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Articles by Tim Pearrell
At VHSL meeting, plan to delay high school sports until at least December garners support
The Virginia High School League delayed a decision on fall sports until July 27 but offered three plans for consideration, none of which involve playing football this fall. In discussion among executive committee members, one plan stood out as a favorite of that group. That plan moves fall sports to the spring and attempts to play all three seasons in a condensed time frame. The approach buys more time and provides more flexibility with so much uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
VHSL considering plan with two rounds of regional playoffs in football, two rounds of state playoffs in all sports
The Virginia High School League is considering a plan where teams would play 60% of their normal regular-season games, followed by a shortened time frame for regional playoffs and two rounds of state playoffs. The plan would cut region playoffs in football to four teams and eliminate state quarterfinals in all sports.
Deep Run falls to Independence in Class 5 girls soccer state final
LEESBURG - Opponents breached the Deep Run girls soccer team for just six goals in the first 20 games this season. The Wildcats had registered 16 shutouts and had not surrendered more than two goals in any game. Then they ran into Independence and scoring machine Kaitlyn Nimmer Saturday in the Class 5 state championship game.
Mills Godwin's baseball season ends in state semifinal
LEESBURG - Luke Smyers figured the Mills Godwin baseball team had the pieces this season to make a run at its first state title since 1999. The Eagles had multiple Division I-caliber players, especially on the mound, and they went 22-3 while claiming the Region 5C title and a state quarterfinal win. Their season ended, though, in the Class 5 semifinals Friday.
Pitchers Evan Nix, Nolan Williamson and Cole Elrod help Hanover to Class 4 quarterfinal win
As a freshman last season, Evan Nix experienced Hanover High 's playoff run and Class 4 state championship from the bench. "I was taking notes," he said. Opponents are taking note of him this season. The sophomore left-hander, making his first state playoff appearance, was a key figure in the Class 4 state quarterfinals on Tuesday. Nix combined with starter Nolan Williamson and closer Cole Elrod to limit visiting Jamestown to four hits as the Hawks advanced with a 5-2 victory.
Hanover puts it together at right time, claims Region 4B baseball title
Almost three weeks ago, the Hanover baseball team stood in the outfield at Mechanicsville High talking about another loss and how to get some consistency. The 5-3 setback was the Hawks' eighth of the season after going 36-5 the previous two years while winning the Class 4 state title and finishing as the runner-up. "We were pretty down in the dumps," second baseman/pitcher Cole Elrod said.
Godwin, Freeman to square off for Region 5C baseball title
Mills Godwin High senior third baseman Dylan Hudson is headed to Coastal Carolina next year, but he doesn't plan to play baseball. It crossed his mind that Wednesday's Region 5C semifinal at Godwin might be his final baseball game. Hudson's bases-loaded, one-out single in the bottom of the eighth inning gave Godwin a hard-earned 6-5 victory over Midlothian and a spot in the state tournament.
Maggie Walker GS girls track runs away with another region title
Gift this article In the 10 years since the Virginia High School League switched from three to six classifications, the Maggie Walker Governor's School girls track and field and cross country teams have been virtually unbeatable in region meets. That continued Wednesday, when the Green Dragons hiked their outdoor region title streak to nine straight - the 2020 season wasn't held because of the COVID-19 pandemic - by running away with the Region 3B meet at Warren County.
It's hard to get an earned run against Thomas Dale pitcher Chase Swift
Gift this article Thomas Dale High pitcher Chase Swift gave up an earned run against Matoaca early this season. That's the only earned run Swift has allowed in 68 2/3 innings the past two seasons. The All-Metro junior left-hander gave up zero earned runs -- four unearned -- in 42 2/3 innings last season. Swift remembers the earned run, too. A two-out walk eventually led to a two-strike, RBI single. "I deserved it because I walked the guy," he said. "Walks always score.
Mills Godwin catcher Maggie Hiatt packs power, production
In her first batting practice as a freshman at Mills Godwin in 2019, Sydney Shaffer belted all 15 pitches over the fence. "I'd never seen anything like it," Godwin softball coach Keith Wagner said. A year later, Wagner saw it again from another freshman. In Maggie Hiatt's first BP, with a coach throwing from about 20 feet, she duplicated Shaffer's 15-for-15 home run feat. "As a freshman I felt like I had to, not prove myself, but show that I wanted to work in order to earn my spot," Hiatt said.
