Larry Brown is back in North Carolina, this time to coach the Charlotte Bobcats. Will the NBA experience of Brown and his new boss, Michael Jordan, do anything for the Bobcats next season? Most likely it will. It is good to see Brown coming back to the league and doing what he loves to do and does better than most. We know he probably won't stay beyond his four-year contract (he'll be 71 when it expires) or he might not even last that long. But he will leave the team in better shape than it is now. What will really matter for the franchise is who they replace him with. Brown will raise the level of their play, but not many will be capable of following him and at least maintaining what he's grown. -- Jeff Gilbert

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About the rankings
Rankings are from major invitational regular-season meets or district, region and state meets only. Meets included so far are Vince Bradford Relays (Lynchburg), Concord University Invitational (Athens, W.Va.), Heritage Invitational (Lynchburg), Taco Bell Classic (Columbia, S.C.), Gus Lacy Classic (Fork Union), Turner Ashby Invitational (Bridgewater), Judy Thomas Invitational (Emory), Knights Classic (Roanoke College), Volunteer Classic (Knoxville, Tenn.), All-American Relays (Radford), Amherst Invitational (Amherst), Cosmopolitan Invitational (Salem), Bearcat Invitational (Bristol), Dogwood Relays (Charlottesville), Times-News Invitational (Kingsport, Tenn.), VMI Invitational (Lexington), Lynchburg Elite (Lynchburg), Southern Track Classic (Richmond), New River Invitational (Pearisburg), Norm Lineburg Invitational (Radford), VIC (Lynchburg), Western Valley District (Lynchburg), Blue Ridge District (Lord Botetourt), Seminole District (Brookville), Piedmont District (Laurel Park), Southwest District (Abingdon), Southern Valley District (Stuarts Draft), River Ridge District (Salem), Hogoheegee District (Emory), Three Rivers District (Floyd), Northwest Region (Charlottesville), Region III (Lynchburg), Region IV (Martinsville), Region C (Radford), Group AAA (Newport News), Group AA (Harrisonburg), Group A (Radford).

BOYS

100 meters
1. Jon Thompson, Radford (Group A), 10.88
2. Geary Cunningham, Staunton River (Cosmo), 10.91
3. Brandon Keith, Patrick Henry (Cosmo), 11.08
4. Phillip Scott, Northside (Knights), 11.13
5. Devontae Keen, Martinsville (Piedmont), 11.17
6. Javon Tarpley, Martinsville (Region IV), 11.22
7. Marcus Bratton, William Fleming (Western Valley), 11.23
8. Xavier Norman, Bassett (Piedmont), 11.24
9. Martin Scales, Bassett (Piedmont), 11.31
10. Scott Campbell, Salem (Knights), 11.43

200 meters
1. Jon Thompson, Radford (Group A), 22.27
2. Chris Toney, Bassett (Region IV), 22.58
3. Geary Cunningham, Staunton River (Cosmo), 22.59
4. Brandon Keith, Patrick Henry (Cosmo), 22.73
....Phillip Scott, Northside (Region III), 22.73
6. Xavier Norman, Bassett (Piedmont), 22.75
7. Zac Evans, Christiansburg (Lineburg), 22.92
8. Luke Elbino, William Byrd (Blue Ridge), 23.00
9. Demetrious Brown, Pulaski County (Lineburg), 23.02
10. Greg Keys, Blacksburg (Cosmo), 23.07

400 meters
1. Ryne Bollinger, Liberty (Seminole), 49.81
2. Andrew Hall, William Byrd (Cosmo), 50.15
3. Chris Toney, Bassett (Region IV), 50.68
4. Luke Elbino, William Byrd (Group AA), 50.92
5. Justin Seay, Franklin County (Western Valley), 50.98
6. Zac Evans, Christiansburg (River Ridge), 51.03
7. Peter Dorrell, Blacksburg (Lineburg), 51.19
....Brian Hencke, Blacksburg (River Ridge), 51.19
9. Ryan Webb, Liberty (Seminole), 51.36
10. Adam Martin, Chilhowie (Buffalo) 51.81

800 meters
1. Drew Hall, William Byrd (Southern Classic) 1:53.80
2. Peter Dorrell, Blacksburg (Cosmo), 1:54.89
3. Brian Hencke, Blacksburg (Cosmo), 1:55.09
4. Caleb Hughes, Christiansburg (Region IV), 1:58.69
5. Bryan Lewis, Hidden Valley (Region IV), 1:59.09
6. Ryan Capps, Cave Spring (Region IV), 1:59.12
7. Andrew Milauskas, Blacksburg (Region IV), 1:59.36
8. Justin Resendes, Jefferson Forest (Seminole), 1:59.78
9. Barrett LeHardy, Hidden Valley (River Ridge), 1:59.92
10. Ryne Bollinger, Liberty (Region III), 2:00.13

