Armstrong softball team thrives despite lack of field, resources
The Armstrong High girls’ softball team didn’t win the official Conference 26 championship. But the Wildcats did claim the unofficial Richmond city title.
Should LeBron James be the MVP?
Perhaps the NBA needs to change the name of its championship Finals MVP award to “MVP of the Winning Team.”
Leroux shines on U.S. women’s soccer team
Talent plus controversy equals Sydney Leroux. The 25-year-old striker figures heavily into the main plot — and subplot — for this year’s Women’s World Cup soccer tournament.
Baseball’s Jalen Rudolph of TJ conference player of the year
If Richmond Public Schools was to name an All-Round Athlete of the Year, Jalen Rudolph would deserve serious consideration.
Cleveland, Golden State gear up for NBA Finals
The spotlight couldn’t get any brighter or the stakes any higher. Professional basketball’s annual main event is about to tip off. This year’s NBA Finals, with the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors, features two piping hot teams and a pair of the world’s premier individual talents.
VUU, VSU athletes named to CIAA All-Academic team
Athletes at Virginia Union and Virginia State universities have been named to the CIAA’s All-Academic team. VUU tennis player Anthony Michael and VSU basketball star Tiffanie Adair were first team picks.
VCU, U.Va. in NCAA baseball Super Regional competition
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rams have taken care of baseball business in Dallas. Now, feeling the wind at their back, it’s on to South Florida.
Charges dismissed against VCU’s Alie-Cox
A misdemeanor assault charge against Virginia Commonwealth University basketball center Mo Alie-Cox has been dismissed after his accuser admitted her claim against him was false and based on mistaken identity. She also apologized in a letter presented in court.
New Wythe football coach brings NFL skills
When heavy lifting is required, you call on a strong person. George Wythe High School has high hopes it has found that individual in broad-shouldered Dion Foxx. Foxx is the new football coach at the South Side school.
NBA draft procedures changed the luck of the teams
Long before the NBA draft was determined by dancing Ping Pong balls, a.k.a. the weighted lottery, it was based on something less dicey — U.S. geography. Between 1949 and 1966, the “territorial draft” was imposed as a way of ushering elite talent to pro clubs nearest their college fan bases — or in one special case, their hometown.
John Marshall athletes headed to VUU and NSU
Two John Marshall High School seniors will continue their athletic careers at historically black universities. Basketball guard Everett “Tre” Patterson has signed with Virginia Union University while Justices football star D.J. Cook has signed with Norfolk State University.
Huguenot soccer team has a world of talent
It is fitting Huso Hasanovic teaches world geography at Huguenot High School. His global awareness ties in nicely with his other Huguenot duty — coaching Falcons soccer. With an international cast of athletes, Hasanovic, a native of Bosnia, has guided his fledgling program to championship caliber in just two seasons.
Richmonder recalls meeting legendary pitcher Satchel Paige
Thanks to Richmond Free Press reader Joe Brown for alerting and informing us that Satchel Paige’s legendary baseball career included an historic trip to Virginia’s capital city. In fact, the last time Paige hurled a horsehide in a competitive game just may have been at the old Parker Field, then home of the Richmond Braves — the AAA International League affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The Diamond, home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, was built on the site.
VCU’s Graham invited to NBA’s pre-draft event
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Treveon Graham is under the spotlight this week. The 6-foot-6, All-Atlantic 10 forward from Temple Hills, Md., was invited to participate in the NBA’s Pre-Draft Combine May 14 through16 in Chicago.
Armstrong tennis team ramps up for winning season
George Banks has a powerful hunch there is a potential tennis phenom somewhere within Richmond’s city limits. And if his instincts are correct, Banks is determined to discover him or her, outfit the prospect with a racquet and sneakers and swing open the door of opportunity.
Butler officially named basketball coach at VUU
Jay Butler has proven to be an exceptional college basketball coach for women’s teams. Now he’s out to achieve similar success coaching a men’s team. Butler is the new Virginia Union University men’s basketball coach after spending the past 13 seasons — 11 as head coach — directing the women’s program at the University of the District of Columbia.
Jenner’s confession stirs up memories of tennis star Renée Richards
In a highly anticipated TV interview last week, Olympic decathlon champion Bruce Jenner told ABC’s Diane Sawyer that “for all intents and purposes, I am a woman.” Jenner’s revelation he is transitioning from male to female stirs recollections of another sports-related, transgender shocker — the case of Dr. Richard Raskind becoming Renée Richards.
Wallace places 12th at RIR
Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. is hopeful that Talladega, Ala., will provide more racing satisfaction than he found in Richmond. Wallace finished 12th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Toyota Care 250 on April 24 at Richmond International Raceway. The event was won by local favorite Denny Hamlin, a graduate of Manchester High School.
