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SPORTS

Columnist ends run with thanks

Editor: Michael Phillips (804) 649-6546 mphillips@timesdispatch.com

Wes McElroy conveys appreciation for readers in his ﬁ ﬁnal nal column. Page C2

•••

SECTION C • RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 • RICHMOND.COM

VIRGINIA 82, FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON 49 Men’s basketball Wednesday: Clemson at Virginia, 8 p.m., ACC

Gardner fuels UVA’s romp

ROOKIE RISK?

Tech, UVA among Power Five football teams hiring first-time head coaches

SOONERS

BRENT VENABLES

HOKIES CAVALIERS

H . HEAD COACBRENT PRY .

HEAD COACHTONY ELLIOTT

HEAD COACH

Senior forward delivers 29 points in win over FDU BY MIKE BARBER Richmond Times-Dispatch

CHARLOTTESVILLE — Jayden Gardner made sure offense wasn’t hard to come by for Virginia in this game. “Gardner just put his Superman cape on,” said Farleigh Dickinson coach Greg Herenda. “And we had no answer.” Gardner, a senior forward and transfer from East Carolina, scored a season-high 29 points and grabbed six rebounds, all that despite not playing the game’s final 12 minutes, as UVA bounced back from its loss to James Madison with an 82-49 win over winless FDU on Saturday afternoon at John Paul Jones Arena. Gardner scored 10 of Virginia’s first 12 points as the Cavaliers (7-4) posted their highest point total of the young season, and held their opponent under 50 for the third time this year. Herenda and FDU (0-10) tried to adjust by switching to a zone, but Gardner quickly found holes and exploited the lack of a designated defender working against him. “My teammates set me up tonight, and me finding

CAVALIERS, Page C5

More sports inside Page C2: Tiger Woods returns with three shots that look like the Tiger of old in the PNC Championship. Page C3: Hunter Luepke’s two scores help North Dakota State beat James Madison 20-14 in the FCS semiﬁnals late Friday. Page C5: Despite 22 points and 10 rebounds from Armando Bacot (Trinity Episcopal), North Carolina falls to No. 21 Kentucky 98-69 in Las Vegas. Page C6: WFT registers no new positive cases in its latest round of testing and activates four players, including defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat, from the reserve/COVID19 list, NFL.com reports.

ROOKIE CARD

MATT GENTRY/THE ROANOKE TIMES AND THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

earching for a head football coach is a Power Five athletics director’s most stressful chore. Time is short and ﬁnancial implications are XXL as agents, search ﬁrms and aspiring candidates bombard your phone. Meanwhile, everyone OPINION from the all-conference quarterback to the kids’ bus driver has an opinion. Amid that anxiety, it’s little wonder that Duke AD Nina King and the school’s senior associate AD and football administrator, Art Chase, were so engrossed in the

David Teel

dteel@TimesDispatch.com

Blue Devils’ recent hunt that on at least one evening they dined on peanut M&Ms. Given that preoccupation, it’s also no surprise that they didn’t notice this hiring cycle’s unusual

TEEL, Page C4

Virginia’s Tony Elliott (from right), Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry, and Oklahoma’s Brent Venables were among those without college head-coaching experience who were hired by Power Five football programs. So far, eight of the 14 Power Five jobs were ﬁlled by rookies.

Elliott, Scott were in sync at Clemson Co-coordinators worked to build top offense before becoming head coaches

BY GREG MADIA The Daily Progress

Their relationship was the rarity in college football coaching, according to Jeff Scott. “We did not have one strong argument in those ﬁve years we cocoordinated together, which is incredible,” Scott said. “We worked so well together, and the other coaches would kind of tease us that we ﬁnished each other’s sentences a little bit. Kind of like twins.” Scott recently wrapped up his second season in charge as coach at South Florida, but previously he was paired at Clemson as co-offen-

VIRGINIA VS. SMU

Fenway Bowl in Boston Dec. 29: 11 a.m. TV: ESPN

sive coordinator alongside Tony Elliott, the former 11-year Tigers assistant whom Virginia introduced as its new coach earlier this week in Charlottesville. Elliott and Scott were Clemson teammates before they shared coordinator responsibilities, so Scott said they didn’t allow any selﬁshness or personal preferences about 2015, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS how to operate offensively get in the In this Dec. 27, 2015, ﬁle photo, Clemson co-offensive way of achieving what they wanted coordinators Tony Elliott (left) and Jeff Scott speak to the with the Tigers. media in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Elliott is now the head coach CAVALIERS, Page C4 at Virginia, while Scott is the head coach at South Florida.

