4th Straight Championship For Madison Girls Basketball Honored By County Board

VIENNA, VA — The Madison High School girls basketball team has proved to be unstoppable in the last four years as they dribbled to their fourth straight state championship in March. On Tuesday, the team and their coach were honored by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for their achievement.

The Warhawks secured the latest class 6 state championship in the Virginia High School League with a 49-46 overtime win over Manchester, according to the Board of Supervisors resolution honoring the team. Along with winning four straight state championships, the team has appeared in the state final nine time, the most of any team in the Class 6 championship history. The team had a 25-4 season.

"I know each of you has worked so incredibly hard to get to where you are and the model that you provide to your classmates and peers — and frankly, to all of us — is just fantastic," said Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who represents Vienna on the board.

Alcorn brought forward the resolution honoring the Madison team, along with Chairman Jeff McKay, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik and Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith.

Kirsten Stone, a Madison teacher who serves as the girls basketball coach, said the latest championship was special, since the eight players graduated last year. Some believed the team would have a rebuild season.

"If you looked at the rankings, we were always way down and lots of teams above us," said Stone. "And I think these girls particularly were really strong, and every practice, we said don't worry about what the rankings say. It's what we do in practice."

Several supervisors called the team a dynasty with its state final success.

"You all not only make us proud every day in school, but you made all of us in Fairfax County proud at the state level, winning a fourth consecutive tournament, which is unbelievable," said McLay. "I can only imagine that teams that would be competing against you are hoping and praying that they're not meeting you in the state tournament."

Palchik added, "I hope that you will continue to take what you have learned with you and that you'll come back and be coaching future generations of leaders in our community."