Rams rebuild team under Wade
The process of restocking Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball roster is an ongoing task. New Rams Coach Will Wade has added Korey Billbury, a 6-foot-3 transfer from Oral Roberts University, and 6-foot-7 Gerron Scissum, a high school senior from Huntsville, Ala., to VCU’s roster for 2015-16.
VCU adjusting after Shaka Smart exit
Virginia Commonwealth University has a new basketball coaching staff and, so far, the roster of returning Rams has remained intact, albeit a scare. Here’s what has transpired since Coach Shaka Smart left VCU to become coach at the University of Texas, and Coach Will Wade, a former Smart assistant, was named his successor. Promising 6-foot-8 freshman Justin Tillman asked to be released for the purpose of transferring to another university, but has since changed his mind and remains a Ram. All three of Coach Smart’s high school recruits to VCU have asked for and been granted releases by VCU Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin.
Butler expected to be named VUU men’s basketball coach
Lester L. “Jay” Butler Jr. helped Virginia Union University win 107 basketball games as a play-making guard for the Panthers from 1992 to 1996. Now he’ll try to add to that victory total as head coach.
Huguenot senior hurdles to state champion
Huguenot High School senior Shaunté Harris has a passion for fashion. But if there’s one thing she relishes more than a sporty, chic look, it’s running the high hurdles — an event famous for its thrills — and also its spills. Therefore, don’t be surprised to see Harris wearing distressed denims to school, rather than a trendy shirtdress. “My legs aren’t the nicest,” she says with a wide smile. “I’ve taken plenty of spills, lots of hard falls. My legs have cuts and scratches. It kind of never stops.”
VUU expects to name coaches next week
Virginia Union University is continuing its search for women’s and men’s basketball coaches. Panthers Athletic Director Joe Taylor said he hopes to announce the women’s coach by Tuesday, April 21, when VUU holds its Athletic Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. at the Henderson Center on campus.
Players of color in Flying Squirrels lineup
By gallantly breaking baseball’s color line, Jackie Robinson opened doors for talented young athletes not only in America, but everywhere. Since April 15, 1947, the date Robinson debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers, doors have swung open at baseball organizations from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles to include players of color. The diversity of talent was visible on April 15 in Richmond, where the Flying Squirrels celebrated Jackie Robinson Day-Education Day at The Diamond and took on the visiting team from Altoona, Pa. The Squirrels, the Eastern League farm club of the World Series champion San Francisco Giants, have no African-American players.
Spring football shows off offenses at VUU and VSU
Offense and optimism are the key words following Virginia Union and Virginia State universities’ spring football games. Under second-year Coach Mark James, VUU’s offense routed the defense 80-36 in the annual Maroon and White intrasquad game April 11 at Hovey Field. VUU’s Shawheem Dowdy, a 6-foot-4 sophomore transfer from Grambling State University, tossed six touchdowns passes. Kenneth Graham, VUU’s quarterback most of last season, is still rehabilitating from knee surgery and was held out of the game.
Lou Anderson honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Virginia Union University has honored former Virginia State University Coach Lou Anderson with VUU’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
VUU’s Sheals reassigned
Virginia Union University is again searching for a head basketball coach. VUU Athletic Director Joe Taylor confirmed Wednesday that Tony Sheals, who was hired under a three-year contract, has been reassigned within the university following one season. Derek Thompson, a member of Sheals’ staff, has been named interim coach while VUU pursues a permanent replacement. Thompson is now handling day-to-day operations, Taylor says.
Flying Squirrels start season with fireworks at The Diamond
Play Ball!
“And the rocket’s red glare; the bombs bursting in air ...” Those are lyrics in “The Star Spangled Banner,” played before every Richmond Flying Squirrels game. The words also describe the postgame fireworks planned at The Diamond this season. The Flying Squirrels’ home opener Thursday, April 9, against the Bowie Baysox will conclude with “dueling fireworks,” pyrotechnics launched from two locations.
Smart trades Rams horns for Texas Longhorns
When Shaka Smart was hired as Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball coach in 2009, he was a little known, much traveled assistant, with a name that puzzled people. Since then, his name and fame — and that of his signature game style, “Havoc” — spread. Last week, Smart traded his Rams horns for the Texas Longhorns. He leaves Richmond as one of the hottest commodities in the sport, practically a household name among hoops enthusiasts.
‘Havoc’ to continue under Will Wade
Among Shaka Smart’s first duties upon becoming Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball coach in 2009 was to hire Will Wade as an assistant. Smart referred to Wade as “my first hire.” After Smart’s resignation for the head coaching job at the University of Texas last week, among the first moves the VCU administration made was to hire Wade as head coach for the Rams.