Spiders will follow triumph with test

WILLIS, FLAMES TORCH EAGLES’ DEFENSE Liberty quarterback Malik Willis runs through the Eastern Michigan defense during the ﬁrst half of the LendingTree Bowl at the University of South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The projected NFL ﬁrst-round draft pick threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 58 yards and two more scores in a 56-20 victory. Get a report at Richmond.com.

results: Most of the Power Five vacancies went to first-time college head coaches. Additional turnover could transpire — the Urban Meyer fiasco notwithstanding, an NFL franchise might hire a college coach when that carousel starts spinning next month — but presently, eight of 14 Power Five jobs were filled by rookies. The list: Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry, Virginia’s Tony Elliott, Duke’s Mike Elko, Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, Oklahoma’s Brent

After beating N.C. State, UR will take on rested ODU BY JOHN O’CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch

KENDALL WARNER/THE NEWS & ADVANCE

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More celebration than usual among University of Richmond players and coaches followed Friday night’s 83-74 win over N.C. State at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center. That was understandable. The victory keeps the Spiders, who lost to Power Five opponents Maryland and Mississippi State in close November games in the Bahamas, at least in part of speculation regarding an

OLD DOMINION AT RICHMOND Men’s basketball Sunday: 4 p.m. TV: MASN

NCAA tournament bid, the goal for this experienced team. A drive for the NCAA ﬁeld is what brought back sixthyear players Grant Golden and Nick Sherod and ﬁfthyear players Jacob Gilyard and Nathan Cayo. “It’s a long season. It’s a really long season,” said coach Chris Mooney, whose Spiders (7-4) have won four straight.

SPIDERS, Page C5

C2 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 • • •

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

SUNDAYS WITH WES

Final column issues heartfelt thank you

hank you. They are the only fitting words to start my final column. Yes, this is it. On Thursday, after two decades on the radio, the last 14 in Richmond, I signed off for the final time. Today, after a nineyear run, this column is ending. Sorry Wes to disapMcElroy point some critics, but nobody fired me. At the questioning of some family and friends, I am not going through a midlife crisis. This was my call, and there’s great satOPINION isfaction when you can go out on your own terms. Why would you give this gig up? Are you nuts? If had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked that during the past 10 days, I’ could retire at 42 instead of starting a new career. The answer is: You live once, time is precious, and it’s time for a new adventure. It’s a rare experience in life, especially in this business, when you can leave something or someplace with no regrets. Twenty years in this business has blessed me with a lifetime of stories from arenas to ballparks to stadiums across the country, down to the sidelines of Lane Stadium, Scott Stadium, and a boyhood dream of running out the tunnel at Notre Dame Stadium — albeit as a sideline reporter, not a defensive end for the Irish. My two decades have allowed me the right to use the classic veteran media line “I remember watching them coming up” with the likes of Brandon Crawford and Adam Duvall at The Diamond, Chris Long chasing quarterbacks down at Scott Stadium, Bones Hyland sinking deep 3s from different zip codes, Isiah Ford leaping at Lane Stadium, Sean Doolittle stepping to the plate in Charlottesville and, in my first week living in Virginia, walking over from my apartment to Davenport Field to watch this third baseman people kept telling me about. That “kid” was Ryan Zimmerman. There were the nights enabling me to say “I was there.” I saw that “dadgum” Marques Hagans mesmerize Bobby Bowden and Florida State with his performance in 2005. I saw Briante Weber’s steal, soar and slam against Butler that I’m certain caused cracks in the foundation of the Siegel Center, and was on hand for two amazing nights in Minneapolis when Tony Bennett and the Cavaliers pulled off the greatest redemption

2011, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Watching VCU’s Final Four game with former President George H. Bush and his wife, Barbara Bush, was a career highlight for Wes McElroy.

story in college basketball. There were the moments when I thought my eardrums would rupture reporting on a Stanley Cup playoff series in Philadelphia. There were also the peaceful, surreal moments such as sipping coffee next to Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones in a stable on a spring day as dawn began to break over the track, or standing in a press box at Lincoln Financial Field with tears of pride rolling down my face watching Army win first and sing second. There have been the moments you never see coming, the Forrest Gumplike “right place, right time” situations. I was sitting up until 1 a.m., alone in a postfight press conference with the late, great Angelo Dundee telling Muhammad Ali stories. There was the day my boyhood favorite Will Clark tossed baseballs at Parney, myself and my father while live on the radio (it’s long story, but a great story). There was the day Hall of Famer Jim Thome asked me if I’d like to step out of the clubhouse to conduct an interview because the Phillies had been hit by a virus. We ended up doing the interview sitting on the bench in the dugout of Veterans Stadium, making every childhood Little League fantasy of mine come true. Then there’s the story of all stories. Covering VCU at the Final Four in Houston in 2011, while walking in front of the first row of fans at Reliant Stadium to go to my media seat, an older woman stood up to take a photo of the teams in warmups. While it appeared to be an effort for this woman to stand, I stopped and politely requested that the woman take her time. When she turned to me holding up one finger as to ask if she could take another photo, it dawned on me that this woman was former First Lady Barbara Bush, and while she took her photos, her son, Neil, thanked me for stopping. Upon seeing my press credential, we struck up a conversation, as he was fascinated by the VCU story. His questions led to

