#d3hoops: Kagey Explodes For 28 As Randolph-Macon Bests Shenandoah

ASHLAND -- We should have known a special night was coming for Randolph-Macon junior Catherine Kagey when she hit nothing but net on a 55-foot shot just after the start of the buzzer ending the first period of Wednesday's Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) showdown with Shenandoah.

It was the only thing that didn't go Kagey's way on this night, as she dominated the court from end to end, pouring in 28 points, grabbing eleven rebounds, and creating openings for her teammates as Randolph-Macon pulled away from the Hornets for a 65-49 victory to improve to 10-2 in ODAC play, and 13-5 overall.

"The work that Catherine puts in on the court, she does that everywhere, whether in the classroom, anything she does is at full throttle," noted Yellow Jackets head coach Lindsey Burke after the win. "Even near the end, I kept asking her, do you need a sub? You're everywhere on offense and defense, and if you need a breather, I'll take you out, and she said, no, I'm good, I'm good."

Kagey was the constant presence on this night for the Yellow Jackets, but her performance was more a matter of opening space for her teammates rather than putting them on her back. Senior point guard Cheridan Hatfield was in double figures with 12 points, adding six rebounds, four assists and a block. Freshman Jane Elkins flashed signs of being a future Kagey for the Yellow Jackets, scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds in just over fifteen minutes of action.

The first of two sparkling assists involving Hatfield and Kagey came in the first period, as Kagey scored an And One driving to the hoop after grabbing a Hatfield laser for a 9-4 lead.

The Yellow Jackets built a nine-point advantage, but the Hornets cut into it just before intermission, cutting the margin to five at 26-21.

Shenandoah (7-5 ODAC, 11-7) began the third period constantly feeding center Shawnise Campbell, who scored six of her 14 points on three consecutive possessions, helping to tie the game at 30-30.

But Randolph-Macon rolled off five quick points before the media timeout to take the lead for good at 35-30, extending it to 45-37 after three periods.

Juliana Park only scored three points, but they came at an important juncture, answering a Shenandoah basket to start the fourth period, stretching the margin to nine at 50-41 with seven minutes left. About two minutes later in transition, it was time for Kagey to feed Hatfield, blasting a one-hop pass forty feet down the court to a cutting Cheridan for two. Then, Kagey forced a turnover near the top of the key, was fouled at the basket and made two free throws for a 56-43 lead with 5:03 left, a sequence that sealed the Yellow Jacket win.

Now tied with Randolph for second place in the ODAC at 10-2, the Yellow Jackets look to Saturday's annual "Back To The Hive" event, the women's basketball program's equivalent to Homecoming. Burke knows they are entering the homestretch of their regular season schedule, with their next three games quite winnable (Averett, Eastern Mennonite and Roanoke) if you look at the current standings.

But when the ball is tipped, standings don't matter. Execution does. And one thing Burke doesn't worry about with her team is effort.

"We started slow, and I thought we were peaking after Christmas, and I thought the Washington & Lee game (a 75-50 loss) was a bit of a step back," Burke noted. "But I really think that (loss) has propelled us forward, which I'm glad. Our bounce back has been tested at times, and we're getting much better at it."

Now, instead of having to bounce back, these Yellow Jackets have a chance to continue forward, with seven games left, six of them in conference play, including a home rematch with Randolph, the only other ODAC team to defeat them, on February 11th.

NOTE: There will be an alumni game at Crenshaw Gymnasium at 11:30 Saturday morning. The Randolph-Macon/Averett game will tip at 2pm. At halftime, along with the annual recognition of alumni in attendance, there will be a court dedication ceremony honoring legendary head coach Carroll LaHaye, who retired after the 2019-2020 season. A reception will follow the game in Alumni Gym.

(Jane Elkins drives to the lane during the R-MC victory. She scored seven points in fifteen minutes.)

(Catherine Kagey drives in the third period of the victory. She scored 12 of her 28 points in that frame.)

#d3hoops: Mallory, Mbangue Power Yellow Jackets To Win Over Captains

There were enough side stories for Wednesday night's men's basketball showdown between Randolph-Macon and Christopher Newport to fill Crenshaw Gymnasium, as fans did on this evening.

--Randolph-Macon, #2 in the nation, sought its 57th consecutive home victory
--Christopher Newport, #5 in the nation, not only sought to end the Crenshaw run, but hand the Yellow Jackets a loss for the second straight season.
--Thus, Randolph-Macon sought revenge for a 77-76 overtime loss in Newport News on November 28, 2021.

