Volume 8, Issue 7 by Bart Isley

05 LOUISA GIRLS OFF TO HOT START WITH SKINNER

07 THE ALL-SP FALL SQUADS

scrÄ±mmageplay THE CENTRAL VIRGINIA SPORTS AUTHORITY

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VOL 8. ISSUE 7 :: JANUARY 15, 2017

# F or k U n i on S trong

Program Profile: Robotics Competition during the winter isn’t just about basketball, wrestling or swimming at Fork Union. What if you’re looking to jump start an engineering career, or just really enjoy games of strategy? As it turns out, there’s a competition that helps satisfies those needs. Starting in October, the FIRST robotics competition began. It’s a long tedious competition that concludes towards the end of February. A year ago, the Blue Devils qualified for the state tournament which hosts nearly 680 squads, both public and private. FUMA placed 12th and is looking to improve upon that showing this year during FIRST competition. In October, all teams are given a course and a list of objectives, all of which are different from the previous season. This year, teams must find a way to launch red and blue balls into respective baskets hanging above in the center of the square course. Another task is to activate a handful of lights that border the course. There’s a time limit to meet all the goals as well. Once the team gets the course instructions, they begin designing their robots. All teams have access to the same parts and must build within certain guidelines. The Blue Devils have until February 21 to finish their build.

Fork Union Military Academy is the leading Christian military boarding school for boys in grades 7 - 12 and PG. www.forkunion.com — 1-800-GO-2-FUMA

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scrımmageplay the central virginia sports authority

vol 8. issue 7 :: January 12, 2017

07 the aLL-sP faLL squads

ANOTHER LEVEL Louisa girls start off hot with Skinner

vol 8. issue 7 :: January 12, 2017

ALL-SCRIMMAGE PLAY The Fall 2016 edition

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PLay 19 faLL 2016 07 23

GAME TIME STAB boys basketball takes down Collegiate

RESHUFFLING THE DECK Examining VHSL realignment with perspective

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PLay a f LL 2016 VOL 8 . ISSUE 7 :: JANUARY 15, 2017

05 Louisa GirLs off to hot start with skinner

07 the aLL-sP faLL squads

S TA F F Bart Isley, Creative Director Bob Isley, Infrastructure Director Ryan Yemen, Creative Editor O N T H E COV E R Woodberry Forest’s Lindell Stone 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 [ e ] info@scrimmageplay.com

Community Partnership

Working hand in hand with Red Shoes Cville to support the Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville. Choose the Red Shoes Cville special at www.papajohns.com

PREGAME

Setting the tone While there are some meets in December for a handful of programs, the annual Ben Hair Swim Meet in January unofficially serves as the swimming season kickoff. This year, the Western Albemarle boys were able to top runner-up Albemarle by 157 points thanks to a deep lineup. On the girls side, Albemarle girls, led by Grace Farmar, rolled to their championship with a 217 point edge on second place Albemarle. â&#x153;&#x2013; (Photo by Ashley Thornton)

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ALTER EGOS Gary Vaclavicek FireFighter Gary Vaclavicek has earned a nickname in CATEC’s Firefighting Program from Captain Bobby Elliott, the program’s lead instructor. “He calls me chief,” Vaclavicek said. “I was trying to help keep people in line and it just kind of stuck. He’s been trying to help me develop responsibility and leadership.” Vaclavicek has proven up to the task according to Elliott. “He presents the leadership skills needed to be successful in the fire service and in life,” Elliott said. Vaclavicek has drawn parallels between what he does in the firefighting program and the challenges he faces as a wrestler at his base school, Monticello. “You have to know what you’re doing when you’re firefighting and also on the wrestling mat you can’t just do things halfway,” Elliott said. “That applies to firefighting as well because you have to know what’re you’re doing so you stay safe, everyone around you stays safe.”

College Track students taking an early step in their career

To learn more about the firefighting program at CATEC and check out a photo gallery of the students in action, click this page.

www.catec.org

www.scrimmageplay.com ::

First Quarter Another level

Louisa girls taking next step with Skinner at the point By Ryan Yemen

Tyi Skinner had a breakout freshman campaign and is only player better as a sophomore. (Ashley Thornton)

{ ALL THE TOOLS } Skinner’s stat line per game through 10 games. POINTS

21.6

ASSISTS

5.5

STEALS

3.7

REBOUNDS

3.5

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he Jefferson District has seen its fair share of game-changing underclassmen point guards over the years. In fact, it just went through a wave of them over the last four years at Orange County, Fluvanna County and Monticello.

It would appear as though the next big deal young guard is in Mineral. Obviously when talent arrives at the point guard position, things can turn quickly for a program. Tyi Skinner is doing just that for the Lions right now as a sophomore, and her numbers are down right silly. Through nine games, Louisa sits at 7-2 and Skinner is averaging 21.6 points, 4.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 steals. And it’s not like it’s against so-so competition. Against Charlottesville to wrap up December, the Lions handed the defending JD and Conference 23 champions their only loss of the year so far. Skinner had a season high 34 points and shot 43 percent from the field. “I’m trying to be more of a leader this year but also not to be satisfied with anything,” Skinner said. “At the end of the day, it does not matter what I’m doing on an individual level if we aren’t winning. My team comes before everything.” What’s been impressive so far for the sophomore has been just how much of a step forward she’s taken since her freshman year. As a sophomore, she’s making one-handed bounce passes with zip on it, something you don’t she from seniors with years of strength conditioning. With a natural scoring ability and the speed to create trouble on the defensive end, Skinner is having a breakout year. But at 7-2, it’s obviously not just Skinner’s development that coach Nick Schreck is focused on. In his second year on the job,

Shreck knows that his point guard’s progress going forward is directly related to how good she makes those around her, and vice versa. And for the Lions around Skinner, that means making sure they don’t stop and watch. “We can’t get stagnant on offense and wait to see what she’s going to do, that just kills our flow,” Shreck said. “That’s something we’re working on. And it’s something she’s working on too, getting everyone involved. That’s part of maturing as a basketball team.” While it’s only a 10-game sample size, the results are promising. With Anna Grace Agee averaging 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 steals and DaNikqua Marshall chipping in 7.9 points and 7.2 rebounds, both as seniors, the Lions have a strong core to make this a special year. Add to it a freshman in Carmella Jackson who’s thrown together a line of 5.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game and you’ve got a future that’s bright after Agee and Marshall finish up their high school careers. Last year was big for the Lions, but this one is setting up to be even better as Louisa will look to take the step from JD and Conference 19 contenders to Region 4A West players. “We’re working hard and we’re getting used to the system,” Skinner said. “That was hard last year and this year you can already see things are way better. Everyone’s doing their thing.” ✖

go online »

For more in depth basketball coverage head to our website at: www.scrimmageplay.com.

