Virginia, D.C. area, Maryland, Tennessee, December 18, 2025
The high school basketball season is in full swing, with teams demonstrating exceptional skill and determination. Osbourn Park embarks on a title defense, while Archbishop Carroll’s Brown shines as a scoring leader. Coach Mike Glick reaches a coaching milestone at Meade High School, and C.H. Flowers finds a new offensive force in Audrey Appiah. Bullis rises in national rankings, and the Elizabethton Lady Cyclones uphold their rich tradition. These narratives highlight the dedication, perseverance, and strong community values fostered through prep sports.
Prep Hoops Thrills: Osbourn Park’s Defense, Carroll’s Spark
Across the nation, high school basketball courts are alive with the spirit of competition and the pursuit of excellence. From defending state champions in Virginia to surging talents in the D.C. area, student-athletes are showcasing the discipline, teamwork, and personal responsibility that define prep sports. HEREPhoenix.com celebrates these compelling narratives, recognizing that the dedication and hard work exhibited on courts elsewhere resonate deeply with the vibrant high school sports community here in Phoenix, Arizona, a city that itself hosts prestigious national tournaments like the Nike Tournament of Champions. These stories of triumph and perseverance, even when unfolding beyond state lines, embody the universal values that shape young lives and strengthen communities through athletic endeavor.
Osbourn Park Girls Embark on Virginia Title Defense
The Osbourn Park girls’ basketball team from Virginia has commenced its highly anticipated title defense, following a historic victory in March where they claimed their first Virginia Class 6 championship. The team’s journey this season highlights the challenges and determination inherent in maintaining excellence. Coach Chrissy Kelly noted the unique position her squad is in, as no one in the Manassas program has prior experience with a back-to-back title pursuit.
The Yellow Jackets, who finished last season with an impressive 27-3 record including an 18-game winning streak, returned twelve players, including All-Met first-team selection Key Rainey. However, they are navigating the season without guard Payton Walters, who is sidelined due to an ACL injury, and also saw the graduation of three seniors, notably forward Alex Brown, who was a critical component of their robust defense.
Osbourn Park’s season started with a loss to St. Anne’s-Belfield, a private school from Charlottesville, but the team quickly rebounded with four consecutive wins against strong opponents including Paul VI, Battlefield, Pennsylvania private school Neumann-Goretti, and Southern Garrett (Maryland). They currently hold a 4-2 record and are ranked No. 7 in The Washington Post’s Girls’ basketball Top 20. In a previous season, the Osbourn Park Yellow Jackets competed in the Nike Tournament of Champions held in Phoenix, where they achieved a 3-1 record against elite teams from Arkansas, Colorado, and Utah, showcasing their ability to perform on a national stage. This experience underscores their commitment to challenging themselves against the highest level of competition. The team emphasizes a strong defensive identity, with a clear focus on being the best defensive team in the state, making “Defense, defense, defense” a main focal point.
Archbishop Carroll Guard Ignites Season with Explosive Start
In the highly competitive D.C. area high school basketball scene, a senior guard from Archbishop Carroll has made an immediate and significant impact this season. This standout player, identified as Brown, delivered an electrifying performance at the Capital City National Showcase against Broughton (North Carolina), scoring 31 points and captivating the audience.
Brown’s early-season form is a continuation of his impressive junior year, where he finished as the leading scorer in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC). As a senior, he is currently averaging 34.3 points over eight games, demonstrating exceptional offensive prowess. His commitment to Vanderbilt also highlights the pathway high school sports provide for personal advancement and future opportunities. Such individual brilliance, fueled by dedication and skill, not only elevates team performance but also inspires younger athletes to strive for their own personal best, embodying the spirit of self-improvement and competitive excellence.
Coach Mike Glick Reaches Coaching Milestone at Meade High School
The long-standing impact of dedicated coaches on young athletes is evident in the recent achievement of Mike Glick, the boys’ basketball coach at Meade High School in Maryland. Coach Glick celebrated his 600th career victory with a 65-56 win over Indian Creek. This remarkable milestone reflects 33 seasons of commitment to high school basketball in the D.C. area.
Glick’s coaching journey began in 1993 at Pallotti, where he secured a Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Division II championship in his second year. His tenure also includes successful stints at Archbishop Spalding, where he earned two Baltimore Catholic League tournament championships and three Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association titles. Now in his eighth season at Meade, Glick continues to lead a successful program; the Mustangs are currently 6-0 and ranked No. 15 in The Washington Post’s rankings, following a Maryland Class 4A state semifinal appearance last season. His coaching philosophy emphasizes clear roles and open communication, famously utilizing “circle talks” where players discuss their perceptions of each other, fostering teamwork and personal growth. This dedication to player development and team cohesion showcases how sports build character and leadership both on and off the court.
C.H. Flowers Girls Discover Unlikely Scoring Leader
The C.H. Flowers girls’ basketball team in Maryland has successfully adapted to significant roster changes, finding a new and unexpected source of offensive firepower. Following the departure of key players, including captain Kyla Graham, guard Brianna Steve, and last year’s leading scorer Ava Redmond—losses that accounted for an estimated 40 points per game—Coach Rod Hairston faced the challenge of rebuilding his team’s scoring attack.
Stepping into this void is sophomore forward Audrey Appiah, a 6-foot-3 talent who only began playing basketball in eighth grade. Despite averaging just 3.5 points in 18 games last season, Appiah quickly demonstrated her potential in the season opener against Suitland on December 11, contributing 17 points and eight rebounds. Her rapid development and willingness to learn are pivotal for C.H. Flowers, as Coach Hairston anticipates her scoring will effectively complement senior playmaking guard Alana Joy. This narrative underscores the importance of resilience and the emergence of new talent, highlighting how opportunities arise from challenges and how individual growth contributes to collective success.