But, as it turned out, once the ball was tipped, none of that matter. And, despite a slow offensive start by both teams, combining for just three made buckets in their first 21 attempts, what unfolded was simply, truly, a magnificent battle on both sides of the court.

Down three at the half, and by as many as seven, the Yellow Jackets began to finally seize momentum in the game's final seven minutes, highlighted by a Miles Mallory block for the ages as the Yellow Jackets downed the Captains 64-59.

"I'm trying to think, because I've seen that guy make some big-time plays," noted Randolph-Macon head coach Josh Merkel after the win. "His ability, too, to not just block but keep it in play, get it back himself is super special."

The block occurred when, with just under a minute left when Christopher Newport's Ty Henderson battled to the glass, only to see his bank shot never actually bank. The long arm of Mallory pinned the basketball against the backboard, and, using strength and dexterity, the senior grabbed possession, and didn't let go. It was a four-point game at the time, 58-54. 

Then Mallory called for an offensive play which should give him an open look from three at the top of the key. He calmly sinked it to send the White Out crowd at Crenshaw into a frenzy and the Yellow Jackets to their fourteenth win of the season.

While Mallory shined down the stretch, it was a team effort to keep up with Christopher Newport, who led 25-22 at the break and quickly jumped out to a 35-28 lead early in the second half. The Yellow Jackets (6-0 ODAC, 14-1) slowly began to reel the Captains in. This is when junior forward Daniel Mbangue went to work.

Beginning with a block with 15:22 to play, Mbangue scored eight critical points over the next eleven and a half minutes to help the Yellow Jackets finally retake the lead, then begin to build it, ever so slightly.

The other key to the victory? The free throw line. Randolph-Macon couldn't have been pleased with walking off the court at the end of the first half seeing the scoreboard say "1" for the number of fouls called on Christopher Newport. While it's one thing to tell your team at the half to create free throw opportunities, it's another to actually go out and do it.

"We talked about we were taking shots that they wanted us to take," Merkel said of the halftime conversation in the locker room. "We just talked about playing with more force, getting downhill, attacking some of the shot blockers' chests, playing two-man games. Those guys know that they can do it, they played with force before. I like how we played in the second half."

Mallory led the Yellow Jackets with 19 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks, while Mbangue had 15 points and eight boards, and Josh Talbert added 12 points and five assists.

"He's filling the box score," Merkel said of Mbangue's improvement this season. "His leadership, his belief in himself. The first shot he made is one he's been working on."

Freshman Keishawn Pulley, Jr. (St. Christopher's) played 28 minutes off the bench, and while struggling from the floor, hit all four of his second half free throws and grabbed six big rebounds for Randolph-Macon. Jahn Hines led Christopher Newport with 26 points, while Trey Barber added 15.

The victory ended an eight-day odyssey to begin 2023 that saw the defending Division III National Champions take their best shot from archrival Hampden-Sydney on the road, then ODAC rival Guilford and the Captains in back to back huge home tests. The Yellow Jackets will look to avoid a letdown when they travel to Lynchburg for a 2pm tip on Saturday against the Hornets.

--Rob Witham

(Miles Mallory, #10 left, drives to the rim in the first half of Randolph-Macon's 64-59 win over Christopher Newport Wednesday night at Crenshaw Gymnasium to improve to 14-1 on the season. Photo: RVA Sports Network)

FOOTBALL: Arruza, Campanale Named To Top ODAC Honors As All-Conference Team Is Released

Congratulations to the following Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets for being named to the 2022 All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference Team on Tuesday! (Release from R-MC Athletics)

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Randolph-Macon senior quarterback Drew Campanale (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) was named the J. Stokeley Fulton Offensive Player of the Year and Pedro Arruza was voted Coach of the Year as the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) released its post-season award winners.

The Yellow Jackets had 17 players earn All-ODAC honors.

First Team

Junior quarterback Drew Campanale (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury)

Senior running back Nick Hale (Vinton, Va./William Byrd)

Senior all-purpose back Andrew Ihle (Apex, N.C./Middle Creek)

Senior wide receiver David Wallis (Cedar Point, N.C./Croatan)

Senior offensive lineman Will Jackson (Biscoe, N.C./East Montgomery)

Senior offensive lineman Nehemiah Nixon (Garner, N.C./Garner)

Sophomore defensive lineman Wade Grubbs (Providence Forge, Va./New Kent)

Junior linebacker Jackson Deaver (Fayetteville, N.C./Terry Sanford)

Senior defensive back Cade Jones (Wilmington, N.C./Eugene Ashley)

Second Team

Junior running back Kwesi Clarke (Reigelwood, N.C./North Brunswick)

Senior center Matt Hale (Vinton, Va./William Byrd)

Senior defensive lineman Jacob Hutchinson (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run)

Senior linebacker Erik Harris (Carrollton, Va./Smithfield)

Third Team

Senior wide receiver Joey Hunt (Olney, Md./Sherwood)

Senior tight end Ricky Mayfield (Goochland, Va./Goochland)

Junior offensive lineman Storm James (Greenville, N.C./JH Rose)

Senior defensive lineman T.J. James (Charlotte, N.C./Butler)

Campanale leads the nation in completion percentage (.781), passing efficiency (221.8) and yards per pass attempt (12.4). He has completed 143 of 183 passes for 2,274 yards and 23 touchdowns with two interceptions.

