Going into Thursday night, all eyes were on Patrick Henry girls basketball as they prepared to face Highland Springs in a battle of unbeatens in the first round of the T-DIT Tournament.
By night's end, the Patriots were licking their wounds and another game took center stage in an overtime thriller.
Summer Price led PH with 14 points, who fell hopelessly behind, committing 21 first half turnovers due to a withering full-court pressure defense by the Springers (4-0). The final, 72-43, was Patrick Henry's largest margin of defeat in at least two years.....
The Patriots (8-1) will now face Colonial District foe Deep Run, who lost to St. Catherine's 54-43, tonight at 6pm at St. Christopher's. The game will not count in district standings. A win puts PH in the consolation game at 12noon Saturday, a loss means they play in the 5th place game at 9am. Saturday's game will be played at the Siegel Center.
------------------------------
This reporter arrived to Hermitage High following the Patriots game to find a 12-12 tie in boys hoops action late in the first quarter. I settled in, and watched an excellent game unfold.
Atlee looked nothing like a team on a seven-game losing streak, and Hermitage was not playing up to the potential they showed last week in their fourth-quarter comeback win over Patrick Henry in Ashland. The Raiders were pleased to take a 34-30 halftime lead to the locker room and came out strong in the second half, despite the foul totals piling up all around them.
A Quincy Randolf basket with 11 seconds left in the third gave Atlee what would be their biggest lead at 8 points, 52-44. But credit Hermitage for a quick resurgence early in the fourth, going on a 7-0 run to make it 56-55 with 4 minutes to play. Brian Miller sank four straight free throws in a nearly two minute stretch and the Raider defense clamped down on the Panthers, building a 60-55 edge with 2:23 to go.
Hermitage answered with five points of their own to tie the game at 1:54 left. An Atlee shot at an easy fast break layup was mishandled and Hermitage took over, but couldn't convert, and, when Miller hit two more free throws with 1:15 left, it was 62-60 Atlee.
25 seconds later, again, Miller reached the charity stripe. This time, though, he couldn't convert on the front end of a one-and-one, and Hermitage took full advantage. Nico Johnson's drive to the hoop drew a foul, and, with 25 seconds left in regulation, Johnson calmly sank both free throws to tie the game at 62-62.
The Raiders set up a play for the game-winning shot, and, after multiple attempts to drive, Miller found an opening, got inside the lane, but his running floater at the buzzer bounced off the front of the rim.
Overtime.
Atlee, who lost one player to fouls in the 4th, lost two more in overtime, severely hampering the rotation. Hermitage took its first lead since the first half 18 seconds into the extra session. Atlee spent most of the overtime playing the role of Hermitage, keep pacing but not overcoming the deficit.....until, when Miller's two-pointer tied the game at 68-68 with 1:52 left.
From there, the Panthers went on their final run, getting two baskets on tip-ins, rebounding the ball on Atlee at the offensive end at will, to built a 72-69 lead. The Raiders cut it to one on free throws with 26 seconds left. Nico Johnson hit one of two free throws and it was 73-71, 18 seconds were left, and Atlee had the ball.
Brian Miller calmly brought the ball into the frontcourt, Atlee ran their offensive, trying to get Miller loose for a jumper, but the Panthers wisely kept him in check, and, when his desperation shot wedged between the rim and the backboard as the buzzer sounded, the game ended in a thud, literally and figuratively.
Frustrations were high as the Raiders left the Hermitage court knowing they let one get away in a season where, especially in their district, wins will be hard to come by. Miller led the Raiders with 26 points, but certainly wishes he was better than 7-for-13 at the charity stripe. Rashaun Winters added 16 points and played great late-game defense in spite of being hampered with four fouls.
Atlee, now 1-8, rest for Christmas, then return to practice to prepare for a game at St. Christopher's on Friday, December 28th. The Saints rolled over Thomas Jefferson 67-38 Thursday in the first round of the boys bracket of the T-DIT.
The Atlee girls also fell at Hermitage Thursday night, losing 73-61.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Lee-Davis Splits With Dinwiddie.....
The home teams held court on Wednesday night......
In Mechanicsville, Imani Boothe had 14 points while Kerstin Winston dropped 11 and Olivia Tuck 10 and Lee-Davis kept the Dinwiddie Generals girls' team winless in 2012-13 with a 51-36 victory. The loss snapped a losing streak, improving the Lady Confederates record to 3-6.
In Dinwiddie, Ladarein Autry poured in 29 points and Josh Brown added 11 but it wasn't enough as Dinwiddie defeated the C'Feds 78-62 to go to 3-5 on the season. The Confederates started hot, grabbing a seven-point lead after one quarter, a three point edge at the break. But Dinwiddie roared back after scoring just 29 in the first half to score 23 in the third quarter and 26 in the fourth to break the game open.
Lee-Davis returns to action next Friday 12/28 when they host Group AA Caroline......
JV Boys Basketball Final: Dinwiddie 63, Lee-Davis 50......
In Mechanicsville, Imani Boothe had 14 points while Kerstin Winston dropped 11 and Olivia Tuck 10 and Lee-Davis kept the Dinwiddie Generals girls' team winless in 2012-13 with a 51-36 victory. The loss snapped a losing streak, improving the Lady Confederates record to 3-6.
In Dinwiddie, Ladarein Autry poured in 29 points and Josh Brown added 11 but it wasn't enough as Dinwiddie defeated the C'Feds 78-62 to go to 3-5 on the season. The Confederates started hot, grabbing a seven-point lead after one quarter, a three point edge at the break. But Dinwiddie roared back after scoring just 29 in the first half to score 23 in the third quarter and 26 in the fourth to break the game open.
Lee-Davis returns to action next Friday 12/28 when they host Group AA Caroline......
JV Boys Basketball Final: Dinwiddie 63, Lee-Davis 50......
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Randolph-Macon Plays Complete 40 Minutes....
Though Randolph-Macon could point to its amazingly difficult schedule to explain its 3-5 start (the combined record of their first nine opponents was 59-19), the Jackets were much more introspect coming into the home game against 9-1 Salisbury (Md.) Wednesday night.
"We worked hard to play our game," said forward Andre Simon, a game consisting of pressure defense, transition, limiting opponents shot opportunities and counting on their inside-out approach to generate offense.
The Jackets fired on all cylinders Wednesday, defeating Salisbury 77-55 to improve to 4-5 overall.
"Tonight was the first time this year we played consistently our game over 40 minutes," said Randolph-Macon head coach Nathan Davis.
Facing another possible mountain to climb when the Sea Gulls took a 24-17 lead halfway through the first half, the Jackets went on a 22-6 run in the last 8:56, fueled by two straight traditional three-point plays by Simon to give R-MC a 25-24 lead.
Dylan Robeson answered with a three-point shot to give Salisbury what would be their final lead at 27-25. The Jackets rallied in a stretch that included a basket by Simon, a Dylan Cole block, two missed free throws by Salisbury center Trent Epps, and a stretch where Joe Hassell tallied a basket, two free throws and three rebounds. When Hassell ended the scoring with a layup with one second left, the halftime tally was 39-30.
The Jackets quickly opened the lead to 12 before Salisbury mounted its best comeback attempt of the second half, scoring seven unanswered to cut the Macon lead to 47-43. But the Jackets stopped the rally, and went on a tear.
Over the next 5 1/2 minutes, the Jackets went on a 14-0 run, and when the Sea Gulls took a timeout at 6:53 to go, it was 61-43.
Transition baskets picked up in the final minutes as, eventually, benches were emptied and everyone got playing time. The Jackets found it a much easier go cutting toward the basket for extra passes to open teammates for layups, including two by Andre Simon that were eye-popping.
Also in double figures were Hassell with 13 points and Connor Sullivan with 10. The Jackets outrebounded Salisbury 41-28.
Tomorrow begins a mandatory week off for the Christmas holiday. The Jackets return to practice on December 27th to prepare for their annual Coaches Classic, which begins December 29th at 3pm when R-MC takes on Washington College.
"We worked hard to play our game," said forward Andre Simon, a game consisting of pressure defense, transition, limiting opponents shot opportunities and counting on their inside-out approach to generate offense.
The Jackets fired on all cylinders Wednesday, defeating Salisbury 77-55 to improve to 4-5 overall.
"Tonight was the first time this year we played consistently our game over 40 minutes," said Randolph-Macon head coach Nathan Davis.
Facing another possible mountain to climb when the Sea Gulls took a 24-17 lead halfway through the first half, the Jackets went on a 22-6 run in the last 8:56, fueled by two straight traditional three-point plays by Simon to give R-MC a 25-24 lead.
Dylan Robeson answered with a three-point shot to give Salisbury what would be their final lead at 27-25. The Jackets rallied in a stretch that included a basket by Simon, a Dylan Cole block, two missed free throws by Salisbury center Trent Epps, and a stretch where Joe Hassell tallied a basket, two free throws and three rebounds. When Hassell ended the scoring with a layup with one second left, the halftime tally was 39-30.
The Jackets quickly opened the lead to 12 before Salisbury mounted its best comeback attempt of the second half, scoring seven unanswered to cut the Macon lead to 47-43. But the Jackets stopped the rally, and went on a tear.
Over the next 5 1/2 minutes, the Jackets went on a 14-0 run, and when the Sea Gulls took a timeout at 6:53 to go, it was 61-43.
Transition baskets picked up in the final minutes as, eventually, benches were emptied and everyone got playing time. The Jackets found it a much easier go cutting toward the basket for extra passes to open teammates for layups, including two by Andre Simon that were eye-popping.
Also in double figures were Hassell with 13 points and Connor Sullivan with 10. The Jackets outrebounded Salisbury 41-28.
Tomorrow begins a mandatory week off for the Christmas holiday. The Jackets return to practice on December 27th to prepare for their annual Coaches Classic, which begins December 29th at 3pm when R-MC takes on Washington College.
TUESDAY ROUNDUP....
The Patrick Henry girls basketball team was finally back at full strength and, though they struggled in the second half, they maintained their first half lead to hold off Mills Godwin 50-39 Tuesday to improve to 5-0 in the Colonial District, 8-0 overall. This gives the Patriots a two-game lead in the district over four teams with two losses: Deep Run, Godwin, Hermitage and John Marshall. Patrick Henry has defeated the latter three and will host Deep Run on January 3rd.
The Patriots next meet Highland Springs in round one of the 2012 Times-Dispatch Invitational Tournament, Thursday at 6pm at Benedictine.
In other action, the Lee-Davis girls were overwhelmed on the road at Glen Allen 59-18. The Confederates, now 0-3 in the Capital District, 3-6 overall, next face Dinwiddie tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm....
In boys action, Glen Allen bested Lee-Davis in Mechanicsville 68-51 in Capital action, while Patrick Henry lost their fourth straight at home, 54-46 to Mills Godwin.
COLLEGE: In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Randolph-Macon women's basketball team fell to 1-10 with a 70-56 loss to Curry College. Hannah Livermon led the Jackets with 16 points, followed by Sarah Parsons with 15. The Jackets are off until January 5th when they return to ODAC play at Guilford.
The Patriots next meet Highland Springs in round one of the 2012 Times-Dispatch Invitational Tournament, Thursday at 6pm at Benedictine.
In other action, the Lee-Davis girls were overwhelmed on the road at Glen Allen 59-18. The Confederates, now 0-3 in the Capital District, 3-6 overall, next face Dinwiddie tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm....
In boys action, Glen Allen bested Lee-Davis in Mechanicsville 68-51 in Capital action, while Patrick Henry lost their fourth straight at home, 54-46 to Mills Godwin.
COLLEGE: In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Randolph-Macon women's basketball team fell to 1-10 with a 70-56 loss to Curry College. Hannah Livermon led the Jackets with 16 points, followed by Sarah Parsons with 15. The Jackets are off until January 5th when they return to ODAC play at Guilford.
Monday, December 17, 2012
MONDAY RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOL: Atlee boys overwhelmed by turnovers and the speed of Varina tonight, with the Blue Devils winning 87-44 to move to 7-1 on the year. Brian Miller scored 14 for the Raiders, while Quincy Randolph added 10.
Armstrong handed Hanover its first loss of the year, both overall and the highly competitive Capital District, defeating the Hawks 79-69. The Hawks are 1-1 in district, 3-1 overall...
GIRLS: Varina remained unbeaten by defeating Atlee 75-47....
---------------------------
COLLEGE: In college basketball, Catholic held off Randolph-Macon in men's action on the road tonight 67-55. Andre Simon led the Jackets (3-5) with 16 points. They return to Crenshaw on Wednesday to face Salisbury. The R-MC women, participating in the Cruzin Classic in Fort Lauderdale, FL, fell to 1-9 losing to Hartwick College 61-49, as Hannah Livermon and Katie Anderson each scored 11 points.
The women compete again in the Classic tomorrow at 4pm against Curry College.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Hawks, Patriots Split in County Hoops Showdown
Trayvonte Brown scored 30 points as Hanover used a 27-13 third quarter to roll past county rival Patrick Henry in boys basketball Wednesday night, 88-65.
Lucas Pienkowski led Patrick Henry (3-3) with 22 points, but most of those came in the second half with the outcome no longer in doubt. Pienkowski picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter, forcing him to the bench and forcing the Patriots to lean on the drive and dribble skills of Khalil Mock exclusively. Mock had a great night shooting, 7-of-11 from the field on the way to 19 points.
Hanover (3-0) as a team shot 50.6 percent, but much hotter inside the arc as they only made four of 24 three-point attempts. Patrick Henry's Wes Toro led all rebounders with 11.
The Patriots remain home for a Colonial District matchup versus Hermitage Friday night at 7:30, following the PH/Hermitage girls showdown at 6pm.
The Hawks next go into a brutal Capital District stretch with a trip to Armstrong on Monday night. Armstrong upset Highland Springs 79-58 Tuesday to remain unbeaten on the year, including a victory over Thomas Jefferson.
---------------------
The Patriot girls traveled to Hanover and came away with their sixth straight win to open the season, 51-31 over the Hawks. Amber Lee led the Patriots with 26 points, 14 rebounds and 8 blocks as the Patriots played without point guard Summer Price who was ill. This marked the second straight win for a depleted Patriots roster. Patrick Henry will host two pivotal home games before the Christmas break, Friday versus Hermitage and their transfer sensation Destini Walker, then Tuesday night against Mills Godwin.
Lucas Pienkowski led Patrick Henry (3-3) with 22 points, but most of those came in the second half with the outcome no longer in doubt. Pienkowski picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter, forcing him to the bench and forcing the Patriots to lean on the drive and dribble skills of Khalil Mock exclusively. Mock had a great night shooting, 7-of-11 from the field on the way to 19 points.
Hanover (3-0) as a team shot 50.6 percent, but much hotter inside the arc as they only made four of 24 three-point attempts. Patrick Henry's Wes Toro led all rebounders with 11.
The Patriots remain home for a Colonial District matchup versus Hermitage Friday night at 7:30, following the PH/Hermitage girls showdown at 6pm.
The Hawks next go into a brutal Capital District stretch with a trip to Armstrong on Monday night. Armstrong upset Highland Springs 79-58 Tuesday to remain unbeaten on the year, including a victory over Thomas Jefferson.
---------------------
The Patriot girls traveled to Hanover and came away with their sixth straight win to open the season, 51-31 over the Hawks. Amber Lee led the Patriots with 26 points, 14 rebounds and 8 blocks as the Patriots played without point guard Summer Price who was ill. This marked the second straight win for a depleted Patriots roster. Patrick Henry will host two pivotal home games before the Christmas break, Friday versus Hermitage and their transfer sensation Destini Walker, then Tuesday night against Mills Godwin.
BREAKING: Hailey Brooks Named Gatorade State Player Of The Year!!
Atlee High School has its first-ever Gatorade State Player of the Year, and it is volleyball superstar Hailey Brooks, who captured the award for 2012, it was announced today.
Brooks, who found out about winning the award on Tuesday afternoon, told HanoverCountySports.org exclusively about the honor.
"It is awesome, just awesome. It's all because of the wonderful people who recommended me. Their recommendations are what gave me this incredible honor," Brooks said.
The official press release can be found at this link!
http://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/assets/writable/14290/2012-13_VB_HBrooks.pdf
Brooks, who found out about winning the award on Tuesday afternoon, told HanoverCountySports.org exclusively about the honor.
"It is awesome, just awesome. It's all because of the wonderful people who recommended me. Their recommendations are what gave me this incredible honor," Brooks said.
The official press release can be found at this link!
http://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/assets/writable/14290/2012-13_VB_HBrooks.pdf
Thursday, December 06, 2012
Now, About Those All-Region Teams.....
As the parent of a member of the cast of "It's A Wonderful Life" at Glen Allen High School this weekend as well as with the two breaking stories from Patrick Henry today, it put my column regarding this week's release of All-Central Region teams back awhile.
VIRGINIAPREPS.COM:
But now I'm ready.
When the announcements were made by VirginiaPreps.com and TimesDispatch.com (two separate awards, the latter done on coaches voting), the immediate reaction with regards to Hanover County was very quick and very sharp.....
"Why isn't Morris Jackson on the first team??"
The Atlee senior tailback, who was hurt in 2011, as well as down on the depth chart behind senior Jarred Hall, flew very, very low under the radar coming into the regular season. In his own county there was much more buzz surrounding Hanover's L.J. Jones, coming off an 1,800 yard season in 2011, and the Lee-Davis tandem of Deshaun Rogers and Chris Simpson.
But after Jackson scored two touchdowns in Atlee's opening week win over Deep Run, he followed it up with his coming out party in Ashland, rushing for seven touchdowns and 284 yards in Atlee's 56-35 win over Patrick Henry. Jackson was on his way to a season where, in only nine games, he would rush for 2,029 yards, scoring an amazing 33 touchdowns, averaging over 3.5 touchdowns PER GAME.