an invitation for me to sit down with the first family to watch the Rams and Butler, which I did for 20 minutes, until some weasly NCAA tournament official made an unnecessary scene, insisting I leave despite being invited by Neil and Mrs. Bush. At halftime, while walking back to my media seat, Neil called me over and apologized for the absurdity of me being removed and asked if “I’d like a picture with Mom and Dad.” It sits on my desk as I type this now. These are just a few stories of many that I could tell. When you look back on 20 years, it’s not always the “what” you remember but the “who” along for the ride. There’s a Jimmy Buffett lyric from the song “Book on the Shelf” that goes “I’m so damn lucky to have an all-star cast, some lovely, some crazy. Whoever thought this would last?” I’ve been honored to be part of a media cast that over the years included some lovely and some crazy. Many of us have taken this ride together with the odd hours, days away from home, and special moments missed doing this thing we love. Along the way, you realize colleagues become friends, fellow writers and broadcasters become family, including my “other better half” Jon Laaser, Mike Burnop, Carter Myers, Johnny Alga, Dave Stipe, and Luther Maddy on Learfield’s Virginia Tech broadcast team, forever my co-hosts Merrill Reese, Michael Robinson and Parney, as well my press box brothers Mike Barber, Lane Casadonte, Michael Phillips, Mike Szvetitz and the Hall of Fame writer David Teel. There have also been those since my first days who helped me just keep my head above water in a new place, such as former newspaper scribes Andy Bitter, Jerry Ratcliffe, Jeff White, Kris Wright and the late Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News. Their kindness and generosity stay with me, and I’ve tried to extend the same to other “new guys” who’ve come along and into the family such as Wayne Epps Jr.,

Greg Madia and Michael Niziolek. As a final parting shot to those with some power and influence, can we please put John O’Connor and Paul Woody into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame? Tip of the cap to two class-act gentlemen and writers. To those who want to someday pursue this industry, my best advice comes from my father, Frank, and mother, Butsy, who told me years ago, “Stop thinking of what you’re going to say next and just listen.” It’s opened my ears, my eyes and mind to many new things, people and their views. But the person I wanted thank the most for nine years in print is you. For some reason, whether you’ve agreed or disagreed, people have kept reading this column for nearly a decade. You’ve brought me to your kitchen tables on a Sunday morning, you’ve clicked on this column on your computer or phone, and I’m sure I’ve provided some bathroom entertainment over the years. A few weeks ago, an unhappy reader who missed the mark of a self-deprecating column I wrote about my high school football days, sent me an angry letter saying “nobody cares about you and yours, me, myself, and I and especially your wife and daughter. Shut up already!” Well sir or ma’am, merry Christmas, you’re almost rid of me. But the reason I’ve written about my daughter, my wife, and life as well as sports is because for nine years, we’ve gone through this all together. Marriage, the births of kids and grandkids, the graduation of those kids. We’ve said “hello” and also had to say “goodbye.” There have been agreements and disagreements. There’s been life, loss, good times, bad times and certainly some damn scary times. Maybe you didn’t realize it, but for nine years, I’ve sometimes written about life because you’ve become part of mine and I’ve been honored and humbled to be a small part of yours once a week. What’s next is exciting for two important reasons: It will allow me to write more and to stay in Richmond. This is home. These 20 years have been the ride of a lifetime, but I have a lot of life left and a few more pages to turn before I put my book “on the shelf.” Once more, thank you. They are the only fitting words to end my final column.

Correspondence to Wes McElroy can be sent to sports@timesdispatch.com with McElroy’s name in the subject line.

Woods returns with a few flashback shots

He and son Charlie combine to shoot 62 in PNC event By The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. — Except for riding in a cart instead of walking, Tiger Woods at times looked just like he did a year ago in the PNC Championship on Saturday. Just not very often. “Two good shots — three — came off exactly how I wanted,” Woods said. The fact he could play alongside 12-year-old son Charlie was enough of a success considering the injuries to his right leg from a car crash 10 months ago in Los Angeles. Woods has said doctors discussed am-

putation. For three months, he said he was immobilized in a makeshift hospital bed at his home in Florida. He and Charlie combined for a 62 in the scramble format, tied for ﬁfth, three shots behind Stewart and Reagan Cink at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando. What he got out of this remarkable return had more to do with camaraderie than competition. “We had so much fun out there,” Woods said. One of those shots that stood out to Woods was on the par-5 third hole, where he hit 4-iron from 220 yards that drew slight back toward the ﬂag and settled 8 feet behind the hole. That was shot he saw in his head and then in the air. Woods is healthy

enough to play the PNC Championship, a popular year-end event for major champions and a family member. He’s just not healthy enough to be a regular golfer. “I don’t have endurance. I haven’t played,” said Woods, whose last competition was the PNC Championship a year ago when he and his son ﬁnished seventh against a 20-team ﬁeld. “It’s tiring out there, so it was a slow day. But that’s something that I’m going to have to — if I want to compete out here at the Tour level — I’m going to have to get the endurance back and hit thousands upon thousands of golf balls. Just takes time.” Woods, who turns 46 at the end of the month, still

walks gingerly from the broken bones in his right leg and ankle. The toughest walk belonged to Mike Thomas, the 62-year-old club professional with a bulging disk in his back that had him grimacing. “Deﬁnitely calling it a success both my dad and Tiger made it 18 holes,” Justin Thomas said. Thomas and his father shot 60 and were one shot behind the Cinks along with John Daly and his son. Vijay Singh and his son were another behind. Woods and son were among six teams at 62, which included the oldest player (Gary Player at 86) and youngest player (Karl Stenson, the 11-year-old son of Henrik Stenson) in the ﬁeld.

