Jayden's a natural on the court, even before he put on the Spartan uniform in the 2^nd grade, he has attended every D1SA function with his father, Coach CJ (Johnson) since 2012. Never without a ball in-hand, as a 2^nd grader, Jayden made the 4^th grade team. Coach CJ said, "Jayden only plays basketball," when asked what other activities he participates. He further states that D1SA has helped him on and off the court with his confidence, his spirit to fight and his drive for greatness. Coach Williams said, "His work ethic exemplifies a true Spartan. He works on his game everyday and loves to wear the black and yellow. Jayden is a killer!" He has grown as a young man and has strengthened his skills in the past few years. His father emphatically states, "Thanks to D1SA he knows if you put in the hard work, anything is possible." 

On the outside Madi White's sweet confident smile might fool you, but hit the court with her, and you'll see she's a killer. "She's meaner that a rattlesnake!" says Coach Williams. "She doesn't stop, she has real work ethic combined with a will to succeed, and she will shoot in your face!" he says with a gleam in his eye. "She forgets everyone in the room and goes to work because she wants to play at a high level with aspirations of playing college ball."

Her mother, explains that Madi takes Coach William's 'preparation' to heart, because she seizes every opportunity to work. She has been apart of D1SA's first girl's team and participates in the Overachievers, Indoctrination series, where she's not afraid to go hard against the boys, and does one-on-one training.   Her mother said, "No matter what day of the week or time of day there always seems to be an outlet for her."

This season as a 9^th grader at Woodgrove HS, Madi made her varsity basketball team.

Madi gives up much of her free time to prepare - you can almost always find her training, on the court or with a ball in her hand. Madi also enjoys soccer, as she is a mid-fielder for the ODFC Hawks travel soccer team while maintaining straight A's in all honors and pre-AP courses.

Madi wholeheartedly loves being a part of the D1SA family, she says eagerly. She has a tremendous amount of respect for all of her coaches, especially Coach Eric. Her mother said, "I do not think Coach Eric realizes the impact he has had on her both as a basketball player and young adult."  

Kennedy Middleton is a shining star this season as she is starting combo guard for Tuscarora's Girl's Varsity Basketball as a freshman. Without hesitation Kennedy can fill any position on the court where she has been averaging 10.33 points, six rebounds, 3.2 assists, and four steals per game.

With a sparkle in her eye, Kennedy proudly states that she is an original Spartan, as she was a member of the inaugural D1SA girl's squad in 2012. Kennedy with her friendly ways, is happiest when she's in the middle of organizing something, especially for D1SA. But when she hits the court, stay out of her way, she's determined not to be conquered. That is what makes her a Spartan, further explains Coach Williams.

Though not ever far from the basketball court, Kennedy still finds time to participate in school volleyball, and she will compete in the spring on her track and field team. Full of energy, Kennedy also manages and performs for the Tuscarora HS dance team.

Coach Williams said, "Kennedy is not afraid to try and work to develop her natural abilities. She is a true warrior. She's got something special inside her, she always tries new things to develop herself to become a stronger, better competitor."

Her father and biggest fan says, "Kennedy has learned a great deal from D1SA. She has grown to be a leader, leading by showing not just talking with toughness physically and mentally.   She will not be out worked and is very competitive in everything she does. She's like a captain of the biggest battleship ship you can think of who's willing to go down with the ship after she has made sure everyone made it off safe. That's how much she loves D1SA! It's a family with more than 50 brothers and sisters."

Jalen Williams is one of D1SA's flagship players, as he began on

the original Spartan team. Jalen is a quiet, soft-spoken, friendly young man with an unassuming attitude, but let him hit the court and he is everything his dad and coach wants in a Spartan warrior. "Fearless, never worrying about the competition, and is prepared to compete every possession," says Coach Williams.

