The new Timesland top 15 is out and plenty of changes were made after four major meets were held over the weekend.

Among the highlights:

*Blacksburg put four runners under two minutes in the boys 800 meters at the MileStat Elite Classic in Richmond.

*Nick Link of Blacksburg ran 4:16.05 in the 1,600, while Noah Combs clocked 9:22.88 in the 3,200. Blacksburg’s Emily Beaty ran 5:06.22 in the girls 1,600.

*William Byrd’s Marcellus Fletcher went 46 feet in the triple jump at the Joe Curcio Invitational in Lynchburg where Alexis Brown of James River tossed the shot 38-10 and Liberty’s Nicole Smith threw the discus 121-8.

2013 TIMESLAND TRACK AND FIELD CHECKLIST

NOTE: Rankings are based on major invitationals and postseason meets. Meets include are Knights Invitational, Raleigh Relays, Big Red Invitational, Vince Bradford Relays, Mike Brown Invitational, Falcons Track Classic, Colonel Classic, Judy Thomas Invitational, Frank Carver Invitational, All-American Relays, Amherst Invitational, Tri-Cities Track Classic, Buffalo Invitational, MileStat Elite Classic, Joe Curcio Invitational and Bearcat Invitational.

BOYS
100 meters
1. Khalil Bonds, William Fleming (Colonel), 11.03
2. Andrew Storms, George Wythe (All-American), 11.10
3. Brandon Carter, Martinsville (Colonel), 11.18
4. Ryan Layman, George Wythe (All-American), 11.40
5. Arius McConnell, Salem (All-American), 11.41
6. Tanner Reed, Christiansburg (Colonel), 11.43
7. Riley Blevins, Marion (Thomas), 11.48
8. Joey Augustin, Christiansburg (Curcio), 11.53
9. Jamaal Preston, Liberty (Big Red), 11.55
…..Travis Hedgepeth, George Wythe (All-American), 11.55
11. Ryan Sims, Blacksburg (Knights), 11.57
12  Josh Pearson, Bassett (Buffalo), 11.58
13. Patrick Shulz, James River (All-American), 11.64
14. Ryan Kelly, Hidden Valley (Colonel), 11.65
15. Davonta Womack, Salem (Curcio), 11.67 Read more »

George Wythe has two basketball head coaching vacancies, with the recent resignation of boys coach Joey Russell after five years on the job.

Bradley Sutphin said he resigned earlier in April after four years in charge of the Maroons’ girls program.

I spoke with both men Wednesday night. They both plan to retain their teaching positions and were limited in their comments about their departures. Russell has been at George Wythe for 18 years and is a football assistant and former head baseball coach.

Russell, who was an assistant under Al  Copenhaver when George Wythe won the 2007-08 VHSL Group A Division 2 championship, had a 48-2 record in Hogoheegee games. The Maroons were unable to advance past the Region C tournament under Russell, falling in the semifinals four times, mostly against very tough opponents.

The Maroons also were eliminated in the region twice by Radford and once each by James River and Fort Chiswell. Radford won two Division 2 state titles and James River claimed one during that span.

George Wythe was 14-12 overall last winter, losing to Graham in a first-round regional game.

Sutphin posted a 32-61 overall record as George Wythe’s girls coach, reaching the Region C Division 2 tournament once. The Maroons posted an 18-22 record in the Hogoheegee.

George Wythe’s girls were 7-15 overall last winter and 4-6 in the Hogoheegee.

No doubt, George Wythe has boasted one of Timesland’s most successful boys basketball programs in the last three decades. A losing season in Wytheville is virtually unheard of.

Check out these statements from Wythe County school superintendent Lee Brannon:

“I would think the two programs in this part of the state that would be the most attractive are, one, Radford; and two, George Wythe,” he said. “There is an opportunity for future success.”

Brannon said the administration already has received feelers from “two very high-profile coaches close to us who have been very successful where they are.”