College Update

We’ve gone digital

Former Mustangs taking off at Lynchburg, Mary Washington

But you can have it in print too!

By Ryan Yemen For four years at Monticello is was Molly Shephard and Meghan Comer. Meghan Comer and Molly Shephard. And as sophomores, the duo put the Mustangs into the Group AA Division 3 final four. During their 4-year reign — one where both break the 1,000 point barrier, something that rarely happens to two players on the same team in the same year — Monticello was the team to beat in the Jefferson District until the two graduated in 2015. From their, Shephard went on to play for Lynchburg College while Comer headed off to suit up for Mary Washington. Early in November, the sophomores got to play on the same court again, albeit briefly when the Eagles topped the Hornets, 67-48. In that game, Shephard was limited in playing time, something that’s changed a lot since, but she hauled in a rebound for Lynchburg. Comer started and had a pair of steals. A lot has changed since that meeting almost two months ago.

For starters, Shephard is now averaging 16.2 minutes a game and is third on the team in scoring and also in rebounds with her 8.8 points and 5.1 boards per game. It’s a big step forward for the sophomore post presence. With just two seniors on the roster, it’s a welcome progression for a team that sits at 9-3 and has a perfect 5-0 record at home. For Comer, she’s gone on to start 10 of Mary Washington’s 12 contests so far. The sophomore guard is averaging 21.2 minutes per contest, with averages of 3.5 points, 1.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds. With an experienced group, Comer has been a solid young role player on a team that has won its first 12 games. The former Mustangs are still in the early part of their collegiate playing careers but have both taken huge steps to become contributors for their respective squads. The next time they meet on the floor, don’t be surprised if one, the other or both headline the show. ✖

HOW TO GET A PHYSICAL COPY OF SCRIMMAGE PLAY Step 1 :: Click here and head to the MagCloud version of the magazine. It’s going to look like this below:

BELOW » Monticello alumnus Meghan Comer is now playing for Mary Washington while former teammate Molly Shephard (below) is at Lynchburg College. (Lynchburg Sports Information).

Step 2 :: Click the Buy Print button next to the magazine and follow instructions to order Step 3 :: Wait patiently by your mailbox Step 4 :: When it arrives, take it out and read or stash away to your heart’s delight!

www.scrimmageplay.com :: 06

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It was a fall that marked a lot of change. The Albemarle football team had its best season in 30 years. Woodberry Forest put together an appropriate end to an amazing era. Blue Ridge picked up a second state title in four years. Goochland made it to the state final four for the third time in six years. The Covenant field hockey team put together its first ever state championship run. We saw the volleyball community undergo a massive overhaul and set things up for a bright 2017. In cross country, the Western Albemarle girls finished second in the state while Albemarle’s Ryann Helmers and Covenant’s Ella Dalton came up with a state runnerup medals. That’s an incredible autumn season, and with so many new faces in every lineup, it’s all that much more impressive. So without further discussion, we are proud to present our All-SP selections for the season. 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 P H O T O S B Y A S H L E Y T H O R N T O N , J O H N B E R R Y, T O M P A J E W S K I , B A R T I S L E Y, R Y A N Y E M E N

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- F OO T B A L L -

F I R S T

T E A M

Stone

Folley

Whalen

Jana

Foster

Brooks

Ragland

Puryear

Brown

Weyher

Thurston

Anderson

Folley

Smith

Carr

Olaniyan

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Lindell Stone /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. VISAA D1 POTY, Prep League OPOY, 3,380 passing yards, 38 TDs RUNNING BACK

Sabias Folley /// Charlottesville, So. First team All-JD, All-C23, 1,371 yards, 23 TDs, 8.0 YPC Isiah Smith /// Madison County, Sr. Second team All-Region 2A East, 2,011 yards from scrimmage, 20 TDs, Job Whalen /// Louisa County, Jr. First team All-Jefferson District, All-C19, 1,388 yards, 16 TDs WIDEOUTS/ TIGHT ENDS

Terrell Jana /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. First team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep 1,308 yards, 19 TDs Lorenz Brown /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-JD, All-C16, 33 rec, 512 yards, 6 TDs Jack Weyher /// Western Albemarle, So. Second team All-Group 3A, 42 rec, 810 yards, 9 TDs OFFENSIVE LINE

Ja’kel Johnson /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-JD, All-C16, paved way for 2 different 1K rushers Brennan Garrison /// Fork Union, Sr. First team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep Josh Clarke /// Goochland, Sr. First team All-Group 2A, All-C36 , paved way for 4 rushers over 500 yards Tony Thurston /// Louisa County, Jr. First team All-JD, All-C19, paved way for 2 different 1K rushers Larry Henderson /// Charlottesville, Jr. First team All-JD, All-C23, paved way for a 2K-yard rushing attack UTILIT Y PL AYER

DEFENSIVE LINE

Clay Brooks /// Goochland, Sr. First team All-Group 2A, All-C36, 83 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 sacks Jahlil Puryear /// Blue Ridge, Sr. First team All-VISAA D2, 86 tackles, 12 TFL, 7 sacks, 2 FF Zykal Foster /// Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Group 5A, 73 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 13.5 sacks, 6 FF Quinton Ragland /// Louisa County, Sr. JD DPOTY, first team All-C19, 62 solo tackles, 19 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 2 FF LINEBACKERS