1,600 meters
1. Peter Dorrell, Blacksburg (VMI), 4:11.62
2. Tim Smith, Cave Spring (VMI), 4:17.68
3. Bryan Lewis, Hidden Valley (VMI), 4:30.60
4. George Carter, Blacksburg (VMI) 4:30.72
5. Nathan Brame, Radford (Buffalo), 4:31.70
6. Jon Clark, William Fleming (Cosmo), 4:33.43
7. Byron Hart, William Byrd (Amherst), 4:33.74
8. Michael Davis, Grayson County (New River) 4:34.29
9. Charles Mogen, Radford (Buffalo) 4:34.73
10. Matt Howard, Blacksburg (Volunteer), 4:35.68

3,200 meters
1. Peter Dorrell, Blacksburg (Volunteer), 9:05.08
2. Tim Smith, Cave Spring (Knights), 9:16:46
3. Matthew Howard, Blacksburg (Volunteer), 9:40.09
4. George Carter, Blacksburg (Volunteer), 9:42.59
5. Bryan Lewis, Hidden Valley (Region IV), 9:44.24
6. Barrett LeHardy, Hidden Valley (Region IV), 9:45.24
7. Christian Viehland, Blacksburg (Region IV), 9:54.24
....Michael Davis, Grayson County (Mountain Empire), 9:54.24
9. Byron Hart, William Byrd (Amherst), 10:00.03
10. Charles Mogen, Radford (Region C), 10:14.45

110 hurdles
1. Robert Sterrett, Blacksburg (Region IV), 14.85
2. Alex Fisher, William Byrd (Region III), 15.05
3. James Bell, Staunton River (Cosmo), 15.07
4. Kendal Booker, Northside (Blue Ridge), 15.08
5. Ethan Mills, George Wythe (Region C), 15.26
6. Tyler Wood, Auburn (Region C), 15.35
7. Chris Dobbins, Christiansburg (Lineburg), 15.41
8. Marvin Nall, Franklin County (VMI), 15.46
9. Teddy Ivanco, Cave Spring (Region IV), 15.65
10. Travis Hudson, Christiansburg (Lineburg), 15.77

300 hurdles
1. Antonio Medley, Salem (Cosmo), 39.34
2. James Bell, Staunton River (Seminole), 40.08
3. Tyler Wood, Auburn (Region C), 40.84
4. Joe Villanueva, Salem (River Ridge), 40.95
5. Robert Sterrett, Blacksburg (Cosmo) 41.01
6. Brock Hanna, Marion (Southwest), 41.22
7. Robert Sterrett, Blacksburg (River Ridge), 41.23
8. Marco Trent, William Fleming (Northwest Region), 41.60
9. Marcus Hairston, Bassett (Piedmont), 41.70
10. Austin Bess, Alleghany (Concord), 41.74
....Teddy Ivanco, Cave Spring (Region IV), 41.74

400 relay
1. Bassett (Piedmont), 43.71
2. Martinsville (Morrison, Scott, Tarpley, Green) (Group AA), 43.97
3. Northside (Scott, Phelps, Booker, Martin) (Amherst), 44.75
4. Blacksburg (Cosmo), 44.82
5. Staunton River (Bradford), 44.98
6. Radford (Region C), 45.01
7. Franklin County (Western Valley), 45.27
8. Christiansburg (River Ridge), 45.33
9. Patrick Henry (Amherst), 45.35
10. Chilhowie (Region C), 45.44

1,600 relay
1. William Byrd (Fisher, Mooney, Williams Hall) (Group AA), 3:24.93
2. Christiansburg (Asconi, Restrepp, Evans, Hughes) (Group AA), 3:28.67
3. Blacksburg (Region IV), 3:32.37
4. Cave Spring (Region IV), 3:33.24
5. Liberty (Region III), 3:34.43
6. Bassett (Piedmont), 3:34.97
7. Radford (Group A), 3:36.89
8. Jefferson Forest (Region III), 3:37.74
9. Staunton River (Lynchburg Elite) 3:38.47
10. Northside (Region III), 3:38.84

3,200 relay
1. Blacksburg (Hull, Hencke, Milauskas, Dorrell) (Lineburg), 8:00.07
2. William Byrd (Kingery, Elbino, Hart, Hall) (Group AA), 8:00.63
3. Cave Spring (Region IV) 8:12.24
4. Christiansburg (Lineburg), 8:15.24
5. Jefferson Forest (Seminole), 8:24.04
6. Cave Spring (Southern Classic) 8:29.31
7. Hidden Valley (River Ridge), 8:30.89
8. Franklin County (Northwest Region), 8:43.23
9. Patrick Henry (Western Valley), 8:50.35
10. William Fleming (Amherst), 8:50.92

Shot put
1. Emanuel Alfred, Covington (VMI), 54-3 ½
....Phillip Mesadieu, Patrick Henry (Group AAA), 54-3 ½
3. Sawyer Russell, James River (VMI), 53-2
4. Marcus Burwell, Franklin County (Western Valley), 51-10
5. Andy Broughman, James River (Region C), 50-10
6. Patrick Pollifrone, Salem (Cosmo), 50-9 ½
7. Amondre Johnson, William Fleming (Western Valley) 49-10 ¼
8. Tyler Hatcher, Liberty (Bradford), 49-2 ¼
9. Dustin Shelton, Bassett (Region IV), 49-0
10. Jonathan Taylor, Christiansburg (Group AA), 48-10 ¾

