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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

--Rob Witham

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

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

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

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

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

First Team

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Second Team

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

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

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

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

Third Team

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2022 Football All-ODAC Awards

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

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

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

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

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

ALL-ODAC FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Drew Campanale, Jr., QB, Randolph-Macon

Melik Frost, Jr., RB, Hampden-Sydney

Nick Hale, Sr., RB, Randolph-Macon

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

Andrew Ihle, Sr., APB, Randolph-Macon

Tre Alexander^, Sr., WR, Guilford

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

David Byler, Sr., TE, Hampden-Sydney

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

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

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

Tyler Halliday, Jr., OL, Washington and Lee

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

Jackson Hendren^, So., K, Bridgewater

ALL-ODAC FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Johnathan Terrell, Sr., DL, Averett

Tucker Harris, So., DL, Bridgewater

Wade Grubbs, So., DL, Randolph-Macon

Mason Caldwell*, Sr., DL, Shenandoah

Shawn Harris, Sr., LB, Bridgewater

Jackson Deaver, Jr., LB, Randolph-Macon

Ben Burgan^, Sr., LB, Shenandoah

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

Aaron Moore, Jr., DB, Bridgewater

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

Cade Jones, Sr., DB, Randolph-Macon

Keyshawn Wilder, Jr., DB, Shenandoah

Garrett Graves*, Sr., P, Bridgewater

ALL-ODAC SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

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

Kwesi Clarke, Jr., RB, Randolph-Macon

Mason Cunningham, Fr., APB, Hampden-Sydney

Austin Fernandez, So., WR, Hampden-Sydney

Ethan Bigbee, Sr., WR, Shenandoah

Carter Runyon+, So., TE, Shenandoah

Matthew Isom, Jr., OL, Averett

Glory Nseka, So., OL, Bridgewater

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

Dominic Gulli, Jr., OL, Shenandoah

David Munoz^, Jr., OL, Shenandoah

Scott Martin, So., K, Shenandoah

ALL-ODAC SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

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

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

Ethan Brown, Jr., DL, Shenandoah

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

Lamar Horner, So., LB, Averett

Aaron Nice, Fr., LB, Bridgewater

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

Uno Christopher, So., LB, Washington and Lee

Avion Smith, Jr., DB, Ferrum

Adam Lacy, Sr., DB, Guilford

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

Ronny Williams, Jr., DB, Washington and Lee

Mason Smith, Jr., P, Averett

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

Steven Hugney, So., QB, Shenandoah

Monzelle Campbell, So., APB, Ferrum

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

Viante Tucker, Sr., WR, Bridgewater

Eric Mays, Sr., WR, Guilford

Joey Hunt, Sr., WR, Randolph-Macon

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

Storm James, Jr., OL, Randolph-Macon

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

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

Jordan Rice+, Gr., DL, Shenandoah

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

Nick Iannone, Fr., LB, Guilford

Matt Conroy, Fr., LB, Shenandoah

Isaiah Sharper, Sr., DB, Averett

Val West+, Jr., DB, Bridgewater

Quante Redd, Jr., DB, Shenandoah

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

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

(Photos by Rachel Witham, RVA Sports Network)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LISTEN LIVE! : Atlee at #11 Patrick Henry

CLICK HERE to listen live as the Atlee Raiders battle the Patrick Henry Patriots live from Ashland tonight at 6:30pm!

Also available in Richmond area on #Rejoice 101.3 FM and 990 AM, on the Rejoice Richmond App, and via Alexa by saying, "Alexa, Play Rejoice Richmond!"

Tonight's game is brought to you by Virginia Family Dentistry and Massey, Wood, and West!

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

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

                                                                              **************

Five Inductees Elected to Class of 2022

Lee-Davis High School Athletic Hall of Fame

 

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

 

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

 

The inductees are

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

 

THE FINAL FOUR: What You Need To Know

WHAT: NCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championship Semifinal

WHO: #1 Randolph-Macon vs #2 Marietta

WHEN: Friday, 5pm ET

WHERE: Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, IN

WATCH LIVE by CLICKING HERE  

HIGHLIGHTS: Watch CBS 6 News after NCAA Coverage

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Winner faces winner of Elmhurst and Wabash, to be played at 7:30pm ET, on Saturday for the Division III National Championship, 6pm, televised on CBS Sports Network.