Joseph Stephenson /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. First team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep, 83 tackles, 13 TFL, 4 sacks Teshawn Massie /// Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-JD, All-C16, 73 tackles, 9 TFL Korey Smith /// Woodberry Forest, So. Second team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep, 78 tackles, 13 TFL, 4 sacks Sadarius Folley /// Charlottesville, Sr. First team All-JD, All-C23, 71 tackles, 7 TFL DEFENSIVE BACKS

Cordell Mattox /// Goochland, Sr. First team All-Group 2A, All-JRD, All-C36, 57 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 INT Malik Minor /// Louisa County, Sr. First team All-JD, All-C19, 23 tackles, 9 PD, 3 INT Cameron Carr /// Blue Ridge, Jr. First team All-VISAA D2, 28 tackles, 10 INT, 9 PD Bebe Olaniyan /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. First team All-VISAA D1, 29 tackles, 17 PD PUNTER

Will Stupalsky /// Fork Union, Jr. Second team All-VISAA D1, 34.7 yard per punt average

J’Quan Anderson /// Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-Group 5A, 1,000 passing yds, 1,011 rushing yds, 23 TDs

Breaking it down

Here’s where the first team came from

RETURN SPECIALIST

Tyquan Rose /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District, All-Conference 16 KICKER

Andre McCullough /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District, All-Conference 29

{ 1ST TEAM }

Private Schools Jefferson District James River District Bull Run District

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- F OO T B A L L -

S E C O N D

OFFENSE QUARTERBACK

Derek Domecq /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-C29, 1,742 passing yards, 979 rushing yards, 33 total TDs RUNNING BACK

Tre Smith /// Orange County, Sr. All-Conference 16, 1,324 rushing yards, 18 TDs Jamison Harrison /// Blue Ridge, Jr. First team All-VISAA D2, 1,086 rushing yards, 13.2 YPC, 15 TDs Jamal Thompson /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-JD, All-C16, 1,349 rushing yards, 11 TDs WIDEOUTS/ TIGHT ENDS

Reid Huffman /// Monticello, Sr. All-JD, All-C29, 658 yards, 18.3 YPC Logan Justice /// Fork Union, Jr. All-Prep, HM All-VISAA D1, 362 yards, 5 TDs Dayvon Green /// Orange County, Sr. All-JD, 32 receptions, 16.6 YPR, 530 yards, 6 TDs

T E A M

DEFENSE DEFENSIVE LINE

Noah Crutchfield /// Western Albemarle. Sr. First team All-JD, All-C29, 35 tackles, 7 sacks Ricky Mayfield /// Goochland, Jr. Second team All-Group 2A, 60 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 sacks John Kirven /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. Second team All-VISAA D1, 31 tackles, 7 sacks, 17 hurries Kyle Kruszewski /// William Monroe, Sr. First team All-BRD, 54 tackles, 3 sacks, 21 hurries, 2 FF LINEBACKERS

Justin Armwood /// Blue Ridge, Sr. First team All-VISAA D2, All-ODFC, 48 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 FR Brandon Smith /// Louisa County, So. First team All-JD, Conference 18, 49 tackles, 4 sacks, 9 TFL, 3 FF Ryan Horton /// Orange County, Sr. First team All-JD, All-C16, 92 tackles, 50 solo, 5.5 sacks, 13 TFL DeAngelo Hunt /// Orange County, Sr. First team All-JD, 73 tackles, 9 sacks, 14 TFL 4 FF, 2 TDs, 7 PD

OFFENSIVE LINE

Will Edelson /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, So. Second team All-VISAA D2, All-ODFC Trejon Bryant /// Charlottesvile, Jr. First team All-JD, All-C28 Darius MacKay /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. All VISAA D1 HM, All-Prep Josh Diaz /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. First team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep Devon Washington /// Orange County, Sr. First team All-JD, All-C16 UTILIT Y PL AYER

Malik Bell /// Louisa County, Jr. First team All-JD, 1,465 rushing yards, 726 passing yards, KICKER

Nick Martsloff /// Albemarle, Sr. All-Jefferson District

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Calvin Martin /// Goochland, Sr. Second team All-Group 2A, 35 tackles, 5 INT Kris Anderson /// Albemarle, Jr. All-JD, All-C16, 35 tackles, 5 INT, 6 PD, Def. TD Robert Sims /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-JD, 31.5 tackles, 3 PD Jay Lewis-Nixon /// Orange County, Sr. First team All-JD, All-Conference 16, 72 tackles, 40 solo, 13 PD PUNTER

Allen Torres /// Fluvanna County, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District RETURN SPECIALIST

Shavon Ellis /// Orange County, Jr. All-JD, 23.5 YPR, TD

HONORABLE MENTION Carter Rickett /// Orange County, Sr. Xavier Kane /// Blue Ridge, So. Danny Talbert /// Monticello, Jr. Kevin Jarrell /// Monticello, Jr. Kyle Bilodeau /// Woodberry Forest, So. Craig Russo /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Jaylen Alexander /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Fr. Drai Taylor /// Nelson County, Sr. Isaiah Breckenridge /// Madison County, Sr. Rayquan Wayne /// William Monore, Sr. Iosefa Pua’aulli /// Fork Union, So. Caleb Turner /// Louisa County, Jr. Isaiah Kilby-Sharp /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Jarad Chouai /// Blue Ridge, Sr. Donovan Jackson /// Covenant, Jr. Lorenzo Louderback /// Charlottesville, Sr. Marcus Burton /// Goochland, Sr. Dre Twyman /// Madison County, Sr. Malique Shackelford /// William Monroe, Sr. Robbie Grass /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. Greg Sizemore /// William Monroe, Sr. Jake Cooper /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. Jarrett Smith /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Sean Ayres /// Buckingham County, Sr. Tariq Gough /// Blue Ridge, Sr. Luke Tenuta /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Na’il Arnold /// Albemarle, Jr. Austin Haverstrom /// Monticello, Jr. Rick Weaver /// Covenant, So. Brycen Newby/// Buckingham County, Jr.