Discus
1. Sawyer Russell, James River (All-American), 168-8
2. Emanuel Alfred, Covington (Group A), 166-7
3. Kent Moles, Floyd County (All-American), 159-8
4. Marcus Burwell, Franklin County (Group AAA), 158-8
5. Will Sawyers, George Wythe (All-American), 157-0
6. Brandyn Turley, Salem (Group AA), 147-5
7. Phillip Mesadieu, Patrick Henry (Knights), 143-11
8. Dionte Hall, William Fleming (Fork Union), 141-4
9. David McCauley, Salem (Amherst), 138-9
10. Patrick Pollifrone, Salem (Cosmo), 138-7

Long jump
1. Donte Morrison, Martinsville (Piedmont), 21-11 ¾
2. Tyler Wood, Auburn (Buffalo) 21-10
3. DaVon Ross, James River (VMI), 21-9
4. Scott Campbell, Salem (River Ridge), 21-8
5. Chris Scott, Martinsville (Region IV), 21-7
6. Ethan Mills, George Wythe (Group A), 21-4
7. Brandon Davis, George Wythe (Hogoheegee), 21-3 ¼
8. Allen Dickerson, Radford (Region C), 20-11 ½
9. Justin Seay, Franklin County (Cosmo), 20-11
10. Tyler Wood, Auburn (New River), 20-10 ½
....Travis Hudson, Christiansburg (Region IV), 20-10 ½

Triple jump
1. DaVon Ross, James River (Group AA), 46-3 ¼
2. Donte Morrison, Martinsville (Region IV), 44-6
3. Demetrious Brown, Pulaski County (Knights), 44-2 ¼
4. Luke Elbino, William Byrd (Knights), 43-8
5. Michael Cole, Cave Spring (River Ridge), 43-7 ½
6. Marcus Hairston, Bassett (Region IV), 43-4
7. Bobby Taylor, Franklin County (Knights), 42-4
8. Ethan Mills, George Wythe (Hogoheegee), 42-3
9. Scott Campbell, Salem (Region IV), 42-2
10. John O'Brien, Grayson County (Group A), 41-10 ¾

High jump
1. Philip Morris, Glenvar (Group A), 6-7
2. DaVon Ross, James River (All-American), 6-6
2. Rick Alderman, Lord Botetourt (Knights), 6-4
....Tennis Simon, George Wythe (Buffalo) 6-4
....James Bell, Staunton River (Seminole), 6-4
6. Curtis Williams, Chilhowie (Buffalo) 6-2
....Travis Hudson, Christiansburg (Cosmo), 6-2
....Matt Burnette, Cave Spring (VMI), 6-2
....Andrew Hamm, Fort Chiswell (Concord), 6-2
10. Ricardo Ortiz, Bassett (Piedmont), 6-1

Pole vault
1. James Bell, Staunton River (Lynchburg Elite), 14-6
2. Josh Drablos, Jefferson Forest (Region III), 14-0
3. Carson Smith, Patrick Henry (Bradford), 11-6
....Matt McLaughlin, Jefferson Forest (Region III), 11-6
5. Sam Wright, Franklin County (Bradford), 10-6
....Ethan Wilmer, Jefferson Forest (Turner Ashby), 10-6
....Levi George, Jefferson Forest (Seminole), 10-6
8. Trass Barley, Franklin County (Knights), 10-0
....James Hutchinson, Jefferson Forest (Seminole), 10-0
10. Zac Osborne, Cave Spring (VMI), 9-6

GIRLS

100 meters
1. Sasha King, Giles (Group A), 12.37
2. TeaCarla Wade, Magna Vista (Region IV), 12.39
3. Kenara Hurt, Liberty (Knights), 12.79
....Courtney Brown, Blacksburg (Volunteer), 12.79
5. Eriaca Coleman, William Fleming (Northwest Region), 12.85
6. Pamela Pack, Auburn (Region C), 12.93
7. Lychelle Lewis, Alleghany (Blue Ridge), 13.01
8. Natalie Woodford, Patrick Henry (Amherst), 13.05
9. Amber Church, Pulaski County (VMI), 13.11
10. Brittany Bostwick, Christiansburg (Region IV), 13.13

200 meters
1. TeaCarla Wade, Magna Vista (Region IV), 25.40
2. Sasha King, Giles (Region C), 25.80
3. Kenara Hurt, Liberty (Group AA), 26.02
4. Natalie Woodford, Patrick Henry (Western Valley), 26.09
5. Stephanie Smith, Salem (Region IV), 26.30
6. Ericka Claytor, Salem (River Ridge), 26.50
....Eriaica Coleman, William Fleming (Northwest Region), 26.50
8. Pamela Pack, Auburn (Region C), 26.51
9. Courtney Brown, Blacksburg (Volunteer), 26.71
10. LaEcha Thomas, William Fleming (Western Valley), 26.93

400 meters
1. Natalie Woodford, Patrick Henry (Western Valley), 57.21
2. Jessica Wolter, Northside (Region III), 58.96
3. Alicia Terry, Patrick Henry (VMI), 59.70
4. Kenara Hurt, Liberty (Region III), 1:00.13
5. Shawnee Carnett, Marion (Region IV), 1:00.26
6. Avery Mattingly, Blacksburg (River Ridge), 1:00.49
7. Reema Azar, Cave Spring (Knights), 1:00.57
8. Alicia Royal, William Byrd (VMI), 1:00.60
9. Tatum Tyler, Cave Spring (Region IV), 1:00.93
10. Molly Western, Cave Spring (Group AA), 1:01.42