Jalen has the ability and desire to compete that is exemplified in his leadership this year on his Loudoun Valley Varsity HS team. At Valley Jalen is the starting point guard for his team which is having great success in their conference. Jalen's mother says, "A lot of Jalen's confidence comes from many competitive games during his years of playing as a Spartan. That confidence comes from playing with his D1SA brothers and learning to anticipate the rhythm of his teammates".

Jalen also enjoys soccer but most of the time you will find him on the court practicing his craft. He has an innate will to be one of the best in Loudoun and beyond. If you see Jalen, you are sure to see one of his siblings not far behind. They are sure to follow in his footsteps as he's a great older brother and has set the bar high in our basketball family.    

Congratulations to our very own Spartan warrior George Richardson, aka to those of us that know him as "Big G!" Again this year his flag football team, won the opportunity to play in the NFL National Championship in Cardinal Stadium in Phoenix, AZ on January 26, 2015 during the week of Super Bowl XLIX.

Last year George's team won the NFL Flag Football Championship at Texas Stadium in Dallas, Texas. "George was voted All Fundamental Player and he could be again this year if he plays to his ability," says his flag coach. George got a new nickname this year by D1SA parent Jeri Pierre, who is now his legal guardian, "I call him G-Stacks because he's the one that's going to make it big, if he makes good choices," she fondly says she reminds him daily.

George is a member of the original Spartan team. Tragedy struck George's very young life four years ago when his mother had a fatal automobile accident. Uncertain of his future, George and his sister were embraced by Coach Williams and his family in their home for the summer. This shelter of love during the dark days following the death of his mother cemented a fatherly bond between George and his beloved coach.   One day in trying to resolve a problem George was having at school, he was asked, "Whom would you call if you ever got in real trouble or needed help?"   And with tears in his eyes and a big grin on his face he replied, " Coach."

Soon another D1SA family opened their home to George and his sister. The tragedy itself brought the D1SA community together in an instinctive way to take care of these youth's that were in need. Then, in the spirit of philanthropy, supporters of these children found a way for George's fraternal aunt to secure a home for George and his sister.   Although George had to understand loss at such a fragile age, he also learned to love his extended D1SA family. From D1SA leadership, George began receiving educational support, as everyone in the D1SA community work to keep him focused and to provide a band of security for him. George became a local football star playing in the Central Loudoun Football league. Although he's a D1SA son, George proudly proclaims, "Football is my sport!" George is like a racehorse waiting to get out of the starting gate before a big game," Jeri explains. "His nostrils start to flare and his concentration is straight ahead. I've seen him play basketball with full intensity, but that look he has in his eye when he hits the gridiron is proof of his real love for the game of football," she further elaborates. George started this year on his freshman football team at Dominion High school and is acclaimed to be a varsity star in the making. For the winter, George made his Junior Varsity basketball team at Dominion High School.

D1SA teammates often wager that George, who is now 6 foot tall, surely will be the first Spartan to dunk the ball, with that spring in his bounce! "George is a natural athlete," says Coach Williams, "He's the aggressive element that every championship team needs. G has a raw ability to compete."

George yet again recently had to adapt his life because of his beloved Aunt's onset of illness. In an act of love she permitted George to live with the Pierre family. Jayde Pierre and George have been on the same team together since the fourth grade and Jeri has been like a surrogate mom to him. 

George has made many transitions in his life, but his D1SA family has always embraced him and supported him. Years ago when Coach Williams had this dream of developing a super team, the Spartans, and have them play basketball throughout their primary and secondary school years, his greater goal was to instill in these boys a bond of friendship that would last a lifetime. George truly has a band of Spartan brothers.   "I better be the first phone call you make whether you're in trouble or you sign that million dollar contract! George, remember I got you," Coach Williams says to George as they depart from the school meeting to discuss George's athletic future.

"You see the D1SA's trademark is family; it's more that just a bond between a coach, a player, a team; we are a family. United we rise as one. Spartans prepare for Glory," Coach Williams proclaims.

Good luck George, make us proud in Phoenix, we are all with you in spirit.