Volume 4, Issue 4 by Bart Isley

19 AHS’ DEEP SWIM TEAMS

all-scrimmage

PLAy fALL 2012

25 ALL-SP FALL 2012

scrımmageplay it was as good a footba ll year across the

a fistfull of deep

THE CENTRAL VIRGINIA SPORTS AUTHORITY

board as Central Virgin ia could ask for with

three teams playin g for state titles and ball teams went unbea ten up to regional play. into the last meet country circuit, the of the year and were usual suspects went joined by a bevy of gifted individuals. it’s hard to ask for took the field, court more from the athlet or course this fall. es that And as such, this season’s All-Scrimmag e Play squad’s are simply loaded with talent. Presented by: playoff runs. That’s

An ever developing

field hockey team

for starters. On top

made it to the state

of that, two volley

tournament. On the cross

VOL 4 . ISSUE 4 :: DEC. 2012

STORiES By BART iSLEy PHOTOS By R A N D RyA N y ON LONDEN, EMEN ASHLEy THO RNTON, BOB KENWARD, J iMMy LAROu E, fRANK CR OCKER

25 :: scrimmageplay

Fresh Finish The Flucos turn to some new faces to carry the load PAGE 11

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- f OO T B A L L -

f i R S T

19 Ahs’ dEEP swim TEAms

all-scrimmage

it was as good a football

a fistfull of deep

x’s and o’s 19

- f OO T B A L L -

T E A M

INTO THE DEEP END Albemarle battles with the best Marshall

Drapanas

Thurston

Meade

seigel

Adams

Martini

etheridge

Cook

Jackson

straus

all-scrimmage

PLAy fALL 2012

kuzjak

25 35

Graziosi

OffENSE

DEfENSE

ALL-SCRIMMAGE PLAY Our seasonal awards for the fall Q UART e RBAC k

Christian Hackenberg /// fork Union, sr. Prep league POY, All-visAA Division 1, 2,144 yards passing, 24 TDs

RU nnin G BACk

T.J. Tillery /// Monticello, Jr. first team All-Region ii, All-Jefferson District, 1,613 rushing yards, 29 TDs Kenneth Johnson /// Buckingham County, Jr. first team All-James River District, 1,408 rushing yards, 30 TDs Christ Thurston /// Charlottesville, Jr. first team All-Region ii, second team All-JD, 1,229 rushing yards, 14 TDs

Wi De ReCeive R

Daniel Kuzjak /// Western Albemarle, sr. first team All-Region ii, All-Jefferson District 971 receiving yards, 10 TDs Chrystian Brown /// fork Union, sr. first team All-visAA Division 1, All-Prep league, 726 receiving yards, 9 TDs Nic Drapanas /// Western Albemarle, Jr. first team All-Jefferson District, 889 receiving yards, 16 TDs

Defensive line

John Meade /// Covenant, sr. first team All-visAA Division 3, 89 tackles, 11 sacks Ryan Etheridge /// Blue Ridge, Jr. first team All-visAA Division 2, All-ODfC, 114 tackles Brett Seigel /// fork Union, sr. first team All-visAA D1, All-Prep league, 77 tackles, 8.5 sacks Doug Randolph /// Woodberry forest, sr. first team All-visAA D1, All-Prep league, 63 tackles, 11 sacks, 14 Tfls l ine BACke R s

Nathan Adams /// Goochland, sr. James River defensive POY, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Greer Martini /// Woodberry forest, Jr. first team All-visAA D1, All-Prep league, 114 tackles, 15 Tfls Tommy Mullin/// Western Albeamrle, sr. first team All-Jefferson District, second team All-Region ii, 86 tackles Dondre Wright /// fork Union, sr. first team All-visAA Division 1, All-Prep league, 129 tackles, 9 sacks

USUAL SUSPECTS OCHS wrestling gets right back to work O ffensive l ine

Spencer Bibb /// Woodberry forest, Jr. first team All-visAA Division 1, All-Prep leauge Ryan Londree /// Albemarle, Jr. first team All-Commonwealth District Justin Miles /// Buckingham County, sr. first team All-James River District, second team All-Region B Sam Marshall /// Monticello, sr. first team All-Region ii, All-Jefferson District Pasquale Graziosi /// Goochland, sr. first team All-Region B, All-James River District

Defensive BACks

Malcolm Cook /// fork Union, sr. first team All-visAA Division 1, All-Prep league, 7.4 tpg, 9 inT Leon Straus /// Blue Ridge, sr. All-ODfC, 28 tackles Madson Engle /// Goochland, sr first team All-James River District, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Zack Jackson /// louisa County, sr. first team All-Jefferson District, second team All-Region ii, 55 tackles

PAPA’S PUZZLE

it was as good a football year across the board as Central Virginia could ask for with three teams playing for state titles and a fistfull of deep playoff runs. That’s for starters. On top of that, two volleyball teams went unbeaten up to regional play.

An ever developing field hockey team made it to the state tournament. On the cross country circuit, the usual suspects went into the last meet of the year and were joined by a bevy of gifted individuals. it’s hard to ask for more from the athletes that took the field, court or course this fall. And as such, this season’s All-Scrimmage Play squad’s are simply loaded with talent. Presented by:

S TO R i E S By B A RT i S L E y A N D RyA N y E M E N

joined by a bevy of

could ask for with

of that, two volleyball

tournament. On the

gifted individuals.

And as such, this season’s

three teams playing

teams went unbeaten

cross country circuit,

it’s hard to ask for

All-Scrimmage Play

Offensive line

Spencer Bibb /// Woodberry forest, Jr. first team All-visAA Division 1, All-Prep leauge Ryan Londree /// Albemarle, Jr. first team All-Commonwealth District Justin Miles /// Buckingham County, sr. River District, second team All-Region B Sam Marshall /// Monticello, sr. first team All-Region ii, All-Jefferson District Pasquale Graziosi /// Goochland, sr. first team All-Region B, All-James River District

for state titles and

first team All-James

up to regional play.

the usual suspects

went

more from the athletes

that

squad’s are simply

loaded with talent.

Meade

etheridge

JD Off. POY, first team

UTiliT Y

Pl AYeR Kent Henry /// Western Albemarle, Jr. All-Region ii, 2,832 passing yards, 1,391 rushing yards 52 total TDs sPeCiAlisT Kyree Koonce /// Buckingham County, so. River District, 4 punt ret. TDs, 2 kO ret TDs kiCkeR

first team All-JD, second

Josh Malm /// Monticello, Jr. team All-Region ii, 70 pts, 7-7 on fGs

Adams

Jackson

Martini

straus

PUnTeR

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ReTURn

first team All-James

seigel

Cook

DEfENSE Defensive line

Breaking it down

{ districts }

Here’s where the first Group A

team came from

Private Schools Jefferson District

The Flucos turn to some new faces to carry the load

f i R S T

Johnson

as Central Virginia

for starters. On top

made it to the state

vol 4 . issue 4 :: Dec. 2012

Presented by:

WiDe ReCeiveR

Daniel Kuzjak /// Western Albemarle, sr. ii, All-Jefferson District 971 receiving yards, 10 TDs Chrystian Brown first team All-visAA /// fork Union, sr. Division 1, All-Prep league, 726 receiving yards, 9 TDs Nic Drapanas /// Western Albemarle, first team All-Jefferson Jr. District, 889 receiving yards, 16 TDs

first team All-Region

T E A M

Thurston

Graziosi

OffENSE QUARTeRBACk

RUnninG BACk

Fresh Finish

SO FRESH, SO CLEAN The youth movement takes over in Fluvanna

Tillery

or course this fall.

Johnson

Drapanas

December 2012 :: 26

CHANGE IN THOUGHT Warriors move in new direction

Hackenberg

field hockey team

of the year and were

STORiES By BART iSLEy PHOTOS By R A N D RyA N y ON LONDEN, EMEN ASHLEy THO RNTON, BOB KENWARD, J iMMy LAROu E, fRANK CR OCKER

Marshall

Christian Hackenberg /// fork Union, sr. Prep league POY, All-visAA Division 1, 2,144 yards passing, 24 TDs T.J. Tillery /// Monticello, Jr. ii, All-Jefferson District, 1,613 rushing yards, 29 TDs Kenneth Johnson /// Buckingham County, first team All-James Jr. River District, 1,408 rushing yards, 30 TDs Christ Thurston /// first team All-Region Charlottesville, Jr. ii, second team All-JD, 1,229 rushing yards, 14 TDs first team All-Region

25 :: scrimmageplay

U Tili T Y P l AYe R

Josh Malm /// Monticello, Jr. first team All-JD, second team All-Region ii, 70 pts, 7-7 on fGs

S TA F F Bart Isley, Creative Director Bob Isley, Infrastructure Director Ryan Yemen, Creative Editor Journey Group, Art Direction O N T H E COV E R Fluvanna County’s Jalen Harrison M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T Local sports are the lifeblood of every community in America, and we’re here to reach beyond the basics and give compelling accounts about Central Virginia athletes to our readers. CO N TAC T U S 4408 Ivy Commons, Charlottesville, VA 22903 [ e ] info@scrimmageplay.com [ p ] 434-202-0553

????????????? /// ???????????????? ?????????????????????????

R e T U R n sP eCi A lis T

ki Cke R

PAGE 11

P Un T e R

Kent Henry /// Western Albemarle, Jr. JD Off. POY, first team All-Region ii, 2,832 passing yards, 1,391 rushing yards 52 total TDs

Kyree Koonce /// Buckingham County, so. first team All-James River District, 4 punt ret. TDs, 2 kO ret TDs

VOL 4 . ISSUE 4 :: DECEMBER 2012

21 19

year across the board

playoff runs. That’s

An ever developing

into the last meet

the central virginia sports authority

Tillery

kuzjak

scrımmageplay took the field, court

Hackenberg

PLAy fALL 2012

25 All-sP FAll 2012

{ districts }

Breaking it down

Here’s where the first team came from Group A Private Schools Jefferson District

PHOTOS By RON LONDEN, ASHLEy THORNTON, BOB KENWARD, JiMMy L AROuE, fR ANK CROCKER

25 :: scrimmageplay

December 2012 :: 26

When you support us, We support you. Help us complete the puzzle. Papa John’s supports local athletic teams, coaches and players while also helping make local athletic events like the Madison County versus William Monroe alumni game happen.

