Girls Basketball: Atoms Take Fourth in Tourney

After losing in the first round against the Cougar Holiday Classic's hosts, the Annandale Atoms won both of their remaining games to place fourth.

The Atoms started their tournament journey against one of the best teams in the region, Oakton High, and lost 56-31. On Day 2, Jacqueline Beathea led the Atoms to a 53-40 win against Stafford High with her 18 points.

On Day 3, the Atoms jumped out to a 12-7 lead over the Raiders by the end of the first period and never looked back. The Atoms held the Raiders to three points in the second period while scoring 10 of their own to enter halftime with a 22-10 lead.

The Raiders began to mount a comeback in the third period, outscoring the Atoms 11 to 7. They continued to press in the fourth, narrowing their deficit to four at one point, but the atoms went on a 13-5 run to seal the win. 

"We rushed some things and got into panic mode, which is what they wanted us to do," said Patrick Hughes, Annandale's head coach. "But we settled down and adjusted. Luckily we made some big buckets and made some free throws."

Overall, Hughes is happy with how his team played and grateful for the experience now that the season is heading into district play. And Hughes is confident the Atoms will be able to stay competitive.

"Our inside game is strong. We're starting to shoot the ball a lot better," Hughes said. "I think we definitely have some things people are going to have to deal with. As we go, we're going to get better and better every day."

Point scorers: Diana Hurtado (14), Gabriella Ripani (13), Hailey Brown (6), Jacqueline Beathea (5), Lorraine Turner (5), Kaitleigh Fetterman (4), Faith Garrish (2), Erin Johnson (2)

Day 2 Stats: Annandale 53 vs. Stafford 40

Jacqueline Beathea (18), Gabriella Ripani (14), Diana Hurtado (8), Kaitleigh Fetterman (6), Hailey Brown (4), Carly Klima (2), Lorraine Turner (1)

Day 1 Stats: Annandale 31 vs. Oakton 56

Diana Hurtado (9), Carly Klima (8), Jacqueline Beathea (4), Kaitleigh Freeman (4), Erin Johnson (4), Hailey Brown (2)