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- F OO T B A L L -

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LINDELL STONE, WOODBERRY FOREST When Lindell Stone won the offensive player of the year in 2015, we asked the stupid question “what could he possibly be up to in 2016?” The answer was right there. More, of course. A lot more. More wins, more yards, more touchdowns. Just more of the same. What Stone did by breaking the Scrimmage Play area passing records in career years with 7,764 and touchdowns with 87, both shattering the previous marks set by Blue Ridge’s Chad Byers back in 2007, speaks to the kind of career that the UVa-bound quarterback had. But it’s easy to forget that he managed to replicate an amazing junior year as a senior despite a revamped offensive line and missing his top receiver from the 2015 campaign. In 2016, Stone completed 215 of his 330 passing attempts, for a 65 percent completion rate. He threw 38 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He averaged 338 yards and 3.8 TD passes per game. He also had 22.9 yards per game on the ground to go with seven rushing touchdowns. What that meant? Ultimately, a 9-1 record for a Tigers team that finished on a high note with a 34-21 win over archrival Episcopal in both Stone and coach Clint Alexander’s last game with the program. To say that Stone and Alexander — a pair that were attached at the hip in their four years together — went out in fairy tale fashion is understating just what kind of send off that victory was. After all, Stone was a freshman splitting reps under center the last time the Tigers won “The Game” and an injury during his sophomore season kept him on the sidelines. But it wasn’t just about “The Game” for Woodberry. Against eventual VISAA Division I champion Collegiate back in October, Stone threw for a

454 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-16 routing, all but confirming for the Tigers that were the class of the VISAA despite the fact they don’t compete in the playoffs during football season. As a quarterback, Stone wasn’t a check down passer. He completed a pass for 40 yards or more in all 10 games this year. He and senior teammate Terrell Jana, who also is headed to UVa, connected for 1,308 yards. Stone helped turn Dequece Carter, a sophomore, into a breakout receiver with 676 yards thrown his way. Throw in 517 yards to junior Khalid Thomas. Another 345 yards to sophomore tight end Kyle Bilodeau and you get the idea. This was a quarterback that exploited matchups. He challenged defenses by stretching the field. He was elusive and found a way to complete passes underneath safety coverage. Central Virginia has not had a quarterback like this in a long, long time that was capable of making multiple reads, improvising and was at the end of the day, insanely accurate with a strong arm. And that’s the message when it comes to Stone. He’s not the best quarterback because he has the best metrics. He’s not some 6-foot-5 quarterback that was impossible to sack. He wasn’t a dual threat quarterback that got his passing yards because he was such an exceptional athlete. Stone is a traditional quarterback, something that’s hard to find at the high school level. He was great in 2015 and every bit as good and better in 2016. With Woodberry entering a new era post-Alexander, post-Stone, it’s only fitting that this campaign was hands down the best against the toughest schedule both them went up against. Challenge set, challenge met. So we were one year ahead in asking the question — what could Stone possibly be up to in 2017? ✖

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- F OO T B A L L -

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ZYKAL FOSTER, ALBEMARLE The questions coming into the 2016 season for Albemarle weren’t about the offense. With a 4-year contibutor at running back in Jamal Thompson, quarterback J’Quan Anderson entering a second season at quarterback and the return of Tyquan Rose at receiver, expectations were high for the Patriots offense. So much so that Albemarle was assumed to be a big player in the Jefferson District. But what about the defense? What would that unit look like without it’s cog on the line in Nemo Lesesane. With a lot of new players upfront, at linebacker and some truly young fits at defensive back, would this defense pack a punch? Well, Albemarle did have Zykal Foster coming back off of a break out campaign in 2015. That’s a start. As it turns out, leaning on Foster was more than a start. He was the game changing player for the Patriots on defense for a team that started out 2-2, won seven straight from there, including their first ever Jefferson District title and put together their best regular season in nearly 30 years. Throw in a Region 5A playoff win over Falls Church and you’ve got a special year. While the loss to Potomac Falls in the next round was the sour note of the season, that game was one where the defense on point, made it a game even up until the fourth quarter.

That doesn’t happen, none of it, without Foster on the defensive line. On paper, Foster comes off as a bit of “tweener” as someone who’s big and fast enough to rush off the edge and yet also, to slide around play as a linebacker. A sure handed tackler, a senior leader, Foster played yeoman-like football for a team that needed it. While it’s hard for stats to show just how important Foster was to this defense, the Patriots as a whole, coaches saw it on tape or in person as he was honored with first team Region 5A and a second team Group 5A selections. And Foster had game tape along with the numbers. He finished with 73 tackles, 36 of which were solo. Foster was nightmare in the backfield. With 15.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 of which were sacks and another 15 hurries, quarterbacks had to get the ball out quick. With six forced fumbles, Foster helped the Patriots get key stops, create short fields and pile up possessions. There may have been some doubters about Albemarle’s defense after a loss to Louisa, but for seven straight weeks, Foster and company got the job done. This defense became opportunistic with turnovers, clutch with stops, and more than anything, better from one week to the next. And that started up front with the senior leadership and play from Foster. ✖

- F OO T B A L L -

COACH OF THE YEAR

BRANDON ISAIAH, ALBEMARLE In a football season that started out with a lot of unknowns, Albemarle was one of the biggest enigmas. An unseasoned offensive line was reason enough to question whether this edition of the Patriots had what it takes to take the program to the next level, plus the graduation of Nemo Lesessane, Ethan Blundin and Rooney Turay meant playmakers were going to have to step up. But Zykal Foster, Tyquan Rose, J’Quan Anderson and Jamal Thompson’s return meant there was a good core in place, and the Patriots took a huge leap under Brandon Isaiah this season. A historic leap in fact, taking the Patriots to a place they hadn’t been since well before the turn of the century, winning a Jefferson District title, hosting a home playoff game and winning that playoff game. Turning around the Albemarle football program has been an