Danville’s Claiborne among NCAA ‘pioneers’
In 1966, Duke University advanced to the NCAA basketball Final Four with an all-white roster. Waiting anxiously in the wings, however, was Claudius B. Claiborne, the Blue Devils’ first black athlete. From segregated John Langston High School in Danville, the 6-foot-3 Claiborne played on Duke’s freshman team in 1966, then moved to varsity for the 1966-67 season and became a three-year letterman under Coach Vic Bubas.
‘Shaka watch’: Is VCU coach staying or going?
Will Shaka Smart remain a Richmonder? Or will he be shopping for a Stetson and cowboy boots in the near future? Kidding aside, Smart was still very much the basketball coach at Virginia Commonwealth University at Free Press press time on Wednesday. It was widely reported that Smart — with a 163-56 record in six seasons at VCU — was in talks earlier this week with University of Texas Athletic Director Steve Patterson. Multiple reports indicate Texas is offering Smart a five-year deal worth $14 million in base salary with possible incentives.
Monument Avenue race freezes out African elite runners
The popular Monument Avenue 10K looks pretty much the same as it always has — except for the runners at the very front of the pack. Approximately 30,000 runners, joggers and walkers signed up for this year’s 16th edition of the annual event coordinated by Richmond Sports Backers.
C’evon Jones wins NCAA track title
For years, C’evon Jones trained for a moment like this. And when the moment arrived, she was ready. The Virginia Union University sprinter won the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field title in the 60-meters competition March 14 in Birmingham, Ala. The junior from Pompano Beach, Fla., was timed at 7.35 seconds. Taking second place was Winston-Salem State University’s Raven Covington with 7.42 seconds.
Hampton Pirates defeated in NCAA second round
Confronted by superior forces, Hampton University refused to surrender. The MEAC champions put forth a valiant effort — albeit in defeat — against intimidating, undefeated, top-ranked University of Kentucky March 19 in the NCAA Tournament’s second round. The HU Pirates actually led briefly in the early going, and played the Wildcats nearly even following intermission before bowing 79-56. The Pirates faced long odds and long players.
Hampton takes on No.1 Kentucky in NCAA
Hampton University is in position to make basketball history. After triumphantly clinching the MEAC title and winning its first-round game in the NCAA Tournament, the Pirates will play undefeated and No. 1 overall seed University of Kentucky on Thursday, March 19, in Louisville, Ky. Hampton is the 68th and last seed overall in the NCAA tournament. CBS will televise the game about 9:40 p.m. Thursday, March 19.
Warriors capture second state crown
Henrico High School has steered into basketball’s fast lane and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Coach Vance Harmon’s heavy-on-the-pedal Warriors sped to their second state title in three years March 14, blitzing Norview High School of Norfolk, 78-64, for the Virginia High School League’s 5A crown. Henrico High has reached three straight state finals and boasts arguably the commonwealth’s top college prospect in junior Monte Buckingham. With the one-sided win over Norview, Henrico finished the season 28-1.
Rams win Atlantic 10; head to NCAA West
The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams regained their rhythm in New York, winning four games in four days for their first Atlantic 10 Tournament title. Now the Rams must hope their “reward,” a cross-country trip to the NCAA, won’t throw them out of sync again. VCU, 26-9, is seeded seventh. They play Big 10 Conference member Ohio State University on Thursday, March 19, in the NCAA West Region game in Portland, Ore. Ohio State, 23-10, is the 10th seed.
Controversial call shoots down victory for Lady Justices in semifinals
Seven was indeed a lucky number this winter for John Marshall High School girls’ basketball, and a most unlucky number for the Justices’ foes. Quality trumped quantity for the school on Richmond’s North Side. With a bare bones roster of seven, the Justices came within a referee’s controversial call of reaching the State 3A final. “We were seven strong,” said Coach Travis Richardson, Class of 1998. “Our motto was ‘Seven deep, no sleep.’ “We were determined not to rest until we achieved our goals.”
George Wythe High driving toward state championship
In 1975, Willard Coker was an up-tempo, high-energy guard who led Winston-Salem’s R.J. Reynolds High School to the state championship in North Carolina. Now, 40 years later, Coach Coker — still brimming with energy — is close to winning another high school state title state, this time as coach. Coach Coker’s fast-breaking George Wythe High School Bulldogs were playing unbeaten Spotswood High School of Rockingham County in the State 3A finals at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center at press time for the Free Press on Wednesday, March 11. The Wythe Bulldogs improved to 25-4 on Tuesday, March 10, by cruising past Northside High School near Roanoke, 78-57. Coach Coker “let the Dogs out” at just the right time for peak perfection.
