High School Sports for Lynchburg News Advance

Brookville’s Smith will play at Winthrop

Thu, 08 May 2008 22:34:00 EDT

On the day after netting the 100th goal of her varsity career, with her third hat trick of the season Wednesday night at Rustburg, Brookville senior Nichole Smith signed a partial scholarship to continue her soccer career at Winthrop University, a Division I program.

Jefferson Forest prevails in area soccer’s battle of titans

Wed, 07 May 2008 22:50:00 EDT

There is no official Lynchburg-area boys soccer championship, but Wednesday night’s game between area high school powers Jefferson Forest and E.C. Glass sure felt like one.

Bishops roll into VIC title match

Tue, 06 May 2008 22:49:00 EDT

Virginia Episcopal School’s boys lacrosse team won its school record 15th consecutive game, eclipsing last season’s mark by one, with Tuesday 18-2 home triumph over Miller School in the Virginia Independent Conference tournament semifinals.

Johnston’s hat trick gives Glass easy win

Mon, 05 May 2008 22:43:00 EDT

Senior forward Jeanine Johnston returned from a pulled quadriceps muscle injury that sidelined her for the past two games and assaulted Jefferson Forest’s depleted defense from the start of Monday night’s non-district match at E.C. Glass.

The best of friends

Mon, 05 May 2008 22:42:00 EDT

BEDFORD — Dealing with on- and off-the-field distractions is a part of life for any softball player, particularly seniors in the midst of their final spring season.

Wrestler of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:52:00 EDT

In wrestling, it helps to have a teammate of comparable size and skill, and compatible personality, as a sparring partner — someone who can sharpen skills, fine-tune techniques and keep your head on straight.

Wrestling coach of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:52:00 EDT

Jeff Capps, in his 10th season as Liberty Christian Academy’s head wrestling coach, led the Bulldogs to their best Virginia Independent Schools state tournament finish in 25 years this winter.

Girls track coach of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:51:00 EDT

It did not take long for Lance Carter to have a big impact on Amherst’s track program after leaving Appomattox. In just his second year with the Lancers, he took the girls track team from a seventh-place finish at the 2007 Seminole District indoor track meet to a fourth-place finish in the Group AA state meet. That is why Carter was selected as The News & Advance’s all-area girls indoor track coach of the year.

Girls track athlete of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:50:00 EDT

At some point, you have to wonder if Heritage’s Laura Rapp ever stops running. The senior is a standout on the Pioneers’ cross country team, the indoor track team, the outdoor track team and the girls soccer team.

Boys track coach of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:49:00 EDT

A former All-American decathlete at Liberty University, Brookville’s Ramsey Moore is a master at multi-tasking.

Boys track athlete of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:49:00 EDT

One hundred and ten percent.That’s what Brookville senior Ethan Nixon tried to bring to the table every time he competed for the defending Group AA indoor track and field state champion Bees.

Girls basketball coach of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:48:00 EDT

It was a bittersweet season for Brookville girls basketball coach Warner Dyke.

Girls basketball player of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:47:00 EDT

Joyous Tharrington established herself as Brookville’s all-time leading scorer (1,350 points) and rebounder (811) this season — statistics that gave her the slightest edge in selecting her over teammate and best friend Brittany Campbell as The News & Advance All-Area girls basketball player of the year.

Boys basketball coach of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:46:00 EDT

LOVINGSTON — It wasn’t the 12 losses in 2006-07 that irked Nelson County boys basketball coach Brandon Garrett. It was the nature of the losses.

Boys basketball player of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:45:00 EDT

LOVINGSTON — Thomas Brown’s rapport with Nelson County teammates T.J. and Trever Martin was built long ago, when the three would visit their grandmother.

Girls swimming coach of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:44:00 EDT

Brookville’s swimming coach wasn’t sure what to expect from his girls swimming team coming into the year after losing some key members of last year’s team. After being knocked off by Jefferson Forest at the Seminole District meet, the Bees rebounded to repeat as the Region III champions and that is why Brookville’s Hank Reed was selected as the News & Advance’s girls swimming coach of the year.

Girls swimmer of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:43:00 EDT

Few could have predicted Jefferson Forest freshman Susanna White would break the Group AA state meet record in the 100 breaststroke at George Mason University’s Freedom Aquatic Center in Manassas.