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extensive process, and it dates back to the work Mike Alley and his staff did a few years ago to lay a foundation and get things back on track. Isaiah has proven to be the right man to take things to another level, unleashing an aggressive defense that looks to create turnovers and an offense that looks to get an array of playmakers into space, tailored around the individual talents in the lineup. He also clearly made the right call to shift J’Quan Anderson, a running back just two years ago, into the signal-caller. Anderson has grown by leaps and bounds the last two years, flashing a knack for keeping plays alive and spreading the ball around. With defenses paying a lot of attention to Rose this year, concerned about his speed, the Patriots leaned more

on new addition Lorenz Brown through the air and Thompson on the ground to move the ball. They also showed pretty incredible resilience, bouncing back from a tough loss to Louisa County on the road to beat Orange County and then rally past Charlottesville in dramatic fashion (a week where with the birth of his daughter he had to lean on his capable coaching staff to run the show). Albemarle ran the regular season table from there in the Jefferson District with wins over Powhatan, Western, Monticello and Fluvanna. That set the stage for Albemarle’s first playoff win in 30 years, a 31-21 victory over Falls Church. While the season ended in frustrating fashion at the hands of Potomac Falls, it’s clear just how much growth Albemarle made in 2016 with Isaiah at the helm. ✖

- F OO T B A L L -

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

KENYON CARTER, ORANGE COUNTY When some buzz started building out of Orange County’s football program that they had something interesting brewing at the quarterback spot, it was reason to listen. After all, dating back to Bradley Starks and Quintin Hunter, the Hornets know a little bit about what a good young passer looks like. They weren’t going to be fooled. They’d already seen the real deal up close. If they believed in Kenyon Carter, that was probably enough of an endorsement then and there. Then the Louisa County game happened. While Orange lost the late October clash with the Lions, they were in it in the second half because Carter threw for 146 yards including a pair of critical touchdowns after halftime. It was a clutch performance on a big stage. When the lights got brightest, Carter got better. Carter proved the Hornets’ early inclinations right all year, giving the run first, second and third offense a new dimension while helping open things up for perhaps the area’s best two-headed monster at running back DeAngelo Hunt and Tre Smith. As just a sophomore, he threw for 1,124 yards and 13 touchdowns, completing 46 percent of his passes while throwing to a wide receiving corps that hadn’t been called on to do nearly as much as they were the last couple of years and had to develop along with Carter. Dayvon Green, Jamal Carter and Chris Washington emerged as viable pass-catching threats, with Kenyon Carter rarely forcing anything, opting smartly to trust the offense and finding the open man. That patience, poise and maturity beyond his years served Carter well, running the offenses well enough to power the Hornets to a playoff spot, and they were on the brink of winning several other games, including narrow losses to Powhatan, Louisa and Albemarle. That’s an impressive campaign for a first-year starter. Next year obviously could provide a more stringent test as the Hornets ask a little more of their signal-caller with the graduation of Smith and Hunt, fixtures in the backfield the past few years for Orange. But Carter proved up to the task this season, rising to the occasion in some of the year’s biggest games to give the Hornets a major jolt. ✖

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- V OL L E Y B A L L -

Berry

Nichols

Hanssen

F I R S T

T E A M

Warlick

Kershner

Courtney Berry /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Region 3A west, first team All-C29, 286 kills, 46 blocks Olivia Nichols /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-C29, 182 kills, 17 blocks, 170 digs Sarah Hanssen /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-C16, 828 assists, 53 aces Madison Warlick /// Albemarle, Jr. First team All-C16, 195 kills, 274 digs, 53 aces

Wiggins

Atuaia

Santinga

Sophie Kershner /// Fluvanna County, Sr. First team All-C29 Alexis Wiggins /// Goochland, Sr. Second team All-Group 2A, first team All-Region 2A East Alema Atuaia /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-C29, 179 kills, 40 aces, 169 digs Makenna Santinga /// Madison County, So. First team All-Bull Run District

- V OL L E Y B A L L -

S E C O N D

Casey Spencer /// Goochland, Sr. Second team All-Group 2A, first team All-Region 2A East Adriana Bland /// Western Albemarle, Sr. All-C29, 249 digs Emery Hawkins /// Albemarle, Sr. Second team C16, 187 kills, 40 aces Katie Schnell /// Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-C16, 159 kills, 175 digs, 47 aces

T E A M

Makysha Brock /// Monticello, Jr. Second team All-C29, 82 kills, 31 blocks Lexi Lam /// William Monroe, Jr. First team All-Bull Run District, 407 assists, 215 digs, 43 aces Candice Shaheen /// Fluvanna County, Jr. Second team All-C29 Jill Gallardo /// St. Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-Belfield, So. All-LIS

- V OL L E Y B A L L -

HONORABLE MENTION

Andrea Vial /// Western Albemarle, Sr. All-C29, 618 assists, 90 digs Emily Maupin /// Covenant, Sr. All-LIS Abby Sherman /// Fluvanna County, Jr. Second team All-C29 Grace Fox /// Madison County, Sr. Second team All-Bull Run District

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 13 :: @scrimmageplay

Lauren Clark /// William Monroe, Sr. Second team All-Bull Run District, 268 digs, 44 aces Laine Harrington /// Orange County, Sr. Second team All-C16 Caroline Guill /// Louisa County, Sr. Second team All-C17 Moneka Lawson /// Monticello, Sr. Honorable mention All-C29, 60 kills, 44 blocks

Jewel Pugh /// Monticello, So. Stepped into starting setter role for rebuilding Mustangs