SPORTS ON TV SUNDAY BIATHLON ♦ 5 p.m. — NBCSN, IBU: World Cup, Women’s 12.5k Mass Start ♦ 6 — NBCSN, IBU: World Cup, Men’s 15k Mass Start NBA ♦ 7:30 p.m. — NBATV, Denver at Brooklyn NBA G LEAGUE ♦ 2 p.m. — NBATV, NBA Academy Africa vs. NBA Academy Latin America ♦ 3 — ESPN2, Wisconsin vs. South Bay ♦ 6 — ESPN2, Oklahoma City vs. Rio Grande Valley ♦ 9 — ESPN, G League Ignite vs. Grand Rapids ♦ 11:30 — NBATV, Motor City vs. Maine BASKETBALL ♦ 3 p.m. — ESPN, WNBA Draft Lottery MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ 3 p.m. — ABC, Texas vs. Stanford ♦ 3 — MASN2, Texas-Arlington at Oklahoma ♦ 4 — MASN, ODU at Richmond ♦ 4 — PAC12, Dartmouth at California ♦ 6 — BTN, Kansas St. at Nebraska ♦ 6 — PAC12, San Francisco at Arizona St. WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ Noon — ACC, North Carolina at Boston College ♦ Noon — FS1, Marquette at Seton Hall ♦ 1 p.m. — BTN, Drake at Nebraska ♦ 1 — ESPN, Baylor vs. Michigan ♦ 2 — ACC, Virginia Tech at Florida St. ♦ 3:30 — ESPN, Louisville at UConn ♦ 4 — ACC, Virginia at N.C. State ♦ 5 — SEC, Jackson State at Mississippi State ♦ 5:30 — ESPN, Texas vs. Arizona ♦ 6 — ACC, Wake Forest at Ga. Tech ♦ 8 — PAC12, Ohio State at UCLA PREP BOYS BASKETBALL ♦ 1:30 p.m. — NBCSN, Monsignor Scanlon (N.Y.) vs. Stepinac (N.Y.) NFL ♦ 1 p.m. — Fox, Dallas at N.Y. Giants ♦ 1 — CBS, Tennessee at Pittsburgh ♦ 4:25 — Fox, Green Bay at Baltimore ♦ 8:20 — NBC, New Orleans at Tampa Bay GOLF ♦ Noon — Golf, PGA: The PNC Championship ♦ 1 p.m. — NBC, PGA: The PNC Championship NHL ♦ 7 p.m. — NBCSW, Los Angeles at Washington HOCKEY ♦ 2 p.m. — NHL, Dream Gap Tour HORSE RACING ♦ 2:30 p.m. — FS2, NYRA RUGBY ♦ 2:30 p.m. — NBCSN, European Champions: Connacht at Leicester MEN’S SOCCER ♦ 9 a.m. — NBCSN, Premier: Manchester City at Newcastle ♦ 9 — USA, Premier: Chelsea at Wolverhampton ♦ Noon — CBSSN, Serie A: Venezia at Sampdoria ♦ 2:45 p.m. — CBSSN, Serie A: Napoli at AC Milan WOMEN’S SOCCER ♦ 11:30 a.m. — NBCSN, FASL: West Ham at Chelsea SPEED SKATING ♦ 4:30 p.m. — NBC, U.S. Olympic Trials: Men’s and Women’s 1000m TENNIS ♦ 6 a.m. — Tennis, ATP: Maia ♦ 2 p.m. — Tennis, ATP: Rio de Janeiro

MONDAY NBA G LEAGUE ♦ 3 p.m. — ESPNU, Teams TBD ♦ 9 — ESPNU, Teams TBD MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ 6:30 p.m. — FS1, Creighton at DePaul ♦ 7 — MASN, Stetson at Miami ♦ 8:30 — FS1, St. John’s at Seton Hall NFL ♦ 5 p.m. — NFL, Las Vegas at Cleveland ♦ 8:15 — ABC/ESPN, Minnesota at Chicago COLLEGE FOOTBALL ♦ 2:30 p.m. — ESPN, Myrtle Beach Bowl: Old Dominion vs. Tulsa WOMEN’S HOCKEY ♦ 8 p.m. — NBCSN, U.S. vs. Canada

TUESDAY NBA ♦ 7:30 p.m. — NBCSW, Washington at Brooklyn MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ 7 p.m. — ESPNU, Tennessee-Martin at Ohio State ♦ 7 — FS1, Xavier at Villanova ♦ 7 — MASN, North Florida at Florida State ♦ 7 — MASN2, New Hampshire at VCU ♦ 9 — MASN, Georgia St. at Ga. Tech ♦ 9 — ESPN2, Kansas at Colorado ♦ 9 — ESPNU, USC vs. Oklahoma St. ♦ 9 — FS1, UConn at Marquette WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ 7 p.m. — ESPN2, Stanford at South Carolina NFL ♦ 7 p.m. — Fox, Washington at Philadephia COLLEGE FOOTBALL ♦ 3:30 p.m. — ESPN, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Kent St. vs. Wyoming ♦ 7:30 p.m. — ESPN, Frisco Bowl: UTSA vs. San Diego State NBA ♦ 7:30 p.m. — TNT, Washington at Brooklyn

♦ 10 — TNT, Phoenix at L.A. Lakers NBA G LEAGUE ♦ 2 p.m. — ESPNU, Teams TBD ♦ 5 — ESPNU, Teams TBD TENNIS ♦ 1 p.m. — Tennis, Battle of the Brits: England vs. Scotland

