Threatt takes to rim to win NBA slam-dunk contest
Following some career setbacks, Jarvis Threatt is on basketball’s comeback trail. Last Sunday, that travel itinerary led him to Brooklyn, N.Y., site of the NBA’s Developmental League (D- League) Slam-Dunk Contest and All- Star Game. Showing there’s plenty of bounce left in his sneakers, the 6-foot-2 guard from Henrico County’s Highland Springs High School and the University of Delaware won the dunking derby in jaw-dropping fashion.
Barksdale a ‘first’ as NBA All-Star
The 1951 and 1952 All-Star games were all white, although the league had admitted four African-Americans in 1950 — Chuck Cooper, Earl Lloyd, Sweetwater Clifton and Hank DeZone. Another Barksdale “first:” He was the first African-American to play basketball against the University of Kentucky in Lexington. In 1948, Barksdale played for the AAU Phillips 66ers in an outdoor exhibition in Lexington against Coach Adolph Rupp’s Kentucky Wildcats. Rupp, coach of the 1948 Olympic team, was so impressed with Barksdale that he selected him for the U.S. team. Later in life, Barksdale became a popular disc jockey and was the first African- American to host a TV show in the San Francisco Bay area on KRON-TV with Sepia Review. Don Barksdale died in 1993 at age 69.
Atlanta Hawks score with 3 Virginia standouts
If you’re searching for reasons to get pumped up about the soaring Atlanta Hawks, here are three: • Assistant Coach Kenny Atkinson, a former University of Richmond star. • Guard-forward Kent Bazemore, an ex-Old Dominion University standout. • Forward Mike Scott, a former University of Virginia Wahoo. With these links to the state and area, the Hawks have been the NBA’s surprise franchise this winter, posting a 42-9 record that featured a 19-game winning streak through Feb. 7.
Former L.C. Bird football star is college team catalyst
When Nassau County, N.Y., Community College needed big yardage this past football season, they gave the ball to Yahkee Johnson. “Yahkee was our catalyst. That’s who we went to in crunch time,” said Nassau Coach Joe Osovet. “He’s not only a dynamic performer, but also a great person.” Johnson was a ringleader this past fall in Nassau’s undefeated football season.
VUU Panthers win game ahead of CIAA tourney
They’re toes are wiggling. After losing 10 games in succession in December and January, Virginia Union University’s basketball Panthers are showing evidence of recovery.
VUU’s Jones is burning up the track, aiming for Olympics
In years to come, law breakers will need to be in tiptop shape if they try to flee on foot from C’evon Jones. Pronounced “Say-Von,” C’evon is a junior criminal justice major and aspiring policewoman at Virginia Union University. She’s also among the fastest women in America.
JeQuan Lewis brings it for VCU in Weber’s absence
When the credits roll for Virginia Commonwealth University basketball, JeQuan Lewis is no longer among the supporting cast. The Tennessean with the distinctive fade haircut has popped up as a leading man for coach Shaka Smart’s short-handed but still Atlantic 10-leading Rams.
Bucks to retire NBA great Bobby Dandridge’s number
Bob Dandridge’s No. 10 jersey soon will be hanging from the rafters at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, home of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.
Sophomore Taya Robinson drawing collegiate interest
Now there are two good reasons to visit Huguenot High School — to eyeball the sparkling new school and to observe the Falcons’ sophomore basketball star. Few glow brighter with a basketball in her hands than Taya Robinson, a 5-foot-10 tower of talent who has drawn nationwide recruiting attention.
Weber ends VCU career with rough injury
If Virginia Commonwealth University is to persevere and achieve its basketball goals this season, it must do so minus catalyst Briante Weber. The dynamic senior point guard was scheduled to undergo knee surgery following a college career-ending injury during the Rams’ stunning 64-55 home loss last Saturday to the University of Richmond. Weber, once described as the “epitome of Havoc” by VCU coach Shaka Smart, tore the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and meniscus in his right knee with a little more than 3 minutes left in the game.
Butler gives Patriots a super win
Malcolm Butler ranks among the most unlikely heroes in Super Bowl history. In 2010, Butler had been suspended from college and was working part time at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen chicken restaurant in his hometown of Vicksburg, Miss. From that humble point, he has become the toast of New England and Patriots fans everywhere. Butler’s end zone interception of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson’s pass with 20 seconds left enabled the Patriots to defeat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Ariz. Butler’s first NFL interception may become the most talked-about pick in NFL annals, turning what looked like a probable loss for the Patriots into a jaw-dropping victory.
Richmond’s Russell Wilson heads to Super Bowl
The Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson is listed at 5-foot-11, quite short by NFL quarterback standards. But Richmond’s link to Sunday’s Super Bowl may be up to 6-foot now, maybe even 6-foot-1, if you don’t press the measuring stick too hard atop his noggin.
VUU looking for a miracle
Virginia Union University basketball coach Tony Sheals says he is looking for “one shining moment” to reverse his squad’s downward spiral.
Kearse helps VSU to 64-45 victory in Freedom Classic
It is fitting Lamar Kearse wears blue and orange jersey No. 3 for the Virginia State University’s Trojans.
New VSU football coach has Trojan roots
Byron Douglas Thweatt says becoming the head football coach at Virginia State University is “like coming home.”
Wythe junior Maliek White is spark plug for Bulldogs
Maliek White’s goals are twofold — returning Richmond’s George Wythe High School to past glory and adding his own name to the school’s glowing list of career standouts.