- V OL L E Y B A L L -

PL AYER OF THE YEAR

COURTNEY BERRY, WESTERN ALBEMARLE Courtney Berry just doesn’t make many mistakes. Wherever she needed to put the ball this year for Western Albemarle, Berry seemed to put it there, giving the Warriors one of the area’s most unique weapons, a middle who was also capable of unleashing kill after kill after kill. When Berry got into a groove, it didn’t seem to matter what the opposition threw at her, Berry was just better. Attacking wherever the opposing squad couldn’t get to it. She rang up 314 total kills on the year, leading the Warriors in that category. She finished with 61.5 total blocks, including 48 solo stuffs, tops on the team. Throw in an effective serving year with a 90.5 serving percentage and 31 aces, and it’s clear why the Warriors advanced to the Region 3A West semifinals before falling to Blacksburg, the eventual state runner-up. Berry was unreal down the stretch, registering double digit kills in six of the Warriors’ last seven matches including a 23-kill effort against Turner Ashby. The loss to Blacksburg wrapped up one of the most productive careers in program history in a program that has seen an awful lot of productive careers. Berry is the school’s all-time blocks leader and is third all-time in career kills behind Sarah Harper and Kelsey Grove. Along with Olivia Nichols, the Warriors’ other all-around standout, Berry gave Western exactly the kind of energy and leadership that it needed this year. With a lot of new parts around them locking into place, Berry and Nichols had to be rocks for the Warriors, and they did just that, meeting the challenge. Leadership, production and a strong postseason run? That’s an impressive season for Berry. She was steady, reliable and when the Warriors needed her to be, explosive. That’s exactly the kind of year Berry and Western needed. ✖

- V OL L E Y B A L L -

COACH OF THE YEAR

MARK RAGLAND, ALBEMARLE In 32 years of head coaching, Mark Ragland has had to revamp a lot of lineups, re-tool with a lot of new rosters. But that doesn’t make what he did this year any less impressive. After graduating long time setter Ellie Benning, hitters Stephanie Lugus and Alexis Duday, standout defenders Cindy Yu and Lindsey Earles, Ragland somehow helped the Patriots put together another impressive campaign. Unlike some of his best seasons that have been marked by dominance, this one was about improvement. The difference can be seen most strikingly between who the Patriots were in late September, losing to Powhatan and Western 3-0 while falling in five of the last seven games of the month to who they became in October. That’s when they went 7-1, with the lone loss coming in a 3-2 war with Western. They bounced back and swept Powhatan on the road during that stretch too. That set the stage for a conference runner-up finish and a region playoff appearance and win over Wakefield in the first round. Sarah Hanssen, in her first year as a full-time setter, set the school record for assists in a season with 828. Madison Warlick and Emery Hawkins

emerged as serious threats at the net and Katie Schnell became an all-around force. Not bad at all for a complete rebuild. And as everyone has seen many times before, when Ragland starts from the ground level one year, there’s a lot of promise for the following season. ✖

www.scrimmageplay.com :: 14

- FIEL D HOCK E Y FIRST TEAM Lizzy Shim /// Covenant, Jr. VISAA D2 POTY, All-LIS, UVa commit Maddy Fagan /// Covenant, Jr. First team All-VISAA D2, All-LIS Kat Mayo /// Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Group 5A, first team All-Region 5A North, 8 goals Valerie Hajek /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Group 3A, All-C28/29, 17 goals, 7 assists Anna Murray /// Albemarle, So. Second team All-Region 5A North, 23 goals, 4 assists Ivy Allen /// Covenant, So. First team All-VISAA D2, All-LIS Paige McGlothlin /// Monticello, Jr. First team All-C28/29, 7 goals, 4 assists Nyla Lewis /// Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-Group 5A, first team All-Region 5A North Joie Funk /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Group 3A, All-C28/29, 11 goals, 7 assists Audrey Russell /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-Group 3A, All-C28/29

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

SECOND TEAM Kat Bianchetto /// Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-Region 5A North, 9 goals, 10 assists Josie Mallory /// Monticello, So. First team All-C28/29, 4 goals, 1 assist Madison Masloff /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-C28/29, 3 goals, 7 assists Kira Repich /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-Group 3A, All-C28/29, 11 goals, 3 assists Sarah Alberts /// Monticello, Sr. First team All-C28/29 Lauren Hughlett /// Albemarle, Sr. All-C16, 8 goals, 1 assist Wynston Archer /// Covenant, Jr. First team All-VISAA D2 Ashlyn Cherrix /// Charlottesville, Fr. First team All-C22/23, All-Region 4A North Holli Foster /// Orange County, Sr. First team All-Conference 16, 4 goals, 2 assists Helen Atkins /// Charlottesville, Sr. First team All-C22/23

Morgan Rose /// Albemarle, Jr. First year player scored eight goals on the year

- FIEL D HOCK E Y -

PL AYER OF THE YEAR

LIZZY SHIM, COVENANT Lizzy Shim is an unreal talent, but that’s not something anyone just learned this year. Shim made an impact as a freshman and the Covenant standout who committed to UVa near the end of her sophomore year hasn’t slowed down since. But the best players are often judged by team success. They’re judged by how they make players around themselves better or in Shim’s case, allow some already apparent strengths in stars like Maddy Fagan and Ivy Allen to shine through. She was whatever the Eagles needed in 2016 en route to the first hockey state championship in school history, taking a more defensive role for stretches when Fagan, one of the area’s most creative and dynamic goal scorers, heated up. Then when teams locked in on Fagan or when the Eagles needed more from her offensively, Shim met the challenge, scoring both of the squad’s first half goals in a 2-0 victory in the state title game against Cape Henry. She earned state player of the year honors for her efforts and emerged as the area’s best, shaking off some early season injuries to take Covenant over the top. Shim is no longer simply an unreal talent. She’s a complete player. ✖

15 :: @scrimmageplay

ACADEMIC EDGE

S P O N S O R E D

B Y

H A R G R AV E

M I L I TA R Y

A C A D E M Y

ORANGE COUNTY’S LAINE HARRINGTON

Laine Harrington doesn’t ever stop. No, seriously, she doesn’t stop. Harrington plays three varsity sports for Orange County High and she’s a major contributor for all three teams. That requires a significant ability to stay on top of everything, especially if you’re going to post an unweighted 3.88 GPA. “Laine excels in time management,” said Orange coach Dave Rabe. “She is so active in multiple activities, she has learned just how important it is to focus on managing time effectively. This enables her to lead others by her example.” Harrington, who’s currently leading the Hornets’ basketball team, is also a member of the National Honor Society, president of the Health and Fitness Club, a senior mentor and a Governor’s School student. Like we said, Laine Harrington doesn’t ever stop.