PREGAME

Slippery

Goochland’s Jordan Jefferson works his way out of a tackle in the Bulldogs Group A Division 2 championship game with Essex in Salem. Making their second trip in as many years, Goochland’s 41-14 romp over the Trojans saw Jefferson play a big role by rushing for a touchdown and110 yards, but also intercepting a pass. Jefferson and teammates David Dyer and Reid Chenault are part of a strong set of skill position players all set to return that will help Goochland gear up for a possible third straight trip to Salem. ✖ (Photo by Ron Londen)

03 :: scrimmageplay

December 2012 :: 04

PREGAME

‘Round the corner

Miller’s Isaac Copeland heads to the rack in the Mavericks matchup with Covenant. Copeland, a junior, has made Central Virginia once again a hot bed for major Division 1 coaches to swing by. North Carolina State, Virginia and West Virginia have already offered for his services. This past month, Roy Williams (North Carolina), Tony Bennett (UVa) and James Johnson (Virginia Tech) all stopped to see Copeland and the Mavericks play. ✖ (Photo by Ashley Thornton)

05 :: scrimmageplay

S U B S C R I B E

playmakers S CRIMM AGE PL AY

Become a member of the Scrimmage Play Playmakers club. Support your school. Support Scrimmage Play. Get the magazine delivered to your home or business. Coming soon to www.scrimmageplay.com.

First Quarter Change in thought Western moves in new direction based on talent By Bart Isley

Freshman Anna Sumpter adds more depth to a senior heavy Warriors team. (Ryan Yemen)

{ ROSTER BREAKDOWN } Seven of Western Albemarle’s 11 players are underclassmen

2 Senior Junior Sophomore Freshman

07 :: scrimmageplay

K AR A EL DER

{ CLASS }

oaches are constantly evolving, changing things up and finding little ways to get wins. But rarely is a coach willing to overhaul or change up a system that works with an eye on taking things to another level.

That’s exactly what Western Albemarle girls coach Kris Wright has undertaken this season, taking a system that took the Warriors to the state quarterfinals just two years ago and reworking things to create more scoring as his personnel changes. The system offers more scoring opportunities to more people, taking the pressure off one or two players to carry the load. When Wright had Ellen Shafrey in 2010-2011 to pilot the ship while she averaged 13.8 points per game, the previous system worked well. But last year, the Warriors hit some bumps in the road, especially on offense where Western struggled to score on a regular basis. This year the Warriors are revamping the system, trying to fit the talents of a crop of players that includes freshman Anna Sumpter and senior returners like Emily Marbury, Kathryn Crickenberger and Bridget Shaffrey. Throw in junior Rachel Cooke and Emma Kulow and the Warriors have some depth, but no one scorer who can explode for 15 points on a regular basis. The Warriors will instead look for balanced scoring to go with the same defensive tenacity they’ve been bringing the last few years as one of the area’s lock down defensive squads. “Everything is totally different than it used to be but we’re trying to adjust to the current personnel and it gives a lot of people a lot of opportunities to be a little bit selfish and shoot the basketball,” Wright said. A win over Covenant early in the year was a good example of some of what Wright and the Warriors are trying to accomplish. Nobody finished in double figures but Marbury and Sumpter each had eight points to lead the way in a come-from-

behind win that was built on pressure defense. The Warriors need to continue to find scorers though, and, in particular, players who are willing to try and create their own shot. “It’s okay to be a little bit selfish — I sometimes think we’re unselfish to a fault,” Wright said. “It’s not bad to be unselfish but sometimes we share the ball too much.” Marbury, the team’s lead point guard, will likely have to take ownership of some of that responsibility. She managed to run the offense well the last few years, but she’s going to have to capitalize and attack more in the new system. “We’re moving her around more,” Wright said. “Instead of her making so many decisions as a passer, she has to make a lot of other things happen. But leadership wise she’s become a lot more vocal this year.” Shaffrey should also be a key cog underneath where she could become a scoring machine on the low block just based on stickbacks. Marbury will get some help in the backcourt from Sumpter, a freshman who’s already shown she isn’t afraid to attack the basket and put it up. “We need people who are not afraid of the situation, of the moment,” Wright said. “You’re not going to make all of them no matter who you are.” But the Warriors may make enough of them to turn the page on last season and make some serious noise in the Jefferson District. ✖

go online »

For more girls basketball coverage head to www.scrimmageplay.com.

INSURANCE CLAIM SPECIALISTS

College Update

Tale of the Tape

Matt Mahoney picked up a rare honor at the Tandem Friends school this winter. With the sheer volume of student athletes that come through local basketball programs, it’s rare that a player stands out enough to earn a jersey retirement ceremony. Mahoney was definitely that guy. The school’s all-time leading scorer, Mahoney poured in 1,749 points in his career, one of the highest totals in Central Virginia history. Mahoney was a two time honorable mention All-Scrimmage Play selection and the MVP of the Delaney Athletic Conference his sophomore, junior and senior years. In December Tandem made him the second athlete in the school’s basketball history to pick up the honor along with former girls standout Hattie Nguyen. Mahoney averaged 30.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game during his career. He was also a part of the laying of the actual foundation of the basketball program, helping Tandem build from the ground up. “That’s what this is about — I was a part of

the basketball program (going from) not even having a gym to actually being in a conference and having a respectable basketball team,” Mahoney said. Coming back in December also allowed him to get a look at what a team still led by players several players he lined up with like senior point guard Josh Connelly looked like. “I still know the seniors very well and it’s fun seeing them play,” Mahoney said. “They’ve obviously all gotten a lot better.” In addition to his basketball exploits, Mahoney was also a National Merit scholarship finalist and top flight soccer goalie, anchoring the Badgers’ squads for years. Mahoney headed to Dartmouth after graduating from Tandem and has recently earned a chance to play with the Big Green’s soccer squad this offseason as a sort of trial to see if he’ll join the regular season roster. “I’ll be playing with them in the winter and spring,” Mahoney said. “That’s basically a tryout to see if I can make the final roster.” ✖

N I K K I TA B R I ON E S

By Bart Isley

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On the Sidelines

The math matters Athletes should think even harder about the next step

hen you’re a student and there’s nothing on the table for athletics, your college decision has a formula. That was the case for me, I’m simply not an athlete, never was. The concept for the vast majority of students comes down to getting into the best university you can that fits a combination of geography, finance and personality, with those variables differing for every single person. But when it comes to athletes, for the life of me, I can’t understand how they make their decisions without factoring in the value of a particular degree, their dream of a career after sports. Eric McGrane was a teacher at St. Anne’s-Belfield for many years before he and his family moved to Ohio. I got to know him as he was the brother in-law of one of my best friends. Since leaving the area, McGrane, who has a strong baseball background has scratched his itch in high school and college athletics by becoming a professional scout, a highly respected one at that. A few years ago I got to talk with him about what goes into being a scout. The thing that fascinated me most was how he advised any player that had a college offer and also had been drafted in the Major League Baseball draft on that difficult decision. When you’re drafted in baseball a club makes a contract offer. McGrane and others like him then evaluate the deal, the player’s potential and then their prospects at the college where they have also received an offer and how much a degree from that school is worth. In a very matter of fact way, the advice is passed on depending where the value of that degree intersects the money offer from whichever MLB team made the selection and the player’s chances at making it big. There are 50 rounds in the MLB draft, so contracts vary heavily from the top end of the 1st round making the traditionally thought of million dollar money, but quickly move to the point where it’s $100,000 or less. It’s easy for a young athlete to go for the grab, but more often than not, those picked after the first round choose to play their 3-year mandatory deal with a university. The simple reasoning behind that is that if you aren’t already considered the cream of the crop, you’re better off with the degree because it doesn’t matter what sport you play or how good you are, you’re going to spend life after 40 unable to earn a living playing sports. That leaves you the majority of your working career, 25 years before standard retirement, with a big void to fill. ESPN’s 30 for 30 special “Broke” made it even more abundantly clear how much value work after athletics matters given the crazy standard of living that most athletes wind up trying to maintain without their big salaries or a pension. So while this kind of advice is given out in the unique situation in baseball between the professional ranks and the universities, why aren’t the football and basketball players following a similar route? Unless a Division 1 school is pounding down your door, chances are unbelievably good that your playing days are over at 22 years old. As such, I’d love to hear on signing days that athletes in the revenue sports are picking schools based on the value of their degree. When William and Mary, an FCS program, makes an offer, every athlete should consider that if they graduate in Williamsburg, they’re are getting one of the most coveted degrees in the state. On the same lines, when Richmond, in the same boat as W&M, makes an offer, getting a degree from that school is one of the most expensive in the country. When athletes are considering private universities, McGrane and company factor that December 2012 :: 10

“Your playing days are over at 22 years old.” part of the tuition into their equation. Passion and cash don’t really hold hands, and as sportswriters, we know that all too well. We pay for it up front because we have fun jobs that a lot of people would love to have and as such, the average salary isn’t going to put you in the so called “one percent” anytime soon. Athletes often have a vision of getting both. The odds are so good that isn’t going to happen, and as often as that gets said, one more time doesn’t hurt. To all athletes contemplating which school to pick, choose the school that has the greatest potential for your life after school is over. The one thing you’ll discover is that there isn’t a college that isn’t fun in some way or another. That said, reality hits you hard when you graduate, and so instead of just saying, “Oh I want to play here” give heavier thought to “Well I’d like to do this for a living and this school can help me the most with that.” A little thought now will go a long way in four years. ✖

Ryan Yemen,

CREATIVE EDITOR

back talk »

How should an athlete pick a school? Email Ryan at: ryan@scrimmageplay.com

SO FRESH SO C

11 :: scrimmageplay

CLEAN

S TO RY BY RYA N Y E M E N P H OTO S BY A S H L E Y T H O R N TO N

new era. A new gym. In all senses it’s a new start in Palmyra. YaYa Anderson’s legacy, the 2-year stretch where he

led Fluvanna County to back-to-back Group AA final four appearances, it all rests back in the “Shoe Box” just off route 15. It is history, some of the best in Fluco lore. But in the new school off of route 53 in the “Shoe Store”, a wave of young talent has its mind set to bridge the gap. It’s not just talk. The young Flucos aren’t wet behind the ears, and they’ve got the kind of talent to keep them at the top of Jefferson District standings once again.

December 2012 :: 12

“HE’S GOTTEN SO MUCH STRONGER, AND THEN HE CAN PLAY ANY POSITION.”

