CAVE SPRING BEATS NEW KENT,  ADVANCE TO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

March, 9, 2010

-Staff Report

Josh Henderson scored 31 points and pulled down 22 rebounds and teammate Clay Lacy had 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Cave Spring Knights beat New Kent Trojans 71-59 Tuesday afternoon in the Virginia High School League Group AA Division 3 basketball semifinal's in Richmond.

Mark Overstreet and Adam Hager also scored nine points each for Cave Spring.

The Knights now stand at 24-4 and will next play Brunswick for their second straight state title on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Siegel Center at Virginia Commonwealth University.

 
VIKINGS FALL SHORT AGAINST BRUNSWICK

March 9, 2010

-Staff Report

Casey Walker scored a career high 37 points including 16 free throws and had 10 rebounds, to lead the Brunswick Bulldogs to a 67-58 win over the Northside Vikings Tuesday evening in the Group AA Division 3 seim-finals in Richmond.

Brunswick (24-3) will next play Cave Spring for the state championship on Saturday at the Seigel Center at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Trey Smith led the Vikings with 22 points. And Stevan Ritchie had 13 points and eight rebounds.

But Northside only shot 33% from the floor. The Vikings were also outrebounded 45-35.

Northside finished the season at 24-3.

March 6, 2010

AP

DURHAM, N.C. - Kyle Singler scored 19 of his 25 points in the decisive first half and No. 4 Duke routed North Carolina 82-50 on Saturday night.

Jon Scheyer had 20 points in his final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium for the Blue Devils (26-5, 13-3), who earned their most lopsided home win over their fiercest rival.

They shot nearly 46 percent - 51 percent in a dominant first half - and made eight 3-pointers in beating North Carolina at home for the first time since 2005. Duke clinched a share of its 12th Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title and wrapped up the No. 1 seed in next week's league tournament.

Freshman John Henson matched a season high with 14 points for the Tar Heels (16-15, 5-11). They endured their worst loss in seven years and had their lowest point total under coach Roy Williams.

Nolan Smith scored 20 points and Brian Zoubek added 13 rebounds for the Blue Devils. They took command with an early 31-8 run, led by 30 in the first half and showed no mercy in polishing off their first sweep of North Carolina since 2004.

Thompson finished with 11 points for the Tar Heels, who were serenaded by chants of "NIT" throughout and played without freshman guard Leslie McDonald after team officials said he strained his right hamstring during Friday's practice.

Guilford Holds Off John Carroll

March 6, 2010

Courtesy-Guilford Athletics

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Clay Henson scored a game-high 27 points to lead Guilford College past John Carroll University, 85-82, in the second round of the NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament Saturday night.

Guilford (28-2) advances to the tournament's sectional round for the third time in four years where it will face the College of Wooster. Wooster defeated the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 87-78, Saturday in a second-round game. The sectional site will be announced online Sunday, March 7.

The Blue Streaks (21-7) fell behind by 17 points with 14:59 left in the second half, before rallying to take a 77-74 lead with 4:11 remaining in the game on a Corey Shontz three-pointer. Shontz' basket capped a 9-0 John Carroll run that took less than a minute and included three-pointers by Rudy Kirbus and Joey Meyer.

The teams traded baskets before Guilford's Rhett Bonner made two free throws with 2:24 remaining that gave the Quakers the lead for good. His layup with 36 seconds left and free throw 13 seconds opened an 83-79 Guilford lead. After John Carroll missed a three-pointer, the Quakers' Tyler Sanborn made one free throw with 13.1 ticks remaining, opening an 84-79 advantage.

John Carroll refused to quit and threatened again when Kirbus made the first of a two-shot foul, but missed the second. Maurice Haynes tipped in the miss and pulled the Blue Streaks to within 84-82 with 6.7 seconds remaining.

After Guilford's Clay Henson made one of two free throws, the Quakers called timeout. Kirbus' final three-pointer rimmed out as the final horn sound, preserving Guilford's ninth straight win and its second in as many seasons against John Carroll in the NCAA playoffs.

Eastern Mennonite Starts Hot, Moves On To Third Round

March 6, 2010

Courtesy - Eastern Mennonite Athletics

Big game experience pays off in big games. And while none of the Eastern Mennonite men's basketball players had played a game in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship before this weekend, Eli Crawford used his experience from numerous high school state tournament games to help will the Runnin Royals to an 85-71 win over Wilmington Saturday night in Harrisonburg.

The Quakers gave EMU a quick jab to start the game, putting in the first four points. The Royals responded with a 26-8 run over the next 11 minutes, finally getting out and running the floor in a way they were not able to do the previous night against Centre.