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The Academic athlete of the month is selected by Scrimmage Play’s staff with the consultation of coaches and athletic directors. To nominate an athlete email info@scrimmageplay.com

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- FIEL D HOCK E Y -

COACH OF THE YEAR

BRITTANY MCELHENY, ALBEMARLE Brittany McElheny was working with a lot of talent when she took over as Albemarle’s head coach this season. Of course, the former Patriots assistant had a hand in developing that talent and with some key additions and a leap forward, McElheny helped take the Patriots to some new heights this year, making Albemarle the area’s toughest squad night in and night out during the regular season as well as the Conference 16 champions. The Patriots got tripped up in the region tournament, but not before posting an unbeaten mark against local squads and the Jefferson District. That’s a big-time debut for a first-year head coach. ✖

- CROSS COUNTRY H O N O R

BOYS Sean McGovern (pictured) /// Albemarle, Sr. 25th place in VHSL Group 5A at 16:31 Mark Pellissier /// Albemarle, Jr. 33rd place in VHSL Group 3A at 16:40 Joe Hawkes /// Western Albemarle, Fr. 12th place in VHSL Group 3A at 16:43 Stuart Terrill /// Western Albemarle, Fr. 15th place in VHSL Group 3A at 16:45 Raleigh Findley /// Louisa County, Sr. 32nd place in VHSL Group 4A at 16:45 Austin Bruce /// Goochland, Sr. 10th place in VHSL Group 2A at 16:55 Justice Anderson /// Louisa County, Sr. 45th place in VHSL Group 4A at 16:58 Max Miller /// Western Albemarle, Jr. 26th place in VHSL Group 3A at 16:59 Cyrus Rody-Ramazani /// Western Albemarle, So. 27th place in VHSL Group 3A at 16:59 Zach MacKenzie /// Albemarle, Sr. 55th place in VHSL Group 5A at 17:05 James Carrington /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. Sixth place in VISAA D1 at 17:02 Julian Yescas /// Fork Union, Jr. Seventh place in VISAA D1 at 17:15 Blaine Toombs /// Fork Union, So. 11th place in VISAA D1 at 17:26

R O L

GIRLS Ryann Helmers (pictured) /// Albemarle, Sr. Second place in VHSL Group 5A at 17:47 Averi Witt /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Fourth place in VHSL Group 3A at 18:41 Zoe Clay /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Sixth place in VHSL Group 3A at 18:56 Jenna Hill /// Western Albemarle, So. 17th place in VHSL Group 3A at 19:41 Alayna Campbell /// Louisa County, Fr. 57th place in VHSL Group 4A at 20:38 Sara Seay /// Louisa County, So. 58th place in VHSL Group 4A at 20:38 Natalie Li /// Albemarle, Jr. 25th place in VHSL Group 5A at 19:40 Emma Weaver /// Albemarle, Sr. 26th place in VHSL Group 5A at 19:41 Madelyn Zaryski /// Albemarle, Fr. 30th place in VHSL Group 5A at 19:42 Alyssa Santoro /// Western Albemarle, So. 20th place in VHSL Group 3A at 19:59 Saige Haney /// Fluvanna County, Jr. 24th place in VHSL Group 3A at 20:09 Ella Dalton /// Covenant, Fr. Second place in VISAA D2 at 19:34 Elizabeth Ward /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Seventh place in VISAA D1 at 20:19

BOYS RUNNER OF THE YEAR

Sean McGovern /// Albemarle, Sr.

GIRLS RUNNER OF THE YEAR

Ryann Helmers /// Albemarle, Jr.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR COACH OF THE YEAR 17 :: @scrimmageplay

Joe Hawkes /// Western Albemarle, Fr. Katie Pugh /// Western Albemarle

TEAM SPOTLIGHT ST. ANNE’S BELFIELD BASKETBALL When community gives back to its own, everyone wins. STAB’s boy’s basketball team did that for the Charlottesville Toy Lift to provide toys and books for the holidays to children in the area up to eighth grade. The Toy lift helps kids in Charlottesville, and in the Counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Green and Nelson. Working hard for a local charity. It doesn’t get better. Great job, Saints!

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Game Time

STAB 63, Collegiate 47 By Bart Isley

STAB’s Jayden Nixon scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a Prep League win over Collegiate. (Ashley Thornton)

19 :: @scrimmageplay

St. Anne’s-Belfield’s boys basketball team is asking a lot of senior Jayden Nixon on a night in and night out basis. “We had a meeting with him the other day and we said ‘a lot of this is on your shoulders but embrace it’,” said STAB coach Brian Kent. “You’ve got to be a captain, you’ve got to be the guy who locks somebody down, you’ve got to be able to rebound, you’ve got to be able to guard in the post, you’ve got to be able to knock down a three, you’ve got to be able to drive to the basket when you need to… Yeah, we’re asking a lot but he’s that type of athlete that he can handle it.” He was certainly up to the task in the Saints’ Prep League home opener Wednesday night as the Saints beat Collegiate 63-47. Nixon poured in 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out four assists and blocked four shots. That effort and some stingy team defense allowed the Saints to erase a 31-28 Collegiate advantage at the break and close down the stretch at the free throw line en route to STAB’s second-straight Prep League win after knocking off Christchurch late last week. The Saints have been searching for more depth since the start of the season and it’s starting to come around. “We’re getting deeper absolutely and I feel pretty confident with the guys,” Kent said.

