Kimaiyo goes the distance for NSU

“He’s our best defender,” Coach White said. “I think the best defender in the country.”

“In the country?” a newsman asked.

“You heard what I said,” Coach White replied.

Coach White noted that in a victory last month over powerhouse Grayson High of Georgia, “Dominique held their best player 15 points under his average.”

It is clear that JM is a heavyweight in a lightweight division. It is not by choice but, rather, based on school enrollment. Class 2 is the second lowest of the state’s six classifications.

On its way to last year’s Class 2 State title, JM won its six post-season games by an average of 39.8 points.

There was no ’20-’21 season. In ’19-’20, The Justices won their postseason matchups by a 38.2 point norm.

A similar script is shaping up this go-round.

JM has much on the table to accomplish. The Justices hope to finish a rare undefeated season (perhaps the first ever by a City school) and perhaps tack on a national title in March or April. Records are fuzzy on Maggie Walker and Armstrong from the segregated VIA era.

There are several national high school tournaments, with perhaps the most prestigious being the GEICO in Fort Myers, Fla.

No local public school has never won a national title and it is unlikely any city school has been undefeated.

“We want to make history,” Bailey said.

Miles Mallory’s blocking sets records

Warning: Trying to score inside against Miles Mallory can be hazardous to your shooting percentage.

The bouncy, long-limbed, 6-foot-5 Randolph-Macon College senior has set both school and conference records for blocking shots.

He increased his career collection of rejections to 237 recently in a Yellow Jacket’s win over Roanoke in Salem.

In that game the Beltsville, Md., native had three blocks to go with 16 points, 18 rebounds plus five assists as R-MC, ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division III, improved to 17-1.

Mercyline Kimaiyo

Mercyline Kimaiyo is all about long distances. The Norfolk State University endurance athlete hails from Kaptagat, Kenya, and runs long distances for the Spartans. On Jan. 28, Kimaiyo, a sophomore, won the 5,000-meters at the VMI Winter Classic in the time of 17:53.93, three seconds ahead of the runner-up.

Earlier in January, Kimaiyo won the mile race at the HBCU Showcase in New York.