By Carla Branch
alexandrianews.org
The TC Williams varsity boys basketball team played their last game of the season Feb. 19, 2010. (Photo: Regan Kireilis)
For the first time in five years, the T. C. Williams High School boys basketball team is out of the Patriot District tournament in the first round. T. C. lost to Annandale, 51-48, on Friday night.
The Titans went to Annandale thinking of the game as the beginning of a new season, with a lot to prove. On Feb. 1, the team learned that they would have to forfeit their 12 wins and undefeated Patriot District record, going from a 12-3 season to 0-15. They won the next three Patriot District contests without leading scorer, Billy Rowland, and Darius Porter, who were disqualified because they had used all of their eligibility.
Senior, Ryan Yates shoots a foul shot. (Photo: Regan Kireilis)
The game was close throughout although T. C. struggled to stay even with the Atoms. Tyrell Sitton, a junior who had played little before Rowland and Porter were declared ineligible, led the way for T. C. with 13 points. Senior Ryan Yates contributed only seven points and was victimized, according to many T. C. fans, by poor refereeing. When the game was over, the Titans were on the losing end, 51-48, and out of the play-off picture.
Coach Hagen gives the Titans varsity girls basketball team a pep talk during a game. (Photo: Regan Kireilis)
The Titan girls traveled to T. C. Woodson High School for their first-round Patriot District contest. They lost, 60-54, ending the season with a record of 6-14, 4-9 in Patriot District competition.