Surely this type of explosive, consistent performance should earn Jackson First Team All-Region honors, even in a crowded race of deserving hopefuls, right?
No.
Paul Robertson of L.C. Bird grabbed one of the two VirginiaPreps running back slots and one of three from the Times Dispatch. Although Robertson has had a legendary run in the playoffs, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards against the likes of Hermitage, Varina and Oakton, he finished the regular season over 200 yards behind Jackson, and, now through 13 games, has still scored two less touchdowns that Jackson did in 9 games.
We understand that post-season is taken into consideration by these award presenters, and don't begrudge Robertson his accolades.
Our contention is simple: Based on performance, Morris Jackson should have been named first team All-Region running back.....and not Derrick Green of Hermitage.
Sacrilege, you say? I expect to be a "lone wolf" in this defense and have no problem with that. But consider the following....
1) Green had 21 touchdowns, Jackson had 33.
2) Green was taken out of the second half of many games, while Jackson was not.
3) Green had the benefit of playing on a team with a good defense. Jackson did not, and, subsequently, found himself the spotlight in several track meets.
4) Green finished the regular season average 130 yards a game, Jackson averaged 225.4, nearly 100 yards MORE than Green.
Green played well, very well, this year for a 10-0 district champion. But, in my view, some of the accolades being given to Green are also because of everything else surrounding his impressive senior season. Few kids in the Central Region begin their final football season playing on Friday, then hopping on jets to places like Oregon, Auburn, and Michigan for Saturday football games. But that's what Green experienced, and deservedly so.
But, the bottom line is, although Green's recruitment has helped keep the U.S. Postal Service solvent, while Jackson has been continually passed by, Jackson's numbers are simply more productive.
Could Green have broken 2,000 yards by playing 40 quarters? Maybe. But remember, Morris did it in 36, missing one game.
So, had yours truly had a vote in all this, Morris Jackson, and not Derrick Green, would have earned All-Region First Team.
Does that mean Jackson is better than Green? No. It means he had a season more worthy of a first-team honor. Green's collegiate career may far outshine Jackson's, but that's not our concern here. Our concern here is 2012 on the field, and, in my view, 2,029 yards and 33 touchdowns in NINE games, constantly being asked to help a team with defensive woes stay in games, those are characteristics worthy of first-team honors.
In closing, Atlee fans.....Imagine the 2012 offense with the 2011 defense.......you're smiling, aren't you?
--------------------------------
CONGRATS TO THE FOLLOWING RECOGNIZED AS ALL-REGION:
VIRGINIAPREPS.COM:
First Team:
WR: Travis Phillips, Patrick Henry (Sr.)
TE: Chad Jacob, Atlee (Sr.)
ATH: Sam Rogers, Hanover (Sr.)
DL: Donald Kidd, Lee-Davis (Jr.)
Second Team:
RB: Morris Jackson, Atlee (Sr.)
RB: Morris Jackson, Atlee (Sr.)
RB: Chris Simpson, Lee-Davis (Sr.)
WR: Donte Haynesworth, Hanover (Sr.)
OL: Josh Hutto, Hanover (Sr.)
OL: Russell Munn, Lee-Davis (Sr.)
LB: David Crytser, Hanover (Sr.)
TIMESDISPATCH.COM (Coaches Voting):
First Team:
WR: Travis Phillips, Patrick Henry
RB: Chris Simpson, Lee-Davis
Utility: Sam Rogers, Hanover
DL: Donald Kidd, Lee-Davis
Second Team:
OL: Josh Hutto, Hanover
OL: Russell Munn, Lee-Davis
TE: Chad Jacob, Atlee
WR: Donte Haynesworth, Hanover
RB: Morris Jackson, Atlee
RB: LJ Jones, Hanover (Sr.)
LB: David Crytser, Hanover
LB: Sam Rogers, Hanover
UPDATE: Patrick Henry Approved To Move Conferences...
From the December 5th executive meeting minutes released today.....
"Approved the Final Conference Alignment Plan for 2013‐14 and 2014‐15 including moving Patrick Henry (Ashland) from 5A South to 5A North and from Conference 11 to Conference 16 and moving Caroline from 4A North to 4A South and from Conference 22 to Conference 20."
A link to the minutes released is HERE.
"Approved the Final Conference Alignment Plan for 2013‐14 and 2014‐15 including moving Patrick Henry (Ashland) from 5A South to 5A North and from Conference 11 to Conference 16 and moving Caroline from 4A North to 4A South and from Conference 22 to Conference 20."
A link to the minutes released is HERE.
BREAKING: Hart Out; Patrick Henry Seeks New Football Coach (UPDATED: Hart To Baseball, Report)
Late this afternoon, we broke the news on Twitter (@hanoversports) that Hanover County Schools has posted the job opening on its web site for a head varsity football coach for Patrick Henry High School.
Sam Hart's tenure in the position is over after three seasons and an overall record of 10-20. Hart was the longtime assistant to Ray Long, the Central Region's all-time winningest head coach who led Patrick Henry from 1982 to 2009.
Hart's first season, a 5-5 mark, was an improvement over Long's final season in 2009 when Patrick Henry went 3-7, their first losing season since 1992. But the Patriots slid back precipitously in 2011, falling to a 2-8 campaign, only defeating Thomas Jefferson and J.R. Tucker. With all three other county schools making the playoffs in 2011, the pressure was on in Ashland.
Coming into 2012, the football season lost one athlete to transfer (Raymon Minor), who never left his mark on the football field for the Patriots as he did on the basketball court, two young quarterbacks, and little experience on either line. They took their lumps early, losing to Hanover 41-0, then to Atlee at home 56-35 when Morris Jackson rushed for seven touchdowns.
A furious second half comeback in Mechanicsville in the Tomato Bowl fell 15 yards short and the Patriots were again swept in the county with Lee-Davis winning 27-20. After a loss to John Marshall in their Colonial opener, the Patriots were impressive at Douglas Freeman, winning 45-28 against a team that had defeated Atlee and would go on to finish 6-4.
But the Pats weren't able to capitalize on that success, losing close games to Deep Run and Mills Godwin to ensure their third losing season in four years. They finished with a loss at Hermitage.
The position is open until January 4th and currently, no word on any possible replacements. There is also no word on the fate of Hart's staff, which included first-year offensive coordinator Matt Crenshaw, previously the head coach at J.R. Tucker.
NBC12 (@MattLincolnTV) is reporting, thus confirming, a report we received from a reliable source a few weeks ago, but could not make public until now, that Hart will return to coaching the Patriots baseball team, where he was a coaching standout for over a decade. That position had been open since last summer.
The job opening is posted HERE.
Sam Hart's tenure in the position is over after three seasons and an overall record of 10-20. Hart was the longtime assistant to Ray Long, the Central Region's all-time winningest head coach who led Patrick Henry from 1982 to 2009.
Hart's first season, a 5-5 mark, was an improvement over Long's final season in 2009 when Patrick Henry went 3-7, their first losing season since 1992. But the Patriots slid back precipitously in 2011, falling to a 2-8 campaign, only defeating Thomas Jefferson and J.R. Tucker. With all three other county schools making the playoffs in 2011, the pressure was on in Ashland.
Coming into 2012, the football season lost one athlete to transfer (Raymon Minor), who never left his mark on the football field for the Patriots as he did on the basketball court, two young quarterbacks, and little experience on either line. They took their lumps early, losing to Hanover 41-0, then to Atlee at home 56-35 when Morris Jackson rushed for seven touchdowns.
A furious second half comeback in Mechanicsville in the Tomato Bowl fell 15 yards short and the Patriots were again swept in the county with Lee-Davis winning 27-20. After a loss to John Marshall in their Colonial opener, the Patriots were impressive at Douglas Freeman, winning 45-28 against a team that had defeated Atlee and would go on to finish 6-4.
But the Pats weren't able to capitalize on that success, losing close games to Deep Run and Mills Godwin to ensure their third losing season in four years. They finished with a loss at Hermitage.
The position is open until January 4th and currently, no word on any possible replacements. There is also no word on the fate of Hart's staff, which included first-year offensive coordinator Matt Crenshaw, previously the head coach at J.R. Tucker.
NBC12 (@MattLincolnTV) is reporting, thus confirming, a report we received from a reliable source a few weeks ago, but could not make public until now, that Hart will return to coaching the Patriots baseball team, where he was a coaching standout for over a decade. That position had been open since last summer.
The job opening is posted HERE.
Gymnastics: Atlee victorious in quad meet Tuesday
Congrats go to the Atlee Raiders gymnastics team for their early season win, defeating Lee-Davis, Douglas Freeman and Henrico on Tuesday night. The Confederates finished second, just 1.7 points behind the Raiders.
TEAM SCORES:
Atlee 133.85
Lee-Davis 132.15
Douglas Freeman 123.30
Henrico 119.25
INDIVIDUAL EVENT WINNERS:
Beam: Jordan Lam (LD) and Derika Banks (A)....8.5
Floor: Kinsee Stonebreaker (LD).......................9.15
Vault: Becca Fields (LD)...................................8.95
Bars: Kaitlyn Ball (A)........................................8.25
All-Around Individual: Derika Banks (A): 34.45
-----------------------
In Colonial District action, Patrick Henry fell to Deep Run and Mills Godwin in a district meet Tuesday. Final team scores were Deep Run 132.2, Mills Godwin 131.45, Patrick Henry 36.2.
TEAM SCORES:
Atlee 133.85
Lee-Davis 132.15
Douglas Freeman 123.30
Henrico 119.25
INDIVIDUAL EVENT WINNERS:
Beam: Jordan Lam (LD) and Derika Banks (A)....8.5
Floor: Kinsee Stonebreaker (LD).......................9.15
Vault: Becca Fields (LD)...................................8.95
Bars: Kaitlyn Ball (A)........................................8.25
All-Around Individual: Derika Banks (A): 34.45
-----------------------
In Colonial District action, Patrick Henry fell to Deep Run and Mills Godwin in a district meet Tuesday. Final team scores were Deep Run 132.2, Mills Godwin 131.45, Patrick Henry 36.2.
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
All-Central Region Football Teams....
I mentioned on Twitter last night I would be discussing the various All-Central Region football teams that came out over the past 24 hours or so today here on the site.
I still plan to do it, but am working on some additional research to verify my opinions before stating them. I highly respect the people who create these lists, work in tandem with many of them, and, as always, want any of my opinions to be backed with credible information, and not an emotional response. The task of naming these teams is daunting every year, and 2012 provided some especially dicey situations.
Thanks for your patience, as we continue to make this site, and our Twitter feed (@hanoversports), one where you get information, analysis and opinion, but all three in a proper journalistic manner. :)
I still plan to do it, but am working on some additional research to verify my opinions before stating them. I highly respect the people who create these lists, work in tandem with many of them, and, as always, want any of my opinions to be backed with credible information, and not an emotional response. The task of naming these teams is daunting every year, and 2012 provided some especially dicey situations.
Thanks for your patience, as we continue to make this site, and our Twitter feed (@hanoversports), one where you get information, analysis and opinion, but all three in a proper journalistic manner. :)
COLONIAL: Patriots Sweep Tigers In Hoops....
Summer Price poured in 27 points and Patrick Henry survived a slow start to dispose of J.R. Tucker 53-40 Tuesday night to stay unbeaten at 2-0 in the Colonial District, 4-0 overall. Amber Lee chipped in 9 points and 16 rebounds and baskets at key times by India Coles, and the Pinder twins, Tyler and Jasmine, helped keep the Tigers at bay.
Jessica Lee's basket with 4:57 left in the 3rd move Tucker to within two at 33-31 before the Patriots went on an 8-0 run in just two minutes to create a gap that Tucker would not dissolve.
Patrick Henry finally enjoys their home opener this Friday when they face John Marshall at 6pm.
In boys play, Lucas Pienkowski and William Holman each contributed 15 points as Patrick Henry subdued Tucker 49-37, overcoming a cold shooting first half with relentless defense and occasional full-court pressure. Khalil Mock, who scored 30 points in the win Saturday night over Lee-Davis, was held to 8 points but contributed several very timely rebounds, especially in the second half, to keep Tucker from ever mounting a serious comeback.
Now 1-1 in the Colonial and 3-1 overall, the PH boys also finally get their home opener on Friday, as John Marshall comes to Ashland for a 7:30 contest. The Justices are favorites with Thomas Jefferson to win the Colonial, and Patrick Henry's only loss came opening night eight days ago to TJ, 93-55 on the road.
Jessica Lee's basket with 4:57 left in the 3rd move Tucker to within two at 33-31 before the Patriots went on an 8-0 run in just two minutes to create a gap that Tucker would not dissolve.
Patrick Henry finally enjoys their home opener this Friday when they face John Marshall at 6pm.
In boys play, Lucas Pienkowski and William Holman each contributed 15 points as Patrick Henry subdued Tucker 49-37, overcoming a cold shooting first half with relentless defense and occasional full-court pressure. Khalil Mock, who scored 30 points in the win Saturday night over Lee-Davis, was held to 8 points but contributed several very timely rebounds, especially in the second half, to keep Tucker from ever mounting a serious comeback.
Now 1-1 in the Colonial and 3-1 overall, the PH boys also finally get their home opener on Friday, as John Marshall comes to Ashland for a 7:30 contest. The Justices are favorites with Thomas Jefferson to win the Colonial, and Patrick Henry's only loss came opening night eight days ago to TJ, 93-55 on the road.
Sunday, December 02, 2012
Southerner Tip-Off Classic: Patriots Get Better Of Confederates
They weren't on each other's regular season schedules. So the only way long time rivals Lee-Davis and Patrick Henry could meet this year on the hardwood, barring post-season matchups, was by reaching the finals of this past weekend's Southerner Tip-Off Classic at Lee-Davis.
The Patrick Henry girls and boys disposed of Colonial Heights on Thursday and Friday, respectively, as Lee-Davis did to King William, and the matchups were set.
In the nightcap, the boys final was highlighted by physical play, lots of whistles, and two teams still trying to develop chemistry. In those situations, a single player can make the difference, and Saturday night was no different.
Khalil Mock stood head and shoulders above the rest from the start, scoring 8 of his game-high 30 points in the first quarter, as Patrick Henry withstood several Lee-Davis runs to win the tournament, 63-48. The game was closer than the 15-point final indicates.
Mock's early outburst gave PH a 15-10 lead after one, but a crucial scoreless stretch for Lee-Davis over the final 3:37 of the second allowed the Patriots to build an 11-point halftime lead at 26-15. After Ladarein Autry's two free throws made it 21-15, the Confederates went silent until after halftime.
A William Holman trey opened the third quarter, and, after a Mock basket with 3:13 left in the period, Patrick Henry was still comfortably ahead at 38-26. But Lee-Davis ended the third with a 6-0 run, as a Josh Brown basket cut it to 38-32 with 14 seconds left. The Patriots seemingly forgot to try to get a shot off before the buzzer, but the ball landed in Mock's hands, and, with under two seconds to go, he launched a three, and it hit the bottom of the net.
Six unanswered from Mock to open the fourth seemed to finish things at 47-32, but Lee-Davis did cut it to seven three times in the final stanza before hit free throws in the final 90 seconds to extend the margin of victory.
Autry led the Confederates (2-1) with 20 points, followed by Brown with 14. After Mock, Patrick Henry's leading scorer was Lucas Pienkowski with 16. All four players were named to the All-Tournament Team, and Mock was named MVP.
"We have a whole new cast, so this is a great tournament to help us grow up," said Randy Anderson, head coach of the Patriots (2-1). "This weekend helped us to focus on not only how to keep a lead, but how to build on a lead."
For the home team, the learning curve continues for a squad short on height, but tall on grit.
"Our inexperience is still hurting; we seem to get out of the gates really slow," noted new Lee-Davis coach Rob Rice. "We're small, but for us, playing hard will equal wins."
The Confederates already have a feather in their cap, opening their season last Tuesday with a road win over J.R. Tucker from the Colonial District on the same night Patrick Henry opened with a 38-point loss at the hands of Thomas Jefferson, easily one of the top five teams in the Central Region.
The Patriots next go to Tucker to face those same Tigers, while the Confederates get four days to practice, learn from the weekend of experience, and get ready for Capital District play when Varina visits Mechanicsville Friday night.
---------------------------------
In the girls final, Lee-Davis got off to a torrid start, leading 11-6 after a quarter, but the veteran Patriots settled down, taking a 27-21 lead to halftime en route to a 55-37 win.
The defining moment of the game was actually eight minutes in length, as the Patriots only allowed a Confederate free throw in a third quarter where they threw down the gauntlet and clinched the victory.
Not surprisingly, point guard Summer Price led the way with 32 points and was named tournament MVP. Inside, Rachel Adams (who is off to a solid start defensively) and Amber Lee had five each while Ashley Samuels continued her stellar defensive start with 10 rebounds and five steals.
"We're still working on our rotation," noted PH head coach Phillip Cobb afterwards, and the Patriots have liberally used all ten players on their roster in the opening week. Now 1-0, 3-0, the Patriots return to the Colonial Tuesday for a 6PM date with J.R. Tucker.
Lee-Davis (1-2), already suffering from early season nicks and bruises, including a sore elbow suffered by Kerstin Winston in the Patrick Henry loss, must travel across town Monday night to battle Clover Hill before opening Capital District play Friday night at Varina.
The Patrick Henry girls and boys disposed of Colonial Heights on Thursday and Friday, respectively, as Lee-Davis did to King William, and the matchups were set.
In the nightcap, the boys final was highlighted by physical play, lots of whistles, and two teams still trying to develop chemistry. In those situations, a single player can make the difference, and Saturday night was no different.
Khalil Mock stood head and shoulders above the rest from the start, scoring 8 of his game-high 30 points in the first quarter, as Patrick Henry withstood several Lee-Davis runs to win the tournament, 63-48. The game was closer than the 15-point final indicates.