WEDNESDAY MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ Noon — NBCSW, Maryland-Eastern Shore at George Washington ♦ 4 p.m. — NBCSW, Bucknell at Richmond ♦ 5:30 p.m. — ESPNU, Diamond Head Classic: Wyoming vs. Stanford ♦ 6 — ESPN, Louisville at Kentucky ♦ 6:30 — FS1, Georgetown at Providence ♦ 7 — ESPN2, Arizona at Tennessee ♦ 7:30 — ESPNU, Kennesaw State at Nebraska ♦ 9 — ESPN2, Virginia Tech at Duke ♦ 9:30 — ESPNU, Diamond Head Classic: BYU vs. South Florida WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ 8:30 p.m. — FS1, Notre Dame at DePaul COLLEGE FOOTBALL ♦ 8 p.m. — ESPN, Armed Forces Bowl: Missouri vs. Army PREP BOYS BASKETBALL ♦ 9 p.m. — NBCSN, Teams TBD NHL ♦ 10 p.m. — TNT, Edmonton at Los Angeles HOCKEY ♦ 6:30 p.m. — NHL, World Junior Championship: Russia vs. Canada ♦ 10 — NHL World Junior Championship: Finland vs. USA TENNIS ♦ 7:30 a.m. — Tennis, Battle of the Brits: England vs. Scotland ♦ 1 p.m. — Tennis, Battle of the Brits: England vs. Scotland

THURSDAY NBA ♦ 7 p.m. — NBCSW+, Washington at New York MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ 4 p.m. — ESPN2, Diamond Head Classic semiﬁnal: Teams TBD ♦ 6:30 — ESPNU, Diamond Head Classic consolation: Teams TBD ♦ 6:30 — FS1, Butler at St. John’s ♦ 8:30 — ESPNU, Central Connecticut at Rutgers ♦ 8:30 — FS1, Seton Hall at DePaul ♦ 10 — ESPN, Teams TBD ♦ 12:30 a.m. (Friday) — ESPN2, Teams TBD NFL ♦ 8:20 p.m. — NFL, San Francisco at Tennessee COLLEGE FOOTBALL ♦ 3:30 p.m. — ESPN, Frisco Football Classic: North Texas vs. Miami (Ohio) ♦ 7 — ESPN, Gasparilla Bowl: UCF vs. Florida NHL ♦ 7:30 p.m. — NBCSW, Washington at N.Y. Islanders

FRIDAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL ♦ 8 p.m. — ESPN, Hawaii Bowl: Memphis vs. Hawaii

SATURDAY BOXING ♦ 6 p.m. — FS1, PBC Fight Night: Kenneth Sims Jr. vs. Kareem Martin ♦ 8 — Fox, PBC Fight Night: Vito Mielnicki Jr. vs. Nicholas DeLomba MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ 1:30 p.m. — ESPN2, Diamond Head Classic seventh place: Teams TBD ♦ 4 p.m. — ESPNU, Diamond Head Classic ﬁfth place: Teams TBD ♦ 6:30 p.m. — ESPN2, Diamond Head Classic third place: Teams TBD ♦ 9 p.m. — ESPN2, Diamond Head Classic championship: Teams TBD COLLEGE FOOTBALL ♦ 2:30 p.m. — ESPN, Camellia Bowl: Georgia State vs. Ball State NBA ♦ Noon — ESPN, Atlanta at New York ♦ 2:30 p.m. — ABC, Boston at Milwaukee ♦ 5 — ABC, Golden State at Phoenix ♦ 8 — ABC/ESPN, Brooklyn at L.A. Lakers ♦ 10:30 — ESPN, Dallas at Utah NFL ♦ 4:30 p.m. — Fox/NFL, Cleveland at Green Bay ♦ 8:15 — NFL, Indianapolis at Arizona

NEXT SUNDAY NBA ♦ 6 p.m. — NBCSW, Philadelphia at Washington NFL ♦ 1 p.m. — CBS, Buffalo at New England ♦ 1 — Fox, N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia ♦ 4:25 — CBS, Pittsburgh at Kansas City ♦ 8:20 — NBC, Washington at Dallas MEN’S SOCCER ♦ 7:30 a.m. — USA, Premier: Leeds United at Liverpool ♦ 10 — USA, Premier: Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur ♦ 12:30 p.m. — NBC, Premier: Chelsea at Aston Villa HOCKEY ♦ 2 p.m. — NHL, World Junior Championship: Germany vs. Finland ♦ 4:30 — NHL, World Junior Championship: Sweden vs. Russia ♦ 7 — NHL, World Junior Championship: Canada vs. Czech Republic ♦ 9:30 — NHL, World Junior Championship: Slovakia vs. U.S.

SPORTS ON RADIO SPORTS AFFILIATES ♦ University of Richmond, 106.1 ♦ VCU, 910 ♦ University of Virginia, 1140 ♦ Virginia Tech, 910 or 96.1 ♦ Randolph-Macon football, 101.3 ♦ Atlanta Braves, 106.1 ♦ Washington Football Team, 910 ♦ Washington Capitals, 910 ♦ Washington Wizards, 910 ♦ ESPN broadcasts, 106.1 ♦ NFL broadcasts, 106.1 ♦ NASCAR Cup races, 1140 ♦ High school football, 101.3 (Fridays, 6:30 p.m.) Note: Programs on 910 are also available on 105.1 FM.

