DME Academy's girls basketball team captured its inaugural national championship on April 4, 2026, defeating Bullis School from Maryland 68‑49 in a game that showcased a 19‑point margin of victory and cemented the program's emergence on the national stage.
The celebration unfolded months later on August 21, 2026, when the academy hosted a ring ceremony that resembled a Super Bowl spectacle, presenting championship rings to the players while a new banner was unfurled to mark the historic achievement.
A Celebration of Growth
Head coach Michael Panaggio, who has guided the program since its launch, reflected on the milestone, noting that DME Academy's ascent mirrors the trajectories of traditional powerhouses such as Montverde and IMG while emphasizing its family‑oriented culture within a student body of roughly 300.
Senior standout Gigi Battle, a five‑star recruit from Indiana and a committed player for the next level, described the emotional weight of the victory, recalling a palpable sense of anticipation before the final game and the significance of delivering the school's first title.
The ceremony not only highlighted the team's on‑court achievements but also served as a public affirmation of the academy's rapid development, a narrative that has attracted attention across the basketball community.
Looking Ahead
With the championship banner now hanging in the gymnasium, DME Academy is already turning its focus toward the next season, planning to field a refreshed roster of highly skilled seniors, including four, seven and eight new additions, to defend the title and maintain its competitive edge.