Wilmington got back within six points but EMU led at halftime, 38-29.

Playing in front of a mostly hostile crowd, the Quakers used a 7-1 run to close the gap to five early in the second, 41-36. Crawford's heady play helped steady the Royals though, and they rebuilt the lead to 51-41.

Wilmington charged back again and got within four at 51-47after senior Brandon Rogers hit a lay-up with 11:45 remaining. Todd Phillips helped reignite the men this time, finishing a 12-0 streak that effectively iced the game. Phillips nailed a fastbreak lay-up pushing EMU up 71-55 with 5:55 on the clock.

The Quakers would get no closer than 11 points down the stretch, as the Royals thrilled another packed house with the 85-71 victory.

In their first national tournament ever, Eastern Mennonite advances into the Sweet 16 with the win. The Runnin Royals next play in the sectional round on March 12and 13 at a site to be determined. EMU will play either Whitworth or Chapman, who play a game on the West Coast Saturday night. The other two teams in EMU's bracket are Guilford and Wooster. The Final Four is March 19 & 20 in Salem, Va.

Randolph-Macon Shoots Past Clark 70-60

March 6, 2010

Courtesy of Randolph Macon

READING, PA-Calvin Croskey and Danny Jones finished with 15 points each to lead Randolph-Macon Men's Basketball to a 70-60 win over Clark University in the NCAA Division III Tournament Second Round in Reading, PA Saturday. The Yellow Jackets will take on DeSales University Friday, March 12th, game time and location is still to be determined.

Adam Desgain knocked down a three with a 15:45 left in the first stanza to give Randolph-Macon an early 10-2 advantage.

Clark then used an 11-2 run, capped by a Slader Lyell three pointer to push ahead of R-MC 13-12 with 12:38 to go in the first half.

The two teams traded baskets over the next several minutes before Jones sparked a 9-0 Jackets' run with a layup in the paint. Desgain finished it off when he knocked down a three to put Randolph-Macon up 31-23.

CU converted a layup just before halftime, sending the teams to the locker room with R-MC leading 31-25.

Randolph-Macon's first field goal of the second stanza came at the 13:27 mark when Jones dropped in a layup to tie the game at 37-37.

Croskey knocked down a three for the Yellow Jackets with 8:56 to play and would go on to score 10 of R-MC's next 14points, putting them up 55-45 with just over three minutes left.

Randolph-Macon would make 13-of-14 free throws down the stretch to seal the 70-60 victory and a berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament Sweet 16.

Croskey and Jones paced the Yellow Jackets with 15 points each to go with seven and six rebound respectively.

Jack Minister scored a game high 18 for Clark.

The 24-6 Yellow Jackets will face off against DeSales University Friday, March 12th, game time and location is still to be determined.

R-MC defeated DU 87-63 earlier this season in Ashland.

St. Mary's Knocks Out Virginia Wesleyan With 72-69 Win

March 6, 2010

Courtesy of St. Mary's (Md.)

St. Mary's City, Md. - To student chants of "I believe we will win!," senior guard Camontae Griffin raced down the court and put the finishing touches on the lay-up that thrust No. 13 St. Mary's College of Maryland back into the Sweet 16. St. Mary's edged No. 11 Virginia Wesleyan College, 72-69, as the Seahawks fed off the energy of 871 strong at the Michael P. O'Brien Athletics & Recreation Center Arena Saturday night.

Griffin's layup with 35 seconds remaining in regulation resulted from his boxing out in the defensive end and grabbing the rebound of senior guard Stephen Fields' missed three-point attempt.

After the Seahawks grabbed the 70-69 lead, Virginia Wesleyan ran down the clock to 10 seconds before Fields attempted another three-point shot that was off the mark and St. Mary's was awarded the ball. On the in-bounds play, sophomore guard James Davenport was fouled by the Marlins and Davenport knocked down both free throws with eight ticks left to ice the 72-69 win.

St. Mary's (26-3) will now take on No. 18 Franklin & Marshall College (25-4), who was a 73-64 winner over U.S. Merchant Marine Academy tonight, in one of four NCAA sectionals on Friday-Saturday, March 12-13. This will be the Seahawks' second meeting with F&M this season as the Diplomats handed St. Mary's a 72-61 setback on November 30.

Joining the Seahawks and F&M in the four-team sectional are DeSales University and Randolph-Macon College. The host sites for the sectional will be announced at a later time.

This is the end of the road for Virginia Wesleyan as the Marlins, who claimed the national title in 2006, close out their 2009-10 campaign with a 23-6 overall record.