Mock's early outburst gave PH a 15-10 lead after one, but a crucial scoreless stretch for Lee-Davis over the final 3:37 of the second allowed the Patriots to build an 11-point halftime lead at 26-15. After Ladarein Autry's two free throws made it 21-15, the Confederates went silent until after halftime.
A William Holman trey opened the third quarter, and, after a Mock basket with 3:13 left in the period, Patrick Henry was still comfortably ahead at 38-26. But Lee-Davis ended the third with a 6-0 run, as a Josh Brown basket cut it to 38-32 with 14 seconds left. The Patriots seemingly forgot to try to get a shot off before the buzzer, but the ball landed in Mock's hands, and, with under two seconds to go, he launched a three, and it hit the bottom of the net.
Six unanswered from Mock to open the fourth seemed to finish things at 47-32, but Lee-Davis did cut it to seven three times in the final stanza before hit free throws in the final 90 seconds to extend the margin of victory.
Autry led the Confederates (2-1) with 20 points, followed by Brown with 14. After Mock, Patrick Henry's leading scorer was Lucas Pienkowski with 16. All four players were named to the All-Tournament Team, and Mock was named MVP.
"We have a whole new cast, so this is a great tournament to help us grow up," said Randy Anderson, head coach of the Patriots (2-1). "This weekend helped us to focus on not only how to keep a lead, but how to build on a lead."
For the home team, the learning curve continues for a squad short on height, but tall on grit.
"Our inexperience is still hurting; we seem to get out of the gates really slow," noted new Lee-Davis coach Rob Rice. "We're small, but for us, playing hard will equal wins."
The Confederates already have a feather in their cap, opening their season last Tuesday with a road win over J.R. Tucker from the Colonial District on the same night Patrick Henry opened with a 38-point loss at the hands of Thomas Jefferson, easily one of the top five teams in the Central Region.
The Patriots next go to Tucker to face those same Tigers, while the Confederates get four days to practice, learn from the weekend of experience, and get ready for Capital District play when Varina visits Mechanicsville Friday night.
---------------------------------
In the girls final, Lee-Davis got off to a torrid start, leading 11-6 after a quarter, but the veteran Patriots settled down, taking a 27-21 lead to halftime en route to a 55-37 win.
The defining moment of the game was actually eight minutes in length, as the Patriots only allowed a Confederate free throw in a third quarter where they threw down the gauntlet and clinched the victory.
Not surprisingly, point guard Summer Price led the way with 32 points and was named tournament MVP. Inside, Rachel Adams (who is off to a solid start defensively) and Amber Lee had five each while Ashley Samuels continued her stellar defensive start with 10 rebounds and five steals.
"We're still working on our rotation," noted PH head coach Phillip Cobb afterwards, and the Patriots have liberally used all ten players on their roster in the opening week. Now 1-0, 3-0, the Patriots return to the Colonial Tuesday for a 6PM date with J.R. Tucker.
Lee-Davis (1-2), already suffering from early season nicks and bruises, including a sore elbow suffered by Kerstin Winston in the Patrick Henry loss, must travel across town Monday night to battle Clover Hill before opening Capital District play Friday night at Varina.
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Era Ends: Stone Bridge 28, Hanover 21
It's not every day you walk onto your high school field to play football in December, much less line up against a team whose quarterback will be playing for the Stanford Cardinal in 2013.
That is just part of the mammoth assignment that the Hanover Hawks gladly accepted Saturday afternoon, hosting their first-ever home state semifinal after playing three in five years on the road, facing the unbeaten Stone Bridge Bulldogs, favored to win the state championship.
Stone Bridge jumped on Hanover early, then the Hawks calmed down, clawed back into the game, fell behind again, fought back, then simply ran out of time as the Bulldogs escaped Mechanicsville with a 28-21 victory to advance to next Saturday's Division 5 State Final against Lake Taylor (who, too, escaped on the road with a 23-21 win at North Stafford) at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.
How close Hanover came to victory is a microcosm of how their season has played out: a team overcoming adversity and, again, coming up just short in a game where they played equal to their opponents.
But it didn't start that way.
Stone Bridge took the opening kickoff and drove quickly, keyed by a 45 yard run by Sterling Dailey run from the always-confusing and rarely seen in high school single wing formation. Dailey scored on a 10-yard run and the Bulldogs took the lead.
Hanover did respond, moving as far as the Stone Bridge 11, but a 28-yard completion to Mason Bazala at the 11 was called back due to an ineligible receiver downfield, and the drive stalled.
Stone Bridge, in three plays and 31 seconds, found the end zone again on another Dailey run, this time of a yard. The big strike on the drive was a 51-yard pass play from Stanford commit Ryan Burns to Jimmy Higgins to set up the second score.
Just 7:36 into the game and Hanover was down 14-0. Was Hanover Head Coach Josh Just having flashbacks to last year's state semi, when the Hawks fell behind 24-0 to South County in the first half, eventually falling 38-22?
"Absolutely not," Just said. "This is a different team."
And they proved it, beginning on defense, stopping a would-be third straight touchdown drive on downs early in the second quarter, then driving down the field themselves. Sam Rogers found Donte Haynesworth on a slant route sliding in the end zone for a seven-yard score, and it was 14-7 at halftime.
Hanover couldn't ask for a better start to half #2, driving 4:38, culminating in a Rogers 3 yard TD run, and it was 14-14. But credit the Bulldogs for punching back, answering with a 6 1/2 minute drive capped by a Christian Strahin 2-yard TD run to make it 21-14.
Hanover had held Stone Bridge scoreless for 27 minutes. Now the offense had to punch back. But, this one time, they couldn't.
Stone Bridge got the ball back, drove quickly, and a D'Ante Yarborough 5-yard TD run with 6:57 to go seemingly put the game out of reach at 28-14.
But Rogers and company weren't done, as the Hawks traveled down field as quickly as their offense would allow, but after great defensive stops by the Bulldogs, Hanover faced 4th down and 24 and the Stone Bridge 27.
Rogers, in what would be his final high school pass, dropped back, rolled left, bought time, then launched a laser to Donte Haynesworth who beat two defenders in the back left corner of the end zone, retained possession, and cut the Bulldog lead to 28-21 with 4:10 to play.
The Hawks' attempt at an onside kick was recovered by Stone Bridge. The Bulldogs slowed their offensive rhythm down, and, with each passing first down conversion, killed the clock. They forced the Hawks to use one timeout, then they sat on the other two. But when Burns rushed for 12 yards for a first down at the Hanover 20 with 1:08 left, it sealed the Hanover fate.
Burns took three knees, Hanover ran out of time outs, and, ran out of time.
Coach Just and Rogers shared a long embrace in an emotional moment on the field after the final whistle, before the traditional post-game handshakes. Rogers was too emotional to speak to us as he left the field for the final time in uniform.
Rogers finished 11-of-22 for 164 yards with two touchdown passes, and with 24 carries for 129 yards and the one rushing score. A key to Stone Bridge's ability to hang on for the win was keying on Rogers' rushing, as he only gained 23 yards in the second half, compared to 106 in the first.
Another problem for Hanover was in the second quarter when, on a run that resulted in a first down, tailback L.J. Jones re-aggravated the ankle injury he suffered two weeks earlier in the Lee-Davis regional semifinal. Jones would not return. His replacement, Lamont Stubbs, rushed five times for 18 yards.
Dailey finished with 20 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Bulldogs, now 14-0.
Hanover finishes 2012 at 9-4, with the losses coming in the following fashion:
--After leading the whole game without Sam Rogers, Highland Springs defeats them 24-21 scoring a touchdown as time expired.
--A sure overtime was taken away on a roughing the kicker penalty against Varina, giving the Blue Devils a second chance at a game-winning PAT. They made it, Varina won 21-20.
--Arguably Hanover's worst game, the 10-6 loss at Lee-Davis where Rogers returned at quarterback, but a combination of lack of rhythm on offense and a stingy Lee-Davis defense spelled doom.
And now tonight, their biggest loss margin of 2012.....just seven points. Just one more defensive stop giving Rogers and company the ball back, and Hawk Nation was sure Rogers would find the magic again.
But Stone Bridge ran out the clock, the rabbit never came out of the hat, and an amazing era in Hanover County high school football comes to an end.
That is just part of the mammoth assignment that the Hanover Hawks gladly accepted Saturday afternoon, hosting their first-ever home state semifinal after playing three in five years on the road, facing the unbeaten Stone Bridge Bulldogs, favored to win the state championship.
Stone Bridge jumped on Hanover early, then the Hawks calmed down, clawed back into the game, fell behind again, fought back, then simply ran out of time as the Bulldogs escaped Mechanicsville with a 28-21 victory to advance to next Saturday's Division 5 State Final against Lake Taylor (who, too, escaped on the road with a 23-21 win at North Stafford) at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.
How close Hanover came to victory is a microcosm of how their season has played out: a team overcoming adversity and, again, coming up just short in a game where they played equal to their opponents.
But it didn't start that way.
Stone Bridge took the opening kickoff and drove quickly, keyed by a 45 yard run by Sterling Dailey run from the always-confusing and rarely seen in high school single wing formation. Dailey scored on a 10-yard run and the Bulldogs took the lead.
Hanover did respond, moving as far as the Stone Bridge 11, but a 28-yard completion to Mason Bazala at the 11 was called back due to an ineligible receiver downfield, and the drive stalled.
Stone Bridge, in three plays and 31 seconds, found the end zone again on another Dailey run, this time of a yard. The big strike on the drive was a 51-yard pass play from Stanford commit Ryan Burns to Jimmy Higgins to set up the second score.
Just 7:36 into the game and Hanover was down 14-0. Was Hanover Head Coach Josh Just having flashbacks to last year's state semi, when the Hawks fell behind 24-0 to South County in the first half, eventually falling 38-22?
"Absolutely not," Just said. "This is a different team."
And they proved it, beginning on defense, stopping a would-be third straight touchdown drive on downs early in the second quarter, then driving down the field themselves. Sam Rogers found Donte Haynesworth on a slant route sliding in the end zone for a seven-yard score, and it was 14-7 at halftime.
Hanover couldn't ask for a better start to half #2, driving 4:38, culminating in a Rogers 3 yard TD run, and it was 14-14. But credit the Bulldogs for punching back, answering with a 6 1/2 minute drive capped by a Christian Strahin 2-yard TD run to make it 21-14.
Hanover had held Stone Bridge scoreless for 27 minutes. Now the offense had to punch back. But, this one time, they couldn't.
Stone Bridge got the ball back, drove quickly, and a D'Ante Yarborough 5-yard TD run with 6:57 to go seemingly put the game out of reach at 28-14.
But Rogers and company weren't done, as the Hawks traveled down field as quickly as their offense would allow, but after great defensive stops by the Bulldogs, Hanover faced 4th down and 24 and the Stone Bridge 27.
Rogers, in what would be his final high school pass, dropped back, rolled left, bought time, then launched a laser to Donte Haynesworth who beat two defenders in the back left corner of the end zone, retained possession, and cut the Bulldog lead to 28-21 with 4:10 to play.
The Hawks' attempt at an onside kick was recovered by Stone Bridge. The Bulldogs slowed their offensive rhythm down, and, with each passing first down conversion, killed the clock. They forced the Hawks to use one timeout, then they sat on the other two. But when Burns rushed for 12 yards for a first down at the Hanover 20 with 1:08 left, it sealed the Hanover fate.
Burns took three knees, Hanover ran out of time outs, and, ran out of time.
Coach Just and Rogers shared a long embrace in an emotional moment on the field after the final whistle, before the traditional post-game handshakes. Rogers was too emotional to speak to us as he left the field for the final time in uniform.
Rogers finished 11-of-22 for 164 yards with two touchdown passes, and with 24 carries for 129 yards and the one rushing score. A key to Stone Bridge's ability to hang on for the win was keying on Rogers' rushing, as he only gained 23 yards in the second half, compared to 106 in the first.
Another problem for Hanover was in the second quarter when, on a run that resulted in a first down, tailback L.J. Jones re-aggravated the ankle injury he suffered two weeks earlier in the Lee-Davis regional semifinal. Jones would not return. His replacement, Lamont Stubbs, rushed five times for 18 yards.
Dailey finished with 20 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Bulldogs, now 14-0.
Hanover finishes 2012 at 9-4, with the losses coming in the following fashion:
--After leading the whole game without Sam Rogers, Highland Springs defeats them 24-21 scoring a touchdown as time expired.
--A sure overtime was taken away on a roughing the kicker penalty against Varina, giving the Blue Devils a second chance at a game-winning PAT. They made it, Varina won 21-20.
--Arguably Hanover's worst game, the 10-6 loss at Lee-Davis where Rogers returned at quarterback, but a combination of lack of rhythm on offense and a stingy Lee-Davis defense spelled doom.
And now tonight, their biggest loss margin of 2012.....just seven points. Just one more defensive stop giving Rogers and company the ball back, and Hawk Nation was sure Rogers would find the magic again.
But Stone Bridge ran out the clock, the rabbit never came out of the hat, and an amazing era in Hanover County high school football comes to an end.
LISTEN LIVE TO STONE BRIDGE/HANOVER HERE!
CLICK HERE to listen live to the Stone Bridge at Hanover State Group AAA Division 5 Semifinal this afternoon, live from Hanover High School, starting with pregame at 3:30!
WHAN Radio, 102.9 FM and 1430 AM in Ashland/Richmond, provides on-air coverage with Rob Witham bringing you all the action as the Hawks host their first-ever home state semifinal game, looking to finally make it to the state championship game on their fourth-ever try!
Good luck to the Hanover Hawks!!
WHAN Radio, 102.9 FM and 1430 AM in Ashland/Richmond, provides on-air coverage with Rob Witham bringing you all the action as the Hawks host their first-ever home state semifinal game, looking to finally make it to the state championship game on their fourth-ever try!
Good luck to the Hanover Hawks!!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Southerner Classic Day 2: PH, L-D Boys Advance...
Another doubleheader of Patrick Henry/Colonial Heights and Lee-Davis/King William at the Southerner Tip-Off Classic at Lee-Davis on this Friday, and, as was the case in girls action Thursday, the county schools got the job done.
Patrick Henry used a relentless full-court pressure to take control early and keep the lead, defeating Colonial Heights 60-44. Khalil Mock had 8 points in the first quarter, 19 for the game to go with 15 rebounds on an impressive double-double. William Holman feasted at the free throw line, earning 14 of his 19 points at the charity stripe. Wes Toro contributed 10 points, including 6 in a key second quarter stretch that saw Colonial Heights take their only lead of the game at 20-19. Toro scored the game's next six to re-establish the Patriot advantage for good.
Plagued by foul trouble early, Lucas Pienkowski finished with 7 points and 5 rebounds, plus a steal.
Patrick Henry, now 1-1, will play the home team, Lee-Davis, who, in the nightcap, swarmed past King William 60-36 to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Junior forward Rondell Ramsey scored 9 of his 11 points in the first quarter to launch the Confederates into the lead, one they would never relinquish. And while shaky outside shooting plagued Lee-Davis throughout the game, they hit 12 of their first 17 free throws, taking advantage of King William foul trouble for free points at the charity stripe.
Another 19 point performance in this game, this time from Lee-Davis guard Josh Brown, with two three-pointers in the mix. Austin Stallings led the CFeds with 10 rebounds, while Josh Lam got 8 off the glass, and Jesse Tuck 7. Vonnell Spurlacle led King William with 10 points, a player clearly the most talented on the Cavaliers roster. A key to any King William success going forward is getting him many more touches during the game offensively.
HERE IS THE LINEUP FOR CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY AT THE SOUTHERNER CLASSIC:
2PM: Girls Consolation Game: Colonial Heights vs. King William
4PM: Boys Consolation Game: Colonial Heights vs. King William
5:45PM: Girls Championship Game: Patrick Henry vs. Lee-Davis
7:30PM: Boys Championship Game: Patrick Henry vs. Lee-Davis
PLEASE NOTE: Patrick Henry and Lee-Davis are not on each other's basketball varsity schedules this season, so this is the only chance you'll get to see these two rivals go at it on the hardwood in the regular season.
WE HOPE to LIVE TWEET the Boys Championship game, if we can get to Lee-Davis in time after wrapping up coverage of the Stone Bridge/Hanover Football game Saturday afternoon.....
Patrick Henry used a relentless full-court pressure to take control early and keep the lead, defeating Colonial Heights 60-44. Khalil Mock had 8 points in the first quarter, 19 for the game to go with 15 rebounds on an impressive double-double. William Holman feasted at the free throw line, earning 14 of his 19 points at the charity stripe. Wes Toro contributed 10 points, including 6 in a key second quarter stretch that saw Colonial Heights take their only lead of the game at 20-19. Toro scored the game's next six to re-establish the Patriot advantage for good.
Plagued by foul trouble early, Lucas Pienkowski finished with 7 points and 5 rebounds, plus a steal.
Patrick Henry, now 1-1, will play the home team, Lee-Davis, who, in the nightcap, swarmed past King William 60-36 to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Junior forward Rondell Ramsey scored 9 of his 11 points in the first quarter to launch the Confederates into the lead, one they would never relinquish. And while shaky outside shooting plagued Lee-Davis throughout the game, they hit 12 of their first 17 free throws, taking advantage of King William foul trouble for free points at the charity stripe.
Another 19 point performance in this game, this time from Lee-Davis guard Josh Brown, with two three-pointers in the mix. Austin Stallings led the CFeds with 10 rebounds, while Josh Lam got 8 off the glass, and Jesse Tuck 7. Vonnell Spurlacle led King William with 10 points, a player clearly the most talented on the Cavaliers roster. A key to any King William success going forward is getting him many more touches during the game offensively.