CIAA teams face tough competition in NCAA play
The CIAA men’s and women’s basketball champions have drawn daunting assignments for their NCAA Division II first round games in the Atlantic Region. Virginia State University’s women’s basketball team is seeded eighth — and last — and will play at first seed California University of Pennsylvania on Friday, March 13. Livingstone College’s men’s basketball team, also seeded eighth, will play Saturday, March 14, at top seed West Liberty University in Wheeling, W.Va.
NCCU favored in MEAC tourney
North Carolina Central University is the heavy favorite to repeat as the MEAC basketball champion Saturday at the Norfolk Scope. The final game of the 13-school event is set for 1 p.m., with live ESPN2 coverage.
VCU opens March 12 in Atlantic 10 Tournament
The chase is on as Virginia Commonwealth University heads to Brooklyn, N.Y. VCU is trying to run down its first Atlantic 10 basketball title, while Rams senior Treveon Graham remains in pursuit of the university’s all-time scoring record. The more the Rams win, the greater Graham’s chances. VCU, 22-9, opens A-10 tournament play 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, against the play-in survivor between George Mason and Fordham universities.
VSU women bring home CIAA crown
Virginia State University’s women’s basketball team picked the right time and right place for its best basketball of the season. The Trojans not only won their first CIAA tournament since 2002, they won in a blowout, routing Lincoln University 73-49 at Charlotte’s Time Warner Cable Arena. In the semifinals, VSU drubbed Shaw University 69-47, denying the Bears a shot at a fifth consecutive crown. Now VSU will carry an overall 20-9 record into the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament. Pairings will be announced March 8.
NSU has hometown advantage
If any team seems capable of derailing the rumbling freight train that is North Carolina Central University, it might be Norfolk State University. At least the NSU Spartans will have the hometown advantage March 9 through 14 for the MEAC Tournament at the Norfolk Scope. NSU (18-11, 11-3 starting the week) has confidence from hold- ing juggernaut NCCU to a nervous 60-56 on Jan. 17 at NSU’s Echols Hall. The Eagles from Durham, N.C., started this week 21-6 overall and 13-0 in MEAC. During the last three seasons, North Carolina Central is a commanding 43-2 against its league foes.
Livingstone wins CIAA men’s championship
For decades, Livingstone College’s Blue Bears were little more than commoners in CIAA basketball. Today, they’re kings. In fact, the Blue Bears now have a second crown to wear atop their first one. The jump shooters from Salisbury, N.C., are back-to-back tournament champs after blitzing Winston-Salem State University 106-91 in last Saturday’s CIAA title game at Charlotte’s Time Warner Cable Arena.
VCU retires Burgess’ number; Graham hopes to be next
In its storied basketball history, Virginia Commonwealth University has retired the numbers of five players. Their jerseys now hang from the Siegel Center rafters. They are No. 3 Eric Maynor, No. 5 Calvin Duncan, No. 22 Gerald Henderson, No. 23 Kendrick Warren and, just this past Saturday, No. 20 Bradford Burgess. Sometime in the future, look for Treveon Graham’s No. 21 to be among the rafters display. The Rams’ foes probably wish the university would retire Graham’s jersey right now, preferably with Tre in it.
CIAA women’s competition stirred by problem
Virginia Union University’s women survived the play-in round of the CIAA Tournament’s basketball competition in Charlotte, N.C. Ashle Freeman scored 25 points and Lady Walker added 22 points as the Panthers defeated Saint Augustine’s 74-71. With the victory, the 8-17 Panthers advanced to Wednesday’s quarterfinals against Lincoln University, which Lincoln won 59-51. Women’s semifinals are 1 and 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27. The final is at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, with live ASPIRE TV coverage.
Tuesday night’s loss tosses VUU from tourney
Charlotte’s Time Warner Cable Arena has become the house of horrors for Virginia Union University’s basketball team. For the sixth straight year, the Panthers have failed to advance in the CIAA tournament — an event they dominated for decades. A 77-70 loss to Shaw University during Tuesday night’s play-in game ended VUU’s season with a 9-18 record. Shaw University, with a 12-15 record, advanced to meet Winston-Salem State University in Wednesday night’s quarterfinals.
VSU stands tall going into CIAA tournament
Virginia State University’s front line measures 6-foot-10, 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-8. The Trojans stand tall in the CIAA standings as well. Center Alphonso Leary, who is 6-foot-10, and 6-foot-8 forwards Tyrece Little and Elijah Moore complete one of the NCAA Division II’s tallest front courts. Trying to shoot inside against VSU is like trying to score in soccer against a net manned by three goalies. The Trojans led the CIAA in least points allowed (an average 64.6 per game) and lowest shooting percentage defense (38.6). After a long lull, VSU is the second seed in the CIAA Northern Division and has high hopes for this week’s CIAA tournament in Charlotte, N.C.