Boys swimming coach of the year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:42:01 EDT

Jefferson Forest second-year swim coach Jann Brown never swam in high school. Her school in Pennsylvania only had a boys team, but she went on to Penn State where she enjoyed a career in synchronized swimming.

Boys swimmer of the Year

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:40:00 EDT

Jefferson Forest’s Travis Stauder had zeroed in on a goal for his season. He wanted to break Scott Thacker’s school record in the 100-yard breast stroke. Stauder accomplished that goal and he couldn’t have done it at a better time as set the record at the Group AA state meet. That was just one of the reasons that Stauder was selected the News & Advance’s male Swimmer of the Year.

Prep Notebook

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:18:00 EDT

Appomattox High School football coach Jeremy Haymore, who led the Raiders to an 8-3 record and Region B playoff berth and was selected as The News & Advance all-area coach of the year in his second season, resigned recently for unspecified personal reasons.

A strong night for Brookville

Fri, 02 May 2008 23:01:01 EDT

Many of the area’s brightest track and field stars came out and shined brightly Friday night at Brookville for the second Lynchburg Elite Invitational. It was run on the newly dedicated John O. Vasvary Track & Field Facility, named for Brookville’s retiring athletic director.

No movement at the top

Thu, 01 May 2008 22:19:00 EDT

Holy Cross senior shortstop Kaity Harrison and Liberty Christian Academy freshman pitcher Killian Harrison had a little sibling rivalry going on in Thursday’s doubleheader at LCA.

Brookville nips Liberty in softball

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:52:00 EDT

Brookville leadoff batter Kristina Finamore has tremendous speed out of the box, which makes it almost impossible to throw her out when she gets the ball down with a left-handed bunt to the third-base side.

JF’s Bullock takes game to Flames

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:14:00 EDT

FOREST — Jefferson Forest senior midfielder Timothy Bullock became the first local recruit in several seasons for Liberty University coach Jeff Alder, signing a partial scholarship to play for the Flames’ men’s soccer team starting next fall.

Appomattox remains on top of Dogwood baseball standings

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:59:00 EDT

APPOMATTOX — Guarding a half-game lead in the Dogwood District, Appomattox’s baseball team put together its best all-around game of the season in Friday night’s 6-2 victory over second-place William Campbell.

Amherst hires new football coach

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:58:01 EDT

After a month-long search for Scott Abell’s successor, and a whirlwind week of interviews, Amherst High School named Cecil Phillips as its new football coach, a move approved at Thursday night’s school board meeting.

Amherst HS hires new head football coach

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:51:00 EDT

On Thursday night the Amherst County School Board approved Cecil Phillips of King’s Fork High School in Suffolk. Phillips has worked as head football coach at King’s Fork since 2004.

Timberlake, Brown deliver key hits for Cavaliers

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:31:01 EDT

Visiting Jefferson Forest used three extra base hits to power its way past Heritage in a key Seminole Distinct baseball clash on Wednesday.

Smith sets up a big victory for JF

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:41:00 EDT

In soccer, unless you’re the goalkeeper, it’s illegal to touch the ball with your hands in the field of play.

Hubbard helps re-launch Lancers’ track program

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:52:00 EDT

Amherst’s junior LaCear Hubbard has been at the forefront of a resurgent girls track program under second-year coach Lance Carter.

And the beat goes on at JF

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:04:01 EDT

FOREST — With members of Jefferson Forest’s boys soccer team providing continuous Brazilian-style percussion from the bleachers, the Cavaliers’ girls finally found their rhythm late in the first half of Friday night’s showdown with Staunton River.

VES sweeps Glass with overtime victory

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:25:00 EDT

Virginia Episcopal School goalkeeper Sarah Gencarelli came out of the cage with confidence, the ball cradled in the net of her stick with the Bishops and host E.C. Glass knotted at 13 in overtime.

E.C. Glass, Staunton River move one step closer

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:34:00 EDT

Pending final approval from the Virginia High School League’s executive committee in early May, both E.C. Glass’s request to be reclassified as a Group AA school and placed in the Seminole District and Staunton River’s appeal to move to the Blue Ridge District will go into effect in the fall of 2009.

Perfect game gives WC win

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:33:00 EDT

NARUNA — In a duel between defending state softball champions, William Campbell came out of its hitting slump and exacted a measure of revenge against Holy Cross with an error-free 3-0 non-district victory Monday at home.