HERE IS THE LINEUP FOR CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY AT THE SOUTHERNER CLASSIC:
2PM: Girls Consolation Game: Colonial Heights vs. King William
4PM: Boys Consolation Game: Colonial Heights vs. King William
5:45PM: Girls Championship Game: Patrick Henry vs. Lee-Davis
7:30PM: Boys Championship Game: Patrick Henry vs. Lee-Davis
PLEASE NOTE: Patrick Henry and Lee-Davis are not on each other's basketball varsity schedules this season, so this is the only chance you'll get to see these two rivals go at it on the hardwood in the regular season.
WE HOPE to LIVE TWEET the Boys Championship game, if we can get to Lee-Davis in time after wrapping up coverage of the Stone Bridge/Hanover Football game Saturday afternoon.....
Thursday, November 29, 2012
PH, L-D Girls Advance to Southerner Final....
Summer Price poured in 26 points as Patrick Henry defeated Colonial Heights 65-19 in the first round of the Southerner Tip-Off Classic Thursday night at Lee-Davis.
In the nightcap, Lee-Davis manhandled King William 60-19 as Kerstin Winston and Kori Hughes each had 12 points. The Confederates and Patriots will meet in Saturday's championship game at 5:45pm in Mechanicsville.
Meanwhile, Atlee's girls team fell on opening night for the Raiders, losing at Mills Godwin 49-31, as Stephanie Staples scored 13 points and grabbed 7 boards. The Raiders open Capital District play next Friday, 12/7 at home versus Glen Allen at 6pm.
In boys action, Central Virginia Home School defeated Atlee 49-47 in the consolation bracket of the Rebel Invitational at Douglas Freeman.
In the nightcap, Lee-Davis manhandled King William 60-19 as Kerstin Winston and Kori Hughes each had 12 points. The Confederates and Patriots will meet in Saturday's championship game at 5:45pm in Mechanicsville.
Meanwhile, Atlee's girls team fell on opening night for the Raiders, losing at Mills Godwin 49-31, as Stephanie Staples scored 13 points and grabbed 7 boards. The Raiders open Capital District play next Friday, 12/7 at home versus Glen Allen at 6pm.
In boys action, Central Virginia Home School defeated Atlee 49-47 in the consolation bracket of the Rebel Invitational at Douglas Freeman.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Game Time Set for State Semis!
4PM is the kickoff time for the Stone Bridge/Hanover State Group AAA Division 5 Semifinal Saturday at Hanover High School.
If you're coming, tickets should be $10 and gates will open at 2:45pm.
Radio coverage will begin at 3:30 on WHAN, 102.9 FM and 1430 AM, and on the internet right here!!!
If you're coming, tickets should be $10 and gates will open at 2:45pm.
Radio coverage will begin at 3:30 on WHAN, 102.9 FM and 1430 AM, and on the internet right here!!!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Hanover Hawks Smother Hopewell To Claim Region Crown!
It was another devastating defensive performance, this time against Hopewell, holding them to less than 120 yards of total offense en route to a 35-7 win over the Blue Devils in the final Central Region Division 5 Regional Championship game.
"We're happy to finally break the even year curse," said Hanover Head Coach Josh Just to WHAN Radio in the press box after the game, crediting both seniors and underclassmen for key plays on both sides of the ball.
Sam Rogers opened the scoring with a six-yard touchdown run with 7:11 left in the 1st quarter, and had a chance to extend the lead but overthrew Usman Mahmood wide open in the end zone late 1st quarter, the Hawks turning it over on downs.
Hopewell's vaunted offense, who scored 47 points at Dinwiddie last week, never got on track. Quarterback Reggie Butler was sacked twice on the opening drive of the game for Hopewell as the Hawks tallied five sacks in all.
L.J. Jones, looking good after last week's ankle injury, ended another Hawk drive with a touchdown run for a 14-0 lead with 4:08 left in the first half. Hanover missed another scoring opportunity when a long touchdown pass from Rogers to Mahmood was called back due to an ineligible player downfield penalty.
Hanover's defense set the tone for the second half, immediately stopping Hopewell on the first possession of the 3rd quarter, then giving the ball to Rogers, who found Josh Harris down the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown pass and the Hawks seized the game at 21-0, 7:34 left in the 3rd.
Two touchdown runs by Lamont Stubbs in each quarter extended the lead to 35-0 before Hopewell finally tallied on a 3-yard run by Gabe Dupree to account for the 35-7 final.
Rogers had 289 yards of total offense, while Jones rushed for 56 yards. Harris had three catches for 68 yards, as Rogers was 11-of-16 through the air with one TD pass and one 2nd quarter interception.
Hanover (9-3) will host a state semifinal for the first time ever, next Saturday, December 1st, against Northern Region champion Stone Bridge (13-0), who fell behind 29-7, then scored 55 unanswered points to beat Yorktown (12-1) Friday afternoon 69-50.
There WILL be a new champion in Division 5 this season, as Lake Taylor defeated defending state champion Phoebus tonight in the Eastern Region final, 54-0.
"We're happy to finally break the even year curse," said Hanover Head Coach Josh Just to WHAN Radio in the press box after the game, crediting both seniors and underclassmen for key plays on both sides of the ball.
Sam Rogers opened the scoring with a six-yard touchdown run with 7:11 left in the 1st quarter, and had a chance to extend the lead but overthrew Usman Mahmood wide open in the end zone late 1st quarter, the Hawks turning it over on downs.
Hopewell's vaunted offense, who scored 47 points at Dinwiddie last week, never got on track. Quarterback Reggie Butler was sacked twice on the opening drive of the game for Hopewell as the Hawks tallied five sacks in all.
L.J. Jones, looking good after last week's ankle injury, ended another Hawk drive with a touchdown run for a 14-0 lead with 4:08 left in the first half. Hanover missed another scoring opportunity when a long touchdown pass from Rogers to Mahmood was called back due to an ineligible player downfield penalty.
Hanover's defense set the tone for the second half, immediately stopping Hopewell on the first possession of the 3rd quarter, then giving the ball to Rogers, who found Josh Harris down the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown pass and the Hawks seized the game at 21-0, 7:34 left in the 3rd.
Two touchdown runs by Lamont Stubbs in each quarter extended the lead to 35-0 before Hopewell finally tallied on a 3-yard run by Gabe Dupree to account for the 35-7 final.
Rogers had 289 yards of total offense, while Jones rushed for 56 yards. Harris had three catches for 68 yards, as Rogers was 11-of-16 through the air with one TD pass and one 2nd quarter interception.
Hanover (9-3) will host a state semifinal for the first time ever, next Saturday, December 1st, against Northern Region champion Stone Bridge (13-0), who fell behind 29-7, then scored 55 unanswered points to beat Yorktown (12-1) Friday afternoon 69-50.
There WILL be a new champion in Division 5 this season, as Lake Taylor defeated defending state champion Phoebus tonight in the Eastern Region final, 54-0.
LISTEN LIVE TO DIVISION 5 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE to the Hopewell Blue Devils battling the Hanover Hawks, LIVE from Merner Field in Hopewell in the last-ever Central Region Division 5 Championship game!
(Remember, if you're in immediate Richmond area or Hanover County, you can listen on WHAN Radio, 102.9 FM and 1430 AM!)
Good luck Hawks! Going for their fourth regional title in six years in this, just their 10th season of existence!!
(Remember, if you're in immediate Richmond area or Hanover County, you can listen on WHAN Radio, 102.9 FM and 1430 AM!)
Good luck Hawks! Going for their fourth regional title in six years in this, just their 10th season of existence!!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
This Is Merner Field, Hopewell.....
Here is a screenshot of the neighborhood surrounding Merner Field in Hopewell, site of tomorrow night's D-5 Championship. Field is between 12th and 14th with parking lot to the right of the trees at corner of 11th Ave. and W. City Point Road. Otherwise, it's street parking......
CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO SEE IT IN FULL......
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
From us to you and your family, we hope you are enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, friends and fellowship.
Tomorrow, we focus, not on shopping here at least, but FOOTBALL.
It's the last-ever Central Region Division 5 Championship Game: Hanover at Hopewell!
We'll see you in Hopewell at Merner Field and talk to you on air and online at 7pm Friday!
---WHAN Radio (102.9 FM/1430 AM in Richmond/Hanover)
---At the link to be posted here at the top of the page Friday afternoon!! Listen on your smartphone, tablet, from anywhere!!
Tomorrow, we focus, not on shopping here at least, but FOOTBALL.
It's the last-ever Central Region Division 5 Championship Game: Hanover at Hopewell!
We'll see you in Hopewell at Merner Field and talk to you on air and online at 7pm Friday!
---WHAN Radio (102.9 FM/1430 AM in Richmond/Hanover)
---At the link to be posted here at the top of the page Friday afternoon!! Listen on your smartphone, tablet, from anywhere!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Patrick Henry To Conference 16?
HanoverCountySports.org can confirm that Patrick Henry High School has submitted a formal request to the Virginia High School League to move from Conference 11 to Conference 16 in the new Reclassification plan set to take effect in September, 2013.
Linda Scarborough, Communications Specialist for Hanover County Public Schools, confirmed to us Monday that the request was submitted.
The VHSL Conference Alignment Committee will take the request under consideration at a meeting, reportedly to be held in December.
Conference 11, in classification 5A South, currently contains nine schools: Patrick Henry, Atlee, Lee-Davis, Henrico, Highland Springs, Deep Run, Douglas Freeman, Mills Godwin and Hermitage.
Conference 16, in classification 5A North, currently contains just three schools: Halifax, Orange, and Albemarle.
The inequity in number, has led to rumors that other schools may switch from 11 to 16 for more balance, but as of this time, there are no substantiated plans for other schools in Conference 11 to request a change.
All of the above schools are in the newly-minted "5A" classification in a six-classification system, going from "1A" to "6A". These would replace the current "Divisions" found in Group A, Group AA, and Group AAA for football. So, football will still crown six state champions, but other sports that, until now, have crowned three state champions, one for each "Group", will expand to six.
Click HERE for a look at the "final" proposed realignment system from the VHSL.
Linda Scarborough, Communications Specialist for Hanover County Public Schools, confirmed to us Monday that the request was submitted.
The VHSL Conference Alignment Committee will take the request under consideration at a meeting, reportedly to be held in December.
Conference 11, in classification 5A South, currently contains nine schools: Patrick Henry, Atlee, Lee-Davis, Henrico, Highland Springs, Deep Run, Douglas Freeman, Mills Godwin and Hermitage.
Conference 16, in classification 5A North, currently contains just three schools: Halifax, Orange, and Albemarle.
The inequity in number, has led to rumors that other schools may switch from 11 to 16 for more balance, but as of this time, there are no substantiated plans for other schools in Conference 11 to request a change.
All of the above schools are in the newly-minted "5A" classification in a six-classification system, going from "1A" to "6A". These would replace the current "Divisions" found in Group A, Group AA, and Group AAA for football. So, football will still crown six state champions, but other sports that, until now, have crowned three state champions, one for each "Group", will expand to six.
Click HERE for a look at the "final" proposed realignment system from the VHSL.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
DIVISION 5 PLAYOFFS: HANOVER 28, LEE-DAVIS 21
All week long, those of us who have watched Sam Rogers since his September, 2009 debut as a freshman starting quarterback for Hanover suspected that, if a healthy Rogers is comfortable running the offense, the #4 seeded Hawks wouldn't play like a #4 seed.
Couple that with a tremendous performance on defense by the Hawks tonight, and Hanover escaped Mechanicsville with a 28-21 win over #1 seeded Lee-Davis to advance to their fourth consecutive regional final, looking for back-to-back region titles for the first time ever.
Sam Rogers went 23-for-33 for 236 yards passing with one interception, while rushing for 167 yards and 3 touchdowns. L.J. Jones scored the first Hawk touchdown, but later left the game with an ankle injury.
Lee-Davis, who rushed for 570 yards against Atlee last week, gained 98 yards tonight, the Hanover defense too speedy to close off the corners, and too stout up the middle to allow holes to develop for Chris Simpson and Deshaun Rogers.
Stephen Hall kept Lee-Davis in the game with 31 and 32 yard field goals, and Lee-Davis had a chance in the final minutes, getting the ball at their 32 yard line with 1:37 left. On 2nd down, Brandon Sulser looked downfield for his favorite target, Austin Rice, but underthrew the pass allowing Donte Haynesworth to grab the interception and seal the Hanover victory.
Lee-Davis sees their season end at the regional semifinal game for the second straight year, finishing 7-4, while Hanover, at 8-3 and the lower seed, must next travel to Hopewell for the Division 5 Finals next Friday. Hopewell avenged a loss to Dinwiddie from two weeks ago, upsetting the Generals on the road 47-28.
So it'll be #3 vs. #4 for the right to advance to the state playoffs, Hanover at Hopewell next Friday! Listen LIVE to the game next Friday at 7pm on WHAN Radio, 102.9 FM, 1430 AM, and HERE online at HanoverCountySports.org!
Couple that with a tremendous performance on defense by the Hawks tonight, and Hanover escaped Mechanicsville with a 28-21 win over #1 seeded Lee-Davis to advance to their fourth consecutive regional final, looking for back-to-back region titles for the first time ever.
Sam Rogers went 23-for-33 for 236 yards passing with one interception, while rushing for 167 yards and 3 touchdowns. L.J. Jones scored the first Hawk touchdown, but later left the game with an ankle injury.
Lee-Davis, who rushed for 570 yards against Atlee last week, gained 98 yards tonight, the Hanover defense too speedy to close off the corners, and too stout up the middle to allow holes to develop for Chris Simpson and Deshaun Rogers.
Stephen Hall kept Lee-Davis in the game with 31 and 32 yard field goals, and Lee-Davis had a chance in the final minutes, getting the ball at their 32 yard line with 1:37 left. On 2nd down, Brandon Sulser looked downfield for his favorite target, Austin Rice, but underthrew the pass allowing Donte Haynesworth to grab the interception and seal the Hanover victory.
Lee-Davis sees their season end at the regional semifinal game for the second straight year, finishing 7-4, while Hanover, at 8-3 and the lower seed, must next travel to Hopewell for the Division 5 Finals next Friday. Hopewell avenged a loss to Dinwiddie from two weeks ago, upsetting the Generals on the road 47-28.
So it'll be #3 vs. #4 for the right to advance to the state playoffs, Hanover at Hopewell next Friday! Listen LIVE to the game next Friday at 7pm on WHAN Radio, 102.9 FM, 1430 AM, and HERE online at HanoverCountySports.org!
Friday, November 16, 2012
LISTEN TO HANOVER/LEE-DAVIS ONLINE!!
CLICK HERE to listen live TONIGHT at 7pm to the Division 5 Regional Semifinal between the Hanover Hawks and the Lee-Davis Confederates, as Rob Witham brings you exclusive coverage from WHAN Radio, 102.9 FM and 1430 AM in the Hanover/Richmond area!
CENTRAL REGION SEMIFINAL FRIDAY!
DIVISION 5 SEMIS:
#4 Hanover (7-3) at #1 Lee-Davis (7-3), 7pm airtime on WHAN Radio, 102.9 FM/1430 AM and HERE at HanoverCountySports.org at the link above!!
#3 Hopewell (7-3) at #2 Dinwiddie (7-3)
DIVISION 6 SEMIS:
#4 L.C. Bird (10-0) at #1 Hermitage (10-0)
#3 Meadowbrook (9-1) at #2 Varina (9-1)
ALL games kickoff at 7:30pm!
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER for LIVE score updates from around the region! Click the Twitter logo to the right to join the discussion, 24/7!!
#4 Hanover (7-3) at #1 Lee-Davis (7-3), 7pm airtime on WHAN Radio, 102.9 FM/1430 AM and HERE at HanoverCountySports.org at the link above!!
#3 Hopewell (7-3) at #2 Dinwiddie (7-3)
DIVISION 6 SEMIS:
#4 L.C. Bird (10-0) at #1 Hermitage (10-0)
#3 Meadowbrook (9-1) at #2 Varina (9-1)
ALL games kickoff at 7:30pm!
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER for LIVE score updates from around the region! Click the Twitter logo to the right to join the discussion, 24/7!!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Atlee WINS Classic State Semi--Finally Over The Hump!
After being swept by Stone Bridge in 2010 and losing in five heartbreaking sets to Ocean Lakes in 2011, Atlee's girls volleyball program needed to finish avenging.
Tuesday night, they eliminated Ocean Lakes in the State Quarterfinals, winning three straight sets after falling hard in set 1, advancing to Thursday night's State Semifinals at the VCU Siegel Center.
Awaiting them? Stone Bridge, the Northern Region Champions, the program who ended Atlee's first-ever trip to the Final Four two years earlier....
A close first set didn't need to be, as Atlee came out slow much as they did in the Ocean Lakes match on Tuesday, committing four service errors en route to a 25-23 defeat. Once again, the Raiders would have to dig out of a 1-0 set deficit.
"Remember the Dolphins" would be a good rallying cry.
The next two sets belonged to Atlee, as the Raiders took the second set lead 10-9 on a Hailey Brooks ace and never looked back, getting two timely kills from Clarke Tyler and an ace from Karlie Suber to build the edge. Another Tyler kill clinched set #2 25-19 and it was a new match.
The Raiders played their most consistently in the third set, only falling behind once at 2-1. A Suber kill increased the lead during Kylah Blackmore's servicing to 4-2, and another gave Atlee an 11-8 lead. Brooks had a service error to make the score 12-10, but Atlee responded to win 13 of the next 15 points to roll, 25-12.
At this level, no team quits. The Bulldogs responded with a solid open to set four, taking a 4-1 lead before the Raiders tied it at 4-4. Ryan Ackermann's block on a Raider kill started a four-point Stone Bridge rally to give the Bulldogs an 8-4 lead, leading Atlee coach Curtis Carpenter to call timeout.