Arruza has guided the Yellow Jackets to an 11-0 mark, setting a program record for wins in a season. R-MC has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championship. Arruza has been named ODAC Coach of the Year five times.

Nick Hale has 144 carries for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is fifth in the ODAC with 77.7 yards per game and second with 5.4 yards per carry. Hale was All-ODAC Second Team in 2021.

Ihle is first in the ODAC and 19th in the nation with 14 rushing touchdowns. He is third on the team with 380 rushing yards and averages 5.5 yards per rush. Ihle has completed 10 of 15 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown. He also holds for field goals and extra-point kicks.

Wallis has 39 receptions for 1,121 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is third in the nation with 28.7 yards per catch. Wallis is first in the ODAC and 10th in the country with 112.1 yards per game. He was All-ODAC Third Team in 2021.

Jackson, Nixon, Matt Hale and Storm James make up an offensive line for an offense that is first in the ODAC and 12th in the nation in total offense at 484.2 yards per game. R-MC is ninth in the country with 43.5 points per game. The Yellow Jackets lead Division III in third down conversion at .627. R-MC is first in the country in team passing efficiency at 203.0. Jackson is a four-time All-ODAC First Team selection. Nixon was All-ODAC Second Team in 2021.

Grubbs has 31 tackles in 10 games. He tops the team with 11 tackles for loss (minus-74 yards) and 9.5 quarterback sacks for minus-72 yards. Grubbs has one forced fumble.

Deaver is second on the team with 45 tackles. He has seven tackles for loss for minus-27 yards and 3.5 quarterback sacks for minus-17 yards. Deaver had an interception and a 20-yard return in the win over Cortland in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs.

Jones tops the team with 47 tackles. He has one tackle for loss. Jones has two interceptions and five pass breakups.

Clarke leads the team and is fourth in the ODAC with 78.0 rushing yards per game. He leads the ODAC and is 16th in the nation in rushing yards per carry at 6.5. He has 133 carries for 858 yards and six touchdowns.

Hutchinson has 33 tackles. He has nine tackles for loss (minus-42 yards) and 3.5 quarterback sacks for minus-26 yards. Hutchinson has two pass breakups and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He was All-ODAC Second Team in 2021.

Harris is third on the club with 37 tackles. He had three tackles for loss. Harris has one interception that he returned for 36 yards. He was All-ODAC Third Team in 2021.

Hunt is second on the team with 27 receptions. He has 330 yards and four touchdowns.

Mayfield has 10 catches for 70 yards. He is also a strong blocker on the offensive line. Mayfield was All-ODAC Third Team in 2021.

T.J. James has 19 tackles. He has 1.5 tackles for loss and one quarterback sack. James also has one pass breakup.

Randolph-Macon will travel to Delaware Valley on Saturday, Nov. 26 for a noon contest in the second round of the NCAA Championship.

2022 Football All-ODAC Awards

J. Stokeley Fulton Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Campanale, Jr., QB, Randolph-Macon

Lou Wacker Defensive Player of the Year: David Onyejekwe, Sr., LB, Washington and Lee

ODAC Coach of the Year: Pedro Arruza, Randolph-Macon

ODAC Rookie of the Year: Mason Cunningham, Fr., APB, Hampden-Sydney

ODAC/Va. Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete: Robert Poindexter, Sr., DL, Washington and Lee

ALL-ODAC FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Drew Campanale, Jr., QB, Randolph-Macon

Melik Frost, Jr., RB, Hampden-Sydney

Nick Hale, Sr., RB, Randolph-Macon

Rashadeen Byrd, Jr.^, Gr., RB, Shenandoah

Andrew Ihle, Sr., APB, Randolph-Macon

Tre Alexander^, Sr., WR, Guilford

David Wallis+, Sr., WR, Randolph-Macon

David Byler, Sr., TE, Hampden-Sydney

TJ Minter*, Jr., OL, Hampden-Sydney

Will Jackson*, Sr., OL, Randolph-Macon

Nehemiah Nixon^, Sr., OL, Randolph-Macon

Tyler Halliday, Jr., OL, Washington and Lee

Logan Moyer*, Sr., OL, Washington and Lee

Jackson Hendren^, So., K, Bridgewater

ALL-ODAC FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Johnathan Terrell, Sr., DL, Averett