800 meters
1. Avery Mattingly, Blacksburg (Knights), 2:18.08
2. Trinity Foreman, Blacksburg (Region IV), 2:18.65
3. Annie LeHardy, Hidden Valley (Region IV) 2:19.68
4. Tatum Tyler, Cave Spring (Region IV), 2:19.81
5. Alisha Royal, William Byrd (Taco Bell), 2:20.12
6. Kathleen Stevens, Blacksburg (Group AA), 2:20.22
7. Joanna Stevens, Blacksburg (Region IV), 2:20.31
8. Maggie Graham, Marion (Region IV), 2:20.48
9. Shawnee Carnett, Marion (Southwest), 2:23.63
10. Sabrina Hall, Pulaski County (Group AA), 2:24.86

1,600 meters
1. Megan Marsico, Glenvar (Group A), 4:59.97
2. Annie LeHardy, Hidden Valley (Region IV), 5:03.09
3. Maggie Graham, Marion (Region IV), 5:03.23
4. Joanna Stevens, Blacksburg (Region IV), 5:08.80
5. Trinity Foreman, Blacksburg (Southern Classic), 5:09.93
6. Kathleen Stevens, Blacksburg (Region IV), 5:10.00
7. Sabrina Hall, Pulaski County (Region IV), 5:13.90
8. Laurel MacMillan, Blacksburg (Bradford), 5:14.20
9. Alisha Royal, William Byrd (Bradford), 5:17.70
10. Melanie Rice, Marion (Southwest), 5:20.30

3,200 meters
1. Megan Marsico, Glenvar (Region C), 11:00.22
2. Laurel MacMillan, Blacksburg (Volunteer), 11:09.94
3. Sabrina Hall, Pulaski County (River Ridge), 11:16.25
4. Melanie Rice, Marion (Times-News), 11:24.69
5. Carter Norbo, Patrick Henry (Northwest Region), 11:31.93
6. Trinity Foreman, Blacksburg (Volunteer), 11:36.62
7. Lindsay Skolrood, Hidden Valley (Group AA), 11:43.84
8. Mary Catherine Sowder, Hidden Valley (VMI), 11:44.21
9. Kate Norbo, Patrick Henry (Western Valley), 11:47.85
10. Kathleen Stevens, Blacksburg (River Ridge), 11:54.80

100 hurdles
1. Sarah Witt, Staunton River (Seminole), 15.03
2. Amber Church, Pulaski County (Lineburg), 15.15
3. Shaundra Cook, Franklin County (Western Valley), 15.16
4. Kaylin Foor, Cave Spring (Lineburg), 15.91
5. Brittany Cornett, Lord Botetourt (Cosmo), 16.10
6. Brittany McCollum, Blacksburg (Region IV), 16.21
7. Meagan Tolley, Northside (Blue Ridge), 16.74
8. Hannah Hadaway, Rural Retreat (Region C), 17.08
9. Brianna Caldwell, Giles (Three Rivers), 17.09
10. Jasmine Hariston, Franklin County (VMI), 17.21

300 hurdles
1. Sarah Witt, Staunton River (Southern Classic), 45.42
2. Brittany Cornett, Staunton River (Region III), 47.26
3. Amber Church, Pulaski County (River Ridge), 47.30
4. Stephanie Smith, Salem (River Ridge), 49.34
5. Shaundra Cook, Franklin County (Western Valley), 49.54
6. Stephanie Spickard, Lord Botetourt (Cosmo), 50.00
7. Jasmine Hariston, Franklin County (Knights), 50.05
8. Sarah Dorrell, Blacksburg (Region IV), 50.10
9. Emily Cranwell, Blacksburg (Cosmo), 50.16
10. Meagan Tolley, Northside (Region III), 50.78

400 relay
1. William Fleming (Curtis, Coleman, Johnson, Thomas) (Fork Union), 50.24
2. Salem (Calloway, Eason, Smith, Claytor) (River Ridge), 50.81
3. Giles (Region C), 51.71
4. Franklin County (Cosmo), 51.76
5. Magna Vista (Piedmont), 51.96
6. Cave Spring (Region IV), 52.35
7. Martinsville (Region IV), 52.51
8. Northside (Knights), 52.53
9. Blacksburg (River Ridge), 52.59

1,600 relay
1. Cave Spring (Azar, Western, Remine, Tyler) (Group AA), 4:06.06
2. Blacksburg (Knights), 4:11.59
3. Marion (Region IV), 4:22.22
4. William Fleming (Southern Classic), 4:23.05
5. Bassett (Region IV), 4:23.80
6. Patrick Henry (Bradford), 4:23.53
7. Auburn (Region C), 4:26.64
8. Liberty (Amherst), 4:26.92
9. Bassett (Piedmont), 4:29.58
10. Franklin County (Bradford), 4:30.30