NOTES:

--This is Randolph-Macon's third appearance in an NCAA Final Four in school history. They reached the 1977 Division II National Championship Game, where they fell to now-Division I Chattanooga, and the 2010 Division III Final Four in Salem, Virginia, where they lost in the semifinal round to eventual champion Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

--Randolph-Macon defeated Marietta on their home floor back on November 20th by a score of 82-74.

RANDOLPH-MACON SATURDAY SCOREBOARD (Final Scores in Bold)

MEN'S LACROSSE:

#5 Christopher Newport 14, Randolph-Macon 12

BASEBALL:

Game 1: Randolph-Macon 13, Pitt-Bradford 5
Game 2: Randolph-Macon 7, Pitt-Bradford 1

SOFTBALL:

Game 1: Randolph-Macon 8, Mary Washington 0 (5 innings)
Game 2: Randolph-Macon 6, Mary Washington 2

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL:

Randolph-Macon 83, Guilford 59

MEN'S BASKETBALL:

#1 Randolph-Macon 72, Guilford 66

WOMEN'S LACROSSE:

Randolph-Macon 18, Methodist 7

MEN'S VOLLEYBALL:

#12 Juniata 3, #15 Randolph-Macon 1
#15 Randolph-Macon 3, Misericordia 0

COMMENTARY: The Issues With NCAA Division III Football

It was certainly a disappointment, but not at all a surprise, when Randolph-Macon's name did not appear on the bracket of the 32-team field for the 2021 NCAA Division III Football Championship this past Sunday night.

Despite being ranked for much of the season, having won by double digits in eight of their nine victories, and only falling once, to eventual Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) champion Washington & Lee by one point on a two-point conversion with no time remaining, the Yellow Jackets did not receive one of the five precious at-large bids to the tournament.

Now, had I taken out the term "Old Dominion Athletic Conference" out of the above paragraph, and replaced it with, say, the "Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC)" or "Centennial Conference", Randolph-Macon almost certainly would have made the field. Why do I say that? 

Because Randolph-Macon isn't the problem when it comes to trying to secure the respect needed to earn an at-large bid for a season like this. Their conference is.

Before we go any further, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference overall is a fantastic conference. It provides a healthy springboard in nearly every sport for teams to seriously contend for Division III national championships, as we have witnessed in the past twenty years with men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball at Randolph-Macon.

But when it comes to football, there's no such springboard. In fact, only twice has an ODAC institution earned an at-large bid to the Division III Football Championship: in 2000, and in 2010.

Earlier this fall, D3Football.com released its rankings of the 27 conferences in NCAA Division III when it comes to football itself. The aforementioned conferences placed fifth (OAC), and sixth (Centennial) respectively. 

The Old Dominion Athletic Conference was ranked 12th. While up two spots from its #14 ranking in 2019, the ODAC is barely in the top half of the rankings, and, with five at-large bids, and 27 teams who placed second in their own conference, you can see that it's not nearly high enough to be in a position to annually be in serious discussion to have a second team be invited.

A big problem has been in the fluidity of conference football membership in the past half-decade. The carousel began when Catholic University announced they would end their football-only membership in the ODAC after the 2016 season. Enter Ferrum, who became a conference member in full in 2018. 

In 2019, Southern Virginia University joined the conference as an associate member for football. That didn't last long. They played one season, and, in December of that year announced their intent to join USA South as a full member in all sports. 

Then, in late 2020, Emory and Henry announced its move to Division II, ending a 45-year relationship with the ODAC. Their last conference football game, ironically, was the "ODAC Championship Game" that comprised the fifth and final game of their schedule in the truncated 2020 season played last winter/spring. Their opponent? Randolph-Macon. 