WEEKDAY TALK SHOWS ♦ 7 a.m. — Jamie King, 106.1 ♦ 8 — Sportsphone with Big Al, 106.1 ♦ Noon — Wes McElroy, 910 ♦ 3 p.m. — Matt Josephs, 106.1 ♦ 4 — Bob Black, 106.1 OTHER TALK SHOWS ♦ Hoos Talking (UVA), Mondays, 6 p.m., 910 ♦ Tech Talk Live (Va. Tech), Mondays, 7 p.m., 910 ♦ Off to the Races (horse racing), Saturdays, 10 a.m., 106.1 ♦ John Keim Report (WFT), Sundays, 10 a.m., 106.1 Subject to change

• • • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 C3

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

North Dakota State UAB shocks No. 12 BYU ends JMU’s season COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL ROUNDUP

Hopkins breaks game’s mark for completion rate By The Associated Press

SHREVEPORT, La. — Dylan Hopkins broke the Independence Bowl record for completion percentage, connecting on 19 of 23 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns in UAB’s 31-28 victory over No. 12 BYU on Saturday. With UAB (9-4) facing fourth-and-7 with 6 minutes remaining, coach Bill Clark passed on a ﬁeld goal attempt, and Hopkins threw a 14-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass to Trea Shropshire, the only player from Louisiana on either roster. BYU (10-3) appeared to be in good position to at least tie it game, but Samson Nacua fumbled after making a catch inside UAB’s 25 with 3:36 remaining. DeWayne McBride ran for 183 yards and a score on 28 carries for UAB.

of 41 for 286 yards and a touchdown. His status had been somewhat in doubt when he brieﬂy entered the transfer portal after coach Kalen DeBoer took the job at Washington. Mims’ 22-yard catch and run late in third quarter gave the Bulldogs a 26-17 lead. The Miners (7-6) pulled to 26-24 early in the fourth quarter on Calvin Brownholtz’s 51-yard touchdown pass to Trent Thompson. But Fresno State got a ﬁeld goal, followed by a UTEP safety, before the Bulldogs ran out the clock.

Boca Raton Bowl: Bailey Zappe capped his recordsetting season by passing for 422 yards and six touchdowns, and Western Kentucky handed Appalachian State (10-4) its first bowl loss by beating the Mountaineers 59-38 in Boca Raton, Fla. Zappe finished the season with 5,977 yards and 62 touchdowns for the Hilltoppers (9-5). He topped the previous marks of 5,833 yards set by Texas Tech’s B.J. Symons in 2003 New Mexico Bowl: Jorand 60 touchdowns set by dan Mims ran for 165 yards and two touchdown LSU’s Joe Burrow in the and caught five passes for Tigers’ run to the national 71 yards and another score championship in the 2019 season. to help Fresno State beat Jerreth Sterns caught UTEP 31-24 in Albuquer13 passes for 184 yards que, N.M. Fresno State (10-3) won and three touchdowns for the bowl game for the first Western Kentucky, finishing his season with 150 time in three tries. catches for 1,902 yards. Jake Haener was 26

Celebration Bowl: Cory Fields threw for four touchdowns, three to Shaquan Davis, to lead South Carolina State to a 31-10 victory over Jackson State in the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta in a game considered to be the national championship of historically Black colleges and universities. It marks the ﬁrst time the Bulldogs (7-5) has topped the HBCUs since 2009. Jackson State (11-2) hasn’t won the title since 1996.

Late Friday Cure Bowl: Grayson McCall threw four touchdown passes and Coastal Carolina held off Northern Illinois 47-41 in Orlando, Fla., with the game ending with the Huskies at the Chanticleers’ 4. McCall was 22 for 30 for 315 yards, and Braydon Bennett ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns on six carries to help Coastal Carolina (11-1) win 11 games for the second consecutive year. Bennett also caught four passes for 47 yards and a TD. It was also Coastal Carolina’s ﬁrst bowl victory. The Chanticleers lost in their ﬁrst bowl appearance last year, 37-34 in overtime to Liberty. Jay Ducker ran for 146 yards on 24 carries, and Antario Brown added 105 yards and 12 attempts for Northern Illinois (9-5).

SCENES FROM THE LENDINGTREE BOWL

Luepke’s rushing, receiving spur Bison to FCS final

By The Associated Press

FARGO, N.D. — Hunter Luepke had touchdown receptions of 32 and 22 yards to bookend the scoring and added 106 yards rushing on 17 carries to help No. 2 seed North Dakota State beat James Madison 20-14 on Friday night in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs. North Dakota State (13-1) will play No. 8 seed Montana State, a 31-17 victor over unseeded South Dakota State on Saturday, for the national championship in Frisco, Texas, on Jan. 8. NDSU has won three straight, and four of its five all-time, meetings with the Dukes, all in the FCS playoffs, and is 31-1 at home in postseason — the lone loss coming against JMU, 27-17 in the 2016 semifinals. The Bison beat JMU for the 2017 and 2019 national titles, winning 17-13 and 28-20, respectively. Miller scrambled for an 11-yard gain on thirdand-12 and then lunged on a QB sneak to convert on fourth-and-short on a 15-play, 74-yard drive that took more than six minutes off the clock but ended when Jake Reinholz made a 20-yard field goal that made it 13-0 with 2 seconds left in the second quarter. JMU’s offense, which was limited to three first downs and just 71 yards in the first half, faced just one third down on an 13play, 80-yard drive on the first possession after halftime that culminated with

DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/TIMES-DISPATCH

JMU quarterback Cole Johnson, seen in October against UR, threw two touchdown passes and two interceptions against North Dakota State.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE 20, JAMES MADISON 14 FCS semiﬁnals (late Friday)

a 13-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to former Highland Springs standout Antwane Wells Jr. with 8:51 left in the third quarter. Cole Johnson hit Devin Ravenel for a 4-yard score and JMU, which went into the game 11-0 this season when leading at the end of the third quarter, took a 14-13 lead into the fourth. Luepke had three consecutive touches — a 34-

yard reception, a 4-yard run and then a 22-yard TD catch — to give the Bison a 20-14 lead with 13:44 to play. Johnson completed 25 of 34 passes for 210 yards. The sixth-year senior, who went into the game having thrown just two interceptions this season, was picked off in the end zone by Dawson Weber early in the second quarter and Destin Talbert snatched a leaping onehanded interception in the end zone with 3:05 to play. The Dukes (12-2) begin their transition to the FBS. Wide receiver Christian Watson did not play for NDSU. The 6-foot-5, 208pound senior, a projected midround pick in the 2022 NFL draft, missed the ﬁrst two playoff games with a hamstring injury. North Dakota State has won eight of the last 10 FCS national titles. James Madison 0 0 14 0 — 14 N. Dakota St. 7 6 0 7 — 20 First Quarter NDSU—Luepke 32 pass from Miller (Reinholz kick), 05:12 Second Quarter NDSU—FG Reinholz 43, 13:03 NDSU—FG Reinholz 20, 00:02 Third Quarter JMU—Wells Jr. 13 pass from Johnson (Ratke kick), 08:51 JMU—Ravenel 4 pass from Johnson (Ratke kick), 01:26 Fourth Quarter NDSU—Luepke 22 pass from Miller (Reinholz kick), 13:44 JMU NDSU First downs 18 19 Rushes-yards 27-95 43-174 Passing 210 165 Comp-Att-Int 25-34-2 10-19-0 Return Yards 97 55 Punts-Avg. 5-38.6 6-34.8 Fumbles-Lost 1-0 0-0 Penalty-Yards 5-25 3-25 Time of Possession 27:29 32:31 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing–James Madison, La. Palmer 18-89, Co. Johnson 7-11, Lo. Bryant Jr. 1-5, Team 1-(minus 10). N. Dakota St., Hu. Luepke 19-110, Ca. Miller 8-24, Ta. Williams 8-19, Qu. Patterson 4-13, Ko. Johnson 4-8. Passing–James Madison, Co. Johnson 25-34-2-210. N. Dakota St., Ca. Miller 10-19-0-165. Receiving–James Madison, So. Vanhorse 8-57, An. Wells Jr. 5-53, Kr. Thornton 6-47, Sc. Bracey 3-33, Lo. Bryant Jr. 1-9, La. Palmer 1-7, De. Ravenel 1-4. N. Dakota St., Hu. Luepke 3-89, DJ. Hart 1-26, Ph. Sproles 2-19, Ra. Nelson 2-17, Jo. Babicz 1-10, Br. Henderson 1-4.

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RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

QB coach to call plays for UVA Source: Beck will handle bowl after OC Anae departs

at UVA as part of Bronco Mendenhall’s football staff. This season, UVA ranks fourth in the ACC averaging 34.6 points and leads the league and ranks third in BY MIKE BARBER the nation in total offense Richmond Times-Dispatch (515.8 yards per game). Beck has tutored UVA’s CHARLOTTESVILLE quarterbacks since 2016, — Virginia quarterbacks coach Jason Beck will call working with Kurt Benkert and Bryce Perkins, both of the team’s plays against whom are currently in the SMU in the upcoming NFL, and this year helpFenway Bowl in place of offensive coordinator Rob- ing Brennan Armstrong set school records in passert Anae, who has left the ing yards, total offense and program, a source said touchdown passes. Saturday. Armstrong has thrown Anae has called plays for for a league-high 4,449 the Cavaliers since 2016, yards with 31 touchdown when he and Beck arrived

Jason Beck has tutored UVA’s quarterbacks since joining the staff in 2016.

passes while completing 65.2% of his throws this season for the Cavaliers (6-6), who ended the season on a four-game losing streak that began when Armstrong was injured in a road loss to BYU. Armstrong missed the team’s loss to Notre Dame but returned for losses against Pittsburgh and rival Virginia Tech.

Cavaliers From Page C1

They didn’t want to let down Clemson coach Dabo Swinney either when he tasked them with divvying up the job following former OC Chad Morris’ departure to become head coach at SMU. That was prior to the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl the Tigers were due to play in. “Coach Swinney called Tony and I into his ofﬁce and said, ‘Alright guys, it’s y’alls turn. You’re going to be co-offensive coordinators,” Scott recalled, “and Tony, you’re an engineer grad, and Jeff, you’re a mathematics major grad, so you two are smart enough that you guys go ﬁgure it out.’ “And literally from that moment, Tony and I went and talked to each other and we basically decided, ‘You know what? This is Clemson’s offense. It’s not Jeff Scott’s offense. It’s not Tony Elliott’s offense. We’re going to make it about the players,’ and so it was absolutely incredible.” Scott said he’s thrilled Elliott has the stage to run his own program at UVA and believes Elliott can succeed in his new post based on all the experiences they shared during their playing days, climbing the internal ladder on Swinney’s staff and aiding the Tigers’ evolution into one of the sport’s premier powers.