3,200 relay
1. Blacksburg (Dorrell, K.Stevens, Foreman, Mattingly) (Group AA) 9:35.37
2. Hidden Valley (Sowder, Dillon, Huffman, LeHardy) (River Ridge), 9:41.81
3. Marion (Bearcat), 9:59.26
4. Cave Spring (Region IV), 10:28.63
5. Jefferson Forest (Seminole), 10:32.79
6. Liberty (Seminole), 10:42.75
7. Christiansburg (Region IV), 10:45.24
8. Pulaski County (Bradford), 10:49.56
9. Franklin County (Western Valley), 10:43.86
10. Roanoke Catholic (Knights), 11:05.59

Shot put
1. Kayla Lewis, William Fleming (Cosmo), 41-2
2. Desi Simmons, Radford (Group A), 41- ½
3. Elisa Martinez, Rockbridge County (VMI), 38-0
4. Mattie Jones, Covington (Group A), 37-6
5. Salessa Stovall, William Fleming (Group AAA), 36-9 ½
6. Alisha McCrowey, James River (Region C), 35-9 ½
7. Shanice Hairston, Magna Vista (Region IV), 35-5 ¾
8. Rachel Travis, Blacksburg (VMI), 35-2
9. Emma Stafford, Christiansburg (Heritage), 34-7 ¾
10. Aimee Veatch, Cave Spring (Cosmo), 33-10

Discus
1. Aimee Veatch, Cave Spring (Knights), 128-8
2. Brandy Preston, Franklin County (Group AAA), 124-3
3. Jelesa Anthony, Franklin County (Northwest Region), 123-6
4. Desi Simmons (All-American), 120-7
5. Mattie Jones, Covington (VMI), 109-8
6. Kelsey Huff, Jefferson Forest (Amherst), 108-3
7. Harmony Tripp, Giles (Group A), 108-0
8. Emma Stafford, Christiansburg (Lineburg), 107-10
9. Kierra Washington, Northside (Blue Ridge), 105-9
10. India Carper, Cave Spring (Lineburg), 101-9

Long jump
1. Brittany Bostwick, Christiansburg (New River), 17-7 ¾
2. Amber Church, Pulaski County (Lineburg), 17-5 ½
3. Jasmine Hariston, Franklin County (Knights), 17-5
....Shaundra Cook, Franklin County (Western Valley), 17-5
5. Jessica Turpin, Fort Chiswell (Judy Thomas), 17-0
6. Charquia Wright, Lord Botetourt (Amherst), 16-8
7. Brittany Cornett, Lord Botetourt (Amherst), 16-7 ½
8. Kristie Johnson, James River (Lineburg), 16-6 ¾
9. Kelsey Largen, Cave Spring (Group AA), 16-3 ¼
10. Kenara Hurt, Liberty (Bradford), 16-2 ½

Triple jump
1. Jasmine Hariston, Franklin County (Cosmo), 37-2
2. Brittany Cornett, Lord Botetourt (Amherst), 36-5 ¾
3. Shaundra Cook, Franklin County (Group AAA), 35-11
4. Kelsey Largen, Cave Spring (Group AA), 35-1
5. Kenara Hurt, Liberty (Bradford), 34-8
6. Sasha King, Giles (Group A), 34-5
7. Amber Church, Pulaski County (Region IV), 34-2
8. Reema Azar, Cave Spring (Amherst), 34-1 ½
9. Brittany Bostwick, Christiansburg (VMI), 34-0
10. Edy Ndem, Cave Spring (Group AA), 33-11 ¼

High jump
1. Kelsey Shelton, Jefferson Forest, 5-4
2. Amber Church, Pulaski County (Lineburg), 5-3
3. Casey Carroll, Auburn (Buffalo) 5-2
4. Kaylin Foor, Cave Spring (Amherst), 5-0
....Jasmine Hariston, Franklin County (VMI), 5-0
....Brittany McCollum, Christiansburg (Region IV), 5-0
....Rachel Crum, Cave Spring (Region IV), 5-0
8. Kelsey Largen, Cave Spring (Knights), 4-10
....Martha Walters, George Wythe (Buffalo) 4-10
....Kadredia Johnson, William Fleming (VMI), 4-10
....Adrianna Sexton, Galax (New River), 4-10
....Kenara Hurt, Liberty (Seminole), 4-10
....Shaundra Cook, Franklin County (Western Valley), 4-10
....Gregory, Patrick County (Region IV), 4-10

Pole vault
1. Erin Patterson, Franklin County (Bradford), 11-0
2. Sarah Witt, Staunton River (Group AA), 9-0
3. Rachel Crum, Cave Spring (VMI), 8-3
4. Kaleigh Wood, Franklin County (Bradford), 8-0
....Salina Khanna, Jefferson Forest (Turner Ashby), 8-0
6. Sarah Shrewsbury, Staunton River (Bradford), 7-6
....Kelsey Largen, Cave Spring (Lineburg), 7-36
8. Caitlyn Swaffar, Cave Spring (Lineburg), 7-0