Curtis Grant to play in Ohio State-Alabama face-off
Richmond-area fans will have a local athlete to root for Jan. 1 when Alabama collides with Ohio State in the ground-breaking Division I National Football Playoffs.
VCU Rams continue wins with ‘havoc’
Virginia Commonwealth University Coach Shaka Smart’s not-so-secret formula for “havoc” features two main ingredients: Feeding-frenzy defense and the ever-present green light for 3-pointers.
VSU’s Scott heads to NSU
Virginia State University football coach Latrell Scott is packing his bags — this time for a move to Norfolk State University.
Great memories won’t fade in new Huguenot gym
On Jan. 5, the new Huguenot High School will open, replacing the original school building on Forest Hill Avenue.
Harlem Globetrotters to bring skills, laughs to Coliseum
There are two things the Harlem Globetrotters do better than any other basketball team — win all their games and put smiles on the faces of fans of all ages.
VSU takes bite out of VUU in Big Apple
Until now, the Big Apple Classic was more like the “Rotten Apple Classic” for Virginia State University basketball.
Havoc blown by U.Va.
Havoc has been dealt a black eye, and now another tough customer packing a punch is headed this way.
UCLA names sports complex for Jackie Robinson
Any time someone goes to watch or play sports at UCLA they will know the name of Bruins alumnus Jackie Robinson.
VSU ends season in chilly NCAA match
Virginia State University’s epic football season ended last Saturday with a 35-14 loss to Bloomsburg State University in northeast Pennsylvania, in arctic-like conditions with temperatures never hitting 30.
VCU takes on U.Va. Saturday at Siegel Center
Virginia Commonwealth University basketball has lost its national ranking.
Cleveland-to-VUU pipeline flows once more
Virginia Union University’s famed “Cleveland Connection,” long the lifeblood of the institution’s basketball program, has regained a pulse.
Taqqi Muhammad is John Marshall’s ‘Big D’
Taqqi Muhammad is held in such high esteem at Richmond’s John Marshall High School, and why the senior has landed a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
VSU wins NCAA first-round playoff game
Virginia State University’s football season falls into the category, “Who would have thought?”
Morgan State Bears in NCAA tourney in Richmond
The Morgan State University Bears football team is coming to Richmond for the first time since 1993.
VCU headed next for N.Y. to play at Barclays Center in Legends Classic
A skeptic might need a high-powered microscope to detect any flaws these days with Virginia Commonwealth University basketball.
CIAA champion VSU heads to NCAA playoffs
Virginia State University is the CIAA Football Champion for the first time since 1996 and eagerly awaiting its first-ever NCAA playoff game.
Calhoun Cougars win city rec league championship
The Calhoun Cougars are the champions of tackle football in Richmond’s Recreation Center League for the first time in at least 20 years.
Update: Khloe ‘Texas Tornado’ Pointer wins state cross-country title
In cross-country romps over hill and dale, the 15-year-old Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School sophomore, Khloe Pointer, combines a tireless stride with a fierce competitive spirit that belies her petite 5-foot-4, 102 pounds.
Quarterback sacked by DUI charge
Virginia State University is heading into its biggest game of the season minus a key component — quarterback Tarian Ayres.
Trojans score 63-7 homecoming victory
The Trojans extended their two-year conference winning streak to 12 with the 63-7 dismantling of Lincoln University last week before a homecoming crowd at Rogers Stadium.
Kansas City Monarchs
World Series matchup takes us on trip down memory lane
The hub of all-black baseball generally was considered Kansas City, Mo., where the Monarchs were a decades-long force in the Negro Leagues.
NSU wins bragging rights after Battle of the Bay
Terrance Ervin is among the most successful quarterbacks in state high school football history. Now it seems he has carried that winning spirit to the college campus.
McDowell pours it on for VUU homecoming win
You can add another weapon to Virginia Union University’s growing football arsenal.
VSU Trojans trounce Elizabeth City State
It has been more than a season and a half already, and no CIAA team has figured out a way to beat football coach Latrell Scott’s Virginia State University Trojans.
Armstrong Wildcats pounce on Varina
The metamorphosis is complete. Armstrong High School football has gone from powder puff to powerhouse.
Armstrong's Chavis shines on and off field
Nigel Chavis is a triple threat. The Armstrong High School senior sparkles on the football field, basketball court, and, best of all, in the classroom.
Sweet victory! George Wythe scores first win since 2011
George Wythe High School snapped a 26-game football losing streak last Saturday with an 18-6 win over National Christian Academy, Md., at Armstrong High School.
Trojans on road again
Virginia State’s long run of success began a year ago against Kentucky State. The Trojans are hoping for a similar script this go-round.
Close ties stretched by rivalry in VUU-FSU match
For many football seasons, Joe Taylor and Lawrence Kershaw worked together on the same side of the gridiron. They’ll be on opposite sides Saturday when Virginia Union Univeristy makes a 217-mile trip to Fayetteville State for a 6 p.m. CIAA kickoff.
A shutout for Va. Union
This year’s Panthers have taken a step forward, albeit a baby step, with a 12-0 opening-day shutout of lightly regarded Siena Heights, Mich., last Saturday, before 4,057 fans at Hovey Field.
Justices want wins now
John Marshall High football program trying to rebound from an 0-10 disaster in 2013.
Chicago team in league of their own
Jackie Robinson West baseball stands out for two glaring reasons: Because it is so good and because it is all black.
TJ Vikings looking for victories
Coach Chad Hornik’s checklist for Thomas Jefferson High football is nearing completion.
