After a strong postseason run ended in a Northern Region Championship loss at the hands of T.C. Williams, the boys varsity basketball team is looking ahead to the first round of the Virginia AAA State Tournament. No AHS basketball team has ever gone this far into the postseason, so the Atoms have already accomplished a lot by simply having the opportunity to play in the game.

As Northern Region runner-up, the Atoms will take on the Eastern Region Champion: I.C. Norcom. The Greyhounds are defending state champions and boast an impressive 27-1 record. The game is scheduled to take place this Saturday, March 5 at 1:45 pm in Williamsburg, Virginia at The College of William and Mary.

“I believe we have a pretty good chance of winning this game because we have some really good players and a great fan section that supports them at every game,” junior Ashlyn Nisker said.

In order to gain fan support for the game, Director of Student Activities Angelo Hilios and leadership students have arranged for a “Spirit Bus” to transport kids down to Williamsburg. Tickets will be sold for $17 to 54 students on a first come, first serve basis in the cafeteria during March 3 after school.

“I think renting a bus for states is exciting because it gives more student fans an opportunity to travel to the game and support the team as they play their most important game so far,” sophomore Brody El-Achi said.

A free red t-shirt will be given out to the first 350-400 Annandale fans that attend the game. The t-shirt is automatically given to those who purchase a bus ticket. However, the game ticket is not included in the bus ticket pric; the $8 must still be paid once arrived at the school. The bus leaves AHS at 10:30 a.m. and is returning around 7 p.m. that evening.

If the one bus is not enough for all the enthused fans, a waiting list for a second bus will be posted. Students containing any obligations cannot be transported on the bus. They will be notified and their money will be refunded once administration looks over the list for approval.

“I am sadly not able to go but I know a bunch of my friends are excited about it and plan on buying tickets today,” El-Achi also said.

The Atoms talent was on display in the regional final game on Feb. 28 against T.C. Williams when they took a 21-17  lead into halftime. After coming out flat in the third quarter, the Titans looked to have established a solid lead at 39-34, but the Atoms did not go away. With under two minutes to play, the Atoms had cut the lead to 47-46 and looked to have the momentum. But back-to-back turnovers allowed T.C. to reestablish a 7-point lead. Senior Karl Ziegler tried his best to keep the Atoms in the game by getting a steal and a lay-up and sinking three free throws, but it was not enough as the Atoms lost, 59-54.

Ziegler led the Atoms with 21 points, while senior Melvin Robinson added 11 points. Senior D’Angelo Boyce had 9 and junior Tyler Schwartz chipped in with 7.

The Atoms hope to have strong performances from Ziegler, Robinson and Boyce and hope the Spirit Bus can help propel the team to victory and continue to re-write the history books.

Additional Reporting by David Hookey