Tucker Harris, So., DL, Bridgewater

Wade Grubbs, So., DL, Randolph-Macon

Mason Caldwell*, Sr., DL, Shenandoah

Shawn Harris, Sr., LB, Bridgewater

Jackson Deaver, Jr., LB, Randolph-Macon

Ben Burgan^, Sr., LB, Shenandoah

David Onyejekwe*, Sr., LB, Washington and Lee

Aaron Moore, Jr., DB, Bridgewater

Will Pickren*, Jr., DB, Hampden-Sydney

Cade Jones, Sr., DB, Randolph-Macon

Keyshawn Wilder, Jr., DB, Shenandoah

Garrett Graves*, Sr., P, Bridgewater

ALL-ODAC SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Tanner Bernard*, Sr., QB, Hampden-Sydney

Kwesi Clarke, Jr., RB, Randolph-Macon

Mason Cunningham, Fr., APB, Hampden-Sydney

Austin Fernandez, So., WR, Hampden-Sydney

Ethan Bigbee, Sr., WR, Shenandoah

Carter Runyon+, So., TE, Shenandoah

Matthew Isom, Jr., OL, Averett

Glory Nseka, So., OL, Bridgewater

Matt Hale^, Sr., OL, Randolph-Macon

Dominic Gulli, Jr., OL, Shenandoah

David Munoz^, Jr., OL, Shenandoah

Scott Martin, So., K, Shenandoah

ALL-ODAC SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Michael Harris^, Sr., DL, Hampden-Sydney

Jacob Hutchinson^, Sr., DL, Randolph-Macon

Ethan Brown, Jr., DL, Shenandoah

Robert Poindexter*, Sr., DL, Washington and Lee

Lamar Horner, So., LB, Averett

Aaron Nice, Fr., LB, Bridgewater

Erik Harris+, Sr., LB, Randolph-Macon

Uno Christopher, So., LB, Washington and Lee

Avion Smith, Jr., DB, Ferrum

Adam Lacy, Sr., DB, Guilford

James-Ryan Salvi, Jr., DB, Hampden-Sydney

Ronny Williams, Jr., DB, Washington and Lee

Mason Smith, Jr., P, Averett

ALL-ODAC THIRD TEAM OFFENSE (AT-LARGE SELECTION)

Steven Hugney, So., QB, Shenandoah

Monzelle Campbell, So., APB, Ferrum

Alex Wertz^, Sr., APB, Washington and Lee

Viante Tucker, Sr., WR, Bridgewater

Eric Mays, Sr., WR, Guilford

Joey Hunt, Sr., WR, Randolph-Macon

Ricky Mayfield+, Sr., TE, Randolph-Macon

Storm James, Jr., OL, Randolph-Macon

ALL-ODAC THIRD TEAM DEFENSE (AT-LARGE SELECTION)

T.J. James, Sr., DL, Randolph-Macon

Jordan Rice+, Gr., DL, Shenandoah

Mustafa Alkhatib+, Sr., DL, Washington and Lee

Nick Iannone, Fr., LB, Guilford

Matt Conroy, Fr., LB, Shenandoah

Isaiah Sharper, Sr., DB, Averett

Val West+, Jr., DB, Bridgewater

Quante Redd, Jr., DB, Shenandoah

BELOW: Randolph-Macon head coach Pedro Arruza leads the Yellow Jackets onto Day Field for their 2022 season opener against North Carolina Wesleyan, September 3, 2022.

Drew Campanale (#5) scores a touchdown in the 38-17 win for Randolph-Macon over Hampden-Sydney in "The Game", November 12, 2022.

(Photos by Rachel Witham, RVA Sports Network)

HONORS: Randolph-Macon Announces Athletic Hall Of Fame Class of 2023

The following announcement was released by Randolph-Macon College on Wednesday (Updated 4:50pm 11/9/2022).

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Five former Yellow Jacket standouts, including four multi-sport performers, will be added to the R-MC Athletics Hall of Fame.