The Yellow Jackets won 13-10 in overtime to break a tie with the Wasps for most ODAC Championships. Emory and Henry's 2021 schedule was non-conference. Add to that the fact that The Apprentice School's current agreement to play ODAC schools does not make them a conference member of any kind due to not being a Division III institution, that left six conference games on the 2021 schedule, and only eight considered by the NCAA Selection Committe.

Washington and Lee and Randolph-Macon tied for the conference lead at 5-1, with the Generals earning the NCAA bid and the ODAC trophy by virtue of their head-to-head victory. 

Now, Averett enters the ODAC effective next season, leaving USA South. We'll be back to seven conference games (hopefully) moving forward. The Cougars finished 4-4 in their final USA South season, 5-5 overall, losing to Ferrum in their only non-conference game involving an ODAC team. Randolph-Macon faced Averett last in 2019 in Danville, coming away victorious.

Other than the uncertainty of conference membership, and, therefore, the ODAC's actual and potential strength, here are the other issues concerning this situation, not, by the way, in order of impact.

Geography: More than any other thing, this abnormally affects not only the ODAC, but all of Division III. The finances simply aren't available. Thus, come tournament time, there has been a 500-mile moratorium of sorts on teams traveling during NCAA championship tournaments. It recently was upgraded to 600 miles. This has affected multiple Randolph-Macon teams. Teams in Texas, on the West Coast, they have this issue, too.

Geography II: Randolph-Macon only makes sense as an ODAC member. With Emory and Henry's departure, the Yellow Jackets' position as a foundational member only grows. They would never leave, nor should they. But if you could take Randolph-Macon's campus, lift it by helicopter, and land it in Wisconsin, Ohio, or, say, Pennsylvania, they suddenly could be in a top conference. So, since that isn't happening.....

Strength of Conference: This is the big one. When we state that the conference is the problem, it is a collective issue with every member. First, though, a positive. The ODAC essentially traded Southern Virginia to the USA South for Averett. USA South fell from #20 in 2019 to #23 in the D3Football.com conference ratings. That's, again, out of 27. 

However, it doesn't help the ODAC if a lot of members choose their non-conference opponents from lesser conferences. But, sometimes, there aren't many options. Credit, though, for example, Hampden-Sydney for scheduling Baldwin Wallace (8-2) of the Ohio Athletic Conference this past fall. Those are the type of series that ODAC teams need to find. 

Randolph-Macon has always (in all sports) looked for the most competitive schedule possible. They opened their playoff season of 2018, and 2019, with Centennial powerhouse Johns Hopkins, and, frankly, should have defeated them on opening night two years ago. 

But look at this past season. Shenandoah, who upset Washington & Lee in the season finale, further hurting Randolph-Macon's tournament chances, beat two USA South teams in Methodist (7-2) and North Carolina Wesleyan (4-6). Ferrum defeated Christopher Newport and future ODAC member Averett, both who finished 5-5. Even the conference champion, Washington & Lee, lost their opener at Christopher Newport, who later lost to NCAA Tournament team Salisbury...84-14. 

So, solutions?

1) Every team must get better. The only way for the ODAC to earn more respect nationally is to become better overall. Guilford, who is really struggling right now, needs huge improvement. Bridgewater, hopefully, suffered a one-off season in 2021 and will return to their usual prominence. Ferrum and Averett need to show that they are more than .500 type conference teams. The only under .500 teams in your conference need to be because you lost in-conference. Schedule tougher non-conference opponents, and win.

2) The Apprentice problem. Playing the Builders doesn't help anyone, unless they get better, and, become Division III members. We know of no plans for that to happen, so they need to be replaced. But who? Which institutions could seriously be considered for the ODAC? Christopher Newport doesn't fit the private institution nature of the conference, being a public university. Do you go after a Methodist from USA South, taking one of their better teams while giving Guilford a North Carolina partner in the conference?

3) When you get there, win. Washington & Lee is heading to, no shock, Mount Union this Saturday. If you don't know about the Purple Raiders, they own thirteen national titles, three in the past decade. The Generals' last trip to the NCAA Championship involved, yep, a trip to Mount Union, where they fell 21-0. No ODAC team won in the postseason from 2006-2012. Hampden-Sydney won one game in 2013, then Randolph-Macon won at John Carroll in 2018 (Ohio Athletic Conference member) before losing to Muhlenberg (Centennial). Bridgewater led Delaware Valley at home in the second half in 2019, but lost. 