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Kudos to the Toronto Blue Jays for taking a strong stand — and a big financial hit — on Frank Thomas. The club released its slumping slugger Sunday, one day after Thomas sulked for being benched. The Big Hurt refused to shake hands with teammates after Saturday’s 3-2 victory over the Tigers, and that should tell you all you need to know about his priorities. Perhaps if he had more than four hits in his previous 35 at-bats and a batting average higher than .167, Thomas would have actually had a case. He’ll still get the big bucks left on his two-year, $18 million deal he signed in November 2006. But it’s good to see the money didn’t cramp the Jays’ brains and convince them to give in to a petulant malcontent. — Aaron McFarling

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Want to know just how good the NBA playoffs are? If you missed Saturday’s first two games — too bad. You missed plenty. LeBron James took over in the second half to lead Cleveland Cavaliers past Washington Wizards. Then the defending champion San Antonio Spurs came from behind to beat Phoenix in double overtime — all because Tim Duncan hit his first 3-pointer of the season to force that second OT. There were enough big shots in that game, that if it had been an NCAA final it would go down as a classic. But it’s just another NBA playoff game. That’s what makes this league’s playoffs season so much fun to watch. There will be lots of clutch performances between now and June. — Jeff Gilbert

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I made the statement today that the NBA Western Conference is down this year. After being roundly ridiculed and mocked of by my co-workers, I tried to make more point more clearly. So let me explain. No, let me sum up — that’s all the space I have. The Western team which makes the Finals will not be as formidable as the Spurs were last year. The West is deep, but it’s not as tough at the top. Not saying the Celtics or the Pistons will win the title, but don’t hand the trophy to the Lakers, etc., just yet. — Jeff Gilbert

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When the only criticizing to be done is nit-picking, that has become the sign of true greatness in sports. Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer we’ve ever seen, but he’s never come from behind on Sunday to win a major. If that’s all you’ve got, then find something else to say or write about. When Tiger wins, he is dominant. When he loses, the putts don’t fall. It’s as simple as that. The Sunday will come when Tiger fills this so-called gap on his resume. What will be next? He’s never won in anything but red on Sunday? — Jeff Gilbert

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Well, Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer called today's Maroon-White scrimmage one of the best Spring Games he's seen, which probably ranks it about 12,475th on his list of best games he's seen. Sean Glennon's White team defeated the Tyrod Taylor-led Maroon squad 24-3 in a fairly well-played scrimmage that had some encouraging signs on both sides.

For Sunday, Randy King will have a story with heavy emphasis on receiver Brandon Dillard, who definitely made a case that he deserves a scholarship. The former Bassett standout and redshirt junior still does not have one, but he was the top performer on the field today, rushing for 49 yards on one carry and catching a 25-yard touchdown pass. For a team looking for replacements in the receiving corps, Dillard stood out. Zach Luckett caught two passes for 20 yards, while Danny Coale had two receptions for 18 yards.

Glennon also looked good, completing 9 of 15 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.

“Definitely not a perfect spring, but I like how it ended," Glennon said. "I thought I played pretty well today.”

Taylor's line wasn't as effective, and he was sacked three times while completing 11 of 19 passes for 67 yards and an interception.

Josh Oglesby's 25-yard run in the second half gave him a Maroon team-leading 40 yards. Darren Evans ran nine times for 24 yards and one touchdown for the White team, with Dustin Pickle toting it once for four yards.

The kicking game is another unsettled position. Chris Hazley hit a 42-yard field goal, the longest of the day. Dustin Keys connected from 18 yards out, and Tim Pisano was short on a 52-yard attempt.

Tech's not providing any estimates on the crowd, but the press box consensus is 30,000. Definitely not bad considering the cool, drizzly weather.