Atlee errors mounted as the set continued; Tyler mis-hitting on a kill attempt, Suber the same to increase the Stone Bridge lead to 14-9, and, when Ackermann successfully blocked a Brooks kill attempt to make it 18-11, Carpenter called time again.
Stone Bridge rolled to a 25-16 set win, and the tiebreaker was on. A Kayleigh Moody kill and Hailey Brooks ace made it 2-0. Then the Bulldogs reeled off three points to take the lead. Back-to-back kills by Moody and Suber make it 4-3, and a later Suber kill fired from near mid-court made it 7-4.
The teams traded points for an 8-5 Atlee lead. On the next point, Atlee was originally awarded the point, and after a long pause, the ruling was reversed. Many Raiders, and Raider fans, were surprised by the call.
9-5 was now 8-6 and, two points later, the game was tied 8-8 after a very long point was captured by the Bulldogs to tie it up. Sensing momentum slipping, Carpenter called time and spoke very wise words.
"Coach said to us, 'Don't let a call ruin your game', so we didn't," Brooks said after the match.
Calming words of immense importance to a veteran team at a critical juncture.
Atlee got a Karlie Suber kill out of the timeout for a 9-8 lead, but a service error by Rachel Stanford evened the score. Brooks responded with a kill, but the next point swung to the Bulldogs. Atlee won the next point for an 11-10 lead, then Clarke Tyler snuck in a critical ace for the all-important two-point cushion, 12-10, and the Bulldogs asked for time.
Stone Bridge pushed one more time, scoring twice after the timeout for a 12-12 tie. Atlee won the next point and, at 13-12, Hailey Brooks went to serve. Raider Nation anticipated the victory.
She faulted.
13-13, Stone Bridge to serve. One final time, Atlee dug deep as, this time, the senior starter who gets the least press, Kayleigh Moody, came through huge with a kill for a 14-13 lead.
Then, Moody went for another kill on the next point, her shot blocked, but the ball went out of bounds and the celebration began for Atlee.
Avenging win #2? Check.
Atlee wins 23-25, 25-19, 25-12, 16-25, 15-13, and will now face Kellam, 3-0 winners over Langley in tonight's other semifinal, in the last-ever Group AAA State Championship, Saturday night, 7pm at the Siegel Center.
QUOTABLES FROM POSTGAME:
"That was stressful."---Atlee head coach Curtis Carpenter's first words at the press conference.
"The fifth game is all about serving. We knew we had too many errors tonight.....it's our third time playing at Siegel Center, but there is a depth perception issue. If you serve long, it can be depth perception. If you serve into the next, that's lack of focus."---Hailey Brooks
"I've just wanted to step my game up, especially during regionals and now here during states."---Atlee's Clarke Tyler, asked about her growing role in the team's rotation and improved play at critical times.
"I just had a blast. These guys are my best friends."---Atlee's Karlie Suber
"I'm so proud of our team, how they showed dignity by winning that fourth set. We're not gonna give up."---Stone Bridge head coach Jill Raschiatore.
"In the fourth set, we were charging blocks, looking for holes in their blocking. We play in the hardest district, and that helps us."---Ryan Ackermann of Stone Bridge, who has committed to play collegiately at Rider University....
"In that fourth set, we got a fire back. We remembered when we came back in previous matches. Losing tonight will make us who return work harder. We'll look back now and wonder what could we have done earlier this season to help us win tonight."---Stone Bridge junior Megan Bryn
When asked if a loss tonight would have deemed the Atlee season a disappointment, these are the answers:
"Yes."---Carpenter
"Completely. 100 percent."---Brooks
FINAL WORD: "This team realizes this is a special group, but they've got to work for it. They have worked hard and this is what you reap. I like our chances."---Carpenter when asked about finally breaking the barrier by winning the State Semis and glancing ahead to Saturday's Championship game.....
Atlee is 31-2. One of those victories is against Kellam at the Tournament of Champions in Roanoke in mid-October. But Kellam is the two-time defending State Group AAA Champion.
Saturday's final will be nothing short of a classic battle. Hope to see you there!
Tuesday night, they eliminated Ocean Lakes in the State Quarterfinals, winning three straight sets after falling hard in set 1, advancing to Thursday night's State Semifinals at the VCU Siegel Center.
Awaiting them? Stone Bridge, the Northern Region Champions, the program who ended Atlee's first-ever trip to the Final Four two years earlier....
A close first set didn't need to be, as Atlee came out slow much as they did in the Ocean Lakes match on Tuesday, committing four service errors en route to a 25-23 defeat. Once again, the Raiders would have to dig out of a 1-0 set deficit.
"Remember the Dolphins" would be a good rallying cry.
The next two sets belonged to Atlee, as the Raiders took the second set lead 10-9 on a Hailey Brooks ace and never looked back, getting two timely kills from Clarke Tyler and an ace from Karlie Suber to build the edge. Another Tyler kill clinched set #2 25-19 and it was a new match.
The Raiders played their most consistently in the third set, only falling behind once at 2-1. A Suber kill increased the lead during Kylah Blackmore's servicing to 4-2, and another gave Atlee an 11-8 lead. Brooks had a service error to make the score 12-10, but Atlee responded to win 13 of the next 15 points to roll, 25-12.
At this level, no team quits. The Bulldogs responded with a solid open to set four, taking a 4-1 lead before the Raiders tied it at 4-4. Ryan Ackermann's block on a Raider kill started a four-point Stone Bridge rally to give the Bulldogs an 8-4 lead, leading Atlee coach Curtis Carpenter to call timeout.
Atlee errors mounted as the set continued; Tyler mis-hitting on a kill attempt, Suber the same to increase the Stone Bridge lead to 14-9, and, when Ackermann successfully blocked a Brooks kill attempt to make it 18-11, Carpenter called time again.
Stone Bridge rolled to a 25-16 set win, and the tiebreaker was on. A Kayleigh Moody kill and Hailey Brooks ace made it 2-0. Then the Bulldogs reeled off three points to take the lead. Back-to-back kills by Moody and Suber make it 4-3, and a later Suber kill fired from near mid-court made it 7-4.
The teams traded points for an 8-5 Atlee lead. On the next point, Atlee was originally awarded the point, and after a long pause, the ruling was reversed. Many Raiders, and Raider fans, were surprised by the call.
9-5 was now 8-6 and, two points later, the game was tied 8-8 after a very long point was captured by the Bulldogs to tie it up. Sensing momentum slipping, Carpenter called time and spoke very wise words.
"Coach said to us, 'Don't let a call ruin your game', so we didn't," Brooks said after the match.
Calming words of immense importance to a veteran team at a critical juncture.
Atlee got a Karlie Suber kill out of the timeout for a 9-8 lead, but a service error by Rachel Stanford evened the score. Brooks responded with a kill, but the next point swung to the Bulldogs. Atlee won the next point for an 11-10 lead, then Clarke Tyler snuck in a critical ace for the all-important two-point cushion, 12-10, and the Bulldogs asked for time.
Stone Bridge pushed one more time, scoring twice after the timeout for a 12-12 tie. Atlee won the next point and, at 13-12, Hailey Brooks went to serve. Raider Nation anticipated the victory.
She faulted.
13-13, Stone Bridge to serve. One final time, Atlee dug deep as, this time, the senior starter who gets the least press, Kayleigh Moody, came through huge with a kill for a 14-13 lead.
Then, Moody went for another kill on the next point, her shot blocked, but the ball went out of bounds and the celebration began for Atlee.
Avenging win #2? Check.
Atlee wins 23-25, 25-19, 25-12, 16-25, 15-13, and will now face Kellam, 3-0 winners over Langley in tonight's other semifinal, in the last-ever Group AAA State Championship, Saturday night, 7pm at the Siegel Center.
QUOTABLES FROM POSTGAME:
"That was stressful."---Atlee head coach Curtis Carpenter's first words at the press conference.
"The fifth game is all about serving. We knew we had too many errors tonight.....it's our third time playing at Siegel Center, but there is a depth perception issue. If you serve long, it can be depth perception. If you serve into the next, that's lack of focus."---Hailey Brooks
"I've just wanted to step my game up, especially during regionals and now here during states."---Atlee's Clarke Tyler, asked about her growing role in the team's rotation and improved play at critical times.
"I just had a blast. These guys are my best friends."---Atlee's Karlie Suber
"I'm so proud of our team, how they showed dignity by winning that fourth set. We're not gonna give up."---Stone Bridge head coach Jill Raschiatore.
"In the fourth set, we were charging blocks, looking for holes in their blocking. We play in the hardest district, and that helps us."---Ryan Ackermann of Stone Bridge, who has committed to play collegiately at Rider University....
"In that fourth set, we got a fire back. We remembered when we came back in previous matches. Losing tonight will make us who return work harder. We'll look back now and wonder what could we have done earlier this season to help us win tonight."---Stone Bridge junior Megan Bryn
When asked if a loss tonight would have deemed the Atlee season a disappointment, these are the answers:
"Yes."---Carpenter
"Completely. 100 percent."---Brooks
FINAL WORD: "This team realizes this is a special group, but they've got to work for it. They have worked hard and this is what you reap. I like our chances."---Carpenter when asked about finally breaking the barrier by winning the State Semis and glancing ahead to Saturday's Championship game.....
Atlee is 31-2. One of those victories is against Kellam at the Tournament of Champions in Roanoke in mid-October. But Kellam is the two-time defending State Group AAA Champion.
Saturday's final will be nothing short of a classic battle. Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Atlee to State Semis; Lee-Davis' Season Ends...
For the Atlee girls volleyball team, their worst set of the year couldn't have come at a worse time.
Ocean Lakes outserved, outran, and outplayed the host Raiders 25-12 to take a quick 1-0 lead in their State Group AAA Quarterfinal Tuesday evening. That's when senior Hailey Brooks grabbed her teammates.
"I told them, that game is over. Focus on what's ahead."
Thus began a three-set thrill ride that saw the Raiders fall behind 16-10 in the second set before rallying for a 19-19 tie. Brooks then deftly sent the ball over the net falling gently inbounds, the softest of kills to make it Atlee 20, Ocean Lakes 19.
Brooks then took complete command, with four aces in five points to clinch a 25-19 win, then serving the winning ace in a 26-24 third set win en route to a four-set victory over the Dolphins, avenging their loss to Ocean Lakes in the 2011 State Semis, 12-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-18.
Brooks wasn't alone in the resurrection. Junior Clarke Tyler may have had "just" four kills, three blocks and two digs, but each of them seemingly came at very important points in the match, adding power in the middle of the Raider offense and defense.
Fellow senior Karlie Suber came up big with 13 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces and 9 digs, while Kylah Blackmore had back-to-back aces early in the third set to help keep the Atlee momentum alive.
The Raiders, now 30-2, play Stone Bridge, the Northern Region champions, in the first State Semifinal at 5pm Thursday at the Siegel Center, downtown Richmond. Tickets are $10.00.
We WILL be LIVE TWEETING the game, so follow us! @hanoversports
--------------------------------
The Cinderella ride of Lee-Davis came to an end Tuesday night in Virginia Beach as Eastern Region champion Kellam defeated the Confederates 3-0, winning 25-4, 25-9, 25-14. Becca Lass had seven kills for Lee-Davis, while Christina Penzer had five kills and three digs, Kylie Armstrong added two digs, as did co-captain Meghan Trice.
Lee-Davis ends their season with a record of 25-7. Congratulations to the Confederates!!!
Ocean Lakes outserved, outran, and outplayed the host Raiders 25-12 to take a quick 1-0 lead in their State Group AAA Quarterfinal Tuesday evening. That's when senior Hailey Brooks grabbed her teammates.
"I told them, that game is over. Focus on what's ahead."
Thus began a three-set thrill ride that saw the Raiders fall behind 16-10 in the second set before rallying for a 19-19 tie. Brooks then deftly sent the ball over the net falling gently inbounds, the softest of kills to make it Atlee 20, Ocean Lakes 19.
Brooks then took complete command, with four aces in five points to clinch a 25-19 win, then serving the winning ace in a 26-24 third set win en route to a four-set victory over the Dolphins, avenging their loss to Ocean Lakes in the 2011 State Semis, 12-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-18.
Brooks wasn't alone in the resurrection. Junior Clarke Tyler may have had "just" four kills, three blocks and two digs, but each of them seemingly came at very important points in the match, adding power in the middle of the Raider offense and defense.
Fellow senior Karlie Suber came up big with 13 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces and 9 digs, while Kylah Blackmore had back-to-back aces early in the third set to help keep the Atlee momentum alive.
The Raiders, now 30-2, play Stone Bridge, the Northern Region champions, in the first State Semifinal at 5pm Thursday at the Siegel Center, downtown Richmond. Tickets are $10.00.
We WILL be LIVE TWEETING the game, so follow us! @hanoversports
--------------------------------
The Cinderella ride of Lee-Davis came to an end Tuesday night in Virginia Beach as Eastern Region champion Kellam defeated the Confederates 3-0, winning 25-4, 25-9, 25-14. Becca Lass had seven kills for Lee-Davis, while Christina Penzer had five kills and three digs, Kylie Armstrong added two digs, as did co-captain Meghan Trice.
Lee-Davis ends their season with a record of 25-7. Congratulations to the Confederates!!!
Monday, November 12, 2012
THIS WEEK'S PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:
State Group AAA Quarterfinals (Tickets are $10.00):
Ocean Lakes at Atlee, 6PM (NOTE START TIME!!!)
Lee-Davis at Floyd Kellam, 7pm in Virginia Beach (see directions HERE)
Winners advance to the State Semifinals, to be played Thursday at 5pm and 7pm at the Siegel Center in Richmond!
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL:
Division 5 Regional Semifinal (Tickets are $7.00):
#4 Hanover at #1 Lee-Davis, 7:30pm (aired live on WHAN, 102.9 FM/1430 AM and HERE on HanoverCountySports.org beginning at 7pm)
#3 Hopewell at #2 Dinwiddie, 7:30pm
Division 6 Regional Semifinal (Tickets are $7.00):
#4 L.C. Bird at #1 Hermitage, 7:30pm
#3 Meadowbrook at #2 Varina, 7pm
State Group AAA Quarterfinals (Tickets are $10.00):
Ocean Lakes at Atlee, 6PM (NOTE START TIME!!!)
Lee-Davis at Floyd Kellam, 7pm in Virginia Beach (see directions HERE)
Winners advance to the State Semifinals, to be played Thursday at 5pm and 7pm at the Siegel Center in Richmond!
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL:
Division 5 Regional Semifinal (Tickets are $7.00):
#4 Hanover at #1 Lee-Davis, 7:30pm (aired live on WHAN, 102.9 FM/1430 AM and HERE on HanoverCountySports.org beginning at 7pm)
#3 Hopewell at #2 Dinwiddie, 7:30pm
Division 6 Regional Semifinal (Tickets are $7.00):
#4 L.C. Bird at #1 Hermitage, 7:30pm
#3 Meadowbrook at #2 Varina, 7pm
Friday, November 09, 2012
LISTEN LIVE TO LEE-DAVIS/ATLEE!
CLICK HERE to listen LIVE to the Lee-Davis/Atlee for a playoff spot beginning at 6:30pm!!!
FOOTBALL FRIDAY---REGULAR SEASON FINALE!
Lee-Davis at Atlee
Glen Allen at Hanover
Patrick Henry at Hermitage
Petersburg at Dinwiddie
Midlothian at Manchester
Hopewell at Prince George, 7:30pm
Highland Springs at Varina
Henrico at Armstrong
Douglas Freeman at Mills Godwin
Deep Run at J.R. Tucker, 7:30pm
Thomas Jefferson vs. John Marshall, 7pm at City Stadium
Thomas Dale at Colonial Heights
Matoaca at Meadowbrook
L.C. Bird at Clover Hill, 7:30pm
James River at Cosby, 7:30pm
Huguenot at George Wythe, 7:30pm
VISAA State Semifinals:
DIVISION I:
#4 Collegiate at #1 Liberty Christian, 7:30pm in Lynchburg
#3 Benedictine vs. #2 Fork Union, 7pm at Fluvanna High School
DIVISION II:
#4 Nansemond-Suffolk at #1 Trinity Episcopal, Saturday 12 noon
DIVISION IV:
#3 Greenbriar Christian at #2 Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot, 7pm
Glen Allen at Hanover
Patrick Henry at Hermitage
Petersburg at Dinwiddie
Midlothian at Manchester
Hopewell at Prince George, 7:30pm
Highland Springs at Varina
Henrico at Armstrong
Douglas Freeman at Mills Godwin
Deep Run at J.R. Tucker, 7:30pm
Thomas Jefferson vs. John Marshall, 7pm at City Stadium
Thomas Dale at Colonial Heights
Matoaca at Meadowbrook
L.C. Bird at Clover Hill, 7:30pm
James River at Cosby, 7:30pm
Huguenot at George Wythe, 7:30pm
VISAA State Semifinals:
DIVISION I:
#4 Collegiate at #1 Liberty Christian, 7:30pm in Lynchburg
#3 Benedictine vs. #2 Fork Union, 7pm at Fluvanna High School
DIVISION II:
#4 Nansemond-Suffolk at #1 Trinity Episcopal, Saturday 12 noon
DIVISION IV:
#3 Greenbriar Christian at #2 Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot, 7pm
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Central Region Girls Volleyball Title TONIGHT!!!
The Atlee Raiders were expected to be in tonight's final.
Their opponents are unexpected visitors.
Lee-Davis continued their Cinderella run through the tournament, defeating Cosby Wednesday night in four sets to advance to tonight's 6pm final against the Raiders, winners last night over Clover Hill.
Both Atlee and Lee-Davis have also advanced to next week's State Group AAA Championships, a first-ever appearance for Lee-Davis, the third consecutive for Atlee.