For the first month of last year, the questions surrounding Fluvanna County were just how much of the load Anderson was going to have to carry. It turns out, he was capable of doing even more than he did his junior year where he was an All-Group AA selection. It was another banner year for the Flucos behind their star, but the underlying theme of the 2010-2011 season was just how many underclassmen were contributing for coach Munro Rateau’s team. “Every one of our players that have come back are just tremendously improved,” Rateau said. “The experience that Jalen Harrison and Vinny Agee got last year was especially beneficial to us.” Those two were freshman last year. Their nightly contributions were the straw that broke the backs of so many camels along the way as there was simply no way to shy away from Anderson, but as the season progressed, you had to have something drawn up for both Harrison and Agee. Already this fall Harrison has shown what a difference a year makes as he was a standout for Fluvanna on the football field as a receiver. His freakish athleticism puts him ahead of the pack as he brings both speed and an amazing ability to elevate to the basketball court. He’s just now coming into his own as he’s got the tools to excel underneath the basket and he’s enjoying the physicality that comes with it. “I like to be aggressive and get the ball to the basket, take it over people,” Harrison said. “I was kind of little growing up and the

13 :: scrimmageplay

last couple of years that’s changed and I’m trying to show that I can be pretty good, that I’m willing to work hard every day to improve.” Harrison’s game though is so well rounded it gives Fluvanna the type of athlete they had in Anderson. While it won’t be his job to distribute the ball, he can spot up from anywhere on the floor and has the green light from the coaching staff to drop 3-pointers. Since he was smaller growing up, he’s an excellent dribbler because he had to be. As he’s shot up and continues to fill out, he’s able to play a hybrid role that gives Fluvanna great flexibility. “Jalen is kind of a point-forward in that he might be the best ball handler on the team and so teams are going to have trouble pressing us because when he gets the ball in the middle of the court, he’s just as good as any guard in getting down the lane in a three-on-two,” Rateau said. “He’s gotten so much stronger, and then he can play any position. We give him the green light to shoot three’s, any shot when he’s open. And then if he gets around the basket, well he can finish.” Conversely, Agee is the kind of hybrid player tailor-made for the other end of the spectrum. His hieght and wing span would make him a natural fit down on the block, but his speed and constant effort make him a defensive enigma at the top of the key. “I think I’m really coming into the role that I learned last year,” Agee said. “I feel good at the perimeter, I think a lot of teams

Academic Edge sponsored by hargrave military academy

DECEMBER’S ACADEMIC ATHLETE OF THE MONTH: MONTICELLO’S ADDISON ALDOUS Addison Aldous is pretty comfortable playing defense on the hardwood as part of a talented senior class of guards for Monticello, coming off the bench to provide key minutes for the Mustangs. But he’s also just as comfortable carrying a tune, as the Monticello senior who carries a 4.47 GPA, participated in Chamber Music, Choir Vocal Jazz and Concert Choir while also putting together an independent study on music appreciation, music theory and vocal lessons. He’s performed at the Paramount Idol competition in Charlottesville and also performs for the elderly as part of various school singing groups. He’s packed all that music into a schedule that also includes numerous honors and AP courses that have helped him put together that lofty GPA. Aldous’ ability to pursue his passion for the arts and athletics at the same time makes him one of the area’s top-notch student athletes.

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“A LOT OF HIS POINTS IN A GAME ARE BECAUSE HE GETS A STEAL WITH HIS LENGTH.”

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underestimated me there last year, focused elsewhere and I was able to develop.” Years ago when Orange County won a pair of Jefferson District titles behind Quintin Hunter, it was the lengthy D.J. Brown giving shooters fits up top. Agee is that player and much more as he’s a natural shooter and delivered his share of daggers last year, most notably in the state quarterfinals where he poured in 19 points. “Vinny can get hot, where he might miss a lot the night before and then the next night he hits all 15 of his shots,” Rateau said. “He’s such a good defender though that a lot of his points in a game are because he gets a steal with his length and gets out in front and to the basket. He’s one of those with a motor that doesn’t stop. You’ll ask yourself how he got one particular rebound, or you know that typical high school kid thing of them watching the ball and Vinny just flies past them for a tip in.” Every team in the JD has speed, has scorers. In the last few years it’s been the teams that find ways to fill out the other stats outside the scorebook that have moved on. There aren’t any dominant centers in the district and so the play above the rim combined the with ability to get the ball up court is what makes them even more problematic. “What Jalen and Vinny do for us is give us a pair of proven scorers that are both excellent ball handlers and excellent rebounders,” Rateau said. “And those last two, those are the areas where they continue to improve and help us out. They’re scorers, but they do so much more than that.” For both players though, the lessons learned from last year were primarily about confidence and that’s what Anderson tried hardest to impart on them. “We had to come out and show that we could play as freshman, let everyone know,” Harrison said. “We learned from YaYa that hard work will lead you a long ways. We learned about confidence, taking your shots when you need to.” Confidence often gets muddled to the point of selfishness, but both Harrison and Agee saw the results of knowing when to fire away and when to pass and hit the open man. “YaYa was so good but he was the ultimate team player because he’d pass to absolutely anyone if they were open and I think that that mentality has carried over to these kids,” Rateau said. “They see that if their teammate is wide open, has the better shot and you can get them the ball, you should.” And that’s where things get complicated in a good way for the Flucos. While it’ll be Harrison and Agee’s raw ability that drives this Flucos team for years to come, this season they won’t have to shoulder the load on their

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own like Anderson did so often. Brad Bullock proved himself as a tenacious defender, the type of player that winds up being one of those “best kept secrets” because while he didn’t fscore much, he made a huge impact on the game just because of his hustle. Things are different already for him though as his job offensively on the wing has expanded. “Brad’s been an exceptional leader for us so far,” Rateau said. “He’s really starting to score more and get a lot of easy baskets. But you can do down the list for guys that are doing that for us.” Trevonne Bradley, Dale Ludwig and the addition of Dashon Tibbs gives this team senior leadership in the back court, something you can never have too much of. That paired with Dorian Butler’s vast improvement at the point gives Rateau as deep a corps of guards as he could really want, allowing him to constantly rotate players in and out of the game. Be on the watch for RyQuane Washington, a sophomore stepping up from junior varisty last year too as he’s excelled early. That’s big because the Flucos were dealt their first piece of adversity just before the season began with Blake Hills, a guard who started every game last season but being ruled unable to play until just about the end of the regular season. The constant flow of bench players into the

17 :: scrimmageplay

game has been a staple of the last two Fluvanna teams as Rateau likes to keep legs fresh and wear teams down with the numbers he’s got. “It’s just been a pleasant surprise in how we fell into roles and everyone has accepted them” Rateau said. “Nobody is worried about the points. We’ve got a long road to go, but I’m so pleased the way we’ve played as a team because we’re unselfish and we can play defense.” It seems strange that a team can lose such an important player and hit the road running as if it’s just a minor hiccup. Of course, the only thing better than one star is two -- and Rateau is more than happy to argue, and correctly at it -- that while Agee and Harrison are the headline acts, it’s the depth and sacrifice of their teammates that quietly make them that much better. “These guys got used to winning and had a lot of fun doing it,” Rateau said. “But they put in the work in the offseason to keep doing it, to say ‘Hey, we can win too.’” Yes the days of the packed Shoebox to see what trick Anderson had hidden up his sleeve next are gone. But there are a lot more seats at the new venue, and this Fluvanna team has the attractions all ready to go that Palmyra should be buzzing about. ✖

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INTO THE DEEP END STORY BY BART ISLEY PHOTOS BY TOM PAJEWSKI

Albemarle swimming faces a pretty n a s t y r e a l i t y. T h e P a t r i o t s a r e a legitimately great high school swim t e a m . Ce r t a i n l y o n e o f t h e a r e a’s b e s t i n b o t h b o y s a n d g i r l s s w i m m i n g. I n 2 0 1 1 2012, the boys and girls both won the Co m m o n w e a l t h D i s t r i c t a n d f i n i s h e d a s t h e N o r t h w e s t Re g i o n r u n n e r - u p . I t w a s t h e b o y s s q u a d ’s s e v e n t h s t r a i g h t Commonwealth championship. The Patriots have a mix of elite level club s w i m m e r s a n d a fe w g u y s a n d g i r l s w h o l i ke l y c o u l d b e a t t h a t l e v e l i f they chose the 5 a.m. practices that a r e t h e n o r m fo r t h a t d i s c i p l i n e .

December 2012 :: 20

But the nasty reality is that as good as the Patriots are, every year they will run into something largely unlike what any other athletes in any other sport in Central Virginia crash into — the Group AAA Northern Region powerhouses that sit right smack in the middle of one of the hotbeds of American age group swimming. A region that has produced the most decorated swimmer in U.S. history, Michael Phelps, just to the north in Baltimore. A region that’s home to a junior at Oakton High named Janet Hu who swam the third fastest 100-backstroke time in the U.S. last year behind Olympic darling Missy Franklin and current UVa freshman Courtney Bartholomew. Oh, and Hu also had the nation’s third-fastest time in the 100-fly and seventhfastest in the 100-free. While she was a sophomore. Hu is just the very tip of the iceberg. The greater Washington, D.C. area is stacked with incredible year-round clubs and coaching gurus that have put together a stable of swimmers capable of jaw-dropping times. Think about if, after advancing to the state final four, a football team from Central Virginia had to head to Texas to take on a Group 5A squad. Or a basketball team had to take on squads from New York City. That’s the kind of fertile ground we’re talking about in Northern Virginia. National level talent. Olympic level talent. And every year, many of those swimmers lie in wait for Albemarle when those accomplished Patriots squads arrive at the Group AAA state meet. “We had Holly Harper get third in the backstroke and she swam an All-American time,” said Albemarle coach Jake Shrum. “But the girl who won the event set the pool record and it’s a collegiate pool that hosts conference meets — it’s just some pretty absurd things. It’s cool to see such fast swimming.” That doesn’t take anything away from what Albemarle has accomplished. If anything, it’s an incredible testament to the Patriots’ fortitude and ability that the boys placed 21st in the state last year and the girls put together a sixth place finish. The most pressing question, in fact, is how has Albemarle managed to compete as well as it has against the powerhouses?