Perseverance defines Spencer Bivens' path to the minors, Flying Squirrels
Spencer Bivens could have said uncle several times during his baseball career. He had every reason. But giving up obviously is not Bivens. Which is why, at 28 years old, the 6 foot-5, 205-pound right-handed reliever is in Double-A with the Richmond Flying Squirrels, continuing an unlikely story of perseverance and determination. "I always knew I could do it," he said. "But it just finally took really putting in the work and just not taking no for an answer.
Flying Squirrels' Mason Black takes to the mound instead of medical school
In his initial career plan, Mason Black figured he might be in medical school now, learning to be an orthopedic surgeon. Baseball presented a change of plans. The San Francisco Giants drafted the Black in the third round in 2021 out of Lehigh University. Considered one of the organization's top pitching prospects, the 23-year-old right-hander has advanced to Double-A with the Richmond Flying Squirrels. "I'm here getting to throw a baseball for a living," he said.
Led by Mills Godwin's 'conveyor belt of arms,' quality pitching abounds in Region 5C baseball
Mills Godwin coach Josh Gentry has one of those enviable baseball problems: He can't find enough work for all of his pitchers. "With two games a week, it's hard to find innings for everybody," he said. The Eagles have five pitchers who have committed to play Division I. Gentry's top starters, senior Garrett Mason and sophomore Luke Smyers, have committed to Virginia Tech and Alabama, respectively. Juniors Zach Boyd and Hunter Ross have committed to William & Mary.
Saints-Cadets baseball game raises $13,500 for Jacob's Chance
The St. Christopher's and Benedictine baseball teams raised $13,500 in their annual meeting at RF&P Park to benefit Jacob's Chance on April 15. Jacob's Chance is a nonprofit organization that "enriches lives by empowering individuals 5-40 years old with developmental, intellectual, and/or physical disabilities through inclusive programs that promote personal development and positive relationships," according to its website.
Steward honors baseball coach Bruce Secrest
Steward surprised longtime baseball coach Bruce Secrest by naming its baseball diamond Family Field in his honor after a game earlier this week. Secrest, who also serves as athletic director, started the baseball program in 2004. His loves in life are God, family and baseball, and he talks frequently about the program and players being a big family. "I absolutely love the name Family Field," he said.
Monument Avenue 10k getting back to a more normal feel
While the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k returned to its traditional format as a one-day, one-place race last year, Sports Backers executive director Jon Lugbill didn't necessarily feel everything was back to normal. Pandemic restrictions in 2020 and '21 forced Sports Backers, the organizer of the popular event, to get creative and hold socially distanced runs over several days on different courses, along with a virtual option.
Spiegel, Hoy, Stone set to be inducted into Virginia High School Hall of Fame
An athlete, a coach and an official who made lasting marks in the Richmond area will be among nine people inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame on Sunday in Charlottesville. Jonas "Butch" Spiegel, a multisport standout at Thomas Jefferson High; Tom Hoy, a boys tennis, boys basketball and golf coach at Mills Godwin High; and basketball official/contributor Jerry Stone will be among those honored at a dinner at 3:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Charlottesville.
Big shots, big emotions at the VHSL basketball championships
After a 5-4 start where things didn't always look smooth on the court, the Virginia Commonwealth University men's basketball team turned in a gem of a season with another trip to the NCAA tournament. The Rams finished 27-8 and won the Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament titles before falling to Saint Mary's 63-51 in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Albany, New York. It was VCU's third trip to the NCAA tourney in coach Mike Rhoades' six seasons and the Rams' 19th overall.
VCU coach Mike Rhoades may be in line for an extension
It goes without saying, VCU vice president and director of athletics Ed McLaughlin said, that the school wants Mike Rhoades to be its basketball coach and that he did "a heck of a job" this season. "But I'll say it anyway," McLaughlin said. As they do after every season, the two will sit down in the next few days to discuss the program. Part of that likely will include an extension of Rhoades' contract.
VCU has a group that could make another NCAA run -- if everybody returns
On paper, VCU has a terrific nucleus that could make another run at the NCAA tournament next season. But this is the age of the transfer portal and money for name, image and likeness (NIL). Nothing is guaranteed when it comes to the makeup of next season's roster as coaches try to keep players onboard or find them in the portal. "You never know," VCU coach Mike Rhoades said. "It's 2023.
Ace Baldwin tried to tough it out but couldn't
Baldwin tried to tough it out Ace Baldwin's toughness is well established. VCU's junior point guard returned from wrist surgery after four games earlier this year and scored 28 points. Last season, he had Achilles' tendon surgery during the summer and returned to start the final 24 games. Knocked down frequently when he drives to the basket, the 6-foot-1 190-pounder usually gets back up.
