Faced with the possible end of their high school basketball careers, Annandale seniors Darrius Adams and Jay Athey led an inspired second-half effort as the Atoms came from behind to beat West Springfield, 59-50, in a Patriot District Tournament quarterfinal Monday at Lake Braddock.

Fifth-seeded Annandale earned a first Northern Region Tournament berth and improved to 11-11, while fourth-seeded West Springfield finished its season 10-11. Annandale advanced to play No. 1 Hayfield (20-1), the Patriot's top seed, in a district tournament semifinal on Wednesday.

The Atoms trailed by nine points with 6 minutes, 25 seconds left in the second quarter and entered halftime down, 28-23. The Spartans owned a 20-11 first-half rebounding advantage, led by junior forward Josh Wilson (eight first-half rebounds).

But behind Adams, who grabbed 11 of his game-high 14 rebounds after halftime, and Athey's game-high 22 points, Annandale took control in the second half. The Atoms went on a 16-3 run over the final 5:26 of the third quarter to take a 41-35 lead and never trailed again.

``In the second half, I just knew I had to box out and take care of the glass," said Adams, who helped the Atoms win the second half rebounding battle, 26-14. ``This is what we wanted, to get into regionals. Now we just have to come out and get it done."

Annandale was without the services of senior point guard Justin Zormelo, who sprained his ankle Friday in the Atoms' win over T.C. Williams.

Juniors Brandon Wilkerson and Michael Yurko filled in admirably against West Springfield, and Zormelo said he expects to return for the region tournament.

``We lost our point guard but we had some kids fill in and do the job even though we didn't have a lot of time to prepare," Annandale coach Pat Hughes said. ``A lot of it had to do with our effort in the second half. The kids wanted it and they decided to get it done.

``It's a relief to get this win and get into regionals. But we're not satisfied. The goal is to win the district tournament and now we've got to get ready for Hayfield."

Senior Ewart Renner added 11 points for the Atoms.

Senior Jeff Evans led West Springfield with 13 points and senior Jared Butler added 11, all of which came in the second half.

LAKE BRADDOCK 76, WEST POTOMAC 50

There was no letdown for host Lake Braddock Monday as the second-seeded Bruins ran away from West Potomac early and coasted to a 76-50 win in the second district quarterfinal of the day.

Last Friday, Lake Braddock knocked off previously unbeaten Hayfield in overtime, 58-54. But it was the Bruins' 53-51 loss to West Potomac earlier last week that weighed more heavily in the minds of Lake Braddock's players.

``West Potomac beat us at the buzzer last week and we know we are too good a team to have lost that game," Bruins guard Woody Bellamy said.

Lake Braddock (14-8) led from the outset and went up, 35-20, when senior forward Max Sinthorntham (16 points) scored inside on a feed from senior guard Bobby Seigle. Bellamy anchored the first-half charge and scored 12 of his game-high 20 points as the Bruins entered intermission up, 40-20.

The second half featured more of the same and West Potomac (3-19) never seriously threatened.

``I thought we gave a complete effort," Lake Braddock coach Brian Metress said. ``Our guys knew we had to play well. [Sinthorntham] came up to me before the game and said, `Coach, we're going to get this game. We're angry about losing to them last week.' "

With the win, Lake Braddock earned a region tournament bid and a date with T.C. Williams in Wednesday's district semifinal.

``I feel like we're hitting our stride right now," Bellamy said. ``We're making this a real tough place to play."

Lake Braddock's only home loss this season was Dec. 29, when the Bruins fell to Hayfield on a buzzer-beater in the Bookjammin' Hoops Tournament final.

T.C. Williams 59, Robinson 52

In the nightcap, senior guard Alton Fortner scored a game-high 17 points to lead T.C. Williams past Robinson, 59-52.

Titans senior Dwight Parrish banked in a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded to end the first half and gave T.C. Williams (13-9) a 24-18 lead.

Robinson (5-17) was able to cut the lead to six twice in the fourth quarter. But in the final two minutes, Fortner scored six points and fed teammate Richard Hunter for a layup to seal the victory.

``I had to sit down and realize Alton had to be Alton," Titans coach Chavez Mabry said. ``That's why he's back in the groove."

T.C. Williams will face Lake Braddock Wednesday in a district tournament semifinal. The Titans and Bruins split their two meetings this season, with each team winning on its home floor.

``That's the game we want to make a statement in," Fortner said. ``We're going to be pumped up and treat it like a Hayfield game."