And, remember, whoever wins tonight's final will be awarded the final Central Region Tournament Championship Trophy, since regions cease to exist after the 2012-13 school year with the new VHSL reclassification rules take effect.
No matter the result, that trophy will enjoy a long shelf life in Hanover County!
First serve is 6pm at Hanover High! WE WILL LIVE TWEET the match, so follow us on Twitter! CLICK THE TWITTER LOGO TO THE RIGHT TO FOLLOW US!!
Their opponents are unexpected visitors.
Lee-Davis continued their Cinderella run through the tournament, defeating Cosby Wednesday night in four sets to advance to tonight's 6pm final against the Raiders, winners last night over Clover Hill.
Both Atlee and Lee-Davis have also advanced to next week's State Group AAA Championships, a first-ever appearance for Lee-Davis, the third consecutive for Atlee.
And, remember, whoever wins tonight's final will be awarded the final Central Region Tournament Championship Trophy, since regions cease to exist after the 2012-13 school year with the new VHSL reclassification rules take effect.
No matter the result, that trophy will enjoy a long shelf life in Hanover County!
First serve is 6pm at Hanover High! WE WILL LIVE TWEET the match, so follow us on Twitter! CLICK THE TWITTER LOGO TO THE RIGHT TO FOLLOW US!!
Monday, November 05, 2012
DIVISION 5 SCENARIOS.....
After doing some calculating, postulating, hair-pulling, and Advil popping, I present to you the 1st (and last) Annual "What If Division 5 Playoff Scenario Show".....
Midlothian has a conundrum on its hands, but it's not insurmountable.
Right now they have 164 points via win/loss and 44 rider points. 208 total.
A win over Manchester is worth 24 points, then 12 rider points for each of the Lancers' 6 wins. 36 big points.
As for other rider points, Powhatan and Monacan, two of their wins, have finished their regular seasons. No chance at extra points. Benedictine, of course, doesn't count, as we'll be dividing the final point total for Midlothian by 9, not 10.
They WILL get two points from either George Wythe or Huguenot simply because they play each other on Friday, so 38 now with a win. Cosby likely takes care of James River, so they get one point for a Cosby win, instead of two for a James River upset. Now we're at 39.
They'll grab another point when LC Bird beats Clover Hill, but that's another lost shot at two points from a defeated opponent, this time the Cavaliers. We're at 40.
40 is the maximum they can get unless there are two monster upsets (James River over Cosby and Clover Hill over LC Bird).
248 points divided by 9 equals 27.556.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Hanover currently has 180 points via win/loss and 59 rider points. 239 total.
A win over Glen Allen earns them 24 points, then 4 rider points for Glen Allen's two victories. 28 points.
Then, they will get two rider points from the Deep Run/J.R. Tucker game, having beaten both opponents. A PH loss to Hermitage yields nothing. They'll get one point out of the Highland Springs/Varina game no matter the outcome. They get 2 points if Atlee upsets Lee-Davis, only 1 if it's the other way around. They'll get two points from the Henrico/Armstrong game no matter the outcome.
So, 6 guaranteed rider points, 7 if Atlee wins. 35 points total.
274 points divided by 10 equals 27.4. This is based on an Atlee win. So, you see, even that isn't enough to prevent Midlothian from taking the fourth seed away with a Manchester win. The ONLY way Hanover outpoints Midlothian if they both win that I can see is there are NO upsets going Midlothian's way explained above.....and Patrick Henry must beat Hermitage. Those two unexpected points for beating PH would make it 276, which divided by 10, is 27.6 and the Hawks are in.
So, from what I can tell, Hanover must win AND get help from Manchester to ensure a playoff berth.......
Atlee enters week 10 with 168 points for the 5-4 record, and 55 rider points from their various teams, for a total of 223.
A win over Lee-Davis is mandatory, and they need help.
The win would give them 24 points, then 12 bonus points for L-D's six victories. That's 36. A Deep Run win over Tucker gives them 2 more, a Freeman win over Godwin would provide 1. They'll get two from the Henrico/Armstrong winner, 1 point from the Highland Springs/Varina winner. What's left? PH beating Hermitage for a surprising two and.....Hanover. One point from a Hanover win is meaningless to them, they must have Glen Allen beat Hanover. They also must have Manchester beat Midlothian, certainly more possible than the Glen Allen/Hanover scenario.
If Midlothian and Hanover lose, and Atlee wins......
Midlothian would end with 230 points divided by 9 games for a 25.556 rating.
Hanover would end with 261 points divided by 10 games for a 26.1 rating.
An Atlee win over Lee-Davis puts them at 259 points with a guaranteed minimum of three bonus points from the Henrico/Armstrong winner and Highland Springs/Varina winner. That's 262, which, divided by 10, is 26.2.
So, there's the road to the playoffs for the Raiders, that I can see.
P.S.---What if Hopewell loses to Prince George? They start week 10 with 176 points for the 6-3 record, and 64 rider points for a total of 240. A loss would yield 12, then 4 bonus points for what would be the Royals four victories. That's 256. They'd get 2 crucial points for a Cosby win over James River, 1 if Lee-Davis eliminates Atlee, Brunswick is done so no points there, 1 point if Meadowbrook beats Matoaca (2 if Matoaca upsets....doubtful), 2 guaranteed points from the Thomas Dale/Colonial Heights winner, 1 point if Dinwiddie beats Petersburg, 2 if the other way around.
Likely scenario? God only knows....let's say 2 from Cosby, none from an Atlee win, 1 from Meadowbrook, 2 from the Dale win and 1 point from a Dinwiddie win....that's 262 points, divided by 10 games for a 26.2 rating.
So, there IS a scenario by which Atlee could end up tied for 3rd with Hopewell at 26.2.
My head hurts......:) :)
Midlothian has a conundrum on its hands, but it's not insurmountable.
Right now they have 164 points via win/loss and 44 rider points. 208 total.
A win over Manchester is worth 24 points, then 12 rider points for each of the Lancers' 6 wins. 36 big points.
As for other rider points, Powhatan and Monacan, two of their wins, have finished their regular seasons. No chance at extra points. Benedictine, of course, doesn't count, as we'll be dividing the final point total for Midlothian by 9, not 10.
They WILL get two points from either George Wythe or Huguenot simply because they play each other on Friday, so 38 now with a win. Cosby likely takes care of James River, so they get one point for a Cosby win, instead of two for a James River upset. Now we're at 39.
They'll grab another point when LC Bird beats Clover Hill, but that's another lost shot at two points from a defeated opponent, this time the Cavaliers. We're at 40.
40 is the maximum they can get unless there are two monster upsets (James River over Cosby and Clover Hill over LC Bird).
248 points divided by 9 equals 27.556.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Hanover currently has 180 points via win/loss and 59 rider points. 239 total.
A win over Glen Allen earns them 24 points, then 4 rider points for Glen Allen's two victories. 28 points.
Then, they will get two rider points from the Deep Run/J.R. Tucker game, having beaten both opponents. A PH loss to Hermitage yields nothing. They'll get one point out of the Highland Springs/Varina game no matter the outcome. They get 2 points if Atlee upsets Lee-Davis, only 1 if it's the other way around. They'll get two points from the Henrico/Armstrong game no matter the outcome.
So, 6 guaranteed rider points, 7 if Atlee wins. 35 points total.
274 points divided by 10 equals 27.4. This is based on an Atlee win. So, you see, even that isn't enough to prevent Midlothian from taking the fourth seed away with a Manchester win. The ONLY way Hanover outpoints Midlothian if they both win that I can see is there are NO upsets going Midlothian's way explained above.....and Patrick Henry must beat Hermitage. Those two unexpected points for beating PH would make it 276, which divided by 10, is 27.6 and the Hawks are in.
So, from what I can tell, Hanover must win AND get help from Manchester to ensure a playoff berth.......
Atlee enters week 10 with 168 points for the 5-4 record, and 55 rider points from their various teams, for a total of 223.
A win over Lee-Davis is mandatory, and they need help.
The win would give them 24 points, then 12 bonus points for L-D's six victories. That's 36. A Deep Run win over Tucker gives them 2 more, a Freeman win over Godwin would provide 1. They'll get two from the Henrico/Armstrong winner, 1 point from the Highland Springs/Varina winner. What's left? PH beating Hermitage for a surprising two and.....Hanover. One point from a Hanover win is meaningless to them, they must have Glen Allen beat Hanover. They also must have Manchester beat Midlothian, certainly more possible than the Glen Allen/Hanover scenario.
If Midlothian and Hanover lose, and Atlee wins......
Midlothian would end with 230 points divided by 9 games for a 25.556 rating.
Hanover would end with 261 points divided by 10 games for a 26.1 rating.
An Atlee win over Lee-Davis puts them at 259 points with a guaranteed minimum of three bonus points from the Henrico/Armstrong winner and Highland Springs/Varina winner. That's 262, which, divided by 10, is 26.2.
So, there's the road to the playoffs for the Raiders, that I can see.
P.S.---What if Hopewell loses to Prince George? They start week 10 with 176 points for the 6-3 record, and 64 rider points for a total of 240. A loss would yield 12, then 4 bonus points for what would be the Royals four victories. That's 256. They'd get 2 crucial points for a Cosby win over James River, 1 if Lee-Davis eliminates Atlee, Brunswick is done so no points there, 1 point if Meadowbrook beats Matoaca (2 if Matoaca upsets....doubtful), 2 guaranteed points from the Thomas Dale/Colonial Heights winner, 1 point if Dinwiddie beats Petersburg, 2 if the other way around.
Likely scenario? God only knows....let's say 2 from Cosby, none from an Atlee win, 1 from Meadowbrook, 2 from the Dale win and 1 point from a Dinwiddie win....that's 262 points, divided by 10 games for a 26.2 rating.
So, there IS a scenario by which Atlee could end up tied for 3rd with Hopewell at 26.2.
My head hurts......:) :)
Lee-Davis, Atlee, R-MC Volleyball ALL earn victories Monday!
It was a memorable day on the volleyball court for Hanover County teams.
1) Randolph-Macon (23-6) received an at-large berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament Monday. The Jackets, who were upset in the ODAC Semifinals Saturday after winning the regular season title, will face Gallaudet (31-6), the North East Atlantic Conference Champions, at 5:30pm Friday at Christopher Newport University in Newport News.
2) The Lee-Davis Confederates girls volleyball team, the second seed from the Capital District, traveled to Mills Godwin and upset the Colonial District champions in five sets, 24-26, 25-19, 22-25, 25-19, 15-9 in the Central Region Quarterfinals. Becca Lass led the C-Feds, now 20-5, with 19 kills, 4 digs, and 4 blocks, while Christina Penzer added 17 kills and 10 digs, and Jordan Martin fed well with 46 assists. Mills Godwin's season comes to a sudden end at 23-3.
3) The Atlee girls, as expected, defeated Deep Run in their Central Region Quarterfinal at home in three sets, to advance to Wednesday night's semifinal against Clover Hill. This game will match the Co-Region Players of the Year against each other, as Harper Smith of the Cavaliers will line up across from Atlee's Hailey Brooks.
4) The Atlee boys completed the domination Monday evening with a three-set sweep of Deep Run to advance in the Central Region Quarters. The Raiders now will face Cosby, a four-set winner over Thomas Dale Monday, in Tuesday's semifinal.
All Region Semifinals and Finals for boys and girls take place at Hanover High School.....
1) Randolph-Macon (23-6) received an at-large berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament Monday. The Jackets, who were upset in the ODAC Semifinals Saturday after winning the regular season title, will face Gallaudet (31-6), the North East Atlantic Conference Champions, at 5:30pm Friday at Christopher Newport University in Newport News.
2) The Lee-Davis Confederates girls volleyball team, the second seed from the Capital District, traveled to Mills Godwin and upset the Colonial District champions in five sets, 24-26, 25-19, 22-25, 25-19, 15-9 in the Central Region Quarterfinals. Becca Lass led the C-Feds, now 20-5, with 19 kills, 4 digs, and 4 blocks, while Christina Penzer added 17 kills and 10 digs, and Jordan Martin fed well with 46 assists. Mills Godwin's season comes to a sudden end at 23-3.
3) The Atlee girls, as expected, defeated Deep Run in their Central Region Quarterfinal at home in three sets, to advance to Wednesday night's semifinal against Clover Hill. This game will match the Co-Region Players of the Year against each other, as Harper Smith of the Cavaliers will line up across from Atlee's Hailey Brooks.
4) The Atlee boys completed the domination Monday evening with a three-set sweep of Deep Run to advance in the Central Region Quarters. The Raiders now will face Cosby, a four-set winner over Thomas Dale Monday, in Tuesday's semifinal.
All Region Semifinals and Finals for boys and girls take place at Hanover High School.....
DIVISION 5 UPDATE--OFFICIAL VHSL POINT STANDINGS
Here they are....
1T) Lee-Davis 27.222
1T) Dinwiddie 27.222
3) Hopewell 26.625
4) Hanover 26.556
5) Midlothian 26.000
6) Atlee 24.778
I know, I know......why the tie????
I made two small, but vital mistakes in crunching the numbers.
1) Lee-Davis only gets 8 rider points from their loss to Hermitage and not 9, because the Hermitage game in August against Fork Union Military Academy, being a private school, does not count in the VHSL standings. So, that brings Lee-Davis' point total from 246 to 245.
2) Dinwiddie, I had only given them four points for beating Prince George, thinking the Royals had won two games this season. Prince George has three wins, so giving the Generals two extra points, they go from 243 to 245.
And that's the reason behind the tie.
THE GOOD NEWS for Lee-Davis is you will pick up more rider points for beating a five-win Atlee team if you win Friday night than Dinwiddie will if they beat a three-win Petersburg team.
BOTTOM LINE for Lee-Davis: Beat Atlee, and hope for no weird upsets, except for Petersburg to upset Dinwiddie, of course.
We will chart the possible courses of Hanover and Atlee to post-season play in later posts......
1T) Lee-Davis 27.222
1T) Dinwiddie 27.222
3) Hopewell 26.625
4) Hanover 26.556
5) Midlothian 26.000
6) Atlee 24.778
I know, I know......why the tie????
I made two small, but vital mistakes in crunching the numbers.
1) Lee-Davis only gets 8 rider points from their loss to Hermitage and not 9, because the Hermitage game in August against Fork Union Military Academy, being a private school, does not count in the VHSL standings. So, that brings Lee-Davis' point total from 246 to 245.
2) Dinwiddie, I had only given them four points for beating Prince George, thinking the Royals had won two games this season. Prince George has three wins, so giving the Generals two extra points, they go from 243 to 245.
And that's the reason behind the tie.
THE GOOD NEWS for Lee-Davis is you will pick up more rider points for beating a five-win Atlee team if you win Friday night than Dinwiddie will if they beat a three-win Petersburg team.
BOTTOM LINE for Lee-Davis: Beat Atlee, and hope for no weird upsets, except for Petersburg to upset Dinwiddie, of course.
We will chart the possible courses of Hanover and Atlee to post-season play in later posts......
Saturday, November 03, 2012
WEEK 9 FOOTBALL AND VOLLEYBALL TITLE RESULTS!
Hanover began the night the #1 seed in Division 5, but precariously so, as Hopewell, Lee-Davis, and Dinwiddie were close behind.
By night's end, Hanover was looking up at these three schools, and the Confederates took over the top spot.
Hanover, who led at Varina most of the night, took a 20-14 lead on a Sam Rogers touchdown pass to Donte Haynesworth with 3:35 to go. The point after attempt failed. It would come back to haunt them.
Varina hit paydirt on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Wood to Donovan Dowling with 14 seconds left to tie the game. Their PAT attempt failed, but.....a roughing the kicker penalty was called on Hanover, giving Varina a second chance at an extra point. They didn't miss the second time, and the Blue Devils survived at home 21-20. The Hawks suffer their third painful road loss in Capital District play, are now 6-3 overall, and must defeat Glen Allen at home next Friday to insure a post-season berth.
Hopewell, the #2 seed, played catch-up all evening with #4 Dinwiddie before falling at home to the Generals 28-21. Both teams are now 6-3 to join Hanover at that mark......as well as Lee-Davis.
The Confederates found Armstrong a bit pesky early on, as the Wildcats took an early 12-6 lead before Chris Simpson cranked up the running game, rushing for 251 yards and four touchdowns as Lee-Davis celebrated Senior Night with a 47-24 victory.
The win vaulted Lee-Davis unofficially (by our calculations) into the top seed in Division 5 with one week to go. Here's the standings, based on our calculations:
1) Lee-Davis 27.333
2) Dinwiddie 27.000
3) Hopewell 26.667
4) Hanover 26.556
5) Midlothian 26.000
6) Atlee 24.778
Lee-Davis will likely clinch home-field throughout the playoffs with a win at Atlee next Friday. Atlee, to make the playoffs, MUST be Lee-Davis, have Manchester beat Midlothian, and either Glen Allen beat Hanover or Prince George beat Hopewell....so their playoff chances are very remote. Had they won that Douglas Freeman game in week 3, things would be much different.
Of greater concern to Atlee is the condition of linebacker Tye Burriss, hurt on a fumble return on the last play of the first half tonight at Highland Springs, and wideout Tyler Thomas, who was hurt on a PAT attempt midway through the 3rd quarter, was down on the field for some 20 minutes before being taken off on a stretcher and dispatched by ambulance to a local hospital for observation.
Atlee went toe-for-toe with Highland Springs in the first half; the only difference being a Raider extra point attempt being blocked. But the Springers came out swinging in the second half, scoring on their first two possessions, both touchdown runs by Ryan Scott, the unexpected player of the game for Highland Springs, as he scored three times en route to the 35-21 victory. Morris Jackson rushed for 172 yards and scored his 30th touchdown of the season in the loss, as Atlee falls to 5-4.