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“IT’S JUST SOME PRETTY ABSURD THINGS. IT’S COOL TO SEE SUCH FAST SWIMMING.” — SHRUM

And what will happen next year when the Patriots compete in the VHSL’s new Divisional system as a Division 5 school with most of the juggernauts battling it out in Division 6? Albemarle got to this level with Shrum leading the way over the last five years because they’ve been flexible with the yearround swimmers. At this point in swimming’s development, requiring club swimmers to come to every high school practice is a pretty sure way to significantly damage the school’s prospects for competing at the upper echelon of the sport. So like other local squads such as Western Albemarle, Albemarle requires club swimmers to make just one practice per week, a Wednesday night get-together that allows the entire squad to gel together and create some camaraderie they can lean on during meets. “Our club swimmers have always bought in 100 percent to high school swimming,” Shrum said. “It’s great when those people buy in so much, it really has a trickle down effect to all the other kids.” On the boys side, that allows swimmers like Division 1 prospect Matt Lockman to continue his grueling club practice schedule and also swim for the school, which at least a handful of club swimmers consider quite a bit more fun than the club circuit. “You don’t want them to feel overwhelmed by what you’re trying to do so it’s about trying to find a balance and making sure they feel a part of the team,” Shrum said. “Most of them will tell you that it’s easier to get up for a race with their high school team than a club team — it’s just the nature of the meet. It’s a lot more of a personal thing.”

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The Albemarle boys swim team is built on depth and led by four-year standout Matt Lockman, second left.

This season, Albemarle’s boys squad has that familiar mix of club standouts like Lockman (who placed second in both the 50 and 100 freestyle in Group AAA last year) and distance specialist Jacob Lescault, but they also turn to Andrew Williamson and Sean McPhillips, a pair of seasonal swimmers who play key roles for the Patriots. Williamson won a Commonwealth title last year in the 100-breaststroke while McPhillips can make a big impact in the sprint freestyle as a senior. Williamson, who also runs cross country for the Patriots, is a contributor on two of the school’s most successful teams, which is no easy task considering both pursuits are stacked with athletes who specialize in either running or swimming. “At our school we have a lot of high-level teams and it’s good to be on two of the highest level teams we have,” Williamson said. “The respect that we get for the school and the team itself — it’s just worth it on a lot of levels.” McPhillips picked up swimming during the summer as a kid and has stayed plugged into the sport through the Albemarle team, opting to forego making the commitment to club swimming. He’s carved out a place as a sprint freestyle performer. “Swimming has been a big part of my life for my entire life and I feel like I should stick with it,” McPhillips said. “Nothing is good at five in the morning. I can’t do the morning thing. (The Albemarle team) is a really great group. It’s so tightly knit that you can’t have a bad time.” Collin Hensien, another breaststroke and sprint freestyle standout also qualified for states last year. Reece Echelberger, Sean Telford and Matthew Porter all also factor into the mix as returning contributors for the boys team while a trio of freshmen — Hogan Harper, Jack Robbins and Nick Pease — create immediate depth for the Patriots. Harper and Robbins’ life-time bests before

23 :: scrimmageplay

joining the high school team would have qualified them for the Northwest Region meet. The squad’s top end talent will make them competitive in all the postseason meets, but the development of those younger swimmers behind Lockman will decide just how far they can go and how good the Patriots can be. On the girls side, however, depth is the strength for the Patriots. A year removed from an incredible influx of young talent that sparked Albemarle to the sixth-place finish in the state, the Patriots bring back many of those skilled young swimmers and add a few new parts to the mix. Already those swimmers are making an impact. “Our girls have been going lifetime bests in some of the meets which is pretty rare,” Shrum said. “Our meets have been pretty exciting to watch.” Six sophomores make up the Patriots’ top 11 returners a year after that group burst onto the scene as freshmen. Jeanette Yan, Emma Lockman, Abby Wuensch, Madison Noga, Madison Haise and Katie Pajewski all made an impact in 2011-2012 and should become even more of a force this winter. Replacing Holly Harper, one of the best swimmers in Central Virginia history, however, won’t be an easy task. Harper swam the 36th fastest backstroke time in the nation among high school athletes last year. Still, the return of her sister Hannah will help ease that transition as she brings a strong pedigree to the table and championship experience gleaned last year from a strong day at the Commonwealth District meet where she was the runner-up in the 100-fly and took fourth in the 200-IM as just a sophomore. Along with classmate and distance specialist Corie Morton, Harper gives Patriots some top end talent to lead the incredible depth among the younger swimmers. The Patriots can also turn to senior leaders Sophia Brown, Mackenzie Jones and Kelly Miller to lead the way. The selfless group of seniors has found a way to easily mesh with the incredible influx of young talent that’s joined Albemarle’s program and they’ll likely find a way to do it again with new talents like Maggie Woods and Ashley Eagleson arriving this year. As the season advances, Albemarle, for another year, will lockup with the heavyweights of age group swimming when the state championship meet rolls around. Next year in Division 5, that’ll change at least slightly, but Albemarle has never let that fact impede the program anyway, constantly growing and putting together big-time performances on every level. They also know, for a fact, that they’ve measured themselves against the best of the best. “My first year coaching there was a 100 butterflier from Madison that set the national high school record,” Shrum said. “It’s great that they’re able to get that kind of competition. It’s definitely a huge, motivating thing.” Using circumstance as motivation is exactly how you can turn that nasty reality into a new bar to strive for — Albemarle has become a master of that craft. ✖

issue 2-4.indd 34

9/18/12 2:21 PM

TIMBERLAKE LIGHTING SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE OF NOVEMBER

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THIS MONTH’S FINALISTS CHASE STOKES — WAHS RENEE LUCAS — MCHS JOHVAN SHELTON — MHS

JORDAN JEFFERSON — GOOCHLAND

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VOTE VIA SCRIMMAGE PLAY’S FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE SPOTLIGHT AOTM EACH MONTH

all-scrimmage

PLAY 2 L 0 L 12 A F

It was as good a football year across the board as Central Virginia could ask for with three teams playing for state titles and a fistful of deep playoff runs. That’s for starters. On top of that, two volleyball teams went unbeaten up to regional play. An ever-developing field hockey team made it to the state tournament. On the cross country circuit, the usual suspects went into the last meet of the year and were joined by a bevy of gifted individuals. It’s hard to ask for more from the athletes that took the field, court or course this fall. And as such, this season’s All-Scrimmage Play squad’s are simply loaded with talent. Presented by:

S TO R I E S BY B A RT I S L E Y A N D RYA N Y E M E N PHOTOS BY RON LONDEN, ASHLEY THORNTON, BOB KENWARD, JIMMY L AROUE, FR ANK CROCKER

25 :: scrimmageplay

- F OO T B A L L -

F I R S T

Hackenberg

Kuzjak

T E A M

Tillery

Johnson

Thurston

Meade

Seigel

Adams

Martini

Marshall

Drapanas

Graziosi

Etheridge

Cook

Jackson

Straus

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Christian Hackenberg /// Fork Union, Sr. Prep League POY, All-VISAA Division 1, 2,144 yards passing, 24 TDs RUNNING BACK

T.J. Tillery /// Monticello, Jr. First team All-Region II, All-Jefferson District, 1,613 rushing yards, 29 TDs Kenneth Johnson /// Buckingham County, Jr. First team All-James River District, 1,408 rushing yards, 30 TDs Chris Thurston /// Charlottesville, Jr. First team All-Region II, First team All-JD, 1,229 rushing yards, 14 TDs WIDE RECEIVER

Daniel Kuzjak /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Region II, All-Jefferson District 971 receiving yards, 10 TDs Chrystian Brown /// Fork Union, Sr. First team All-VISAA Division 1, All-Prep League, 726 receiving yards, 9 TDs Nic Drapanas /// Western Albemarle, Jr. First team All-Jefferson District, 889 receiving yards, 16 TDs OFFENSIVE LINE

Spencer Bibb /// Woodberry Forest, Jr. First team All-VISAA Division 1, All-Prep Leauge Ryan Londree /// Albemarle, Jr. First team All-Commonwealth District Justin Miles /// Buckingham County, Sr. First team All-James RIver District, second team All-Region B Sam Marshall /// Monticello, Sr. First team All-Region II, All-Jefferson District Pasquale Graziosi /// Goochland, Sr. First team All-Region B, All-James River District UTILIT Y PL AYER

DEFENSIVE LINE

John Meade /// Covenant, Sr. First team All-VISAA Division 3, 89 tackles, 11 sacks Ryan Etheridge /// Blue Ridge, Jr. First team All-VISAA Division 2, All-ODFC, 114 tackles Brett Seigel /// Fork Union, Sr. First team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep League, 77 tackles, 8.5 sacks Doug Randolph /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. First team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep League, 63 tackles, 11 sacks, 14 TFLs LINEBACKERS

Nathan Adams /// Goochland, Sr. Region B and James River defensive POTY Greer Martini /// Woodberry Forest, Jr. First team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep League, 114 tackles, 15 TFLs Tommy Mullin/// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District, Second team All-Region II, 86 tackles Dondre Wright /// Fork Union, Sr. First team All-VISAA Division 1, All-Prep League, 129 tackles, 9 sacks DEFENSIVE BACKS

Malcolm Cook /// Fork Union, Sr. First team All-VISAA Division 1, All-Prep League, 7.4 tpg, 9 INT Leon Straus /// Blue Ridge, Sr. All-ODFC, 28 tackles Jordan Jefferson /// Goochland, So. First team All-Region B, All-James River District Zack Jackson /// Louisa County, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District, Second team All-Region II, 55 tackles PUNTER

Blake Bozymski /// Woodberry Forest, Jr First team All-VISAA Division 1

Kent Henry /// Western Albemarle, Jr. JD Off. POY, First team All-Region II, 2,832 passing yards, 1,391 rushing yards 52 total TDs

Breaking it down

RETURN SPECIALIST

Kyree Koonce /// Buckingham County, So. First team All-James River District, 4 punt ret. TDs, 2 KO ret TDs KICKER

Josh Malm /// Monticello, Jr. First team All-JD, second team All-Region II, 70 pts, 7-7 on FGs

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where the first team came from

{ 1ST TEAM }

Private Schools Group AAA/A Jefferson District

December 2012 :: 26

- F OO T B A L L -

S E C O N D

OFFENSE QUARTERBACK

Rashard Davis /// Charlottesville, Sr. First team All-JD, 1,383 rushing yards, 1,074 passing yards, 30 total TDs RUNNING BACK