For the second consecutive night, four Seahawk starters finished in double figures with junior guard Alex Franz leading the pack this time with 17 points and eight assists while Griffin finished with 15 and seven helpers. Junior center Sam Burum contributed 11 points and five rebounds while Davenport chipped in 10 and a team-best six caroms.

SALEM FALLS TO SPOTSWOOD 60-53

March 6, 2010

Mike Slenski

SALEM - It all began late Saturday night, 9:30pm to be exact.

It was a late night date between two basketball teams seeking a trip to the semi-finals in Richmond next week.

Seth Carroll opened up the scoring for Salem with a trey and Spotswood matched them with their own three pointer.

Spotswood and Salem battled back and forth throughout the first quarter, relying on the three ball for most of their scoring.

Salem's Tyler Mann drilled a three from the left corner a few seconds before the quarter ended to put Salem ahead 16-14.

Both teams seemed to be reluctant to defend each other's three point shooters.

Marlin Organ led the three point shooting onslaught for the Blazers with help from teammate Kevin Jones, both hitting two three's in the first quarter.

Tyler Mann had two three pointers for Salem. It almost seemed Reggie Barnette was on the football field as he was tackled by Spotswood players on two different occasions.

The Spartans moved ahead 29-27 but Marlon Organ buried another three point shot to put the Blazers ahead 30-29 at the half.

One gets the feeling that this game will go down to the final shots to determine a winner as the squads seem evenly matched in both their skills and athleticism.

Marlon Organ tickled the twines for 22 points in the first half for the Blazers, making five of seven three pointers that he attempted.

Six Salem Spartans made it to the scoring sheet in the first half of tonight's game.

Salem opened up the second half running a deliberate offensive set that led to two points.

Marlon Organ canned a fifteen foot jumper to put the Blazers back in the lead.

Issac Belton missed a sure basket from the left side of the basket, his second similar miss of the night and then went down court and committed the foul.

Steven Barnette's rebounding on both ends of the court kept Salem in the thick of things.

The Spartans seemed more aggressive in defending the Blazers Marlon Organ in the third quarter.

Christian Tiedemann's three from the left corner put Salem ahead 36-35 and that's how the quarter ended.

Each team only scored six points in the third quarter of play. Jeff Lantz of Spotswood converted both parts of his one and one opportunity to get the Blazers back ahead 37-36 at 6:30 in the fourth quarter.

The Salem fans and students were surprisingly quiet in the fourth quarter of the game.

Reggie Barnett committed his third personal foul at 5:36 in the fourth quarter and put the Blazers in the double bonus, certainly a critical factor for the remainder of the game.

Marlon Organ made one of two foul shots and Spotswood moved ahead 40-36.

Steven Barnett converted one of two foul shots as well and the Blazers were called for offensive interference on a shot by Marlon Organ.

Salem's inability to convert critical foul shots down the stretch helped the Blazers keep them behind.

Marlon Organ's drive's to the basket netted points for the Blazers as he took it upon his shoulders to keep them ahead. The Blazers led by eight points with 1:37 to play.

Steven Barnette had a chance to get Salem within five points but missed both foul shots he attempted. The Blazers went the full length of the court with a pass and K. Erbaugh had an uncontested layup for two points.

Spotswood continued to make their foul shots and moved ahead 57-48 with thirty seconds to play.

Bud Tolliver canned a three for Salem and the score was 57-51 Spotswood with :19 seconds to play in the game.

The Blazer's Jeff Lantz was fouled and he converted both of his foul shots.

Seth Carroll of Salem was fouled shooting a three and converted two of three to bring Salem within six 59-53. Marlon Organ was fouled and made one of two fouls shots to end the games scoring.

Spotswood beat Salem 60-53 and earned a trip to Richmond to meet Potomac Falls in a state semi-final game.

As advertised, Marlon was Mr. Everything for Spotswood and finished with 38 points. That was three points off the state tournament record.

CAVE SPRING BEATS WAYNESBORO 57-49 MOVE ON TO STATE SEMI-FINALS

March 6, 2010

Mike Slenski

SALEM - Tonight's state quater-final game at the Salem Civic Center is a matchup of the giants, the Little Giants of Waynesboro High School and Cave Spring's giant 6'11" Josh Henderson.

Which team will be a giant killer tonight ?

Henderson answered quickly scoring the first four points of the game for Cave Spring and rejecting two shots in the paint.

The Knights seemed too strong inside for the Little Giants of Waynesboro and they could be in for a long night if they do not find an answer for the Cave Spring inside game.