Colonels win short-handed

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:40:00 EDT

APPOMATTOX — Runs, of any kind, are precious commodities when the Dogwood District’s softball elites square off.

Johnston’s toughest foe is his teammate

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:40:00 EDT

FOREST — This is the fourth consecutive season Jefferson Forest senior Tyler Johnston has played second fiddle to Josh Ranowsky in the Cavaliers’ boys tennis singles lineup.

Gough overcomes woes in climb to No. 1 at Glass

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:35:00 EDT

If E.C. Glass senior Caroline Gough handles adversity better than most girls her age, it’s because she’s been through plenty of it.

Brookville athletic director earns honors

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:36:01 EDT

John Vasvary, athletic director for Brookville High School, has been named AA Activities Administrator of the Year by the Virginia Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Minettes knock off Bees to remain undefeated

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:25:01 EDT

BEDFORD — Liberty High’s softball team put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the sixth against Brookville, scoring the winning run without hitting the ball out of the infield, Friday night at home.
The Minettes improved to 6-0, 3-0 in Seminole District play, with their 3-2 win over the Bees.

Hilltoppers carve niche in busy season

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:04:00 EDT

The spring sports season was in full bloom this past Wednesday, on a beautiful afternoon at E.C. Glass High, with the campus engulfed in a hubbub of athletic activities.

Hilltoppers pummel Patriots

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:16:00 EDT

A 7-1 triumph on its home turf inspired E.C. Glass’s girls soccer players to do some dancing in the rain on Thursday night.

Berry has a head for the game, expected to give kick to Glass

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:45:00 EDT

Lynchburg United Soccer club director Steve Senna recently called E.C. Glass senior midfielder Hodges Berry “the best he’s ever seen for a high school player at heading the ball,” Hodges’ father and Hilltoppers coach Chip Berry said.

2008 prep girls soccer preview

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:59:00 EDT

A roundup of area girls’ soccer teams.

Athletes of the week for March 28, 2008

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:48:00 EDT

Prep Athletes of the week

Benincasa spearheads Jefferson Forest attack

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:18:02 EDT

FOREST — Some might say senior captain Brigid Benincasa has it easy playing center midfielder on Jefferson Forest’s girls soccer team, feeding a trio of forwards — Brittany Gallagher, Taylor Duff and Cameron DeWitt — who netted 65 goals last season, and supported by a defensive line that is constantly alerting her to oncoming attackers.

Glass Gaines a tournament title

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:40:00 EDT

Heritage has become a spring break oasis for the cross-town rival E.C. Glass baseball team.

Dudley, Raiders shut down Lancers

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:07:00 EDT

Not even a 15-minute snow-delay in the third inning was enough to cool off Timmy Dudley.

2008 high school baseball previews

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:11:00 EDT

Rustburg ace has high hopes for ’08 season

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:39:00 EDT

Rustburg’s Blake Forslund has already had his share of memorable games on the mound for the Red Devils, but the right-handed pitcher would like nothing more than to make his senior season his most memorable.

Pioneers strike early en route to victory

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:19:00 EDT

FOREST — Eric Coleman’s three-run home run deep to left-center with no outs in the top of the first set the tone for Heritage’s 11-4 victory over Jefferson Forest in Friday night’s Seminole District opener for both teams.

A healthy Lavender vital for Jefferson Forest

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:44:00 EDT

When rain shortened Wednesday afternoon’s softball practice, Jefferson Forest assistant coach Will Myers gave senior first baseman Chelsea Lavender a piggyback ride from the Cavaliers’ dugout to the team room.

Homeschool tournament features 52 teams from the East Coast and Texas

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:42:00 EDT

With Liberty University on its Spring Break this week, more than 500 homeschooled basketball players from as far away as Austin, Texas, Brevard County, Fla., and Binghamton, N.Y., have invaded the campus for the 12th annual East Coast Basketball Championships.

Abell leaving Amherst for Washington & Lee

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:34:00 EDT

Scott Abell, who coached Amherst’s football team to back-to-back Group AA, Division 4, state championships in 2006 and 2007, announced his resignation Wednesday to take the offensive coordinator post at Washington & Lee University.

Amherst Lancers football coach to take W&L job

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:30:00 EDT

Scott Abell, who led the Lancers to back-to-back state championships in 2006 and 2007, said Washington & Lee University has offered him a position as an offensive coordinator.