Kyree Koonce /// Buckingham County, So. 1,522 rushing yards, 20 rushing TDs Logan Carpenter /// Madison County, Sr. First team All-Bull Run District, 1,281 rushing yards, 16 total TDs Nick King /// Fork Union, Sr. First team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep League, 939 yards, 7.2 YPC, 5 TDs WIDE RECEIVER

A.J. Willy /// Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Commonwealth District, 617 yards, 3 TDs Jalen Harrison /// Fluvanna County, So. First team All-Jefferson District, 494 yards, 6 TDs Dakwan Morris /// William Monroe, Sr. 819 yards, 24.1 YPC, 9 TDs OFFENSIVE LINE

Nathan Johnson /// Blue Ridge, Jr. First team All-VISAA D2, All-VIC Josh Driver /// Goochland, Sr. First team All-Region B, All-James River District Austin Mays /// Monticello, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District Wade Kammauff /// Charlottesville, Jr. Center for unit that rushed for over 3,000 yards Patrick Maupin /// Western Albemarle, Jr. First team All-Jefferson District UTILIT Y PL AYER

Zack Jackson /// Louisa County, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District, 1,287 passing yards, 1,173 rushing , 30 TDs KICKER

Dylan McCormick /// Fork Union, Sr. 50 total points, 5 FGs

T E A M

DEFENSE DEFENSIVE LINE

Richlan Freeman /// Fork Union, Sr. Second team All-VISAA D1 All-Prep League, 2 FRs, 46 tackles J.P. Utz /// Madison County, Sr. First team All-Bull Run, 51 tackles, 4 sacks Devin Smith /// Buckingham County, Sr. First team All-James River District, 72.5 tackles, 4.5 sacks Troy Hughes/// Charlottesville, So. First team All-JD, second team All-Region II, 63 tackles, 4 sacks LINEBACKERS

Devin Goode /// Fluvanna County, Sr. JD DPOTY, Second team All-Region II, 126 tackles, 4 FFs, 2 FRs, 2.5 sacks Scott Pearce /// Goochland, Sr. Second team All-James River District Tariq Bartee /// Buckingham County, Sr. First team All-James River District, 120 tackles, 9 TFLs TJ Dudley /// Fork Union, Sr. First team All-VISAA Division 1, All-Prep League, 97 tackles, 4 FRs DEFENSIVE BACKS

Nik Gijka /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. First team All-VISAA Division 1, All-Prep League, 56 tackles, 2 INTs Shawn Steen /// Blue Ridge, Sr. Second team All-VISAA Division 2, All-ODFC, 9 INTs Denzel Terry /// Monticello, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District, 4 INTs, 188 return yards Mason Engel /// Goochland, Sr. Honorable Mention All-Region B, All-James River District

PUNTER

Josh Malm /// Monticello, Jr. First team All-Jefferson District, 34.8 average, 52-yard long RETURN SPECIALST

Denzel Terry /// Monticello, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District, second team All-Region II

HONORABLE MENTION Jhalil Mosley /// Monticello, Sr. Eli MacKay /// Albemarle, Sr. Jack Morris /// William Monroe, Jr. Drake Bryant /// Albemarle, Sr. Brady Doyle /// Covenant, Sr. Roger Stone ///Goochland, Sr. Tyler Vest /// Nelson County, Sr. Devonte Turner /// Neslon County, Jr. Andrew Shofner /// Woodberry Forest, Jr. Phillip Berry /// Woodberry Forest, Sr.

27 :: scrimmageplay

H.T. Minor /// Woodberry Forest, So. Rashad Brock /// Charlottesville, Fr. Jared Arntzen /// Blue Ridge, Sr. Cody Pegram /// Blue Ridge, Sr. Ashton Weakly /// Madison County, Jr. Jacob Pugh /// Orange County, Sr. Dashon Tibbs /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Darryl Smith /// Blue Ridge, Sr. Jamie Gaston /// Covenant, Sr. Tre Francis /// Monticello, Jr.

Deion Johnson /// Louisa County, Jr. Aaron Stinnie /// St. Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-Belfield, Sr. Joseph Vaughn /// Louisa County, Jr. R.J. Jackson /// Louisa County, Jr. Mitchell Brice /// Goochland, Sr. Josh Kitt /// Goochland, Sr. Larry Anderson /// Charlottesville, So. Will White /// Charlottesville, Jr. Austin Llera /// Covenant, Jr. Jordan Hendrick /// Covenant, Sr.

- F OO T B A L L -

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

KENT HENRY, WESTERN ALBEMARLE The idea of facing Kent Henry for two more seasons was already a harrowing prospect for district rivals after his sophomore campaign. But nobody knew how good Henry was going to get in 2012. Henry just put together the seventh most productive season of total offense in state history according to the VHSL record book with 4,223 yards. He finished just 744 yards short of a state record with two less games played than anyone else on the VHSL’s all-time top 10 list. That really says it all. Statistically, nobody in Central Virginia came close to what Henry produced because only a handful of people in state history have actually gotten there. Henry was an explosive dual threat, leading the area in passing with 2,832 yards passing and 32 passing touchdowns. He was fourth in Central Virginia with 1,391 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. His 52 total touchdowns broke the area’s touchdown responsibility record (a combination of passing, rushing, receiving and return touchdowns) previously held by Takeem Hedgeman -- 51 rushing touchdowns, all on the ground. Henry averaged an incredible four touchdowns per game. All those numbers translated into a 9-1 regular season record for the Warriors and a No. 2 seed in the Region II playoffs. Henry was a

first team All-Region II selection as an at-large player and the Jefferson District’s offensive player of the year. While all the numbers were incredible, Henry’s presence and intangibles have emerged as perhaps his most impressive attributes. His performances against Monticello prompted Mustangs coach Rodney Redd to say “as long as Keny Henry is standing, they have a chance.” He senses big moments and plays up to them, winning the 50-49 shootout with Charlottesville in one of the most exciting games of 2012. In the first meeting with the Mustangs, Henry set a physical tone early by seemingly searching out contact in the secondary on a long run. Against Albemarle in the season opener, he drove the Warriors 65 yards on six plays in the fourth quarter, finishing off the drive with a two-yard touchdown plunge. The score extended Western’s lead and essentially secured the win as the defense closed it out. Moments like that helped keep Western’s season on course and while things ended abruptly with the Region II semifinal loss to Monticello, it’s clear the Warriors — and Central Virginia — have found something special in Henry. ✖

December 2012 :: 28

- F OO T B A L L -

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

MALCOLM COOK, FORK UNION A true shutdown corner is a rare if not non-existent commodity at the high school level. A shutdown safety? The concept seems almost insane. In coverage, there isn’t anyone that was better defensively than Malcolm Cook, and it didn’t take long for teams to take notice of that. At safety, Cook was a black hole where quarterbacks did everything they could to keep away from throwing down the middle of the field, or deep down the sideline where he’d be helping out. Even still, Cook found a way to get involved more so than he should have. Nine interceptions in addition to 14 passes defended. On those nine picks, he tacked on 369 return yards including four for touchdowns. Any defender that changes the game like that, that turns what’s supposed to be a big play for the offense and instead flips the script, that’s transcending the position. Were it not for Cook’s explosive defensive play, the Blue Devils would have likely fallen to Collegiate in October. However, the senior came up with a pair of INT return TD’s to launch FUMA to a comeback win. Under defensive coordinator Sam Mavrick, Fork Union’s defensive play calling was as aggressive as it gets with the Blue Devils simply loading up with eight in the box and coming after runners and quarterbacks as if there was some kind of bounty to be had. Cook’s play

as a centerfielder in the defense allowed linemen like Brett Seigel and linebackers like Dondre Wright and T.J. Dudley to simply wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage. If for only his pass coverage, Cook would have easily been the most feared defender any of FUMA’s opposition faced. But there’s so much more that he offered and it’s there that he separated himself from the pack as he played safety as lock down defensive back should, but tackled and put up the numbers of a middle linebacker. Cook finished third for the Blue Devils in tackles on a squad that two linebackers (Wright and Dudley) combined for 226 stops. His total tackles number, 96, left him just one shy of finishing second. What was truly remarkable about Cook’s job at safety was that he was the last line of defense and he still found a way to sniff out the run and step up and make so many plays. He was as good against the run as the pass and his reaction time made it seem as if Fork Union was playing 12 men on the field instead of 11. He was as sure a tackler as any in the area and were it not for a pair of rundown plays against Valley Forge, the Blue Devils would not have achieved a shutout defensively this year. Pass, run, whatever. There was no escaping Fork Union’s do-all safety. ✖

- F OO T B A L L -

COACH OF THE YEAR

JOE FOWLER, GOOCHLAND Not since Monticello in 2007 has a public school in Central Virginia come away with a state championship in football. Last year, Joe Fowler and his Bulldogs came just one game shy of a perfect season. This year, Goochland dug itself out of a 1-2 start to win 12 straight games. Losses to Fork Union and Monticello had the Bulldogs in unfamiliar territory, but by bouncing back in a 14-7 win over Central Lunenberg the next week, one the James River District’s best squads, the ship turned in the right direction pretty quickly. Goochland survived an overtime scare with Buckingham County to win the JRD for the second straight year. Then in the playoffs, the Bulldogs simply hit a different level. Over the five week post season run that ended with a Group A Division championship in Salem, Goochland outscored its opponents 222-64. Their lowest margin over victory was 21 points in the second

29 :: scrimmageplay

round against Buckingham, also the only game where a team was able to hold them to under 30 points. On offense, the Bulldogs were their usual diverse selves with so many different runners carrying the load in the wing-t system. Sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson and senior running back Mitchell Brice provided electric running, homerun hitting style. Sophomore David Dyer was the Bulldogs bruising second half back that simply moved chains and ate up clock in the efficient style that’s made this program famous under Fowler’s tenure. Then for variety, seniors Mason Engel, Nathan Mattox and Connor Saunders were sprinkled in to constantly keep the backfield fresh. During the year, Fowler’s decision to work in strong-armed freshman quarterback Reid Chenault gave the Bulldogs another wrinkle that Goochland’s opposition just wasn’t ready for. Chenault’s passing

efficiency was second to none, much less for a first-year player, and it allowed wide receivers Nathan Adams and Trace Nixon to go vertical instead of their usual yeoman blocking duties. Defensively, Goochland was equally diverse. In the last three weeks the Bulldogs managed to adapt to King William’s physical skill set in the spread, switch to shut out Wilson Memorial’s power rushing attack quite, and then absolutely stymie the most prolific offense this year at the Group A level, Essex’s speedy spread system that set at least one VHSL record. The ability to adapt to all their opponents on defense and force their own will on offense made this team a state title winner for the first time since 2006. And through it all what made Goochland so tough was Fowler’s faith in his numbers, preferring the work of the many over the talent of the few. ✖