IN ASHLAND.....Patrick Henry fought valiantly on Senior Night but fell to Mills Godwin 26-20. The Eagles, who had shut out PH a year ago 43-0, were led by senior QB Dane Forlines, scoring two touchdowns. The Patriots fall to 3-3, 3-6 with a trip to Hermitage for their season finale next week.
------------------------
VOLLEYBALL: The Atlee Raiders swept both the boys and girls Capital District Volleyball Tournament titles Friday night! On the boys side, Atlee swept Glen Allen 25-21, 25-19, 25-16, as Kevin Eye had 36 assists and Matt Rohr fired off 18 kills for the 20-3 Raiders, who advance to next week's Central Region tournament, opening Monday against Deep Run.
On the girls side, Atlee made it 9 set wins over 3 matches against arch-rival Lee-Davis to take the Capital trophy home. Player of the Year in the Capital, Hailey Brooks, had 12 assists, 7 kills and 8 aces while her senior teammate Karlie Suber had 18 digs, 7 kills and 4 aces as the Raiders improve to 26-2, now preparing for their first round Central Region match on Tuesday evening against Deep Run.
Lee-Davis, led by Jordan Martin's 15 assists, enter the Central Region tourney with a 19-5 record, where they will meet Colonial District Champion Mills Godwin. The two teams were in the same division (Gold) in the 2012 Virginia Volleyball Classic Labor Day Weekend but never faced each other.....
By night's end, Hanover was looking up at these three schools, and the Confederates took over the top spot.
Hanover, who led at Varina most of the night, took a 20-14 lead on a Sam Rogers touchdown pass to Donte Haynesworth with 3:35 to go. The point after attempt failed. It would come back to haunt them.
Varina hit paydirt on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Wood to Donovan Dowling with 14 seconds left to tie the game. Their PAT attempt failed, but.....a roughing the kicker penalty was called on Hanover, giving Varina a second chance at an extra point. They didn't miss the second time, and the Blue Devils survived at home 21-20. The Hawks suffer their third painful road loss in Capital District play, are now 6-3 overall, and must defeat Glen Allen at home next Friday to insure a post-season berth.
Hopewell, the #2 seed, played catch-up all evening with #4 Dinwiddie before falling at home to the Generals 28-21. Both teams are now 6-3 to join Hanover at that mark......as well as Lee-Davis.
The Confederates found Armstrong a bit pesky early on, as the Wildcats took an early 12-6 lead before Chris Simpson cranked up the running game, rushing for 251 yards and four touchdowns as Lee-Davis celebrated Senior Night with a 47-24 victory.
The win vaulted Lee-Davis unofficially (by our calculations) into the top seed in Division 5 with one week to go. Here's the standings, based on our calculations:
1) Lee-Davis 27.333
2) Dinwiddie 27.000
3) Hopewell 26.667
4) Hanover 26.556
5) Midlothian 26.000
6) Atlee 24.778
Lee-Davis will likely clinch home-field throughout the playoffs with a win at Atlee next Friday. Atlee, to make the playoffs, MUST be Lee-Davis, have Manchester beat Midlothian, and either Glen Allen beat Hanover or Prince George beat Hopewell....so their playoff chances are very remote. Had they won that Douglas Freeman game in week 3, things would be much different.
Of greater concern to Atlee is the condition of linebacker Tye Burriss, hurt on a fumble return on the last play of the first half tonight at Highland Springs, and wideout Tyler Thomas, who was hurt on a PAT attempt midway through the 3rd quarter, was down on the field for some 20 minutes before being taken off on a stretcher and dispatched by ambulance to a local hospital for observation.
Atlee went toe-for-toe with Highland Springs in the first half; the only difference being a Raider extra point attempt being blocked. But the Springers came out swinging in the second half, scoring on their first two possessions, both touchdown runs by Ryan Scott, the unexpected player of the game for Highland Springs, as he scored three times en route to the 35-21 victory. Morris Jackson rushed for 172 yards and scored his 30th touchdown of the season in the loss, as Atlee falls to 5-4.
IN ASHLAND.....Patrick Henry fought valiantly on Senior Night but fell to Mills Godwin 26-20. The Eagles, who had shut out PH a year ago 43-0, were led by senior QB Dane Forlines, scoring two touchdowns. The Patriots fall to 3-3, 3-6 with a trip to Hermitage for their season finale next week.
------------------------
VOLLEYBALL: The Atlee Raiders swept both the boys and girls Capital District Volleyball Tournament titles Friday night! On the boys side, Atlee swept Glen Allen 25-21, 25-19, 25-16, as Kevin Eye had 36 assists and Matt Rohr fired off 18 kills for the 20-3 Raiders, who advance to next week's Central Region tournament, opening Monday against Deep Run.
On the girls side, Atlee made it 9 set wins over 3 matches against arch-rival Lee-Davis to take the Capital trophy home. Player of the Year in the Capital, Hailey Brooks, had 12 assists, 7 kills and 8 aces while her senior teammate Karlie Suber had 18 digs, 7 kills and 4 aces as the Raiders improve to 26-2, now preparing for their first round Central Region match on Tuesday evening against Deep Run.
Lee-Davis, led by Jordan Martin's 15 assists, enter the Central Region tourney with a 19-5 record, where they will meet Colonial District Champion Mills Godwin. The two teams were in the same division (Gold) in the 2012 Virginia Volleyball Classic Labor Day Weekend but never faced each other.....
Friday, November 02, 2012
FOOTBALL FRIDAY--LISTEN LIVE!!!
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE as Atlee battles Highland Springs in a fight to stay alive in the Division 5 playoff race! Coverage begins at 6:30pm with pregame as Rob Witham brings you all the action, on WHAN Radio (102.9 FM/1430 AM in Metro Richmond) and online here!
OTHER GAMES (County and Division 5 playoff hopefuls in bold):
Hanover Colonial Heights
(0-5, 0-8) at Meadowbrook (5-0, 7-1)
Midlothian
(4-2, 5-3) at Monacan (4-3, 4-5), 7:30pm
Charlottesville
(4-5) at Powhatan (4-5), 7:30pm
St. Christopher’s (5-4) at
Collegiate (5-3), 1:30pm (delayed broadcast Sunday 11/4 at 1pm on WHAN Radio)
OTHER GAMES (County and Division 5 playoff hopefuls in bold):
Armstrong (0-5, 2-6) at Lee-Davis
(3-2, 5-3)
Mills Godwin (3-2, 5-3) at Patrick Henry (3-2, 3-5)
Henrico (0-5, 0-8) at Glen Allen (1-4, 2-6)
Thomas Dale (3-5) at L.C. Bird (8-0)
Dinwiddie (4-1, 5-3)
at Hopewell (4-1, 6-2), 7:30pm
Prince George
(1-4, 3-5) at Matoaca (2-3, 3-5)
Deep Run (4-1, 5-3) at Douglas Freeman (3-2, 5-3)
Thomas Jefferson (0-5, 1-7) at Hermitage (5-0, 8-0)
John Marshall (1-4,
4-4) at J.R. Tucker (1-4, 2-6)
Huguenot (0-6, 0-8) at Clover Hill (1-5, 1-7), 7:30pm
George Wythe (0-6, 0-8) at Cosby (5-1, 6-2), 7:30pm
James River (3-3, 3-5) at Manchester (4-2, 5-3), 7:30pm
Caroline at Culpeper, 7:30pm
Bruton (2-7) at New Kent (0-9)
Louisa (3-6) at Western Albemarle
(9-0), 7:30pm
Goochland (7-2) at Amelia (4-6)
King & Queen (2-5) at King William (8-1)
SATURDAY 11/3:
Petersburg (3-6) has a bye this week.....
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Wednesday Results, Thursday Schedule
FIELD HOCKEY:
The 2012 season came to an abrupt end for Hanover County schools Wednesday night in the Central Region Quarterfinals at River City SportsQuest. On adjacent fields, Hanover battled Colonial District Champion Maggie Walker Governors School (MWGS) to a scoreless first half. But in the span of six minute midway through the second, the Green Dragons struck twice, and a late Hawk surge into the MWGS zone, one of the few of the game, fell short.
Though Hanover's final record, 9-10, doesn't sound impressive, it does represent a full season that was, in truth, a tail of two seasons. Losing 17 seniors from last year's state playoff squad, the Hawks got off to a rough start, losing three of its first four before hitting the .500 mark with a win on strokes at home in early October over Atlee. The Hawks were competitive each time on the field, with two very close losses to eventual champion Lee-Davis, one late in the regular season, the other in the Capital District Title game last Thursday. Hanover returns a ton of talent and should be a force again in 2013.
Lee-Davis, too, will be a team to be reckoned with in 2013, returning many stellar players including Capital District Player of the Year Cameron Gibson. But right now, the Confederates are thinking of what may have been. Lee-Davis, down 1-0 to Douglas Freeman in their Wednesday Regional Quarterfinal, bounced back to tie just before halftime on a Gibson goal, then take the lead when Harper Matthews found the goal in the 41st minute.
The Confederates played stellar defense, holding off four Freeman penalty corners in the waning minutes and getting outstanding individual defensive effort from Madison Angus, whose defense on a breakaway opportunity in the 56th minute singlehandedly kept the Confederates in front.
Lee-Davis held the lead into the final two minutes when Abbey Thornhill found the back of the goal with 1:10 left in regulation, and the Douglas Freeman season was still alive, tied with Lee-Davis at 2-2.
We went to overtime, where Gibson delved deep into the left side of the Freeman offensive zone. But Cameron Gibson's centering pass, though coming precariously close to the Freeman goal, rolled by, with no Lee-Davis player in position to seal the deal.
Five minutes later, Abbey's sister, Sarah Thornhill, had an opportunity, and made the most of it, scoring off a penalty corner to set off the Rebel celebration. Freeman will play Thomas Dale in tonight's semifinals, while MWGS faces Cosby.
VOLLEYBALL: Patrick Henry split in their Colonial quarterfinal showdowns against MWGS, as the girls team lost in four sets at Godwin, while the boys team overcame the absence of star Scott Brigham to win in four sets.
The Patrick Henry boys now play in tonight's second Colonial semifinal at Freeman, at approximately 7:30, against Deep Run, a team PH defeated last Thursday at home on Senior Night. The winner of that game faces the winner of the other semi between Godwin and top-seeded Douglas Freeman. A Freeman win will mean the winner of the PH-Deep Run game also gets a berth into next week's Central Region Tournament.
ALSO TONIGHT:
CAPITAL DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL:
Girls Semis (at Atlee): #1 Atlee vs. #4 Hanover, 6pm; #2 Lee-Davis vs #3 Glen Allen, 7:30pm
Boys Semis (at Highland Springs): #1 Atlee vs. #4 Highland Springs, 6pm; #2 Glen Allen vs. #3 Hanover, 7:30pm...
JV FOOTBALL: Patrick Henry at Mills Godwin, Monacan at Lee-Davis, Varina at Hanover, Highland Springs at Atlee, all 7pm starts!
The 2012 season came to an abrupt end for Hanover County schools Wednesday night in the Central Region Quarterfinals at River City SportsQuest. On adjacent fields, Hanover battled Colonial District Champion Maggie Walker Governors School (MWGS) to a scoreless first half. But in the span of six minute midway through the second, the Green Dragons struck twice, and a late Hawk surge into the MWGS zone, one of the few of the game, fell short.
Though Hanover's final record, 9-10, doesn't sound impressive, it does represent a full season that was, in truth, a tail of two seasons. Losing 17 seniors from last year's state playoff squad, the Hawks got off to a rough start, losing three of its first four before hitting the .500 mark with a win on strokes at home in early October over Atlee. The Hawks were competitive each time on the field, with two very close losses to eventual champion Lee-Davis, one late in the regular season, the other in the Capital District Title game last Thursday. Hanover returns a ton of talent and should be a force again in 2013.
Lee-Davis, too, will be a team to be reckoned with in 2013, returning many stellar players including Capital District Player of the Year Cameron Gibson. But right now, the Confederates are thinking of what may have been. Lee-Davis, down 1-0 to Douglas Freeman in their Wednesday Regional Quarterfinal, bounced back to tie just before halftime on a Gibson goal, then take the lead when Harper Matthews found the goal in the 41st minute.
The Confederates played stellar defense, holding off four Freeman penalty corners in the waning minutes and getting outstanding individual defensive effort from Madison Angus, whose defense on a breakaway opportunity in the 56th minute singlehandedly kept the Confederates in front.
Lee-Davis held the lead into the final two minutes when Abbey Thornhill found the back of the goal with 1:10 left in regulation, and the Douglas Freeman season was still alive, tied with Lee-Davis at 2-2.
We went to overtime, where Gibson delved deep into the left side of the Freeman offensive zone. But Cameron Gibson's centering pass, though coming precariously close to the Freeman goal, rolled by, with no Lee-Davis player in position to seal the deal.
Five minutes later, Abbey's sister, Sarah Thornhill, had an opportunity, and made the most of it, scoring off a penalty corner to set off the Rebel celebration. Freeman will play Thomas Dale in tonight's semifinals, while MWGS faces Cosby.
VOLLEYBALL: Patrick Henry split in their Colonial quarterfinal showdowns against MWGS, as the girls team lost in four sets at Godwin, while the boys team overcame the absence of star Scott Brigham to win in four sets.
The Patrick Henry boys now play in tonight's second Colonial semifinal at Freeman, at approximately 7:30, against Deep Run, a team PH defeated last Thursday at home on Senior Night. The winner of that game faces the winner of the other semi between Godwin and top-seeded Douglas Freeman. A Freeman win will mean the winner of the PH-Deep Run game also gets a berth into next week's Central Region Tournament.
ALSO TONIGHT:
CAPITAL DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL:
Girls Semis (at Atlee): #1 Atlee vs. #4 Hanover, 6pm; #2 Lee-Davis vs #3 Glen Allen, 7:30pm
Boys Semis (at Highland Springs): #1 Atlee vs. #4 Highland Springs, 6pm; #2 Glen Allen vs. #3 Hanover, 7:30pm...
JV FOOTBALL: Patrick Henry at Mills Godwin, Monacan at Lee-Davis, Varina at Hanover, Highland Springs at Atlee, all 7pm starts!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday Post-Season Schedule of Games!
CENTRAL REGION FIELD HOCKEY TOURNAMENT:
Quarterfinals (at River City SportsQuest, all games at 5:30pm)
Hanover vs. Maggie Walker Governors School
Lee-Davis vs. Douglas Freeman
Cosby vs. Prince George
Thomas Dale vs. Midlothian
COLONIAL DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL FIRST ROUND:
BOYS: #3 Patrick Henry vs. #6 MWGS, 7:30pm at Douglas Freeman
GIRLS: #4 MWGS vs. #5 Patrick Henry, 6pm at Mills Godwin
Capital District Boys and Girls Volleyball Tournaments begin with semifinals on Thursday!
Quarterfinals (at River City SportsQuest, all games at 5:30pm)
Hanover vs. Maggie Walker Governors School
Lee-Davis vs. Douglas Freeman
Cosby vs. Prince George
Thomas Dale vs. Midlothian
COLONIAL DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL FIRST ROUND:
BOYS: #3 Patrick Henry vs. #6 MWGS, 7:30pm at Douglas Freeman
GIRLS: #4 MWGS vs. #5 Patrick Henry, 6pm at Mills Godwin
Capital District Boys and Girls Volleyball Tournaments begin with semifinals on Thursday!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Division 5 Playoff Standings (Pre-Week 9).....
Well, now that we've apparently ruined the Lee-Davis student body's evening after tweeting what we believe are the latest VHSL Division 5 Rider Point standings, let's go into an explanation.
You might want to take two Advil first, to ward off the eventual headache....:)
First, the Division 5 Standings (with last week's standing in parenthesis...)
1) Hanover 26.875 (#1, down 0.411)
2) Hopewell 26.750 (#2, up 1.036)
3) Lee-Davis 26.625 (#3T, up 2.483)
4) Dinwiddie 25.500 (#3T, up 1.358)
5) Atlee 24.750 (#6, up 1.321)
6) Midlothian 24.286 (#5, up 0.786)
With John Marshall's fourth straight loss last week to Deep Run, combined with their very weak strength of schedule, they have virtually no chance of making the playoffs, especially with four of the six teams ahead of them playing head-to-head in the next two weeks, guaranteeing two teams a victory, bettering their playoff position.
This week, rather than announce "winners" and "losers", we're going to break down every team, how they got their points, and what they need to do in early November to be able to play in mid-November and beyond....
HANOVER: (215 points in 8 games--144 for six wins, 24 for two losses, 47 bonus points based on opponent victories...)
Due to the loss to Lee-Davis in Mechanicsville Friday night, the Hawks, now 6-2, have come back to the pack in the point standings. To clinch the top seed, they needed to win two of their last three. Now, they probably have to win out to get a semi-final game at home, but even that is a little up in the air (especially if Hopewell knocks off Dinwiddie). Bottom line, if Hanover can top Varina Friday, they're in, as they will be prohibitive favorites against Glen Allen November 9th. A 7-3 finish will "likely" get the Hawks in.
That said, Friday night's loss exposed, what I believe, is Hanover's biggest concern heading into November. Through no fault of their own, due to first the Rogers freak injury and subsequent surgery, then the injury to Knizner, the Hawks have little offensive rhythm and synergy. After eight games, a team normally has, for better or worse, a synergy to it in all three phases. But, with Knizner and Rogers sharing QB duties for three games (that was the game plan entering the season, nothing wrong with that), then Knizner in and Rogers hurt, then Knizner hurt and neither in for most of the Henrico game (good thing they played a defense-less team that night, winning 66-37), thus throwing Travis Barton into the mix, then Rogers returning in a non-QB role until this past Friday....you get the idea.
