2022.02.25 Boys Basketball: VHSL Region 4C Final, Loudoun Valley @ Loudoun County

Leesburg, VA (February 25, 2022) - The last time the Loudoun County Captains hosted the Loudoun Valley Vikings it was for the Dulles District championship. The Vikings were the underdog then, but upset the top-seeded Captains. This time around the setting was the same, but the stakes were a lot higher--the Region 4C title.

Chas Sumser Photography was there to capture the action and emotion and posted a gallery of images from the game.

The first quarter started unevenly with neither team settling into a patterned offense. With 1:23 left, the score was close, but then a quick burst-- including a three-pointer from Nathan Boner--gave the Vikings a solid 14-7 lead as the period ended.

In the second quarter, Loudoun Valley took control, and County had no answer for the size advantage that was Ben Hall. The Viking center showed a soft touch with short jumpers and cleaned up the defensive boards, limiting the Captains to single shots and few offensive rebounds. Midway through the period, County's Nick Alexander hit two deep buckets, but Valley answered and forced the Captains to take their second timeout of the quarter trailing 30-20. And  it didn't help much as the period ended with Valley in front, 33-21.

The Vikings bent in the third quarter, but didn't break. Jack West put the Captains on his back, but couldn't do it alone, and the margin was even greater, 46-33, with one period left to play. Everything was going Valley's way.

Until it wasn't.

With 5:45 left in the fourth quarter, Joe Fitzpatrick and Alexander hit consecutive three-point shots to trim the Valley lead to 46-41. As the clock ticked down to one minute remaining in regulation, the game was suddenly tied, 50-50. Valley had lost all momentum and it became anyone's trophy to grab. Both teams scored once more, forcing an extra period for the region championship.

As overtime began, the diminutive Landen Conrad launched a long-range, arcing shot that seemed to skim the ceiling, and it swished through the basket to give Valley the first lead of the extra period. And that was the last time the Vikings would be in front as the Captains swept to the title and sent their fans into mad celebration.

Final Score: Loudoun County 61 - Loudoun Valley 57