That's all for tonight. I'll have a column in Sunday's paper (and online) about what I think Tech should do with the quarterback situation, and Randy will have his story and other notes and quotes from the game. Hope you'll check it out.
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White wins 24-3. Back with stats and a wrap-up later.
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Fitting end to a tough day for the Taylor-led Maroon team. A 16-yard completion over the middle to Andre Smith ends in a fumble. Dean Hill recovers for the White team with 33 seconds left.
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Getting sloppy here at the end, with two bad snaps in a row for the White team. They'll punt it away to give Taylor one more crack at leading a TD drive.
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Maroon turns it over on downs with less than 3 minutes to go. Cory Holt did make his first catch on the drive, a 17-yarder from Taylor.
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Unofficially, White has 199 total yards while Maroon has 74.
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Ike Whitaker makes a diving catch in the end zone on a 12-yard pass from Glennon, and the rout is on for the White team. White leads 24-3 with 5:17 remaining in the fourth quarter after Dustin Keys boots the extra point. Spectacular play by the former quarterback and the present one. Glennon eluded pressure and threw on the run where only Whitaker could get it, and Whitaker went full-out on the dive to snag it in the corner. Highlights on the drive: Evans caught an 11-yard pass out of the backfield for a first down. Tight end Andrew Lanier got loose over the middle to collect a 27-yard pass from Glennon.
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Maroon puts together a long drive, at least in terms of time, but they have to settle for a 52-yard field goal attempt and Tim Pisano is well short on it. Macho Harris fields the ball in the end zone and returns it to the White 36. On the drive: Danny Coale shows his stuff as a possession receiver, picking up a first down on a 8-yard pass from Taylor on 3rd-and-7. Tailback Josh Oglesby has his first big play of the day, breaking through a hole on the left side for 25 yards on third-and-2. But Macho Harris sacks Taylor from behind for a big loss and Maroon cannot make up that ground.
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White goes three and out to start the second half. Zach Luckett dropped a sure first down pass from Glennon on third down. That's three drops from the unproven receiving corps thus far.
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HALFTIME: Your MVP thus far is the White team's Brandon Dillard, who caught a 25-yard touchdown pass, had a 49-yard end around to set up another score and also had a nice kick return. The redshirt junior (have I mentioned he was a Bassett guy?) is a former walk-on with a diverse set of skills. As for the quarterbacks, Sean Glennon has looked great, while Tyrod Taylor hasn't looked very comfortable. I'll get some stats when they become available.
Spring awards are being announced. They are:
Paul Torgersen Award (top offensive and defensive newcomer) are Blake DeChristopher on offense and Barqell Rivers on defense.
Dr. Richard Bullock Award (most improved) are Ike Whitaker on offense and Demetrius Taylor on defense.
Frank O. Moseley Award (most hustle) are Dustin Pickle on offense and John Graves on defense.
Don Williams Award (team-first mentality) were Devin Perez on offense and Cam Martin on defense.
The Coaches Award (outstanding spring player) are Nick Marshman on offense and Brett Warren on defense.
President's Award (leadership): Orion Martin and Kam Chancellor, both on defense.
George Preas Award (most valuable spring performers): Greg Boone on offense and Jason Worilds on defense.
Biggest Loser Award (most weight loss): Cordarrow Thompson, defense.
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The ATM (Evans) can't punch it in this time from 1-yard out, and an incompletion on second down forces White to settle for a field goal just before the half. They're up on Maroon 17-3 at the half.
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Taylor is intercepted by Kam Chancellor and an underthown pass that the QB threw on the run across his body. Chancellor returns it from about midfield all the way to the Maroon 1. Hasn't been a great day for former QBs now playing receiver. A wide-open Cory Holt dropped a pass on that last drive.
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Brandon Dillard again. The former Bassett Bengal catches a perfect 25-yard pass in the end zone from Glennon, and the White team leads 14-3 with :57 remaining in the first half. A nice connection from Glennon to Boone -- who was in his more familiar tight end position -- picked up 20 yards. Luckett also caught a 16-yard pass on the drive.
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Chris Hazley boots a 42-yard field goal with plenty to spare, and the Maroon team is on the board. They now trail White 7-3 with 1:39 remaining in the first half. Hazley's boot was a good sign for the Hokies, who have struggled some in the kicking game this fall while trying to find a replacement for the departed Jud Dunlevy.
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A 14-yard touchdown pass from Taylor to tight end David Stanton is called back by a holding call. Either way, very nice catch by the redshirt sophomore Stanton, who was face-guarded well in the end zone by Davon Morgan.
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Here comes Maroon. Redshirt sophomore Prince Parker blocks a punt to set up the Maroon team first-and-10 on the White 15. A couple of guys playing relatively new positions got a shot on that last drive. Tight end Greg Boone lined up as a back and took a handoff for minus-2 yards. Then former QB Ike Whitaker, now a top contender to start at receiver this fall, dropped a pass over the middle from Glennon.
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Another 3-and-out for the Maroon team. Taylor's been moving around back there in the pocket, but he's not finding a lot of room against this defense. The rain looks like it's coming down pretty good now.
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Darren Evans -- aka the Automatic Touchdown Machine -- punches in the game's first score from 1 yard out. Dustin Keys boots the extra point and the White team leads 7-0 with 7:21 remaining in the first quarter. That 64-yard drive came exclusively on the ground.
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The first quarter ends with the game scoreless, but the White team is threatening. They've got it first-and-goal from the 3 after a 10-yard run by Evans and a nice 49-yard end around by wide receiver Brandon Dillard, a former Bassett high school standout.
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Linebacker Cam Martin is shaken up on a 2-yard run by Darren Evans. He's helped off the field.
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The Taylor-led Maroon team picks up the initial first down of the game, when the QB hit Danny Coale for a 10-yard pass. But a fourth-down pass later falls incomplete, and the White team's got it back.
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Both QBs are off to a shaky start. On his first play, Sean Glennon connects with tailback Darren Evans, who is stuck hard by linebacker Purnell Sturdivant for a loss of 3. A short pass to Zach Luckett and an incompletion down the middle followed, and the white team is forced to punt.
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Tyrod Taylor leads a 3-and-out series for the Maroon to start things off. A false start by tight end Andre Smith, followed by two incompletions and a Demetrius Taylor sack will give Sean Glennon and the white team possession.

What this game needs is stakes -- or even steaks. My college baseball team would end each fall practice season with a seven-game intrasquad series, with the losing team buying the winning team a steak dinner. Always upped the intensity a tad, more out of pride than anything. Come to think of it, that's probably some sort of NCAA violation.
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About to kick off. Might not be a record crowd, but it's a good one. The east side of the stands is about half full, while the west side is about 3/4 full. There are also several hundred in the end zone seating area.