State finals showed Brown can defend too

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:37:00 EDT

RICHMOND — Thomas Brown proved himself as a playmaker and scorer all season as a senior point guard for Nelson County’s boys basketball team.
But his skills are equally sharp and his intensity stays just as high on the defensive end, as he demonstrated in Saturday’s 50-47 Group A, Division 1, state championship victory over Surry County at VCU’s Siegel Center.

Martin shines down stretch

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 22:30:00 EDT

RICHMOND — The four starting seniors on Nelson County’s boys basketball team shined brightest Saturday afternoon at VCU’s Siegel Center, accounting for all but four of its points in a 50-47 Group A, Division 1, state title triumph over Surry County.

Nelson caps 30-win season with state championship

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 22:23:00 EDT

RICHMOND — Nelson County’s boys basketball team ended the season the way it started it — on a 15-game winning streak.

One obstacle stands between Nelson County and a state championship

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:33:00 EDT

RICHMOND — Both Nelson County’s and Surry County’s boys basketball teams are glad to have a clean slate in the scorebooks when they tip off today’s Group A, Division 1, state championship game at 1 p.m. at VCU’s Siegel Center.

Two Brookville hurlers stymie E.C. Glass

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:40:00 EDT

Brookville starter Jay Graham and reliever Johnny Howard combined to work 6 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run in the visiting Bees’ 6-2 victory over E.C. Glass on Wednesday.

Nelson one win away from a state championship

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:29:00 EDT

RICHMOND — At 5-foot-8, senior guard Chris Jones is perhaps Nelson County’s boys basketball team’s least obvious scoring option in the low post.
But Jones, the younger brother of 5-10 senior Mike Jones, converted a series of layups and tip-ins in the lane that gave the Governors the upper hand in Wednesday night’s 48-42 Group A, Division 2, state semifinal victory over Twin Valley at VCU’s Siegel Center.

Nelson County chasing the championship dream

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:09:00 EDT

It’s been a memorable season for Nelson County’s boys basketball Before last month, the Governors (28-1) had never won a Region B tournament game. Tonight, they will play in prime time at VCU’s Siegel Center when they take on Twin Valley at 7:30 in their first trip to the Group A, Division 1, Final Four.

Bees run out of honey

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:03:43 EDT

ROANOKE - Nearly four minutes had passed and the Brookville girls basketball team's score hadn't budged, locked on zero as the turnovers and missed shots mounted. The Bees couldn't have picked a worse time to come out flat.

Bowyer, Jackson stumble in finals

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:03:39 EDT

SALEM - To be the best, you've got to beat the best. Two area seniors, Jefferson Forest's Chris Bowyer and Brookville's Ryan Jackson, finally met their match in the Group AA state wrestling championship finals Saturday night at the Salem Civic Center. Bowyer (38-2) bowed to Grafton's Chase Ennis (38-2), the state's top-ranked Group AA 189-pounder, 5-3.

Governors streak to win

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:03:37 EDT

AMHERST - After struggling in the first half, Nelson County shot Chesterfield Community out of its 2-3 zone defense in the second half and went on to bounce the Eagles out of the state tournament with 66-61 victory in the Group A, Division 1, boys basketball quarterfinals Saturday.

Five wrestlers competing for state crowns

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:03:10 EDT

SALEM - With action taking place simultaneously on eight mats for Friday's first day of the Group AA/A state wrestling championships at the Salem Civic Center, it's not always clear who the many factions of fans are cheering for at any given time.

Brookville’s Guthrie wrestles like Gumby

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:03:31 EDT

Prep athletes of the week

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:03:18 EDT

With eight wrestlers, Bees have shot in Group AA meet

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:03:13 EDT

Brookville suffers late collapse

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:03:51 EDT

DALEVILLE - Turnovers, poor shooting and Waynesboro's Devon Brown were too much for Brookville to overcome as the Bees' fell 59-37 to the Little Giants in the Region III girls basketball championship game at Lord Botetourt High on Saturday.

Brookville’s Nixon wins 55 hurdles, high jump

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:03:39 EDT

Defending champion Brookville's boys got 35 points from Ethan Nixon, who was recovering from the flu, and clung to a three-point lead over Western Albemarle heading into the final 1,600-meter relay at Saturday's Group AA state indoor track and field meet at Liberty University.

