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 »

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.

Game 3, Thursday

Altavista’s girls set a Group A state record for free throws in a single game by making 42 of 55 from the line Thursday in a 58-46 victory over Clintwood in a Division 1 semifinal.

Altavista (23-4) will face defending champion East Rockingham in Friday’s 2 p.m. championship.

The Colonels made just eight field goals in the game. Takara Dews set a Group A single-game record by making 16 free throws in 18 attempts, accounting for all of her points from the line. Sydney Morris led Altavista with 17 points. Kalia Donigan added 11.

Clintwood (18-10) led 37-36 after three quarters before Altavista outscored the Greenwave 22-9 in the final quarter. Kayla Fleming led Clintwood with 17 points.

Game 2, Thursday

Altavista has advanced to the Group A Division 1 boys final with a lockdown 47-26 victory over J.I. Burton.

Juan Thornhill led Altavista (23-3) with 14 points. Demetrius Johnson added 12 points, while Meche Maulbeck had 10. All three of the Colonels’ losses this year have been to Dogwood District rival Dan River.

Altavista will play the winner today’s 5 p.m. game between Parry McCluer and West Point.

Burton (14-15) made just eight field goals in the game. Ervin Beaty led the Black Raiders with 14 points.

Game 1, Thursday

Defending Group A Division 1 girls champion East Rockingham has ousted Castlewood 63-32 in the 11 a.m. game, forcing a the Blue Devils to commit a whopping 39 turnovers including 24 in the first half.

East Rockingham (28-1) was led by Madison Comer with 15 points and nine assists. Katie Dofflemyer and Jessica Lam each scored 14 points. The Eagles will face Altavista in the state final at 2 p.m. Friday. Dofflemyer and Comer each had eight steals.

Center Caitlyn Fleming led Castlewood (21-7) with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

The Blue Devils’ trip to Richmond was hampered by Wednesday’s snowstorm. Head coach Barry Ruff said the normal six-hour trip turned into a 12-hour marathon. Ruff said his team arrived in Richmond at approximately 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Here are the VHSL basketball semifinal pairings:

GROUP AAA BOYS
Henrico vs. W.T. Woodson, Monday, 3:15 p.m.
John Marshall vs. Wakefield, Monday, 8:45 p.m.

GROUP AAA GIRLS
Lake Taylor vs. Colonial Forge, Monday, 1:30 p.m.
Princess Anne vs. Stonewall Jackson, Monday, 7 p.m.

GROUP AA DIVISION 4 BOYS
Salem vs. Potomac Falls, Tuesday, 9 p.m.
Grafton vs.  E.C. Glass, Wednesday, 12:45 p.m.

GROUP AA DIVISION 4 GIRLS
Bassett vs. Courtland, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Salem vs. Loudoun County, Wednesday, 11 a.m.

GROUP AA DIVISION 3 BOYS
Bruton vs. Spotswood, Tuesday, 11 a.m.
Fort Defiance vs. Brunswick, Tuesday, 5 p.m.

GROUP AA DIVISION 3 GIRLS
Spotswood vs. Poquoson, Tuesday, 11 a.m.
Richlands vs. Brunswick, Tuesday, 3 p.m.

GROUP A DIVISION 2 BOYS
Radford vs. Essex, Thursday, 7 p.m.
William Monroe vs. Gate City, Thursday, 9 p.m.

GROUP A DIVISION 2 GIRLS
Floyd County vs. George Mason, Friday, 10:30 a.m.
Central-Wise vs. Clarke County, Friday, 12:15 p.m.

GROUP A DIVISION 1 BOYS
J.I. Burton vs. Altavista, Thursday, 1 p.m.
Parry McCluer vs. West Point, Thursday, 5 p.m.

GROUP A DIVISION 1 GIRLS
Castlewood vs. East Rockingham, Thursday, 11 a.m.
Clintwood vs. Altavista, Thursday, 3 p.m.

Troy Helton of Covington and Owen Deacon of James River have taken top honors on the All-Pioneer District football team.

Helton was named offensive player of the year, while Deacon won the defensive player of the year award. James River’s Philip King was named coach of the year.

Click here to see the all-district team.

 The kickoff times have been set for the 14 second-round VHSL football playoff games this weekend.
 Thirteen of the games are Friday night with the exception being Galax’s trip to Honaker, which will be at 1 p.m. Saturday.
 Here is the full VHSL schedule:

DIVISION 6
Central Region
Meadowbrook (9-1) at Varina (9-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
L.C. Bird (10-0) at Hermitage (10-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Eastern Region
Salem-Virginia Beach (10-1) at Oscar Smith (10-1), TBA
Western Branch (9-2) at Ocean Lakes (11-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Northern Region
Chantilly (8-3) at Westfield (11-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Oakton (7-4) at Centreville (8-3), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Northwest Region
Battlefield (8-3) at C.D. Hylton (8-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Colonial Forge (9-2) at Stonewall Jackson (9-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m. Read more »

It’s 10 a.m. Saturday, mere hours since I rolled back into Roanoke from Pearisburg where Giles senior Ian Mann put up more than three bills of rushing yardage and threw a TD pass in the Spartans’ 41-14 win over James River in the first round of the Division 2 West Section football playoffs.

Sixty-four games took place across Virginia on Friday night. Eight more are today, wrapping up the opening round. The Central Region finished its regular season last night. The Richmond-area Group AAA teams will join the playoff party next week.

Here’s what jumped out at me Friday:

1. Some Group A schools from the 434 and 804 struggled big-time.
Covington destroyed Rappahannock 51-28 on the road, while Parry McCluer handled Charles City 33-7 in the Division 1 East Section. Bath County nearly pulled off a second straight first-round win in losing at No. 2 seed Sussex Central 14-10. Also, in Division 2 Gretna was hammered at Grayson County 44-31, while Dan River got steamrolled 55-27 at home by Stuarts Draft. Division 2 East top seed Essex, unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in Group A by the AP, had a fairly close shave against 3-7 Luray before winning 28-12.
Was the Dogwood District that far down this year? It appears so after last night. William Campbell, at 3-7, saved some face for the league with a 41-22 win over West Point in Division 1 East. Altavista, seeded No. 4, hosts Surry County today, but this is an Altavista team that lost earlier this year to James River.
Conversely, the Shenandoah District had a pretty good night. Stuarts Draft, Riverheads and Wilson Memorial all had blowout wins. East Rockingham also won a Division 2 East game and will get its shot at Essex next week. The game between Riverheads and Wilson Memorial next week in Fishersville should be a monster. Read more »