- F OO T B A L L -

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

REID CHENAULT, GOOCHLAND In what turned into the year of the quarterback in Central Virginia with players like Christian Hackenberg, Kent Henry, Zack Jackson, Jack Morris, Rashard Davis and Jhalil Mosley all putting together fantastic seasons, a freshman from Goochland showed that once his older counterparts move on, the cupboard is going to be far from bare. Reid Chenault didn’t start the year as the starter, and rarely started a game, but by year’s end, he had everyone wondering what the future of Goochland’s incredibly effective Wing-T system could look like with this young gunslinger in the mix. Chenault forced his way into playing time on one of the state’s best Group A teams with a calm, collected nature — he looked like he belonged already this year. His numbers showed it too as he threw 12 touchdowns and tossed just four interceptions while splitting time with run-first quarterback and usual starter Jordan Jefferson. Chenault completed 59 percent of his passes, going 43 of 73 through the air while piling up 805 yards. Considering how limited his playing time was and how often the Bulldogs run the ball (79.9 percent of the time), it was an incredibly efficient effort. There were big time highlights too. The Bulldogs’ ground-andpound allowed Chenault’s powerful young arm to go deep as receivers usually faced one-on-one coverage. He’s also deadly off the play fake on waggle-style plays, a perfect fit for the Goochland offense that is always going to churn out yards on the ground. The last time a Central Virginia team in the James River got a freshman into the mix at quarterback was when Buckingham turned to Tarian Ayres. Four years later that looked like the exact right decision as Ayres earned first team All-Scrimmage Play quarterback honors and was one of the state’s top dual threat signal-callers with the Knights tailoring the offense to his strengths. Chenault is going to have to follow a different path — Goochland is, largely, going to keep doing what it does very well. But the added dimension of Chenault clearly has the potential to make the Bulldogs a dangerous, often deadly team. It’s tough enough to stop the Wing-T. What happens when the guy running the show can effortlessly go over the top? ✖

December 2012 :: 30

- V OL L E Y B A L L -

Miller

Block

Kooken

F I R S T

T E A M

Porco

Woods

Hannah Miller /// Fluvanna County, Sr. First team All-Region II, All-Jefferson District, 312 kills, 64 blocks, 255 digs Jessica Block /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Commonwealth District, 822 assists, four school records Maggie Kooken /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District, 220 kills, 246 digs Caroline Porco /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Commonwealth District, second team All-Northwest Region

Stotmeister

Alvis

Gentry

Sarah Woods /// Albemarle, Jr. First team All-Commonwealth, All-Northwest, 68 blocks, 226 kills Emily Stotmeister /// Nelson County, Sr. Second team All-Region B, first team All-Dogwood District Sydney Alvis /// Goochland, So. First team All-Region B, All-James River District Chandler Gentry /// Madison County, Jr. Second team All-Region B, Bull Run District POTY, 214 kills, 371 digs

- V OL L E Y B A L L -

S E C O N D

T E A M

Allie Nicholson /// St. Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-Belfield, Sr. First team All-VISAA Division 1

Chelsea Woodfolk /// Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-Commonwealth District, 228 kills, 27 blocks

Charlotte Divine /// Monticello, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District

Jessica Leroy /// Goochland, Jr. First team All-James River District, second team All-Region B

Maddy Kline /// Fluvanna County, So. First team All-Jefferson District, 200 kills Lauren Reifsteck /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Jefferson District, 479 assists

Marina Clark /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Region II, 443 digs, school record 42 digs in a match Christine Mills /// Goochland, Sr. First team All-James River District, second team All-Region B, 149 kills

- V OL L E Y B A L L -

HONORABLE MENTION

Fallon Viar /// Nelson County, Sr. Second team All-Region B, first team All-Dogwood District Sheridan Santinga /// Madison County, So. HM All-Region B, first team All-Bull Run District, 130 kills, 76 blocks Mesa Willis /// Goochland, Jr. First team All-James River District, 147 kills, 53 blocks Maggie Spindel/// Western Albemarle, Jr. 193 kills, 90 percent hit rate, school record 15 aces in a match

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 31 :: scrimmageplay

Emily Haden /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Second team All-Jefferson District, 182 kills, 115 digs Jessica Schmitt /// Madison County, Sr. Second team All-Bull Run, 371 digs, school record 44 digs in a match Trystam Carr /// Monticello, Jr. Second team All-Jefferson District Elizabeth Reid /// Charlottesville, Sr. Second team All-Jefferson District

Hannah Deal /// Albemarle, Jr. First year player led AHS (231 kills) to unbeaten regular season

- V OL L E Y B A L L -

PL AYER OF THE YEAR

HANNAH MILLER, FLUVANNA COUNTY Hannah Miller’s numbers tell the story. This year she had 312 kills, 64 blocks, 255 digs. If just one of those three numbers were on your resume, you’d be a dominant player. The Flucos had to break in a number of new players this year, including a new setter in Katie Stutz and all along the way, Miller was able to multitask by playing stoutly and aggressively at the front of the net, but also chipping in in a huge way defensively. The senior was moved all over the floor to either emphasize her abilities or to help in one area or another on a night where Fluvanna needed the aid. Offensively, the most remarkable part of Miller’s season was that she once again trudged through one defensive scheme after another. They were all designed to try and take her out of the equation. Each night the opposition’s best blocking tandem followed Miller around the court, even when she wasn’t on the attack. While she still pounded through the blocks to pile up the kill totals, Miller’s unselfishness resulted in improved numbers for fellow teammates Emily Haden and Maddy Kline. As a senior on a young team, Miller’s leadership was of the “by example” variety. She never bore down on her teammates, demanded too much of them. By rewriting the Fluvanna County record book in just about every career and game category except passing, she ensured that her name will be remembered for a long time. Her absence will be severely felt next year, but the way she evelated the play of her teammates this season will pay dividends for the 2013 team. Miller will continue her volleyball career at Christopher Newport University next fall. ✖

- V OL L E Y B A L L -

COACH OF THE YEAR

MARK RAGLAND, ALBEMARLE With all that returned, the Patriots had every reason to be a quality team to compete at the highest level, Group AAA and in the Commonwealth District. They’ve done so before. But what MArk Ragland did was take a team that had six quality starters and turn it into a monster with double-digit playmakers, a constant rotation of talent that gave opposing teams fits. There was no 6-footer just dominating play for Ragland. Instead he took a hard working group whose strength was its depth and variety and found a way to turn it into the winningest team in his storied career for the Patriots. 29-0. It had never been done before. A regular season sweep of the Commonwealth and tournament crown, that neither. Combining last year’s young talent up front with Sarah Woods and Chelsea Woodfolk and integrating first year varsity player Hannah Deal in the mix made the Patriots fierce at the net. That combination with two classically Ragland-like talents, libero Caroline Porco and setter Jessica Block made this team deep to start. Then throw in the countless role players, all of whom found a way to dominate the game and lead their team to wins, whether it was Savannah Morse, Colleen Marshall,

Lexi Brown, whoever. Ragland ran through his bench as if he was coaching YMCA basketball and giving out mandatory playing time. It turns out, that’s what drove this team. The Patriots weren’t just Central Virginia’s best volleyball team in years because of its starters, a misnomer since there was never a regular lineup. Albemarle was the best this year because Ragland’s second six were as dangerous as his first six and he had no qualms getting everyone in on the action. ✖

December 2012 :: 32

- FIEL D HOCK E Y FIRST TEAM

SECOND TEAM

Olivia Hajek /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Region II OPOTY, Jefferson District POY, 10 goals Kendall Coffman /// Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Commonwealth District, 13 def. saves, 5 assists Hollis Camp /// Charlottesville, Sr. First team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District, 5 points Marie Theres Schneider /// Charlottesville, Jr. First team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District, 11 goals, 12 assists Kendall Ballard /// Charlottesville, So. Region II POTY, Jefferson District OPOTY, 21 goals, 12 assists Zoe Brents /// Monticello, Sr. First team All-Group AA, Region II, Jefferson District, JD defensive POY Lauren Gampper /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Jr. All-VISAA Division 1, All-LIS Virginia Dittmar /// Covenant, Sr. All-VISAA Division 2, All-LIS Rosalie Stoke /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Region II, First team All-Jefferson District Maya Langman /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Region II, First team All-Jefferson District

Caroline Deale /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District Emily Licthenberger /// Charlottesville, Sr. First team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District Catherine Towers /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. All-LIS, 24 goals Maddy Brayman /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. All-LIS, 19 goals Morgan Schuler /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Second Team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District Riley Funk /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Second Team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District Megan Frey /// Covenant, Sr. All-VISAA Division 2, All-LIS Skyler Reed /// Louisa County, Jr. Second Team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District Georgia Proutt/// Monticello, Sr. Second Team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District Paige Northup /// Albemarle, Sr. Honorable mention All-Commonwealth

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Emily Johnson /// Albemarle, Fr. Honorable Mention All-Commonwealth, 2 goals, 2 assists

- FIEL D HOCK E Y -

PL AYER OF THE YEAR

KENDALL BALLARD, CHARLOTTESVILLE Kendall Ballard is a game-changer in every single sense of the word. She’s a physical marvel — she’s faster, has a longer reach and has fantastic handeye coordination that translates into great stick skills. That’s evident in the fact that Ballard is anything but a one-sport wonder. She’s also a standout for the varsity basketball and girls lacrosse teams. Mentally, she’s working on a different level too. The sophomore can outthink and outwit opponents with savvy well beyond her years. She employs a creative, dynamic attack, rarely attacking the same way twice during a game as she looks for every crease, opening or advantage. That combination of mental and physical prowess allowed her to take her game to another level after a freshman campaign, pouring in 21 goals and dishing out 12 assists. That earned her Region II player of the year honors and an All-Group AA nod. Most importantly though, Ballard is intent on bringing her whole team right along with her. Ballard’s elevated play is the primary reason Charlottesville took a giant leap forward in 2012, winning the Jefferson District and Region II tournaments to earn a bid to the Group A final four. That’s exactly the kind of impact a true game-changer has — flipping the script for a program in no time. ✖

33 :: scrimmageplay

- FIEL D HOCK E Y -

COACH OF THE YEAR

MEREDITH MARCONI, LOUISA COUNTY Building a program from the ground up is an incredible process. It’s a struggle, and it has to be a labor of love because the challenge — at times — is going to seem insurmountable. Over the last few years, Meredith Marconi has lived that challenge out at Louisa County, helping school the Lions’ in the basics while Louisa endured three straight winless seasons at the varsity level after the school launched a junior varsity version back in 2008 that evolved into a full-fledged program the subsequent year. This year though, Louisa took a big leap forward, winning the first game in school history with a 1-0 overtime victory over Jefferson District foe Powhatan. The win changed everything for Louisa as the Lions went on to beat Powhatan twice more, including a 5-0 thrashing in the first round of the JD tournament for the school’s first-ever postseason victory. Suddenly the Lions were playing with confidence, including a narrow regular season loss against Monticello and tussle with Western Albemarle in the district semifinal that was close too at 2-0 at the break.