Bullis Girls’ Basketball Ascends National Rankings
The Bullis girls’ basketball team from Potomac, Maryland, has made a significant statement on the national stage, dramatically rising in the rankings after a notable upset victory. Currently positioned at No. 3 in The Washington Post’s Girls’ basketball Top 20 and No. 3 in the MaxPreps Top 25 National Girls High School Basketball Rankings, Bullis demonstrated its elite capabilities by defeating last year’s national champion, IMG Academy.
With a strong 4-1 record, their impressive wins include victories over Bishop Ireton (Virginia), St. Francis (Georgia), and IMG Academy (Florida), showcasing their ability to compete with top-tier programs across the country. While they experienced a loss to No. 5 St. John’s, their overall performance against a challenging schedule solidifies their position as a national contender. This success exemplifies the competitive spirit and disciplined effort required to achieve national recognition in high school athletics, providing a platform for student-athletes to excel and gain broader exposure.
Elizabethton Lady Cyclones Uphold Rich Tradition
In Tennessee, the Elizabethton Lady Cyclones basketball program continues to build upon a rich history of competitive excellence. While recent games have seen the Lady Cyclones experience mixed results, including losses to Northview Academy High School (46-68) and Dobyns-Bennett High School (48-55), and a victory over Tri-Cities Christian High School (69-58), their enduring legacy remains a source of inspiration. The team recently finished third in their District tournament.
A decade ago, the Elizabethton Lady Cyclones achieved a historic milestone, clinching their first and only girls’ state title in the history of all local high schools, concluding the 2014 season with an impressive 32-2 record. This celebrated triumph, highlighted by state MVP Kayla Marosites, showcased exceptional teamwork and unwavering determination. Such a foundation of past success serves as a powerful motivator, instilling school pride and encouraging current student-athletes to uphold the high standards set by those who came before them. The community’s ongoing engagement with and support for programs like the Lady Cyclones are vital in fostering a sense of identity and shared purpose through sports.
A Season of Spirit and Opportunity
As high school basketball season progresses, the stories of teams like Osbourn Park, Archbishop Carroll, Meade, C.H. Flowers, Bullis, and Elizabethton serve as powerful reminders of the enduring appeal and profound impact of prep sports. From the strategic pursuit of a championship defense and the electrifying debut of new talents to the celebration of coaching milestones and the upholding of storied traditions, these narratives highlight the dedication, resilience, and personal growth cultivated through athletic competition. Each game played, every practice attended, and every challenge overcome contributes to the development of character and leadership skills that extend far beyond the final buzzer.
These events, whether local or regional, collectively showcase the best of high school athletics, fostering deep connections within school communities and providing valuable opportunities for young men and women. The spirit of sportsmanship, combined with the pursuit of excellence, creates an environment where student-athletes learn the invaluable lessons of teamwork and personal responsibility. HEREPhoenix.com encourages all our readers to actively engage with the high school sports scene, whether by attending games, supporting athletic programs, or simply cheering on the dedicated student-athletes. Follow HEREPhoenix.com for continued coverage of high school sports stories that celebrate the heart and soul of local and national competition.
Keywords: high school basketball season, prep sports excellence, student-athlete development, defending champions basketball, emerging talent high school hoops
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current record for the Osbourn Park girls’ basketball team?
- The Osbourn Park girls’ basketball team currently holds a 4-2 record.
- Who is the standout senior guard for Archbishop Carroll?
- A senior guard named Brown from Archbishop Carroll has had an explosive start to the season, averaging 34.3 points in eight games.
- What coaching milestone did Meade’s Mike Glick achieve?
- Meade boys’ basketball coach Mike Glick reached his 600th career victory with a 65-56 win over Indian Creek.
- Who is the emerging scoring leader for C.H. Flowers girls’ basketball?
- Sophomore forward Audrey Appiah, who is 6-foot-3, has emerged as an unexpected scoring leader for C.H. Flowers, contributing 17 points and eight rebounds in a recent season opener.
- How has the Bullis girls’ basketball team performed in national rankings?
- The Bullis girls’ basketball team has risen to No. 3 in The Washington Post’s Girls’ basketball Top 20 and No. 3 in the MaxPreps Top 25 National Girls High School Basketball Rankings after a significant upset victory over last year’s national champion, IMG Academy.
- What is a notable historic achievement for the Elizabethton Lady Cyclones?
- The Elizabethton Lady Cyclones achieved a historic milestone in 2014, clinching their first and only girls’ state title with a 32-2 record.
- Has Osbourn Park’s girls’ basketball team played in Phoenix?
- In a previous season, the Osbourn Park Yellow Jackets went 3-1 at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix.
Key Features of the High School Basketball Season
| Team/Individual | Key Feature | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Osbourn Park Girls’ Basketball | Beginning their Virginia Class 6 title defense; current 4-2 record. | State-level (Virginia), National (Nike TOC participation in Phoenix) |
| Archbishop Carroll Senior Guard (Brown) | Explosive start to the season, averaging 34.3 points over eight games in the D.C. area. | Regional (D.C. area) |
| Coach Mike Glick (Meade Boys’ Basketball) | Achieved his 600th career coaching victory in his 33rd season in the D.C. area. | State-level (Maryland), Regional (D.C. area coaching career) |
| Audrey Appiah (C.H. Flowers Girls’ Basketball) | Emerging as an unexpected scoring leader, contributing 17 points and eight rebounds in a recent season opener. | State-level (Maryland) |
| Bullis Girls’ Basketball | Rose to No. 3 in national rankings after an upset victory over last year’s national champion. | National ranking (Maryland school) |
| Elizabethton Lady Cyclones | Maintaining a rich tradition; celebrated 10th anniversary of their 2014 state championship. | State-level (Tennessee) |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