The Knights seemed to be determined to get their outside shooting game going and ignored passing into Henderson in the post where he has a significant height advantage.

The Knights gave up on their outside shooting and found ways to feed Henderson inside and he converted on his opportunities leading them to a 16-6 advantage in the first quarter.

Chalk the first quarter up to Cave Spring's giant, Josh Henderson over the Waynesboro Little Giants as he outscored them 8-6.

Henderson scored the first two points of the second quarter for the Knights.

The Little Giants found their shooting touch early in the second quarter and cut the Knights lead to six 25-19 with 3:45 to play in the second quarter.

With Henderson on the bench taking a breather, Waynesboro found some points driving to the basket.

Henderson reentered the game with 1:15 to play in the second quarter and the drives to the paint subsided.

The first half ended with the score Cave Spring 31 and
Waynesboro 23.

Cave Spring's big men, Josh Henderson and Clay Lacy had ten and twelve points respectfully in the first half.

Waynesboro's scoring was distributed amongst six players.

The Little Giants won round two of the Battle of Giants, outscoring Cave Spring 17-15 in the second quarter of the game.

Shi Washington hit two long range three point shots and Waynesboro was right back in the basketball game 33-29.

Josh Henderson scored a quick four points inside and the Knights went up 37-31.

Waynesboro's center, Chris Johnson, did some inside work of his own to keep Waynesboro in the game. Henderson's dunk with sixteen seconds remaining in the third put the Knights up 42-38.

Henderson's half court shot with time expiring hit the front of the rim and bounced away.

Josh Henderson won round three in the proverbial Battle of the Giants in the third quarter. Dunk number four by Henderson on the night moved the Knights up by six,44-38.

Henderson continued his scoring onslaught with another three-foot basket and jumper at the foul line that he banked in.

The Little Giants continued to compete and were behind 53-47 with 1:17 remaining in the game.

Quentin Dill's drive to the basket put the Knights up by eight 55-47.

Dill converted two free throws and the Cave Spring Knights punched their ticket to the state semi's in Richmond against the winner of the Western Albermarle-New Kent game.

Tonight's final score, Cave Spring 57 Waynesboro 49.

Cave Spring's Giant, Josh Henderson was the dominant force in tonight's basketball game, recording a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds.

He also blocked five shots.

Supporting Josh's effort was Clay Lacy with 12 points and Adam Hager with 10 points and.

The leading scorer for Waynesboro was Shi Washington with 12 points.

PATRICK HENRY BEATS LANGLEY TO ADVANCE

March 6, 2010

Mike Slenski

SALEM - The Patriots of Patrick Henry came on the court with a calm demeanor and a confidence that was visible.

That all translated to a 14-0 out of the box lead via four left handed layins after drives to the basket.

That combined with an NBA length three point shot accounted for the early lead.

The Patriots either stole the ball or blocked shots that were converted into points and the green clad Saxons of

Langley High School had no answer in the first quarter.

The Patriots Coach, players and fans all started clapping as PH held the ball for the final shot of the quarter, a long three that spun out as the quarter ended. After one, it was Patrick Henry 14, Langley 0.

PH'S, Melvin Henderson canned a three point shot from the top of the key for a 17-0 lead.

Langley continued to misfire from the foul line and remained scoreless until the Saxons Austin Cribbs laid a ball in the basket at the 6:10 mark.

Langley hit a few trey's and seemed to gain some confidence, competing evenly with the Patriots in the second quarter.

The second quarter ended with the Saxons outscoring the Patriots 13-12 behind the three point shooting of C. Jones.

Your score at the half was Patrick Henry 26 - Langley 13.

Langley was 3-5 shooting 3's in the first half, keeping them in the game after a scoreless first quarter.

PH began the second half missing two foul shots but Melvin Henderson stole the ball from the Saxons and made one of two fouls shots to get the second half scoring started.

The Patriots came out a bit sluggish in the second stanza and turned the ball over, allowing the Saxons to convert their mistakes into points.

The Patriots were athletically quicker than the taller Saxons but Langley seemed to over what ailed them in the game's first quarter.

The two teams traded baskets for much of the third quarter and Patrick Henry maintained their thirteen point lead 34-21.

Terrell Wilson's drive to the basket in the fourth quarter netted two points for PH and they expanded their lead to fifteen 36-21.

Langley continued to battle but could not overcome that first quarter deficit. Langley just did not have the foot speed to keep up with the Patriots transition game and PH lengthened their lead as the fourth quarter wound down.

Patrick Henry had a large student contingent at the game including the PH pep band but after the first quarter, they were relatively quiet.

