Basketball season is now in full swing, and the Notre Dame Academy girls' varsity team has been recognized by Sports Illustrated magazine with a top ten ranking in the national pre-season girls' category. Ranked sixth in the nation, the team has turned in stellar performances on the court.

"Notre Dame is big," according to the SI issue now on the newsstands. "The Dragons will play a very tough schedule, which should help its ranking."

The girls' basketball team was also ranked number 20 in USA Today's Top 25 girls prep basketball poll, in the November 16th issue.

Their season tipped-off with a double win in the Flint Hill Tip-Off Tournament.

First, the team defeated Lake Braddock with a 77-48 win. Then they played St. Anne Belfield, who lost to the Notre Dame Dragons 76-36. Mia Nickson earned the MVP award and Morgan Wrightson made the All Conference team.

The girls will play in the Big Apple Classic, which is held in Queens, New York.

Boys Varsity

Notre Dame's Boys Varsity Basketball team also won big in the Flint Hill Tip-Off Tournament.

They won both games, beating Georgetown Prep 76-60 and St. Anne Belfield 74-48. Dominique Ngniman received the MVP award.

To find out more about the teams' schedule and success, visit the Notre Dame Academy website at www.notredameva.org.