After early struggles, VCU came along and produced special season
When VCU gathered for the first time in June, coach Mike Rhoades thought the Rams had the qualities and immediate chemistry to produce a special season. "I just felt something about these guys," he said. Into the blender went junior standout point guard Ace Baldwin, four sophomores taking on bigger roles, three transfers and several holders and freshmen.
Saint Mary's wears down VCU as Rams lose in first round of NCAA tourney
ALBANY, N.Y. - VCU couldn't consistently crack Saint Mary's physical defense in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday. That, foul trouble and an injury to leader Ace Baldwin ended the 12th-seeded Rams' trip with a 63-51 loss to the No. 5 Gaels. VCU (27-8) shot just 37%. VCU got into its pressure style at times, forcing some 10-second backcourt and shot-clock violations. But Saint Mary's kept the game in its more preferred grind-it-out pace.
Rams-Gaels square off in clash of styles
VCU-Saint Mary's a clash of styles Which team can impose its style? As much as anything, that may decide No. 12 VCU's matchup with No. 5 Saint Mary's in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday in Albany, New York. The Rams prefer a fast pace, using their pressure defense in full-court and half-court to speed up opponents, wear them down and create turnovers. Saint Mary is more deliberate on offense and uses a pack-line-style defense that reminds VCU coach Mike Rhoades of Virginia.
VCU forward Brandon Johns Jr.'s versatility extends to the piano
ALBANY, N.Y. - Brandon Johns Jr.'s VCU teammates scattered after watching their NCAA tournament pairing in a large conference room at their hotel in New York last week. Johns, though, found a piano in a corner of the hallway outside the room, sat down and started entertaining a few onlookers. The 6-foot-8 graduate student, with a sociology degree from Michigan and working on his master's in criminal justice at VCU, has diverse talents and interests.
VCU trying to be itself on big stage of NCAA tournament
ALBANY, N.Y -- An "in-the-moment-type person," Brandon Johns Jr. didn't want to talk to his VCU teammates about the NCAA tournament until they had a spot secured.
Sophomore forward Jalen DeLoach starting to blossom for VCU
To more understand "the edge" that drew VCU's coaching staff to forward Jalen DeLoach, look at the athletic lines in his family. His sister, Taylor, was a Big Ten champ at Ohio State in the long jump and 4x100-meter relay. His brother Kalen is a 6-foot-1, 211-pound rising senior linebacker at Florida State who has a chance to be picked in the NFL draft next year. Internal competition wasn't lacking for the brothers, who are 18 months apart. "It means everything I am now," DeLoach said.
VCU ready, rolling as NCAA tournament arrives
Ace Baldwin was in his hotel room in Indianapolis, getting ready to play in his first NCAA tournament game as a freshman in 2021, when VCU's coaching staff asked Baldwin and most of the team to come into the hallway. The meeting was devastating. The Rams' trip to the NCAA tournament was over before they had played a game because of multiple positive COVID-19 tests. "It broke our heart," Baldwin said. "I was really sad. The whole team, we thought we were going to make a good run.
VCU draws Saint Mary's for second time in NCAA tourney
NEW YORK - As a basketball junkie, it's nothing for VCU coach Mike Rhoades to be up at 11 p.m. watching a West Coast college basketball game. So of course he's seen fifth-seeded Saint Mary's (26-7), the team the 12th-seeded Rams (27-7) will take on Friday at 2 p.m. in the first round of the NCAA tournament West Regional in Albany, New York. The Gaels, out of Moraga, California, are ranked 16th in The Associated Press poll.
VCU locks down Dayton late, wins A-10 title and earns a trip to the NCAA tournament
NEW YORK - When it needed its defense most, VCU found it - and rode it into the NCAA tournament. Down11 early in the second half, the top-seeded Rams cranked up the intensity, caught up and pulled away from second-seeded Dayton down the stretch to win the Atlantic 10 tournament with a 68-56 victory at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The victory earned VCU an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. VCU (27-7) outscored Dayton (22-12) 38-20 in the second half and 19-9 in the final 11 minutes.
VCU rides hot offense past Saint Louis, into A-10 championship game
NEW YORK - Hard to tell who had the hotter hand for VCU in the Atlantic 10 semifinals on Saturday at the Barclays Center. Ace Baldwin, Brandon Johns Jr., Jayden Nunn, David Shriver and Jamir Watkins took turns dominating stretches of the game. All were scalding as the top-seeded Rams smoked No. 4 Saint Louis 90-78 to advance to Sunday's 1 p.m. championship game against the winner of No. 2 Dayton and No. 3 Fordham.