Northside’s Tierra Saunders took over the 2013 Timesland lead in the girls 400-meter run with an impressive clocking of 57.66 seconds last week in winning the event at the Amherst Invitational in Amherst.

William Byrd’s Marcellus Fletcher is the new Timesland leader in the boys triple jump at 44 feet, 11 inches.

Those were among the top performaces over the weekend in Timesland.

The updated Timesland track checklist is below.

NOTE: Rankings are based on major invitationals and postseason meets. Meets include are Knights Invitational, Raleigh Relays, Big Red Invitational, Vince Bradford Relays, Mike Brown Invitational, Falcons Track Classic, Colonel Classic, Judy Thomas Invitational, Frank Carver Invitational, All-American Relays, Amherst Invitational and Tri-Cities Track Classic.

BOYS
100 meters
1. Khalil Bonds, William Fleming (Colonel), 11.03 2. Andrew Storms, George Wythe (All-American), 11.10 3. Brandon Carter, Martinsville (Colonel), 11.18 4. Ryan Layman, George Wythe (All-American), 11.40 5. Arius McConnell, Salem (All-American), 11.41 6. Tanner Reed, Christiansburg (Colonel), 11.43 7. Riley Blevins, Marion (Thomas), 11.48 8. Jamaal Preston, Liberty (Big Red), 11.55    Travis Hedgepeth, George Wythe (All-American), 11.55 10. Ryan Sims, Blacksburg (Knights), 11.57 11 . Josh Pearson, Bassett (Colonel), 11.59 12. Patrick Shulz, James River (All-American), 11.64 13. Ryan Kelly, Hidden Valley (Colonel), 11.65 14. Elijah Onks, George Wythe (Thomas), 11.69 15. Fe’zahn Scott, Patrick Henry (Knights), 11.71    Dean Sayers, Hidden Valley (Colonel), 11.71 Read more »

Congrats to Ryan Gravley of Carroll County, Tay Taylor of Salem, Caleb Tanner of Floyd County and Sa’Mone Moore of Covington.

They have been named basketball players of the year in their respective regions.

The list is below:

BOYS BASKETBALL
REGION IV
First team
Ryan Gravley, Carroll County, sr.; Dylan Hodson, Hidden Valley, sr.; Paris Jamison, Martinsville, sr.; Josh Hess, Abingdon, jr.; Mack Owens, Abingdon, sr.
Second team
Troy Mann, Salem, jr.; Chris Hampton, Magna Vista, sr.; Michael Ayares, Blacksburg, sr.; Joey Augustin, Christiansburg, sr.; Ethan Richardson, Marion, sr.
Player of the year
Ryan Gravley, Carroll County.
Division 4 coach of the year
Brad Hawks, Carroll County.
Division 3 coach of the year
B.J. Lasley, Abingdon.

REGION C
First team
Caleb Tanner, Floyd County, jr.; Isaiah Phillips, Radford, jr.; Tyler Crockett, Glenvar, sr.; Asher Dillow, Bland County, sr.; Charlie Fitzgerald, Parry McCluer, sr.
Second team
Reid Sturgill, Chilhowie, sr.; Brandon Lemons, Floyd County, sr.; Isaac Baltazar, George Wythe, sr.; Colby Hill, Graham, soph.; Jeremy Williams, Glenvar, soph.
Player of the year
Caleb Tanner, Floyd County.
Division 2 coach of the year
Rick Cormany, Radford.
Division 1 coach of the year
Nelson Fox, Parry McCluer.

GIRLS BASKETBALL
REGION IV
First team
Tay Taylor, Salem, sr.; Brittany Allen, Richlands, jr.; Ebony Reynolds, Patrick County, soph.; Taylor Blevins, Abingdon, soph.; Andrea Venable, Bassett, sr.
Second team
Tessa Foley, Salem, sr.; Taylor Catron, Tazewell, sr.; Darian Thornton, Christiansburg, sr.; Hailey Singleton, Hidden Valley, fr.; Cassie Richardson, Richlands, sr.]
Player of the year
Tay Taylor, Salem.
Division 4 coach of the year
DeWayne Harrell, Salem.
Division 3 coach of the year
Dennis Palmer, Richlands.