Kelly Moret accounted for numerous short runners in the final five minutes as his teammates found him open underneath the basket.

The lead was 55-33 for the Patriots with two minutes remaining in the game.

Tyron Smith put an exclamation mark on the Patrick Henry victory with a two-handed dunk at the 1:45 mark that garnered a loud cheer of appreciation from the Patrick Henry fans in attendance.

The Patriots will head to Richmond for a 1pm battle on Wednesday, March 10th with Petersburg High School.

The scoring leaders for PH were Tyrod Smith with 15 points, Kelly Moret 14 points and Terrell Wilson 12 points.

The Saxons top point producers were Adam Pritchett with 10points and Cullen Jones with 9 points from behind the arc.

APPALACHIA GETS BY EASTERN MONTGOMERY 38-33

March 6, 2010

Mike Slenski

SALEM - It was the Mustangs versus the Bulldogs.

The high-flying Mustangs of Eastern Montgomery versus the methodical and patient Bulldogs of Appalachia High School.

The Mustangs opened the game willing to play fast and throw their shots up from the outside.

The Bulldogs scored all of their points on the inside with passes and drives to the bucket by Miaden Bogicevic, the muscular Mowhawk sporting Appalachia center.

The Bulldogs led at the end of the first quarter, 8-6.

The East Mont fans booed as the Bulldogs slowed the game down with their passing on the perimeter until a shoot opened up on the inside.

The Mustangs played fast and most of their quick shots were off the mark but they managed to tie the contest 12-12 at the 2:30 point of the second quarter.

Adam Sisson canned a three-pointer from the right corner to put East Mont ahead but the Bulldogs made it 15-14 on a pair of free throws by Miaden Bogicevic.

The Bulldogs regained possession and held the ball for the final shot, much to the dismay of the Mustang fans.

They misfired on a three point shot but secured the rebound and Mason Stewart drilled a three from the top of the key at the buzzer.

Your halftime score Appalachia 17- Eastern Montgomery 15 in a low scoring affair.

Bogicevic had eight points for the Bulldogs at the break and Julian Stewart had eight points for Eastern Montgomery.

Just as in the first half, the Bulldogs started off the third quarter by going inside to Bogicevic who was fouled attempting to shoot.

He made both charity tosses to put the Bulldogs ahead
19-17. Josef Vishneski, East Mont's center picked up his third foul with 7:06 to play in the third quarter.

Appalachia continued to go inside to Bogicevic and he put up the next four points for the Bulldogs.

Bogicevic controlled the defensive boards as well and this wide-bodied blue and gold clad post warrior was dominant in this third quarter of play.

Eastern Montgomery was successful every time it sped up the game, converting layups in transition.

The Bulldogs were ahead 25-19 at the 1:35 mark of the third period.

Eastern Montgomery had a chance to reduce the Bulldog lead with six seconds remaining in the third period but turned the ball over.

The score after three periods, Appalachia 29 - Eastern Montgomery 24.

The fourth quarter began with some missed shots by the Mustangs but more importantly, Ray Wooten, picked up his fourth personal foul with 7:25 remaining.

Eastern Montgomery's full court pressure defense forced Appalachia into some bad passes and Josef Vishneski dropped a two pointer in the basket to cut the Bulldog lead to one 29-28.

Vishneski picked up his fourth foul with 4:30 to play. Ray Wooten followed suit with 3:52 remaining in the ballgame with his fifth personal foul, hampering the Mustangs shot at a victory.

Appalachia failed to convert on three consecutive one and one opportunities that would have allowed them to secure a more comfortable lead.

With the Appalachia coach calling a full timeout with 2:34to play in the game, the score was Appalachia 31 - Eastern Montgomery 29.

Forrest Stuart converted both ends of the one and one and Appalachia led 33-29 with ninety seconds to play in the game.

Stuart canned another two foul shots at the 1:21 mark and the Bulldogs extended their lead to four points 35-31.

Eastern Montgomery just could not get a rhythm going in this ballgame and had no answer for the inside play of Miaden Bogicevic.

Forrest Stuart was clutch in his free throw shooting down the stretch making seven of eight opportunities and sealing the Appalachia victory 38-33 over Eastern Montgomery.

The Bulldogs will play in the state semi-finals next week in Richmond against the winner of the West Point - Altavista game.

The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Miaden Bogicevic who had 14 points.

He also contributed nine rebounds.

Forrest Stuart was clutch for Appalachia with 13 points, most of them in the fourth quarter.

Julian Stewart was the only Eastern Montgomery Mustang player with double figures scoring 15 points.

He also had nine rebounds in the contest.