Jared Mills '03 of men's basketball, Hunter Price '03 of football and men's lacrosse, Erin Sammons '99 of field hockey and women's lacrosse, Mike Thorell '94 of men's soccer, baseball and men's basketball, and Gregg Waters '78 of football and baseball were voted in as the Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

Mills was an NABC First Team All-American as a senior. During the 2002-03 season, he was ODAC Player of the Year, College Division State Player of the Year by VaSID, Richmond Times-Dispatch College Division Player of the Year, All-Region First Team and ODAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. Mille was ODAC Rookie of the Year as a freshman and All-ODAC First Team each of his final three seasons. R-MC was 82-30 during his four-year career. Mills helped the Yellow Jackets win the 2003 ODAC Tournament title and reach the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament in 2002 as well as 2003. Mills is eighth on the school's career scoring list with 1,560 points, eighth in career rebounds with 751 and ninth in field goal percentage at 55.1%.

Price was a four-year letter winner in both football and lacrosse. He owns the career marks in program history with 1,036 pass attempts, 571 completions, 6,359 passing yards and 7,360 yards of total offense. Price was All-ODAC First Team in 2002 after being named Honorable Mention in 2000 and 2001. He was named Virginia State Offensive Back of the Year for Division II/III by the Touchdown Club of Richmond. In lacrosse, Price is 12th in program history with 82 goals and 124 points. He was All-ODAC First Team as a junior as well as Honorable Mention as a sophomore and senior.

Sammons was a four-year letter winner in both field hockey and lacrosse. She owns the field hockey program career records with 59 goals, 34 assists and 152 points. Sammons has the single-season record for assists with 16 and is second for goals in a season with 19. She was All-ODAC Second Team once and All-ODAC First Team twice. Sammons was All-South Region First Team in 1997 and Second Team in 1996. She had nine career goals and four career assists for the women's lacrosse team.

Thorell was the George P. Compton Award winner in 1994 as the top male student-athlete at R-MC. He earned four letters in soccer, four in baseball and one in basketball. Thorell was All-ODAC First Team once and Second Team twice for soccer. He was All-VISA First Team once and All-VISA Second Team once as well as a two-time VISA All-Star. Thorell was All-Region Second Team and a member of the Regional All-Academic Team. Thorell had a career batting average of .294 on the baseball team and led the team in runs in two different seasons.

Waters served R-MC as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator. He was a four-year member of the football team and earned two letters as an offensive lineman for head coach Ted Keller. The Yellow Jackets went 21-13-3 during his four years and won the initial ODAC Championship in 1976. Waters was a four-year letter winner for the baseball team as a catcher and first baseman for head coach Hugh Stephens. R-MC went 68-32 during his four years and earned a bid to the 1977 NCAA Division II Baseball Tournament. Waters succeeded Coach Stephens as baseball head coach and recorded 260 victories in 22 seasons. He was three-time ODAC Coach of the Year. The Yellow Jackets won the 1987 ODAC title and Waters was State College Division Coach of the Year that season. Waters coach seven different ODAC Players of the Year, including six consecutive. Waters was an assistant and associate head coach for the football team from 1982-96, helping R-MC win five ODAC Championships and earn a bid to the 1984 NCAA Playoffs. He coached four football All-Americans. Including football and baseball, Waters coached 11 players who became ODAC Hall of Fame inductees. Waters was Director of Athletics at R-MC from 1998 to 2003.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

LISTEN LIVE! : Atlee at #11 Patrick Henry

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HONORS: Lee-Davis Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Announced

The following was submitted to RVA Sports Network. Congratulations to all honorees!

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Five Inductees Elected to Class of 2022

Lee-Davis High School Athletic Hall of Fame

 

The LDHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, Mechanicsville, VA, is pleased to announce the inductees of the Class of 2022.  These five individuals were elected from the substantial universe of outstanding athletes who have competed with excellence since the school’s establishment, in 1959.

 

The Class of 2022 is composed of three former student athletes and two former coaches with accomplishments including district, region, metro, and state distinctions, and beyond.

 

The inductees are

Kevin Elrod (Football and Baseball, Class of 1997),

Joanie (Brackett) Lane (Basketball and Softball, Class of 1985),

Nick Burney (Football, Basketball, and Track and Field, Class of 1998),

Coach Dean Shew (Head Wrestling Coach 1995-2001 & 2004-2006), and

Coach Jackie Davis (Head Softball Coach 1999-2020).

 

The Induction ceremony and banquet is scheduled for Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Mechanicsville High School with introductions of The Inductees at the home varsity football game on Thursday, October 27, 2022. 

 

Tickets to the banquet will be on sale at Mechanicsville High School and at The Mechanicsville Drugstore from September 23 – November 1, 2022.  Cost of a ticket $30. You can check out the Lee-Davis High School Athletic Hall of Fame Facebook page or email the LDHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee at LDHSathleticHOF@yahoo.com. 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!