As fall sports wrap up, winter sports are gearing up for tryouts, which begin the week of Nov. 11.

The varsity boys basketball squad hopes to bounce back after finishing last season with a record of 9-14. Disapprove

“Our expectations for this upcoming season are high as they always are,” head coach Andrew Duggan said.

The team had three seniors graduate last year. Duggan is now looking for leadership from returning players.

“I have seen improvement in all of our returning players,” Duggan said. “Our players have put in a great deal of work over the summer and fall.”

Among these returning players, junior Brandon Kamga was recognized by The Washington Post over the summer for his MVP honors performance at the Big Shots All-American camp, earning him college scholarship offers by over five schools.

Kamga has high hopes for the team this year, striving to earn the district title and beyond.

“We need to put up at least two banners,” Kamga said.

Kamga also hopes to gain individual recognition.

“I want to get conference and regional player of the year,” Kamga said.

Senior center Henry Quinn-Irons also hopes to make it to the playoffs.

“I expect us to win the conference, be strong contenders for the region, and hopefully get a state game,” Quinn-Irons said.

Among the most anticipated games of the season is the rivalry against Herndon Dec. 20. Last year, the Seahawks lost to Herndon 59-51.

In regards to preparing for the Herndon game, Duggan wants to keep the game in perspective.

“In my mind Herndon is just one game on the schedule, and I tell my players the same thing,” Duggan said. “They may be our rival, but it’s one game.”

With the season approaching quickly, players have identified areas of improvement.

“We need to improve on our communication on the court to make sure that each player is always in their position doing the right thing,” junior forward Charles Geddes said.

Varsity girls basketball finished last year with a 23-6 record and appearances in the Liberty District semifinals, Northern Regional finals, and the first round of the state tournament.

The team favored to win districts last year but lost to Madison 55-52 in the district semifinals.

“Last year we were knocked out of the semifinals, so I hope to win districts this year,” senior center Abby Rendle, who committed to College of William and Mary, said.

Only two players graduated last year, so the team is relying on the veteran leadership of eight current seniors.

“We’ve all played on varsity together and during AAU seasons in the summer since fifth grade,” senior power forward Kirsten Cornwell said. “We have a lot of team chemistry because we have played with each other for so long.”

The team hopes to avenge the Madison playoff loss as well as beat Herndon for the fifth consecutive year.

“I’m excited to play Madison again because they knocked us out of districts in the last second,” Cornwell said. “Obviously we’re also excited for the Herndon game because it is the biggest rivalry, and we always have a great crowd turnout.”

While advancing to the state tournament, the girls season ended with 55-53 loss to Robinson.

“Hopefully we will get back to states this year,” senior guard Caitlin Jensen said. “We want to make a repeat of the run we had last year.”

Basketball season kicks off Dec. 3 with the both squads facing Stone Bridge. Boys play at home while the girls are away. Tipoff for both games is 7:30 p.m.