That's two wins for the conference in fifteen years. The quickest way to expand respect for the conference is to win on the biggest stage. 

Would the Generals be at Mount Union Saturday had they won against Shenandoah last Saturday? Maybe. Had they gone 10-0? Likely not. 

4) For now, go unbeaten. No, it isn't fair that teams in several conferences can have teams go 9-1, or even 8-2, and be ranked higher in the NCAA's region ranking system than others. It's about strength of schedule, both in-conference and how you schedule in September.  So, until the ODAC is able to climb higher in the rankings, and eyes, of those football pundits nationwide, you have to get the job done on the field. And even if the ODAC becomes a top five conference nationally, you STILL have to win.

*******

In closing, I witnessed every Randolph-Macon play from scrimmage this season. In one drive, on one day, when the Yellow Jackets needed one defensive play, they couldn't deliver. You can argue they were missing two key pieces of their secondary at the time. That's true. But Washington & Lee lost their starting quarterback during the drive, and it didn't stop them. Seventeen plays, 99 yards, the rest of the clock. 

It's not fair, you may say, that Randolph-Macon is at home Saturday while Washington & Lee is playing. There's no doubt in my mind that the Yellow Jackets are the best team in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference this season. But that conclusion, shared by many others, doesn't change what's so much more important than opinion: results. 

Now, Randolph-Macon fans should be ecstatic with the current state of the program. Never before has the Yellow Jackets won nine games in three consecutive full seasons (9-3 in 2018, 9-2 in 2019, 9-1 in 2021). The coaching staff continues to do a great job recruiting. 

Yes, there are a lot of seniors on that defense. But, through the course of the season, there were tons of opportunities for underclassmen to prepare themselves to take over next season. Offensively, there's something special with Presley Egbers and Brecht Heuchan. If they can continue to work together, be selfless, and be ready to either share the load, or, if one gets hurt, carry it, 2022 opponents will have nightmares trying to scheme for the Yellow Jacket offense. 

The home bleachers and press box are out. Duke Hall is coming, and with it, a chance to begin a dominant run in the ODAC not seen since Bridgewater two decades ago. I'm personally excited, thrilled in fact, to watch what unfolds.

--Rob Witham

THE QUEST FOR SIX: Patrick Henry Boys Volleyball State Championship Match Information

WHAT: The 2021 #VHSL Class 4 Boys Volleyball Championship

WHO: Maggie Walker GS vs Patrick Henry

WHEN: Thursday, November 18th, 6pm

WHERE: Siegel Center at VCU, Richmond

LINKS:

WATCH (fee required): https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/associations/vhsl/volleyball  

TICKETS: CLICK HERE  

TWITTER UPDATES: @hanoversports 

BASEBALL: Randolph-Macon To Play VCU On Halloween At The Diamond

The following was released by Randolph-Macon Athletics on Wednesday.

ASHLAND, Va. – Before they go trick-or-treating, the Randolph-Macon baseball team will play a fall exhibition against VCU at The Diamond on Halloween.

The teams will play a 12-inning contest on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. The game will be open to the public with no admission charge. Gates will open at noon.

The Rams went 38-16 this past spring. They won the Atlantic 10 regular-season title and earned the right to host the conference tournament. VCU defeated Dayton 7-6 in the A-10 Championship Game and earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Rams were the No. 2 seed in the Starkville Regional. VCU defeated third-seeded Campbell in the first round before falling to eventual national champion Mississippi State in the second round. The Camels ended the Rams' season in the third round.

The Yellow Jackets went 23-11 overall this past spring and 18-4 in ODAC play. R-MC won the conference regular-season crown for the third straight season. The Yellow Jackets started the season ranked No. 2 in the nation in the D3baseball.com/NCBWA poll and No. 3 in the Perfect Game Preseason Top 25.

(RVA Sports Network File Photo)