The lack of continuity showed Friday, with Barton's struggles with snaps in the second quarter leading to Rogers going into the shotgun, but with neither player having a real chance to establish a multi-game rhythm, it was hard to establish the offense. It showed the most in Hanover's final six drives, each of which landed them in the red zone, but they could only hit the end zone once.
This point needs to be made clear: Lee-Davis' defense is to be credited with winning that game, providing much of the reason why Hanover struggled offensively.
Hanover's defense is also to be credited, holding the Confederates to ten points, Chris Simpson nearly 50 yards below his rushing average. Their task this Friday, stopping the Varina offense, who has scored 166 points in the last three weeks. Varina put 27 on Lee-Davis in week four.
HOPEWELL: (214 points in 8 games--120 for five Group AAA wins, 20 for one Group AA win, 24 for two losses, 50 bonus points based on opponent victories...)
The other 6-2 team in Division 5, and the surprise one at that, the Blue Devils benefit from their early season win over a 6-2 Cosby team and by the fact that their two losses are to Meadowbrook (7-1) and, yes, Lee-Davis (5-3). Hopewell loses four important points with their non-district victory over Brunswick, a Group AA school, only getting 20 points for defeating a school one classification lower rather than 24 for a win over a Group AAA school. Had Hopewell defeated all Group AAA opponents? They'd be #1 right now.
They now face, easily, their biggest test of the season, when they host Dinwiddie (5-3) this Friday. A Blue Devil win at home would prove beyond doubt that Hopewell is for real. They have scored 74 points the past two weeks, and Dinwiddie is proving to be more of an offensive team than defensive. Granted, the Generals held Varina to 14 points in their week one, 14-7 loss to the Blue Devils, but in week one, sometimes offenses are not on track.
All that to say Hopewell has 20 seniors, a disciplined coach in Ricky Irby, capable playmakers, especially Reggie Butler. A win over Dinwiddie catapults Hopewell to the #1 seed, period. They would, then be a victory over rival Prince George away from home-field advantage, and going to Hopewell in late November is no picnic. Just ask the 1983 and 2002 Patrick Henry Patriots....
LEE-DAVIS (213 points in 8 games--120 for five wins, 36 for three losses, 57 bonus points based on opponent victories...)
Okay, Confederates, here's the lowdown on why two teams you've defeated...ON THE FIELD...are ahead of you in VHSL rider points....which of course exposes some of the lunacy of this entire system, but that's another thread for another day.....
It is very, very difficult to outpoint a team, especially in your own district (similar schedules for 7 of 10 weeks), if they have a one-win advantage over you. When you earn 24 points for a victory, but only 12 for a loss, 2 for every win by opponents you defeat, but 1 for every win by opponents you lose to, any disadvantage in the W-L columns is tough to overcome. In spite of all that, the Confederates are only two points behind Hanover, one behind Hopewell. Had Lee-Davis defeated Highland Springs, they'd be in the catbird seat, no doubt about it.
Having said all that, here's the good news. Lee-Davis is in better shape, schedule-wise, than the teams ahead of them. Hopewell plays a surging Dinwiddie, who endured a brutal schedule, which we'll discuss shortly, to get back into the playoff race, Hanover has Varina, but Lee-Davis gets a home date with Armstrong. The Confederates will be heavily favored and should take the next five days and only worry about two things: Sandy and the Wildcats.
Then all that stands in the way of a definite trip to the playoffs is a win over Atlee November 9th. It would be sweet revenge if the Confederates could win at Atlee to clinch a post-season berth, a win that could also end Atlee's season, who, of course, ended Lee-Davis' season in that double-overtime classic in the 2011 Central Region Division 5 Semifinals.
This year, though, 6-4 may not get it done. Lee-Davis and Dinwiddie both know that. Because Midlothian looms, and they may have a say in who gets in and who does not if they win their last two....
DINWIDDIE (204 points in 8 games--120 for five victories, 36 for three losses, 48 bonus points based on opponent victories...)
The Generals have moved from #8 in the standings to #4 in three weeks and were actually tied for third with Lee-Davis last week, falling behind the Confederates thanks to their Hanover win. As mentioned earlier, the Generals now must travel to Hopewell to give the Blue Devils their sternest test since a week four loss to Meadowbrook. With Dinwiddie finishing the season at home against Petersburg, a win over Hopewell should just about clinch a post-season berth, as they will be prohibitively favored in their rivalry game week 10. Most of the key players on this squad are juniors, and they have become battle tested very quickly this year, playing (and losing to) Varina, Highland Springs and Meadowbrook, teams with a combined record of 22-2 to this point.
Most "experts" placed Dinwiddie as the team most likely to prevent Hanover from repeating as Regional Champions. Lee-Davis is certainly in the conversation now after Friday night, and Hopewell could prove it belongs with a win over these Generals. Needless to say this will be the most important matchup between Dinwiddie and Hopewell since the 2000 Region Finals, won by Dinwiddie 28-7. Dinwiddie has won the last six matchups, Hopewell the five before that (2001-05).
ATLEE (198 points in 8 games--120 for five victories, 36 for three losses, 42 bonus points based on opponent victories...)
Boy that Freeman loss hurts. A win for Atlee at home back in week three over the Rebels would have given them 16 more points than they have now, and would be tied for second in the standings, putting Dinwiddie on the outside looking in. But that's all water under the bridge.
Of the six teams remaining in the playoff hunt, the Raiders easily have the toughest final two hurdles. First, they must travel to Highland Springs. The good news? Highland Springs has defeated their other two county brethren in the Capital on the last play of the game at home. The bad news? The Springers will enter the game knowing a win guarantees them either a share of the Capital District title or at least the chance to play for it, and a Division 6 playoff berth, when they travel to Varina November 9th.
Bottom line? The Springers should be ready. It will be over two weeks since the incident that resulted in the Friday arrest of former All-Metro linebacker Marcus Logan-Baker, so distractions should be a non-factor. They simply have too much to play for, too. Bad news for Atlee, who still is trying to find solutions to their very porous offense. Giving up 33 points to Glen Allen and 24 to Armstrong the past two weeks doesn't give us confidence that they will stop the Springers.
But to make the playoffs a second straight year under Roscoe Johnson, they need to find a way. A loss to Highland Springs and a win over Lee-Davis simply may be too little, too late. They could use a rivalry upset in the Tri-Cities, either Prince George over Hopewell or Petersburg over Dinwiddie, both week 10 games on November 9th.
MIDLOTHIAN: (170 points in 7 games--96 for four Group AAA victories, 20 for one Group AA victory, 24 for two losses, 30 bonus points based on opponent victories, their game with Benedictine does not count)
For the Trojans, they are at a disadvantage for scheduling both a Group AA opponent (Powhatan, who they defeated) AND a private school (Benedictine, who they lost to). It also doesn't help that the Dominion District is down this year, with not one but two winless teams (George Wythe and Huguenot). They just finished a six-game homestand and finish on the road at Monacan and Manchester. The Chiefs are 4-5, looking for a .500 season when they face the Trojans this Friday in the Monacan season finale, then Midlothian travels to rival Manchester, who will enjoy yet another winning season but their 34th consecutive non-playoff season. The Lancers will likely be pumped to beat an arch-rival at home, especially if it helps prevent said rival from post-season play. And it may come down to a combination of results from Midlothian/Manchester and Lee-Davis/Atlee come November 9th....
OUR GUT FEELING: The most likely scenario is that the four teams currently occupying the top four positions will stay there, meaning Hanover, Hopewell, Lee-Davis and Dinwiddie will move on and Midlothian and Atlee will not. The mystery then would be seeding; who gets the home games November 16th? If the season ended today, Dinwiddie would travel to Hanover and Lee-Davis would return to Hopewell, where they won in week two.
But one unexpected result (an Atlee win over Highland Springs, for example) changes everything. What if Midlothian and Atlee win out, meaning Lee-Davis ends at 6-4? There's PLENTY to be determined....on the field, as it should be.
You might want to take two Advil first, to ward off the eventual headache....:)
First, the Division 5 Standings (with last week's standing in parenthesis...)
1) Hanover 26.875 (#1, down 0.411)
2) Hopewell 26.750 (#2, up 1.036)
3) Lee-Davis 26.625 (#3T, up 2.483)
4) Dinwiddie 25.500 (#3T, up 1.358)
5) Atlee 24.750 (#6, up 1.321)
6) Midlothian 24.286 (#5, up 0.786)
With John Marshall's fourth straight loss last week to Deep Run, combined with their very weak strength of schedule, they have virtually no chance of making the playoffs, especially with four of the six teams ahead of them playing head-to-head in the next two weeks, guaranteeing two teams a victory, bettering their playoff position.
This week, rather than announce "winners" and "losers", we're going to break down every team, how they got their points, and what they need to do in early November to be able to play in mid-November and beyond....
HANOVER: (215 points in 8 games--144 for six wins, 24 for two losses, 47 bonus points based on opponent victories...)
Due to the loss to Lee-Davis in Mechanicsville Friday night, the Hawks, now 6-2, have come back to the pack in the point standings. To clinch the top seed, they needed to win two of their last three. Now, they probably have to win out to get a semi-final game at home, but even that is a little up in the air (especially if Hopewell knocks off Dinwiddie). Bottom line, if Hanover can top Varina Friday, they're in, as they will be prohibitive favorites against Glen Allen November 9th. A 7-3 finish will "likely" get the Hawks in.
That said, Friday night's loss exposed, what I believe, is Hanover's biggest concern heading into November. Through no fault of their own, due to first the Rogers freak injury and subsequent surgery, then the injury to Knizner, the Hawks have little offensive rhythm and synergy. After eight games, a team normally has, for better or worse, a synergy to it in all three phases. But, with Knizner and Rogers sharing QB duties for three games (that was the game plan entering the season, nothing wrong with that), then Knizner in and Rogers hurt, then Knizner hurt and neither in for most of the Henrico game (good thing they played a defense-less team that night, winning 66-37), thus throwing Travis Barton into the mix, then Rogers returning in a non-QB role until this past Friday....you get the idea.
The lack of continuity showed Friday, with Barton's struggles with snaps in the second quarter leading to Rogers going into the shotgun, but with neither player having a real chance to establish a multi-game rhythm, it was hard to establish the offense. It showed the most in Hanover's final six drives, each of which landed them in the red zone, but they could only hit the end zone once.
This point needs to be made clear: Lee-Davis' defense is to be credited with winning that game, providing much of the reason why Hanover struggled offensively.
Hanover's defense is also to be credited, holding the Confederates to ten points, Chris Simpson nearly 50 yards below his rushing average. Their task this Friday, stopping the Varina offense, who has scored 166 points in the last three weeks. Varina put 27 on Lee-Davis in week four.
HOPEWELL: (214 points in 8 games--120 for five Group AAA wins, 20 for one Group AA win, 24 for two losses, 50 bonus points based on opponent victories...)
The other 6-2 team in Division 5, and the surprise one at that, the Blue Devils benefit from their early season win over a 6-2 Cosby team and by the fact that their two losses are to Meadowbrook (7-1) and, yes, Lee-Davis (5-3). Hopewell loses four important points with their non-district victory over Brunswick, a Group AA school, only getting 20 points for defeating a school one classification lower rather than 24 for a win over a Group AAA school. Had Hopewell defeated all Group AAA opponents? They'd be #1 right now.
They now face, easily, their biggest test of the season, when they host Dinwiddie (5-3) this Friday. A Blue Devil win at home would prove beyond doubt that Hopewell is for real. They have scored 74 points the past two weeks, and Dinwiddie is proving to be more of an offensive team than defensive. Granted, the Generals held Varina to 14 points in their week one, 14-7 loss to the Blue Devils, but in week one, sometimes offenses are not on track.
All that to say Hopewell has 20 seniors, a disciplined coach in Ricky Irby, capable playmakers, especially Reggie Butler. A win over Dinwiddie catapults Hopewell to the #1 seed, period. They would, then be a victory over rival Prince George away from home-field advantage, and going to Hopewell in late November is no picnic. Just ask the 1983 and 2002 Patrick Henry Patriots....
LEE-DAVIS (213 points in 8 games--120 for five wins, 36 for three losses, 57 bonus points based on opponent victories...)
Okay, Confederates, here's the lowdown on why two teams you've defeated...ON THE FIELD...are ahead of you in VHSL rider points....which of course exposes some of the lunacy of this entire system, but that's another thread for another day.....
It is very, very difficult to outpoint a team, especially in your own district (similar schedules for 7 of 10 weeks), if they have a one-win advantage over you. When you earn 24 points for a victory, but only 12 for a loss, 2 for every win by opponents you defeat, but 1 for every win by opponents you lose to, any disadvantage in the W-L columns is tough to overcome. In spite of all that, the Confederates are only two points behind Hanover, one behind Hopewell. Had Lee-Davis defeated Highland Springs, they'd be in the catbird seat, no doubt about it.
Having said all that, here's the good news. Lee-Davis is in better shape, schedule-wise, than the teams ahead of them. Hopewell plays a surging Dinwiddie, who endured a brutal schedule, which we'll discuss shortly, to get back into the playoff race, Hanover has Varina, but Lee-Davis gets a home date with Armstrong. The Confederates will be heavily favored and should take the next five days and only worry about two things: Sandy and the Wildcats.
Then all that stands in the way of a definite trip to the playoffs is a win over Atlee November 9th. It would be sweet revenge if the Confederates could win at Atlee to clinch a post-season berth, a win that could also end Atlee's season, who, of course, ended Lee-Davis' season in that double-overtime classic in the 2011 Central Region Division 5 Semifinals.
This year, though, 6-4 may not get it done. Lee-Davis and Dinwiddie both know that. Because Midlothian looms, and they may have a say in who gets in and who does not if they win their last two....
DINWIDDIE (204 points in 8 games--120 for five victories, 36 for three losses, 48 bonus points based on opponent victories...)
The Generals have moved from #8 in the standings to #4 in three weeks and were actually tied for third with Lee-Davis last week, falling behind the Confederates thanks to their Hanover win. As mentioned earlier, the Generals now must travel to Hopewell to give the Blue Devils their sternest test since a week four loss to Meadowbrook. With Dinwiddie finishing the season at home against Petersburg, a win over Hopewell should just about clinch a post-season berth, as they will be prohibitively favored in their rivalry game week 10. Most of the key players on this squad are juniors, and they have become battle tested very quickly this year, playing (and losing to) Varina, Highland Springs and Meadowbrook, teams with a combined record of 22-2 to this point.
Most "experts" placed Dinwiddie as the team most likely to prevent Hanover from repeating as Regional Champions. Lee-Davis is certainly in the conversation now after Friday night, and Hopewell could prove it belongs with a win over these Generals. Needless to say this will be the most important matchup between Dinwiddie and Hopewell since the 2000 Region Finals, won by Dinwiddie 28-7. Dinwiddie has won the last six matchups, Hopewell the five before that (2001-05).
ATLEE (198 points in 8 games--120 for five victories, 36 for three losses, 42 bonus points based on opponent victories...)
Boy that Freeman loss hurts. A win for Atlee at home back in week three over the Rebels would have given them 16 more points than they have now, and would be tied for second in the standings, putting Dinwiddie on the outside looking in. But that's all water under the bridge.
Of the six teams remaining in the playoff hunt, the Raiders easily have the toughest final two hurdles. First, they must travel to Highland Springs. The good news? Highland Springs has defeated their other two county brethren in the Capital on the last play of the game at home. The bad news? The Springers will enter the game knowing a win guarantees them either a share of the Capital District title or at least the chance to play for it, and a Division 6 playoff berth, when they travel to Varina November 9th.
Bottom line? The Springers should be ready. It will be over two weeks since the incident that resulted in the Friday arrest of former All-Metro linebacker Marcus Logan-Baker, so distractions should be a non-factor. They simply have too much to play for, too. Bad news for Atlee, who still is trying to find solutions to their very porous offense. Giving up 33 points to Glen Allen and 24 to Armstrong the past two weeks doesn't give us confidence that they will stop the Springers.
But to make the playoffs a second straight year under Roscoe Johnson, they need to find a way. A loss to Highland Springs and a win over Lee-Davis simply may be too little, too late. They could use a rivalry upset in the Tri-Cities, either Prince George over Hopewell or Petersburg over Dinwiddie, both week 10 games on November 9th.
MIDLOTHIAN: (170 points in 7 games--96 for four Group AAA victories, 20 for one Group AA victory, 24 for two losses, 30 bonus points based on opponent victories, their game with Benedictine does not count)
For the Trojans, they are at a disadvantage for scheduling both a Group AA opponent (Powhatan, who they defeated) AND a private school (Benedictine, who they lost to). It also doesn't help that the Dominion District is down this year, with not one but two winless teams (George Wythe and Huguenot). They just finished a six-game homestand and finish on the road at Monacan and Manchester. The Chiefs are 4-5, looking for a .500 season when they face the Trojans this Friday in the Monacan season finale, then Midlothian travels to rival Manchester, who will enjoy yet another winning season but their 34th consecutive non-playoff season. The Lancers will likely be pumped to beat an arch-rival at home, especially if it helps prevent said rival from post-season play. And it may come down to a combination of results from Midlothian/Manchester and Lee-Davis/Atlee come November 9th....
OUR GUT FEELING: The most likely scenario is that the four teams currently occupying the top four positions will stay there, meaning Hanover, Hopewell, Lee-Davis and Dinwiddie will move on and Midlothian and Atlee will not. The mystery then would be seeding; who gets the home games November 16th? If the season ended today, Dinwiddie would travel to Hanover and Lee-Davis would return to Hopewell, where they won in week two.
But one unexpected result (an Atlee win over Highland Springs, for example) changes everything. What if Midlothian and Atlee win out, meaning Lee-Davis ends at 6-4? There's PLENTY to be determined....on the field, as it should be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