Former area standout Gibson Jimerson's progression for Saint Louis has been 'very, very impressive'
NEW YORK - Saint Louis coach Travis Ford calls Gibson Jimerson "one of the biggest gym rats" he's been around. That's a major reason the former Benedictine and St. Christopher's standout has expanded his game from what Ford said was a standstill 3-point shooter when he arrived to "one of the better players" in the Atlantic 10. "His progression has been very, very impressive," Ford said. The 6-foot-5 205-pounder was a second-team all-conference pick as well as an all-academic selection this season.
VCU seeking another trifecta, this time against Saint Louis
NEW YORK - VCU beat Davidson three times this season. The Rams will have to get that trifecta again against Saint Louis if they want to get to the Atlantic 10 championship game. Top-seeded VCU (25-7) plays No. 4 Saint Louis (21-11) in the semifinals Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Rams topped the Billikens 73-65 at Saint Louis at the beginning of February and 79-67 a week-and-a-half ago at the Siegel Center.
Jamir Watkins seems to be elevating more for VCU as Rams head into A-10 semifinals
NEW YORK - VCU's Jamir Watkins, who's 6-foot-7, tracked Davidson's Reed Bailey, who's 6-11, on Bailey's drive to the rim and produced a high-flying rejection in Thursday's Atlantic 10 quarterfinals. Hard to tell Watkins still operates on about 1 and 9/10ths legs these days. A little more than 17 months removed from right knee surgery for a torn ACL, the redshirt sophomore wing says when he jumps off both legs everything seems pretty normal when it comes to explosiveness.
David Shriver takes advantage of some freedom on 3-pointers
Shriver takes advantage from deep More than anybody, Davidson should have known not to give VCU sharpshooter David Shriver space in the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals on Thursday. Shriver buried 6 of 8 3-pointers in the Rams' 89-72 victory in the teams' first meeting this season. He was 0 for 4 as VCU eked out a 61-59 victory in the second. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound senior got free for a pair of treys in the first half at the Barclays Center that helped the Rams open a nine-point lead.
VCU flies to opening win at Atlantic 10 tournament in Brooklyn
NEW YORK - VCU jumped on Davidson early and kept the Wildcats under wraps, claiming a 71-53 victory in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament at the Barclays Center on Thursday. VCU, which has won seven straight games, improved to 25-7, tying for the most wins (25-8 in 2018-19) under coach Mike Rhoades, who took over in 2017-18. Friday is a day off for all teams still participating.
'Your mindset can't be about hope we don't lose'
VCU basketball coach Mike Rhoades felt his team played not to lose in last year's Atlantic 10 tournament - and subsequently lost in its first game to Richmond in the quarterfinals. The early exit and a different mindset have been topics of discussion going into Thursday's quarterfinals. "Absolutely," Rhoades said. "The reality is this time of year you've got to go win. Your mindset can't be about 'Hope we don't lose.' You've got to go after it.
VCU will play Davidson in the A-10 quarterfinals on Thursday
Top-seeded VCU will play No. 8 Davidson in the Atlantic 10 tournament quarterfinals Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Davidson advanced with a 65-54 victory over No. 9 St. Bonaventure Wednesday in the second round. VCU had a bye into the quarters. VCU (24-7) played Davidson (16-15) twice during the regular season, winning 89-72 at the Siegel Center and 61-59 at Davidson.
A-10 player of the year? VCU coach Mike Rhoades hopes it's Ace Baldwin
When he adds up the totality of Ace Baldwin's contributions to a team that won the Atlantic 10 regular season by three games, VCU coach Mike Rhoades believes his junior point guard should be the league's player of the year. Others score more than Baldwin, who averages 12.6 points (20th in the conference) and has a 37-point game in a victory at Saint Louis.
VCU takes both scoring methods into A-10 tournament
Scan the list of the top 25 scorers in the Atlantic 10 this season, and you'll find two players from VCU way down the list. Point guard Ace Baldwin is 20th at 12.6 points per game. Forward Brandon Johns Jr. is 24th at 11.9. The Rams don't have anybody with gaudy scoring stats.
