church High in 2022.
“No one really knows if the girls have ever won a holiday tournament,” second-year W-L coach Maddy DeCou told ARLnow. “Our players have bought into what we are doing and they are hungry to do well.”
In the tournament, Washington-Liberty defeated Clarke County, 62-42, in its first game, rallied past Briar Woods, 46-39, in its semifinals, then defeated the host Lightridge Bolts (7-2), 59-35, in the championship contest.
In the final, W-L led 15-7 at the end of the first quarter, was ahead 28-22 at halftime and 47-29 after three periods.
“The final was our most complete game so far this season,” DeCou said. “We didn’t let up and we were very composed. And Lightridge is a good team.”
Lightridge was 2-1 in the event, blowing out its first two opponents. Clarke County and Briar Woods also have winning records.
The Generals scored only 10 first-half points against Briar Woods and had to rally in the second half, trailing 21-10 at halftime. They outscored Briar Woods, 36-18, in the second half.
“We are a quick team, and pressured them a lot in the second half,” DeCou said.
Washington-Liberty sophomore guard/forward Kathryn Wagener was chosen as the tournament’s Most Valuable player. She had 18 points against Briar Woods.
“She is the coolest under pressure and she kept us calm, passed the ball well and rebounded well,” DeCou said about Wagener.
Seniors Isabella Menn and Julia Kelly each made the all-tournament team from Washington-Liberty. Other top players for W-L were Gabrielle Moglica, Frances Shapiro and freshman Anna Jungman.
Wagener, Kelly and Shapiro are top returning players for the Generals.
“They all played great, and Bella has really stepped up huge for us this season,” DeCou said.
Washington-Liberty played its December schedule without standout starting forward Eve Jungman. She missed the first month with a leg injury, but is expected to return soon.
Three of Washington-Liberty’s losses have been against two defending champions from last season — Centreville and Robinson — and the Oakton Cougars, a region finalist last winter.
“We have benefited from that schedule,” DeCou said.
The Generals next play Jan. 8 against the Langley Saxons in a Liberty District game. Langley is a perennial district power.