REGION C
First team
Sa’Mone Moore, Covington, jr.; Danielle Catron, Chilhowie, jr.; Kasey Uecker, PH-Glade Spring, sr.; Brooke Bostwick, Auburn, jr.; Maggie Wilbourne, Glenvar, soph.
Second team
Amanda Hollandsworth, Floyd County, jr.; Ashley King, James River, sr.; Sarah Whisman, Fort Chiswell, sr.; Sydney Lindsey, Galax, soph.; Carley Lytton, Floyd County, soph.
Player of the year
Sa’Mone Moore, Covington.
Division 2 coach of the year
Alan Cantrell, Floyd County.
Division 1 coach of the year
Mark Pifer, Covington.

Chilhowie senior Reid Sturgill has been named the Hogoheegee District boys basketball player of the year.

George Wythe’s Joey Russell was named coach of the year.

The all-district team is as follows:

First team
Reid Sturgill, Chilhowie, sr.; Isaac Baltazar, George Wythe, sr.; Marcus Hash, George, Wythe, sr.; Jason Prater, Northwood, jr.; Jay Linkous, Rural Retreat, sr.
Second team
Wes Roberts, Holston, jr.; Dylan Thomas, Chilhowie, sr.; Jalen France, George Wythe, sr.; Jacob Havens, Northwood, soph.; Tyler Stanley, PH-Glade Spring, sr.; Conrad Thacker, Holston, jr.
Player of the year
Reid Sturgill, Chilhowie.
Coach of the year
Joey Russell, George Wythe.

Rockbridge County’s boys basketball team won a coin flip with Alleghany to determine the No. 3 seed for next week’s Blue Ridge District boys tournament.

As a result, Rockbridge will host Staunton River in a first-round game Monday, while Alleghany will host Lord Botetourt.

The Blue Ridge elected not to have Northside and Byrd meet in a playoff game to determine a regular-season champion because the two teams will be in different regional divisions. Byrd will be the Blue Ridge’s No. 1 seed in the Region III Division 4 bracket, while Northside will be the Blue Ridge’s No. 1 team in Division 3.

Northside won a tiebreaker over William Byrd for the No. 1 seed in the Blue Ridge tournament. The tiebreaker came down to the Blue Ridge’s third criterion — results against common nondistrict opponents. Northside’s 1-1 record against Cave Spring trumped Byrd’s 0-2 mark against the Knights, giving the Vikings the No. 1 seed.

Rockbridge and Alleghany needed the extra step to break their tie. Staunton River principal Michelle Morgan conducted the coin flip Friday and it came up roses for the Wildcats.

Therefore, the Rockbridge-Staunton River winner will play Byrd in a Tuesday semifinal at Staunton River. The Alleghany-Botetourt winner plays Northside.

It is possible that the Blue Ridge could have two consolation games on Thursday.

If Alleghany and Rockbridge both lose in the same round, they would meet in a consolation game for the No. 2 bid to the Division 3 tournament. The same would apply to Staunton River and Lord Botetourt in Division 4.

