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Wednesday, March 19, 2014
The Journal
www.journalpress.com
The Drifters historic season measured in resilience Leonard Banks Sports editor
Leonard Banks
Drifter girls dynasty! The Drifters girls’ varsity basketball team is more than just a team, they are a family both on and off the court. From Sydni Carey to Deniya Newman, the Drifters have proven that they are one of the best teams in the state.
It was a beautiful Black & Gold season. The 2013-2014 Drifter winter sports season has elevated the girls’ and boys’ basketball programs to a new level of expectation. After witnessing both programs win the regular season 1A East Conference 43 regular season championship, fans and foe alike have embraced the effects of Drifter Pride, and their mystique of defying the odds against schools twice their size. On Saturday, March 22, at Lancaster High School, Drifter girls’ varsity basketball head coach Keith Dickerson will coach the conference girls’ all-stars, while Drifters boys’ varsity head coach Jonathan Parker will coach the boys’ all-stars. Dickerson has been voted Girls’ Conference Coach of the Year. Washington & Lee boys’ varsity head coach George Hunter was voted Boys’ Conference Coach of the Year. The Drifters finished the season with a record of 21-3. In addition, the season was dedicated to the memory of Chandale Dillon. Her untimely
death has left a permanent void in the heart of the Drifters’ athletic program. Seniors Kora Herrod and Billie Gould will represent the Lady Drifters, while Conference Boys’ Player of the Year, Monte Gould, and Keane Foster will represent the Drifter boys. Recently, Gould (1st team) and Foster (2nd team) were both chosen to the annual allconference team. During the past four seasons, Dickerson has built a dynasty of winning seasons that have included two back-to-back trips to the VHSL State Championship quarter- and semi-finals. The not-so-hidden intangible that has tirelessly worked to build the Drifters girls’ basketball on the junior varsity level is Audra LucasPeyton. The Drifters girls’ junior varsity finished the season with a 15-1 record. For the past two seasons, the Drifters have had the best girls’ junior varsity record in the Northern Neck. In addition, the Drifters have had the distinction of four consecutive winning seasons. Reflecting the warrior-like demeanor of their coach Jonathan
Parker, the Drifters boys’ varsity team overcame adversity to enjoy the spoils of victory. Although they lost the conference tournament championship to Washington & Lee, they defeated the Eagles three out of the five times as they faced their Northern Neck brethren this season. Throughout a season filled with game cancellations and nail-biting losses, the team hung together. No only did Montie Gould reach a personal milestone of 1,000 points, but he was recognized as the Conference Player of the Year. Gould was also voted All-Conference First Team, while fellow Drifter Keane Foster made the All-Conference Second Team list. The glare in Parker’s eyes told with names such as Lamar Lucas, Keane Foster, Kamron Smith and Montie Gould, who will be remembered for their ability to fight down to the final second. As for the Drifters boys’ junior varsity, the system is still solid under the leadership of Earl Payton. From the elementary school level, to the high school program, Payton has dedicated his life towards building Drifter Pride through hard work.
Farinet’s collegiate basketball journey ends Leonard Banks Sports editor University of Mary Washington men’s basketball senior Dylan Farinet’s collegiate basketball career has finally come to an end. On Saturday, at the Anderson Center on the campus of University of Mary Washington, the Eagles men’s basketball team historic season came to an close, as the Williams College Ephs defeated the Eagles, 79-46, in the NCAA Division III Tournament Quarter-finals. Throughout the season, the Eagles did the unthinkable by compiling a record of 25-6, that included a CAC Championship and numerous individual honors. Using the motivation of the motto “play angry” the Eagles defeated Virginia Wesleyan College (Marlins), 74-70. The first-round tournament win broke the school record, and advanced the Eagles into
the sectional final against Williams College, who defeated Albertus Magnus College. During the Marlins game, Bradley Reister led all Eagles scoring with 23 points and seven rebounds. Taylor Johnson added 15 points and six rebounds. Farinet scored eight points, pulled down six boards, and dished out four assists. On the following day, the Eagles met their end against the Ephs of Williams College. Height, speed and execution proved to be the difference during this matchup. The Ephs started strong with an 11-0 run, which led to a 15-5 lead with 13:05 left in the first half. The Ephs extended the lead to 23 points at halftime (43-20). In the second half, Williams continued to score at will, while the Eagles struggled offensively, shooting 8-29 from the field (27.6%). Arguably, the straw that broke the back of the Eagles was the Ephs’ ability to control the boards, while
capitalizing on second-chance opportunities (10-12). Taylor Epley led Williams College with 19 points. As for the Eagles, Dajon Daniels led the team with nine points, while Farinet added 10 points and six rebounds. As for Farinet, his next step in his collegiate life will be graduation in May. His contributions to the Eagles’ program were crucial to the team’s success. His contributions included: 12.3% point contributions (third); 6.2 rebounds per game (second); 38.1% field goal percentage (fourth); 32.5% 3-point goals (third). He finished the season with 381 points, 192 rebounds, 101 assists and 34 steals. Not bad for a Colonial Beach Drifter alumni who helped bring the school their first state championship. The Ephs will advance to the NCAA Division III final four in Salem.