Nelson rips Page

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:03:00 EDT

HARRISONBURG - Nelson County's speed and aggression overcame a larger Page County squad in the Region B, Division 1, championship game, as the Governors won 64-53 at Eastern Mennonite University on Saturday.

Brookville, Heritage look for trifecta in track titles

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:02:12 EDT

Nelson County drops Altavista

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:02:56 EDT

AMHERST - Thomas Brown waded through what seemed like an endless crowd Thursday night, moments after Nelson County had finished qualifying for its first state tournament in school history.

Prep athletes of the week

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:02:47 EDT

Bees’ boys fell just short of state again

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:02:46 EDT

Bees thwart Cavaliers’ comeback

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:02:34 EDT

"Don't foul 30." Lord Botetourt's players must have yelled that to each other a dozen times in the final minutes of Thursday's Region III semifinal game. Still, they couldn't keep Brookville's Brittany Campbell off the free throw line.

No fans, no sweat for VES

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:02:34 EDT

Virginia Episcopal School's girls basketball team knew it would miss the first week of its spring break if it made the Virginia Independent Schools, Division II, state tournament.

LCA drills Collegiate

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:02:08 EDT

It was easy to look onto the court and see that Liberty Christian Academy had a considerable size advantage over Collegiate.

Inge signs scholarship to vault at Clemson

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:02:03 EDT

Glass graduate Catalano joins USL’s Ricmond Kickers

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:02:09 EDT

William Campbell girls fall to Riverheads in Region B tourney

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:02:00 EDT

Bees boys stunned in 2OT by Little Giants

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:02:55 EDT

Brookville girls advance to semis at LB

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:02:51 EDT

Nelson struggles, survives Luray in OT

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:02:19 EDT

Glass girls soccer star Johnston signs with LU

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:02:04 EDT

Cvetinovic’s last-second dunk lifts VES boys

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:02:01 EDT

Liberty boys JMU-bound for rematch with R.E. Lee

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:02:00 EDT

Liberty High's boys basketball team trailed host Harrisonburg 40-31 with three minutes left in the third quarter before applying a press and going on an 11-0 run to seize a 42-40 lead by the start of the fourth.

Staunton River knocks out William Byrd

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:02:54 EDT

MONETA - By turning up the pressure on Virginia 24 rival William Byrd on Monday night, Staunton River's girls basketball team earned a trip to Harrisonburg tonight, when it will challenge Turner Ashby, one of four top seeds in the 12-team Region III tournament.

Liberty shakes Stuarts Draft

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:02:00 EDT

BEDFORD - Liberty boys basketball coach Jeffrey Monroe could sense his team was going to struggle to find energy Monday night against Stuarts Draft. The Minutemen were playing just three days after dropping a tough Seminole District championship game to Brookville. And five minutes before tipoff, the Liberty gym had all of the buzz of a weekday practice.

Larger field takes part in playoffs

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 18:02:50 EDT

More boys and girl basketball teams than ever will compete in this week's Virginia High School League regional tournaments, with Group A experimenting with a split divisional playoff system through the state finals.

Iron Man still swinging

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 18:02:41 EDT

BLACKSBURG - Sean O'Brien was surprised. He knew Cal Ripken, Jr. was a big man, but not this big. Ripken, a sturdy 6-foot-4, practically dwarfed O'Brien, a 6-1, 215-pound Virginia Tech senior first baseman.

Brookville girls, Heritage boys win Region III indoor track titles

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:02:46 EDT

LCA falters in Blue Ridge championship game

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:02:17 EDT

Governors lay down the law, win Dogwood title game

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:02:01 EDT

Brookville rallies in second half to win Seminole boys title

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:02:59 EDT

Brookville girls remain perfect with championship game victory

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:02:54 EDT

Altsavista, Nelson reach Dogwood championship game

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:02:09 EDT

Brookville boys, Heritage girls seek additional rewards

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:02:05 EDT

LCA defeats VES in Blue Ridge semifinals

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:28:00 EDT

Seamless execution on both sides of the court enabled Liberty Christian Academy’s girls basketball team to defeat cross-town rival Virginia Episcopal School for the third time, 57-43, in Thursday’s Blue Ridge Conference semifinal at home.

Prep athletes of the week

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:02:57 EDT