George Wythe has cashed in on its Group A Division 1 state football championship at the ballot box.
The Maroons took nine spots on the first and second teams on the Division 1 all-state team picked this weekend by the Virginia High School Coaches Association.
Congrats to George Wythe’s Hardy Lester, who was named Division 1 defensive player of the year; and Wythe’s H.S. Ingo, who was named coach of the year.
Unlike Group AAA and Group AA, the Group A coaches picked two all-state teams, one for Division 2 and one for Division 1.
The Group A teams are heavily tilted toward a small core of teams. The threesome of Franklin, George Wythe and Riverheads accounted for 27 of the 62 first- and second-team positions on the Division 1 team. Franklin had players named to TWELVE different first- or second-team spots.
Sixty-six, count ‘em, 66 players were named first-team All-Group A in football.
Is that too many? You tell me.
I guess there will be six different all-state teams next year, so perhaps the point is moot.
Below are the Timesland players named to the Group AA, Division 2 and Division 1 teams. We’re still trying to unearth the All-Group AAA team.
For the Division 2 and Division 1 teams, click here.
For the Group AA team, click here.
Here are the players of the year we have so far: Group AA offense (Trace McSorley, Briar Woods), Group AA defense (Wyatt Teller, Liberty-Bealeton), Division 2 offense (Dominek Broaddus, Essex), Division 2 defense (Nathan Adams, Goochland), Division 1 offense (Travis Brown, Franklin), Division 1 defense (Hardy Lester, George Wythe).

GROUP AA
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Guard — Alex Light, Salem
Tackle — Dylan Brucki, Cave Spring
Running back — Ethan Richardson, Marion
Defense
Lineman — DeAnthony Muse, Northside
Linebacker — Eddie Bowman, Bassett
Back — Jake Kite, Hidden Valley
SECOND TEAM
Offense
Guard — Curtis Fridley, Rockbridge County
Tackle — Lucas Holder, Carroll County
Tight end — Jordan Bryant, Cave Spring
Wide receiver — Chad Fisher, Salem
Quarterback — Porter Abell, Rockbridge County
Defense
End — Demetreus Ferebee, Northside
Back — Chad Fisher, Salem

GROUP A DIVISION 2
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Center — Coleman Thomas, Fort Chiswell
Running back — Daniel Hamm, Fort Chiswell
Running back — Ian Mann, Giles
Wide receiver — Mikey Rodgers, Grayson County
SECOND TEAM
Offense
Guard — Kearsley Dillon, Giles

GROUP A DIVISION 1
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Lineman — Chase Altizer, George Wythe
Wide receiver — Ron Ford, Eastern Montgomery
Tight end — Hardy Lester, George Wythe
Utility — Troy Helton, Covington
Defense
End — Hardy Lester, George Wythe
Lineman — Chase Altizer, George Wythe
Linebacker — Justin Snavely, George Wythe
Back — Isaac Baltazar, George Wythe
Back — Jalen France, George Wythe
SECOND TEAM
Offense
Caleb Findley, Radford
Defense
Lineman — Chaz Sizemore, Galax
Wide receiver — Reid Sturgill, Chilhowie
Running back — Dominique Crockett, George Wythe
Running back — Steven Peoples, Galax
Punter — Andrew Storms, George Wythe
Return specialist — Donte Peoples, Galax

Below are the capsule previews of Saturday’s Heritage-Salem, and George Wythe-Franklin state football semifinals that will appear in The Roanoke Times.

Check Saturday’s paper for a feature story on Heritage coach Brad Bradley and Salem coach Stephen Magenbauer, who were boyhood friends and high school teammates at Salem until fate intervened.