Fans are pulling out their ponchos as a light rain begins to fall. Chilly down here today.
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Aaron McFarling here from Blacksburg, where we're about an hour away from kickoff for Virginia Tech's annual Maroon-White scrimmage. I'll be posting here with updates throughout the game.

If the parking situation is any indication, we could be looking at a record Spring Game crowd today.

-Aaron McFarling

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Mark Berman here in Blacksburg, where the victims of last April 16 were remembered before the Virginia Tech softball team recorded an emotional doubleheader sweep.

Before their doubleheader against Liberty, the Tech players gathered together on the field and shouted, "All for 32." It was their theme for the day.

Then they went out and beat the Flames 7-2 and 9-1.

"It was amazing," said first baseman Beth Walker, a Galax graduate who homered in Game 2. "You had a lot of thoughts going through your head besides softball. ... We were not just playing for a win. We were definitely playing for 32."

"It was really special to be able to come out and play for a purpose, play for the memory of the ones we lost," center fielder Jenna Rhodes said.

But playing on this day wasn't easy for the Hokies, who scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to snap a 2-2 tie in Game 1.

"It just hits you at odd times," said pitcher Angela Tincher, who struck out 17 in the first game but also gave up a two-run homer in the sixth inning of that game. "It was a little bit harder than I think I thought it was going to be. Softball is what we're used to doing, but today ... it was really hard to focus.

"I just put a little bit too much pressure on myself. I was trying to be too perfect. I just didn't want to have anything bad happen today. For awhile there, I was just trying to push too hard [with] a little bit of the emotions. .... We knew how important today was."

Tincher won the first game, becoming the winningest pitcher in ACC history with her 110th career victory. The old mark of 109 was held by ex-Georgia Tech ace Jessica Sallinger.

"It is a nice day to have something good happen like that," said Tincher, a James River graduate who didn't pitch Game 2.

Continue reading "April 16 emotional for softball team, fans" »

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Virginia Tech drew defending Big Ten champ Wisconsin in next season's ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

The Hokies will host the Badgers on Monday, Dec. 1. It will be the teams' first meeting.

Virginia will visit Tubby Smith and Minnesota the following night. It will be the third time the schools have faced each other in the Challenge.

Here's the complete lineup, with times and TV yet to be announced.

Monday, Dec. 1

Wisconsin at Virginia Tech

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Duke at Purdue

Clemson at Illinois

Ohio State at Miami

Virginia at Minnesota

Iowa at Boston College

Wednesday, Dec. 3

North Carolina vs. Michigan State (Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan)

Indiana at Wake Forest

Michigan at Maryland

Florida State at Northwestern

Penn State at Georgia Tech

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If you haven't watched Doug Doughty and Randy King's lively discussions on the Sports TimesCast, you should. Now we've got a challenge brewing that Randy (the Virginia Tech football writer) has called for: Doug in the pool in a 50-meter freestyle race against Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, who once filled in for Randy as a guest host on the show. There's a poll on the site now asking who you think will win. You have to vote to see how it's going. I voted for Coach Stinespring on Friday afternoon and he had a 7-1 lead at the time. So go vote, and I'll make sure this challenge race happens. -- Jeff Gilbert

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Their magic number is 156. And you’'d better believe every Orioles fan knows it. After 10 years of purgatory, the baseball gods gave the Birds a week to remember to open 2008, as they completed a four-game sweep of Seattle on Monday to improve to 5-1 and remain in SOLE possession of first place in the AL East. Someone posting under the handle “"Aubrey Huff"” chimed in on the blog at roanoke.com under my quick thought from last Monday, an Opening Day loss-inspired rant headlined “"Optimism low for Orioles."” Huff’s post? “"Don’t look now...but the O’s are 3-1!!”" Know what? Huff’s right. Scrap that previous post. Optimism is HIGH for the Orioles. Crazy, irrational, loony-bin, never-gonna-last high. And I love it. —-- Aaron McFarling

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Have you seen the cool commercial where Tiger Woods hits a drive off the moon? Nothing wrong with the commercial, but do we really need Gatorade Tiger? A press release came today saying that he selected the flavors. Was this a blindfolded taste test? It goes on to report that Gatorade Tiger contains 25 percent more electrolytes than your average non-Tiger Gatorade to advance fluid and electrolyte replacement. I assume this is being marketed to golfers. But do golfers really need a higher octane Gatorade than other athletes? Yeah, 18 holes can be grind, but come on. I'm wondering if I should try Red Drive (cherry blend), Quiet Storm (grape blend) or Cool Fusion (citrus blend) first? -- Jeff Gilbert

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On this Web site, you’ll see a fine column by Doug Doughty about attending the Nationals’ opener. I also attended an opener this week — Monday’s Orioles-Rays game in Baltimore, a family tradition dating back to the early 1980s. Let’s just say optimism was in lesser supply just 30 minutes up I-95 than it was in Washington. And it was in lesser supply than I’ve ever seen in all my years of traveling to Memorial Stadium and Camden Yards for the season lid-lifters. Large sections of empty seats, merciless booing of Aubrey Huff, shoddy defense and a punchless performance from the offense confirmed something we already knew: It’s going to be another very, very long season for the once-proud Birds. — Aaron McFarling

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