Matt Palumbo buried four 3-pointers en route to a 17-point outing for the Saints while Dalton Taylor had 15 points, hitting eight of 10 free throws on the night. Those two getting into a groove helped open things up for Nixon. Myles Ward also gave the Saints a jolt of energy on the defensive end in particular while Nic Kent rebounded well at the point guard spot with six boards to go with three assists. That combination gave the Saints enough firepower to respond to Collegiate’s big second quarter surge where Jack Wyatt got going inside with eight points during that frame. He finished with 14 to lead the Cougars and was instrumental in building a three point lead that led to a fiery halftime speech for the Saints. “They responded to our halftime (talk) we were a little ticked off at them there at the end, not getting great shots which then leads into bad possessions defensively,” Kent said. “But there was some stretch for eight minutes some time in the third quarter early into the fourth where we only gave up three points.” ✖ With a five day break for the Saints starting January 12, STAB will them play five games in seven days with three of them on the road including trips to Prep League rivals Woodberry Forest on January 17 and Fork Union on January 21.

See a photograph you like? Defensive stand Warriors goalie has more than one trick | By Ryan Yemen

At Scrimmage Play we pride ourselves on offering the best possible graphics Two years ago the Western Albemarle boys to Shin, who doubles as a Junior National Judo soccer team get was fueled its underclassmen medalist, we can our byhands on, in both our but has developed into one of the with sophomores and freshman bearing the area’s most versatile goalkeepers. magazine as well as at our website at brunt of the work load. The netminder has shown he’s capable of Now two years later, forwards Aaron Myers making big saves, particularly in the team’s www.scrimmageplay.com and Alex Nolet, as well as senior defender two ties. In the first game of the season, Tom Rogers are all in their senior seasons and looking to earn a Region II bid, something that Orange County snatched away from them in the Jefferson District semifinals last season. After the first month of play, the Warriors seem to have the defensive side of the equation figured out and junior goalkeeper Kai Shin is a big part of that. Before Western went on its spring break, none of its four opponents were able to score more than once, a testament to the team’s play in the middle of the field, but also a nod

Shin endured wave after wave of Albemarle attack, but stood tall and showed no rust in the 1-1- tie. But while Shin’s on the field because he can make stops, his strong leg has also been of great use as he’s able to easily clear the zone but also spark fast breaks all by himself. The Warriors averaged a little over two goals per contest before the break, but if that average starts to increase, don’t be surprised if it’s because of Shin’s ability to contribute to the transition game. ✖

We want to make sure that our readers have the same opportunity to have these photos. If something catches your eye in either the magazine or on the web, you can order the photograph for yourself.

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scrimmageplay.smugmug.com Covenant 1/2 page

Western Albemarle’s Kai Shin hauls in a shot during his team’s 1-1 tie with Albemarle that kicked off the soccer season for both squads. (Frank Crocker)

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Overtime

Reshuffling the deck Looking back at four years of VHSL realignment

here’s no doubt that football is far from perfect in terms of the construction of the playoffs, but in high school sports, it’s definitely the paramount. And with basketball season in full swing, this second season stands a firm reminder of just how much has changed since realignment took place in the fall of 2012. This senior class of athletes have never known any other system. It’s always been about conferences, not so much about Districts. While the violence of football forces it to be a one game a week deal and hence, there are no consolation games, every other VHSL team sport differs in that regard. You don’t have to win or take second in your conference or region to move on in the playoffs, and I’ve got to say, that’s made things weird. When Group 2A underwent the great experiment in 2011 that led to the full-fledge realignment in 2012, it was pretty clear that the playoffs had become watered down. With all teams qualifying for conference play, the regular season really only meant trying to build a favorable resume to host playoff games. For those not in the know, we should explain the older format for the teams sports excluding football. Under the previous format, if you won a regular season District championship, you had a Region playoff bid. If you won a District tournament, you earned a Region playoff bid. If the regular season champion won the District tournament, the runnerup in the District tournament earned a Region bid. While not perfect, what’s clear now in hindsight is how that format created excitement in the regular season, and even more come District tournament time, and especially if the the regular season champion went down in the tournament. The pressure was there all season. Teams went into the District tournaments with a playoff mentality and from there it was win or go home in the vast majority of cases. What we have now, at least for team sports that aren’t football, is in my opinion, simply inferior. We have a reasonable sample size to look at, and it was pretty clear in the first season of realignment that this watered down playoff format created issues. The issue is simple. The regular season has to have a substantial carrot on the end of the stick and right now it doesn’t. With that said, realignment has allowed us to hurdle an issue. Albemarle was a Group AAA program, and as such, there was no format to allow it to play in a District against the Group AA schools that were the JD schools, their local rivals. So the Patriots played in the Commonwealth District. Travel was rough. But since realignment, travel hasn’t been the talk. William Monroe, a former JD school, chose to stick with the Bull Run District when it did not have to, though they’re now set to move into a different style district next year. An earlier would have reduced travel time, and come fall of 2013, put it in a District with a lot of the type of competition the Dragons would have faced come Conference play. So what has been the most common talk from the successful programs from Albemarle and Monroe coaches over the last few years? How hard it is to find proper competition during the regular season. If we’re looking for a program that found a way to get it done in both, all we have to do is look at Albemarle boys soccer. The Patriots from 2012 proved that if you’re good, you’re good and a tough district doesn’t matter. This past spring, Albemarle steam rolled every program not named Western Albemarle. When that team stepped up to Conference, Region and State tournament play, everything was tooth and nail. The ease of the regular

22 :: @scrimmageplay

“Just even in goaltending, you’re seeing more kids that want to play in goal, so that’s great.” season didn’t stop the Patriots from winning another state title, but perhaps this past 2016 team was an exception to the rule. This is the last year of the big conference realignment before we move to a new format. For the next two years, we’re going to move to a 24-Region playoff that ditches Conferences and I’m all in favor of it. But we’ve got one last year of this format. And so for a team like the Albemarle boys basketball team, everytime I see them play, all I can think of is that their health matters more than the result. That they are playing a regular season that has a diminished meaning. So I think it’s safe to say that the Conference format was good for football, but for so many programs over the last four years, not so good for the front runners in any of the other team sports. The only thing that any basketball team can be happy about is that the NBA regular season seems to be even less substantial, less consequential from year-to-year, so go figure. ✖

Ryan Yemen

CRE ATIVE EDITOR

back talk »

What’s your take on the VHSL realignments that have come about? Email: ryan@scrimmageplay.com

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