GROUP AA DIVISION 4
HERITAGE (11-1) at SALEM (12-0)
Today, 1 p.m.
Nicknames: Heritage (Pioneers), Salem (Spartans).
Coaches: Heritage (Brad Bradley), Salem (Stephen Magenbauer).
Last week: Heritage won 12-7 at Amherst County. Salem defeated Christiansburg 21-7 at home.
Playoff history: HERITAGE – Pioneers won the 2002 Division 4 state title under current Franklin County coach Chris Jones with a 34-7 victory over Lafayette.…Pioneers won just one postseason game from 2003-11.…Heritage reached the 1997 Division 4 final, losing 16-7 to Spotsylvania. Lost in first round to Amherst County last year. SALEM – Has won six Division 4 titles, winning in 1996, ’97, ’98, 2000, ’04 and ’05. Is looking for its 50th postseason victory today. … Last week’s region title was its 13th. … Has split two postseason games with Heritage, winning 26-0 in 1998 and losing 20-14 in 1997.
2012 statistics: HERITAGE – QB Javontae Parrish (131-223, 2,206 yards passing, 25 TDs, 8 INTs, 235-1,266 rushing, 17 TDs), WR I’Shantii Rosser (45-755, 5 TDs), WR-DB Demonte Elliot (32-494, 9 TDs, 7 defensive INTs), WR Austin Fitzgerald (15-229, 3 TDs), LB Uriah Hammond (59 solos, 6 1/2 TFLs), LB Elijah Gallagher (20 solos, 6 sacks). SALEM – QB Matt Hill (120-183, 1,593 yards, 15 TDs, 6 INTs), WR-CB Chad Fisher (60-872, 8 TDs, 7 defensive INTs), RB Devante Payne (159-667, 9 TDs rushing, 11-123, 3 TDs receiving), RB Arius McConnell (113-560, 7 TDs rushing, 15-250, 2 TDs receiving). LB JaMal Holland (46 solos, 2 1/2 sacks), DE Zack Hill (42 solos, 6 1/2 sacks).
Quick kicks: Bradley and Magenbauer have won two state titles apiece as head coaches, Bradley taking Division 1 crowns in 2002 and 2005 at William Campbell, and Magenbauer winning back-to-back Division 4 titles in 2004-05.…Salem and Heritage are tied 4-4 in their all-time series, last meeting in the regular season in 1989.…Both are former Group AAA schools.…Heritage’s lone loss was 19-17 to unbeaten Brookville.…The Pioneers beat William Byrd 35-0 in a Region III semifinal.…Salem beat Byrd 28-21 in the regular season.…Salem’s last state semifinal was a 48-35 loss at Amherst County in 2007.…Tickets for today’s game are $10.
Next week: The winner plays either Briar Woods or Courtland in the Dec. 8 state final at Liberty University.
—
GROUP A DIVISION 2
GEORGE WYTHE (12-1) at FRANKLIN (13-0)
Today, 1:30 p.m.
Nicknames: George Wythe (Maroons), Franklin (Broncos).
Coaches: George Wythe (H.S. Ingo), Franklin (Darren Parker).
Last week: George Wythe defeated Clintwood 7-0 at home. Franklin defeated Altavista 41-11 at home.
Playoff history: GEORGE WYTHE – Beat Buckingham County 26-12 in the 2002 Division 2 state final under Donnie Pruitt. … Lost 14-7 to Courtland in the 1983 AA final under Paul Wheeler. … Has 19-13 record in 15 postseason appearances. … Ousted 23-13 by Clintwood in the third round of the 2011 playoffs. FRANKLIN – Beat Clintwood 28-20 in the 2008 Division 1 final. … Beat J.I. Burton 41-0 in the 2004 championship. … Lost to Riverheads 35-8 in 2010 state semifinal. … Broncos have 11 straight playoff trips, but none before 2000.
2012 statistics: GEORGE WYTHE – QB Jordan Byrd (50 of 87, 769 yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs), RB Dominique Crockett (137-1,211, 23 TDs), RB Trey Skeens (134-1,148, 11 TDs), FB Justin Snavely (71-511, 4 TDs, 30 TFLs at LB), TE-DE Hardy Lester (22-385, 3 TDs, 73 solos, 16 TFLs, 13 1/2 sacks), FS Jalen France (111 solo tackles, 51 assists), DB Isaac Baltazaar (6 INTs). FRANKLIN – TB Travis Brown (5-10, 175, sr.) is the leading rusher. … MLB JaVonte’ Blacknall (6-1, 195, sr.) is the leading tackler. … LaQuadric Pittman (5-11, 170, soph.) is the quarterback.
Quick kicks: Franklin’s 41-point total in last week’s win over Altavista was its lowest output this season.…Broncos have scored 60 or more three times including the 62-20 victory over Tri-Rivers rival and fellow Division 1 semifinalist Sussex Central.…George Wythe PK Andrew Storms has belted 43 of 71 kickoffs into the end zone. … France has eight TDs including four in the opening round 46-13 victory over Eastern Montgomery.…Franklin is one of the seven teams from Region A to have won a state championship. Franklin has two of the 11 titles claimed by teams from Region A. All the Region A championships have come since 1990, five years after Group A split into two divisions.…George Wythe has rushed for 4,090 yards and 52 TDs.
Next week: The winner plays either Honaker or Sussex Central in the Dec. 8 state final at Salem Stadium.