Instead of clawing and hoping to compete, a cadre of 12 seniors had found a way to give Louisa’s field hockey program a lot of forward momentum under Marconi’s direction. By unleashing a lot of athletic, multi-sport standouts, Marconi found a way to make Louisa relevant in the Jefferson District and put together the finest season in the program’s short history. Now comes the next step — building on success. ✖

- CROSS COUNTRY H O N O R

BOYS Ryan Thomas (pictured) /// Albemarle, Jr. First place Northwest Region championship David Taylor /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Third place Region II championship Elias Hubbard /// Miller, Sr. Seventh place VISAA D2 championship Chris Markham /// Fluvanna County, Sr. 15th place Region II championship Malloy Owen /// Charlottesville, Jr. 21st place Region II championship Sam Gillepsie /// Albemarle, Sr. 12th place Commonwealth District championship James Ballowe /// Nelson County, Jr. Second place Region B championship Robert Singleton /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. Seventh place VISAA D1 championship Alex Lomong /// Fork Union, Jr. Ninth place VISAA D1 championship Peter Lomong /// Fork Union, Jr. 10th place VISAA D1 championship Trevor Stutzman /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Third place Jefferson District championship Anthony Tamberrino /// Monticello, Sr. Fifth place Jefferson District championship Zack Gentry /// Albemarle, Sr. Fifth place Commonwealth District championship

R O L

GIRLS Nicole Douma (pictured) /// Fluvanna County, Jr. Fourth place Region II championship, first JD Annie Taylor /// Western Albemarle, So. Second place Region II championship Madison Hunter /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Fr. Third place VISAA D1 championship Ciera Ulan /// Albemarle, Sr. 10th place Northwest Region championship Samantha Madison /// Louisa County, Jr. Ninth place Jefferson District championship Ramona Bryant /// Nelson County, Jr. Seventh place Region B championship Sarah Grupp /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Fifth place Jefferson District championship Allison Huschke /// Albemarle, Sr. 11th place Group AAA championship Isabelle Hermsmeier /// Monticello, So. Eighth place Jefferson District championship Stephanie Bossong /// Fluvanna County, Sr. 21st place Region II championship Katie Berry /// Madison County, So. 13th place Group A championship Devon Burger /// Fluvanna County, Jr. 11th place Region II championship Lauren Truwitt /// Albemarle, Sr. 8th place Commonwealth District championship

December 2012 :: 34

Free Throws Usual suspects

Orange wrestling storms out of the gate, again By Ryan Yemen

Sean Raferty is one of three seniors with state tourney experience for the Hornets. (Ryan Yemen)

35 :: scrimmageplay

Forgetting for just a second what this group accomplished last year, the fact that Orange County returned almost every single person from last year across the weight classes is truly impressive, an easy way for this program to improve. But considering that this is the Commonwealth District runner-up and three of its wrestlers earned trips to the Group AAA tournament, and the question remains – just how much better can the Hornets be? In the CD, Northwest Region and really across Group AAA, Colonial Forge is the giant elephant in the room as one of the perennial front runners to each of those classifications. And yet last year, one of the few teams that could take the mat with the Eagles and give them a fight was Orange County. With what the Hornets have back, and the way they’ve started the 2012-2013 season, it appears as though this team can tighten the gap and make the regular season meetings some of the most competitive in the state. For starters, the Hornets have Sean Raferty and Ryan Almond at 160 and 152 pounds respectively. Both are returning for their senior seasons and qualified for the state meet at two of the most hotly contested weight classes in high school. Throw in fellow senior Billy Knabe at 285, and you’ve got three wrestlers with state experience back in the fold. But Orange’s reliability and consistency isn’t just hinged on that trio. At 170, Zach Ryder rode an unbeaten streak deep into the season last year and managed to fight through injury as well. Then at the other end of the spectrum, another pair of consistent scorers in Isaiah Coleman-Combs at 113 and Hugh Morris at 132 return too. As such, Orange isn’t just deep, it’s deep

with a lot of top-end talent and it’s shown just a few weeks into the season. In the Cosby Invitational, Almond, Raferty and Ryder all won their brackets with Raferty taking home the honor of being named the Outstanding wrestler of the tournament. Orange also rolled to a 5-0 performance in their first tournament of the year, taking down Group AA power Sherando 43-27 and dismantling one of the best Group A programs, Strasburg 65-11. Just a few days later, the Hornets picked up a pair of CD wins convincingly, a 53-23 victory over Mountain View and then a 54-24 win over Riverbend. On January 9th, the Hornets will host the Commmonwealth District’s final mini-match. Orange will also head to Forge on January 19th. In a case of iron sharpening iron, those matches should prepare this already experienced and decorated Hornets team for the post season which begins on February 2nd with the CD tournament at Stafford. What Orange accomplished last year in its first tour of the CD and Group AAA was the pinnacle of success for wrestling in Central Virginia. That this core has the chance to repeat its accomplishments and in all likelihood, take it a step further, is something special and big key for keeping the spotlight on the sport in this area. Of course, getting local wrestlers deep into the postseason is what the Cavalier Wrestling Club is all about. It should come about as no surprise that Raferty, Almond and Ryder all do their offseason work with the CWC. So for the next two months and change, Orange County wrestling isn’t just carrying the flag for its school. It’s carrying the flag for the sport as a whole and already doing a fine job of it. ✖

Success stories begin here.

Success Story: Jacob Ruby Jacob Ruby hails from London, Ontario in Canada. In 2008 he made the decision to come to Fork Union to help further along his football career. With a 6-foot-6 frame, he spent his first season for Blue Devils coach Micky Sullivan playing at tight end before moving over to offensive tackle the following year. Along with Mark Shuman (Virginia Tech) and Russell Bodine (North Carolina), Ruby helped anchor an uncanny offensive line, leading FUMA to a VISAA Division 1 final four showing. Ruby’s play at tackle earned him All-State and All-Prep Leaugue honors and a lot of attention for colleges. In the winter of 2010, Ruby was picked to participate in the USA vs. The Word All-Star Game, an annual event that is broadcast on the NFL Network that features 90 players total.

Six programs made offers for his services including Connecticut, Toledo, Central Michigan, Akron, Old Dominion and Richmond. After much consideration, Ruby decided to stay in state and chose to play for the Spiders. After redshirting his first year, Ruby got onto the field quickly in 2011 as he played in all 11 of the Spiders’ games and started in 10 of them. This season, he started all 11 games at left tackle for an offensive line that allowed just five sacks, the best in the Colonial Athetic Assocation and tied for the third best total in the nation. With two years left to play, Ruby’s built quite the football resume. It was just four years ago that he made the trip south to Virginia, but it’s clear that Ruby’s impressive journey is still just unfolding.

Fork Union Military Academy is the leading Christian military boarding school for boys in grades 6 - 12 and PG. www.forkunion.com — 1-800-GO-2-FUMA

Overtime

Circumstantial

You can only cook with what’s in the cupboard

he rebuilding of a high school football program always starts the same. There’s usually a small press conference or some type of introductory meeting where the newlychosen head coach meets the team or is introduced as the head coach if he’s already been an assistant on the staff. The athletic director or principal suggest that this person is a perfect fit for the job and in most cases explain exactly. What happens after that, however, is more complicated. It’s always filled with pitfalls. It’s always more complicated than anyone thinks. Football itself has become more complicated than anyone thinks. Too often, we boil it down to wins and losses and ignore the reality of how bad a situation can be. Overcoming circumstances is a huge part of being a head coach. Relatively new coaches Western Albemarle coach Ed Redmond and Blue Ridge coach Orlando Patterson overcame limited rosters this season to put together strong campaigns. But sometimes, circumstance can overwhelm and a coach like Nelson County’s Mark Wells can flounder. Wells is a native son of Nelson who still holds the Ferrum College records for most receiving yards and touchdowns in a season from back in 1986. He was a long-time assistant at Nelson County and, all-told, has spent nearly three decades on the Governors’ sideline in some capacity. A special education teacher at Nelson County, he’s clearly committed to being a part of the school community as a whole. But, after three seasons and five wins, Wells stepped down shortly after the season, though he seemed to feel some pressure from administration to do just that. That can happen when a high school coach wins just five games in three years. Circumstance had a big hand in that too. There’s no youth football program in Nelson County and no middle school squad. That’s become increasingly rare, even at the Group A level, where programs like Goochland work hard at fostering a sense of community in the youth league teams in the county, most of which run some version of the varsity’s Wing-T offense. Schools like Charlottesville, Western and Monticello are enjoying the fruits of youth programs with players like Kent Henry, T.J. Tillery and Troy Hughes who were stars during rec league contributing early when they reached ninth grade. All three played significant varsity roles as freshmen, and that can be a jumpstart in an era of reduced rosters as more athletes play year-round in sports that aren’t football. Scheduling can also be a major factor. Wells faced a murderer’s row of out-of-district foes before jumping into Dogwood District play where he faced the likes of Group A superpower Gretna. Coaches also have to follow other coaches who could’ve destroyed the confidence of the players in the program already. Wells was tasked with rebuilding not only how the program operated but the confidence of his charges. He’s been a tireless advocate for his players, fighting for them to get individual recognition and collegiate opportunities even as the team struggled. Nelson’s 2011 leading rusher Rodrell Smith is now at Bluefield College among several other players who’ve gotten their foot in the door collegiately. Rebuilding a program is not an easy task. In this day and age, you can’t pull a Bear Bryant

37 :: scrimmageplay

“Too often, we boil it down to wins and losses.” and go all Junction Boys on your team. For one, players will quit—there are too many other things to do in 2012. For another, injuries could pile up. Coaches have to walk a fine line between creating tough, resilient and explosive football teams and not creating problems with parents and the community either through losing or how treatment is perceived. It’s a major challenge and quite often, awfully good coaches and good people like Mark Wells can’t find a way to get the job done in the time they’re given. The next head coach will likely find a program in better shape as far as getting the systems in place for success than Wells did when he took the helm. He’s certainly made strides in key areas. But in what’s increasingly become a bottom line industry in high school sports, Wells has proven exactly what we alredy knew. While rebuilding projects all start the same, they certainly don’t end that way. ✖

Bart Isley,

CRE ATIVE DIRECTOR

back talk »

Is it all just about wins and losses? Contact Bart at: bart@scrimmageplay.com

HOMETOWN HOOPS P R O U D LY P R E S E N T E D B Y P E P S I - C O L A O F C E N T R A L V I R G I N I A

D E C E M B E R 27-29

JANUARY 8

JANUARY 10

JA N UA RY 1 8

N B C 2 9 / DA I LY P R O G R ES S H O L I DAY C LAS S I C

CHARLOTTESVILLE AT FLUVANNA COUNTY

WESTERN ALBEMARLE AT MONTICELLO

BLUE RIDGE AT MILLER

A potential Miller/Spotswood final exists on the girls side of the bracket. On the boys, Albemarle, William Monroe, Charlottesville, Western Albemarle and Monticello round out an almost exclusively all-local field.