VCU locks in, then holds off GW to wrap up regular season with six straight wins
VCU coach Mike Rhoades said his team was locked in during practice on Friday, which for the most part carried over to Saturday's game at George Washington. "You could tell this morning when we got up, they wanted to play," he said. "It wasn't like we're just going to get through this game and get to Brooklyn." A letdown would have been understandable.
VCU can't afford to relax against high-scoring GW
As far as VCU is concerned, the Rams' Atlantic 10 regular-season crown might as well be a program running in the background on the computer. They need to concentrate on what's on the screen. That will be a game at George Washington in the teams' first meeting on Saturday and trying to finish out the regular-season with a victory. VCU (23-7, 14-3) wrapped up its first regular-season title since 2018-19 with Tuesday's 79-67 victory over Saint Louis.
VCU's focus becomes GW, a more coveted A-10 trophy
The VCU basketball team took a victory lap around the sold-out Siegel Center on Tuesday, slapping hands with fans near court-side seats. They spent a little time basking in the Atlantic 10 regular-season title, taking turns with the big trophy before holding it up. Given how far VCU has come since the season started, it was a moment to be savored. A more coveted trophy hunt comes soon enough.
VCU repels Saint Louis to claim Atlantic 10 regular-season title
It's been a bit, but the VCU Rams celebrated Tuesday by hoisting the Atlantic 10 regular-season trophy at the Siegel Center. Buoyed by its defense in the second half and a relentless assault inside, the Rams got going in the second half and pulled away from Saint Louis down the stretch for a 79-67 victory at the Siegel Center that wrapped up the A-10 regular-season title on Tuesday.
VCU sophomore Jamir Watkins starting to show 'high ceiling'
Every so often, VCU sophomore wing Jamir Watkins will get the ball on the perimeter, take an explosive step or two, and drive quickly into the lane. Those are pretty good indications he's getting back to form after missing last season with a torn ACL in his right knee. Watkins averaged 7.2 points as a freshman. He has had some ups and downs scoring this season, but the 6-foot-7 210-pounder has displayed more and more why VCU coach Mike Rhoades gushes about Watkins' future.
VCU trying to keep same focus with two-game lead in A-10
Atlantic 10 leader VCU emerged from the weekend with a two-game lead on a trio of teams with two games to play in the regular season. Rams coach Mike Rhoades is not changing his messaging to his team. "Win the day," he said. "The same formula we had all year long. Let's get better today. Let's prepare for the next competition. You take care of the last game, the next game becomes bigger, and that's what we've done. "A great Saint Louis team is coming in here.
VCU sophomore Jamir Watkins starting to show 'high ceiling' after missing year with knee injury
Every so often, VCU sophomore wing Jamir Watkins will get the ball on the perimeter, take an explosive step or two, and drive quickly into the lane. Those are pretty good indications he's getting back to form after missing last season with a torn ACL in his right knee. Watkins averaged 7.2 points as a freshman. He has had some ups and downs scoring this season, but the 6-foot-7 210-pounder has displayed more and more why VCU coach Mike Rhoades gushes about Watkins' future.
Springy VCU freshman Tobi Lawal 'a threat vertically'
How high can 6-foot-8 VCU freshman forward Tobi Lawal go to get a pass? "Shot clock [above the backboard]. He'll go get it," Rams teammate Jalen DeLoach said. That's a reach, but Lawal has a 45" vertical jump and can play well above the rim. He went way up to get a crowd-igniting alley-oop dunk against UR and gave the Rams a lift with 4 points in less than 3 minutes after DeLoach picked up two fouls in the first half. "He's a vertical player," Rhoades said.
VCU men's tennis team up to No. 28 nationally
The VCU men's tennis team is ranked 28th nationally by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The Rams (11-1) beat No. 54 Virginia Tech 6-1 on Sunday. They have beaten No. 43 Clemson, No. 51 Pennsylvania and No. 62 ODU. Junior Matisse Bobichon is ranked 62nd in singles. Bobichon and graduate Rayane Stable are ranked 53rd in doubles. Graduate Charles Bertimon has been named the A-10's performer of the week three times this season.
Jabo Wilkins' retired VCU jersey to hang in rafters at Siegel Center
The mystery of what happened to Charles "Jabo" Wilkins' retired jersey at VCU has not been solved, but one finally will be hanging in the Siegel Center rafters. VCU announced it will "re-retire" Wilkins' No. 40 jersey during its game against Saint Louis Tuesday night. A VCU Athletics Hall of Famer (1996), the former Maggie Walker standout is all over the school's record book and holds marks for career scoring average (23.8) and career rebounding average (13.5).
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