New faces for a new season for W&L Eagles girls’ soccer Richard Leggitt As the Washington and Lee girls’ soccer team heads into the season, they have a new coach and many new players, including a new goalie, but the team is excited and determined to play at a high level. “The girls’ varsity team is extremely young,” said Cole Vanover, the girls’ new soccer coach. Vanover, W&L’s assistant athletic director, who coached track and field last year, was named girls’ soccer coach this season after Gary Daiger resigned. “We are kind of starting from
scratch in terms of new faces,” Vanover said. “They graduated seven players from last year’s team, and additionally, two other players didn’t return from last year. Vanover said the Eagles will depend on junior Gabby Valdez for leadership. “We will rely on Gabby, who is our Captain, to control the pace of the game from the center midfield position.” “We are still waiting for a star to emerge, and it’s been tough to find one. The weather has impacted us like everyone else,” Vanover said. “We have a new goalie in junior Anna Sisson; it’s her first year
KG Adult softball update Staff Reports During the spring sports season, the World Softball League (WSL) will be coming to King George Adult Men’s & Co-ed softball. Currently, there are five teams signed up for the men’s league, which is scheduled to begin on either April 1 or 3. In addition, there are three co-ed teams signed up, but a fourth team is needed to form a co-ed league. Both leagues will consist of teams competing over a 14-week, 28-game season. Additional men’s tournaments will be held on Saturdays. Currently
scheduled tournament dates are March 29, April 26, July 19, Aug. 23, Sept. 13, and Oct. 11. All of these tournaments will be held at Barnesfield Park except Aug. 23, which will be at Sealston Sport Complex. The April 26 tournament is to benefit the Wounded Warrior Program, where a portion of the proceeds will go to this great program! For more information concerning the formation of a team or becoming a WSL umpire, please contact Keith Douglas at douglas05@aol.com or Doug Cantrell at Douglas.cantrell@ yahoo.com.
playing, but she is progressing.” “We have two freshman, seven juniors and two seniors penciled in to start right now, and quite a few sophomores, who we expect to contribute a lot. This all bodes well for the future,” said Vanover. The W&L girls open their home soccer season against St. Margaret’s on March 26, and against King William at home on March 28. “We are hopeful that we can start to create some synergy, but we know it will take some time,” said Vanover. “The girls are hungry and eager to get better; which makes my job very easy in terms of motivating.”
UMW photos
University of Mary Washington forward Dylan Farinet (left) contributed to the Eagles men’s basketball program’s greatest season ever.
Popes Creek 5K run update Richard Leggitt Washington & Lee High School Assistant Athletic Director Cole Vanover has announced that for the third year in a row, the Popes Creek 5k and 1-Mile Kids’ Run will take place on April 19, 2014. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. that day. “The kids’ 1-mile race will begin at 9:00 a.m.; the 5K will start promptly after the 1-Mile Run,” Vanover said. “The 5K course will start at the Visitor Center at George Washington’s Birthplace, and go down to the beach front and back to the Visitor Center.” “It’s a student-athlete-driven race; this year, Emma Oliver, a sophomore, is in charge. She is handling
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everything. She’s done a good job so far,” Vanover said. Vanover also expressed his appreciation to George Washington Birthplace National Monument for their support of the race and the community. “My goal is to have a good number of participants for the event and for it to run smoothly,” said Oliver. “I’m really excited for the opportunity. The last two years, Taylor Lewis orchestrated the event and did an excellent job. She’s now at the College of Charleston, and I have a lot to live up to.” Vanover and Oliver said awards would be given to the top-10 female finishers and top-10 male finishers in the 5K; all participants will get a medal in the 1-mile Kids’ Run. There
is a $5.00 registration fee for the 1-Mile Walk/Run and a $10.00 fee for the 5K, if you register by mail before April 15. Race day registration will be $20.00. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Cole Vanover at vanovercb@wmlcps.org or at Washington & Lee High School at (804) 493-8015. Registration forms are located at the following places: Rite Aid of Montross, Art of Coffee, The Bank of Lancaster, Bridget’s Flowers, Carrot Cottage, Angelo’s Pizza and Washington & Lee High School. The registration form can be found on W&L’s athletic website at www.wlathletics.wmlcps.org.