Two teams that have met in the Region II tournament in back-toback season renew their rivalry. The Flucos have won four of the last five between these two and will look to hold serve at home in Palmyra.

The atmosphere when these two basketball teams last met at Monticello was arguably the best all year. Both fan bases come out in full force here. Western’s always stout defense will look to quiet MHS’ bevy of guards.

This is as close to college basketball as you can get at the high school level. The Barons have won eight straight, can the Mavericks snap the streak? Don’t be surprised if these two need overtime, they sure did last year.

P E P S I - C O L A O F C E N T R A L V I R G I N I A : S U P P O RT I N G L O C A L H I G H S C H O O L AT H L E T I C S F O R D E C A D E S

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THE CENTRAL VIRGINIA SPORTS AUTHORITY

10 TO WATCH STORIES BY BART ISLEY AND RYAN YEMEN PHOTOS BY ASHLEY THORNTON AND LINDA HOGAN

Central Virginia has always been a hotbed for basketball. Year after year the public and private ranks send teams on legitimate state title quests. As such there are an awful lot of gifted players on the court each year and we’ve picked out 10 of them (in no particular order) that you should keep your eye on between now and the end of the season in March. December 2012 ::

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TEN 10 to Watch

Isaac Copeland, Miller School, Jr. Last year, Andrew White was all the rage out at Miller as the current Kansas freshman enjoyed a fantastic season while earning Scrimmage Play player of the year honors. Isaac Copeland arrived this year already with a string of accolades and scholarship offers that have continued to roll in. The 6-foot9 forward from Raleigh, N.C. transferred from Ravenscroft and is drawing interest from tons of coaches in Division I basketball, including UVa, N.C. State and West Virginia while North Carolina and others are also checking out the young forward from the class of 2014. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already had an immediate impact at Miller too, bringing an incredible presence and skill set to the table. Along with several other newcomers and holdovers like Tony Washington, Aram Martin and Travis Hester, Copeland should help form the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most formidable squad in 2012-2013.

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Darius Watson, Charlottesville, Sr.

For two years Watson’s job was to deliver that dagger 3-pointer in the corner or at the top of the key. He did that well, but his role has changed a lot in just a year. Watson’s height and ability to elevate makes him a perfect fit on the block and with the graduation of rebounding machines Daquan Jones and Dashaun Blakey, the need is pressing. Charlottesville’s often found a way to win with an undersized roster and Watson’s versatility should help them mightily to adjust to the massive turnover on the roster. With him on the floor, the Black Knights have a player that fits their notorious up-tempo style. He’s as capable of applying ball pressure or bringing the ball up the court as any of his teammates. When he’s on, he’s as good a shooter as there is. If he can pull down some rebounds on defense and slip through the paint for a couple of put backs, he’ll take his game to another level and make CHS as formidable as it usually is.

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Nkechi Ilang, St. Anne’s-Belfield, Jr. We’ve seen this story before. While Nkechi Ilang may not be at Sarah Imovbioh’s level yet — and so few are — she’s becoming quite the player at St. Anne’s, transforming much like Imovbioh did from a raw athletic presence to a well-rounded, versatile scoring and rebounding machine. Through seven games early, she averaged 15.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. More importantly perhaps, she only turned the ball over an average of about once per game during that stretch, playing a major role in ball security for the Saints. Ilang is tall and gets after it on the boards, developing her game building block by building block under head coach Phil Stinnie’s tutelage. Now the Saints’ supporting cast can feed off her success too, with emerging standouts like Emily Battle and Ashley Taylor coming along nicely to join now established standouts including Lexi Mallory and Haley Kent.

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Jhalil Mosley, Monticello, Sr.

After making it to the Region II tournament for the second straight year and sporting a strong returning cast, Monticello is looking to inch its way deeper into the postseason this year. All the great playoff teams have a pure scorer and Mosley fits that mold. One of the taller guards in the Jefferson District, Mosleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made a name for himself on the court thanks to his speed and ability to finish at the basket. When the Mustangs are playing in transition and just running the floor, Mosley is almost impossible to slow down. Given that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got some wing mates in James Banks, Jahvon Shelton and Denzel Terry who are also gifted with speed, this is a Monticello team that can rack up some points in an awfully short time. Look for Mosley to build on his reputation as a scorer though this year, as the depth he has in his teammates should allow him to distribute the ball when defenses close in on him.

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Doug Randolph, Woodberry Forest, Sr. Sure his football exploits are well-documented at Woodberry, that’s why he’s headed to Notre Dame next fall to join the nation’s top-ranked team. And in lacrosse he was a force of nature too, unleashing a rocket shot as a longstick occasionally while also filling other roles well. But an injury kept him from doing a lot on the hardwood. Now that he’s healthy? He’s already having a monster impact on a team that’s short on experience. He poured in 32 points against Fork Union a couple of weeks ago and has the potential to do that on any given night. He can score off the dribble against big men or back smaller defenders in and physically dominate in the post. While the Tigers have to cultivate more options from a scoring perspective, Randolph gives them instant offense and a matchup nightmare for opposing coaches to contend with, which should help create other opportunities for his teammates.

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Timmy Randolph, Buckingham County, Sr.

Buckinghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Timmy Randolph is cut in the mold of several other former Knights that have stood out over the last few years. Think former Knight Kevin Bolden, a double double machine who can both create his own chances in the low block and clean up what his teammates leave him on the boards with missed shots on stickbacks. Randolph was strong early last year, and the Knights will look for him to carry the scoring and rebounding load in the paint. Through seven games he averaged 15.0 points and 9.3 boards, churning out double double outings which helped open things up for teammates like Cam Johnson, Dre Scott and Tariq Bartee. Look for Randolph to continue changing the equation for the Knights and force teams to collapse down low on the big man. When the Knights have that rebounding presence, whether with Bolden or Taylor Boyers before that, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gone on deep playoff runs.

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Taylor Sandidge, Miller School, Sr.

She made an impression for Miller as a sophomore two years ago as the Mavericks rolled to a second straight VISAA Division 3 title. Last year as Miller was bumped up to Division 2, and teammate Whitney Martin was sidelined because of injury, Sandidge stepped into an even bigger role and managed to lead the Mavericks to a state final showing. With Martin back and the development of Rachel Odumu, this is still a loaded Miller team ready for a big playoff run. Sandidge’s expereicence and versatility will play a big role in pacing this group. She’s a menace defensively at the top of key forcing turnovers and is great in transition. She can knock down three pointers. But as the point guard, Sandidge’s primary role is to run defenses tired and hit her teammates for open looks, something seperates her from the pack of the rest of fellow PGs in the area. In all, Sandidge is as complete a guard as you’ll find this year.

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Molly Shephard, Monticello, So. Over the years in the Jefferson District, the team with the strongest post player has advanced the furthest. It just so happens that Monticello found that highly sought after type of a player in Shephard, and did so when she was just a freshman. Despite her age, the Mustangs’ sophomore rebounds on the offensive and defensive glass as though she was a fourth-year starter. With Monticello’s strength on the perimeter, the Mustangs have as good a chance to work the inside-outside game as any team. But when Monticello goes with Shephard in the paint, it winds up saddling defenders with fouls. With her game only getting stronger, the Mustangs have a product that every team wishes they had. Shephard was dealt an unfortunate injury to her wrist before the season began, but she didn’t shy away from playing with a soft cast when the year started. It barely slowed her down. Just wait until she’s at full strength.

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Chase Stokes, Western Albemarle, Jr.

Chase Stokes is almost a forgotten man from the 2011-2012 team with now graduated Ben Turner and sharpshooter Parker Morris filling up the stat sheet. With Morris at St. Anne’s-Belfield now, Stokes, an adept scorer off the dribble who attacks the basket relentlessly, takes centerstage. If Stokes can draw attention by slashing into the lane, he can create opportunities for the Warriors’ big men. Western has a size advantage in the post this year, but capitalizing on it will come down to how Stokes keeps teams from collapsing down into the paint and creates off of the dribble. It’s a role tailor made for Stokes who can hit those big men with short passes for high percentage shots after working his way into the lane. Look for Stokes to take a leap forward in 2012-2013 as Western’s leader and make the Warriors as tough an out as they always seem to be, year-in, year-out.

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Markel Williams, William Monroe, Sr. He rebounds, he draws a slew of fouls, he finishes. Markel Williams makes an impact on the game more than just the point total he pours in for William Monroe. Having a power forward also be one of best ball handlers on your team has huge advantages too as Williams is made to break presses. The Dragons saw him take his game to a high level last year and lead the way to the second round of the Region B tournament. Monroe has the bulk of its roster back and so this group should be one of the favorites to play for a Bull Run District title, but it all starts and ends with Williams as heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extremely difficult to match up with. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let him near the basket, but Williams also showed that he can hit a lot of difficult shots from spots all over the floor. If he keeps up his doubledouble reputation he built last year, Monroe should be playing for quite some time.

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