 No more high school football in 2012 on Fridays this year following tonight’s games across the state.
 This has to be the best weather I’ve seen in 35 years of running around Southwest and Central Virginia football fields.
 Next week, the games move to Saturday. Timesland will have at least one state semifinalist: the winner of tonight’s game between Salem and Christiansburg.
 Who else will still be standing?

REGION IV DIVISION 4
CHRISTIANSBURG (8-4) at SALEM (11-0)
Today, 7:30 p.m.
    Coaches: Christiansburg (Tim Cromer), Salem (Stephen Magenbauer).
    Last week: Christiansburg won 31-6 at Hidden Valley. Salem defeated Pulaski County 17-14 at home.
    Playoff history: CHRISTIANSBURG – Has won the last three regional titles … Lost to Briar Woods 28-27 in 2011 Division 4 state final … Has made playoffs 15 times with 14-14 overall record … Made first playoff appearance in 1981. SALEM – Owns six state titles including back-to-back Division 4 crowns in 2004-05 in Magenbauer’s first two years … Most recent regional title was 2007 … Lost to Magna Vista 36-35 in OT last year in region semifinal … Has made playoffs 25 times with 48-18 overall record and 12 region titles.
    Statistics: CHRISTIANSBURG – WB Joey Augustin (180-1,303 rushing, 21 TDs), RB De’Quan Green-Gause (170-1,263, 18 TDs), PK Jake Hamley (48 of 49 PATs, 3 of 6 FGs), LB Calvin Graham (91 solos, 4 sacks), LB Seth Wills (94 solos). SALEM – RB Devante Payne (147-627, 8 rushing TDs), RB Arius McConnell (100-495, 6 TDs), QB Matt Hill (106-161, 1,409 yards, 14 TDs, 4 INTs), WR Chad Fisher (55-840, 8 TDs, 6 defensive INTs).
    Quick kicks: Salem defeated Christiansburg 14-13 in Salem Stadium on Oct. 19 as Payne ran for 107 yards … Payne returned last week from a knee injury he suffered against Hidden Valley … Since 2004, Christiansburg has beaten Salem more times (4) than any other team … Cromer is 4-5 all-time vs. Magenbauer including a 13-0 playoff win in 2009 … Magenbauer’s record at Salem is 96-15 … Christiansburg’s other losses were to Pulaski County (17-14), Hidden Valley (28-0) and Cave Spring (37-24) … Augustin started five games at QB before being moved back to halfback. 
    Next week: The winner plays at home against either Amherst County or Heritage.
    Prediction: Salem 24, Christiansburg 21. Read more »

Greetings from Saturday morning after Round 2 of the VHSL football playoffs. I rolled back in after midnight from Lynchburg where Brookville whipped Northside 29-7 in a Region III Division 3 semifinal and Bees quarterback Kendall BeCraft went over the 9,000-yard mark in career passing yardage.

Just as I returned home around 12:30 a.m., an excited Bristol Herald Courier sports writer and proud John Battle High School alumnus Tim Hayes called me about the Trojans’ 37-14 drubbing of Giles in a Division 2 West Section second-round game. Even so, Hayes was somewhat surprised at the outcome, but not as much as I was. That’s why John Battle’s win is No. 1 today on my list of things that caught my eye last night. Read more »