Surrounded by positivity When Scott and Elliott were Clemson wide receivers, Scott said, he and Elliott were stretching partners before every practice began, so when Swinney gave them each opportunity to return to their alma mater as position coaches — Scott with receivers and Elliott with running backs initially — they already knew each other well. Eventually, during their ﬁve seasons together as co-offensive coordinators, in which Scott jokingly said they spent more time with each other than with their wives, Clemson was 70-5 and won two national titles while those two built one of the country’s top scoring offenses and produced NFL draft picks yearly. “That’s very rare [not to have arguments] even when you don’t have cocoordinators and you just have a coordinator [and assistants] in the room,” Scott said. “It’s very common for there to be very strong, strong disagreements and people shouting, yelling and being emotional about things. “But it went back to Tony isn’t an ego guy and I’m not an ego guy, and from the very beginning we both agreed that we were going to make it about the players.” During his introductory press conference at UVA on Monday, Elliott said something he learned while watching Swinney shape Clemson’s ascent was the value Swinney placed on embedding his program with good, trustworthy people — players, coaches, support staff — who could work well

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

South Florida head coach Jeff Scott was the co-offensive coordinator at Clemson with Tony Elliott, who was recently named the head coach at Virginia.

together and form relationships, like the one Elliott and Scott maintained, for the betterment of the team. And Elliott said he plans to keep that philosophy in place at the helm of the Cavaliers. “I may have the responsibility of sitting in the head seat,” Elliott said, “but I don’t have all the answers. I’m going to mistakes, and I know that. … But just surrounding yourself with good people, taking the time to really, really lay the foundation from a cultural standpoint.” Said Scott: “And one thing I thought was awesome during that ﬁve-year stretch when we were at Clemson together was we had a plethora of offensive skill players in a time everyone was worried about how many balls or how many touches they’d get. But the way Tony and I were able to work together and not let our egos get out in front, I really think that kind of became contagious for our offense where it wasn’t about one player.”

Offense made to fit They prioritized the most efficient way to move the ball to score points, and Elliott said he’s not afraid to tinker with the offense he runs to best fit his personnel. Scott said Clemson strategized to set its weapons — regardless of what position they played — up to thrive. In the offense, quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence, running backs Wayne Gallman and Travis Etienne, and wide receivers Hunter Renfrow, Mike Williams, Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross all found ways to make significant impacts. Scott said he’d expect Elliott to carry that same approach with the Hoos. “It bases out of a twoback, downhill running game and being explosive in the passing game,” Scott said. “So, there’s an offensive identity, but as far as the scheme, Tony, like a lot of good coaches, always has room within the scheme to do what your players can do and find out the strengths of your players. “And there were cer-

tain years that we were better at quarterback and receiver than we were at running back,” Scott continued, “so we might’ve thrown the ball a little more. Then, there were years where we were a little better with the offensive line and at running back, so we were a little bit heavier running the ball. I think Tony is very, very bright and he understands defenses extremely well and what defenses are trying to do. And so, I really think that he does a great job of trying to put his guys in the best position to create really good matchups.”

Relating to his players It doesn’t hurt that Elliott is able to embrace players of all skill levels, Scott said, to pull the most out of the athletes he coaches. Elliott was a former walk-on himself and as offensive coordinator led offenses with players as talented as Lawrence, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. Elliott’s personality and story helps him connect with those who play for him, too, according to Scott, who said he was even wowed with what Elliott had to overcome just to get to Clemson as a player. As a child, Elliott grew up separated from his father while spending part of his youth homeless in Los Angeles with his mother and sister, only to lose his mother in a car crash years later in 1989. “His story inspired me because it was a lot different than my story,” said Scott, the son of former South Carolina coach and ex-Clemson assistant Brad Scott. “I was very fortunate to have my father in my house,” Scott said, “and part of my success in my coaching career has been watching my father as a college coach and him preparing me for these opportunities. But for Tony to be from a very different background and the incredible story that he has, I actually use him as an example when I’m talking to my team here at South Florida. “I say, ‘Hey, listen. Here’s one of my close friends and former teammates at Clemson and he

He is considering turn pro but will play in the bowl game and has said he won’t transfer to another school if he passes on the NFL draft. Mendenhall announced earlier this month that the bowl game would be his last with the Cavaliers and that he was, at least for the time being, stepping away from college football. UVA hired Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott on Dec. 10. Elliott has not announced any of his onﬁeld coaching hires yet. mbarber@timesdispatch.com Twitter: @RTD_MikeBarber

had all this adversity, and instead of using the adversity to make excuses for why he couldn’t do things, he used all that adversity as reasons why he could and reasons why he would,’ so I could not be more proud of Tony and opportunity he has.” Elliott said he’s overcome the past tragedy to learn and understand that greatness is for everyone and even those who have faced difficult times. “As I was sitting down preparing, it kind of hit me,” Elliott said upon taking the Cavaliers’ coaching job and readying for that first press conference. “I was a lost child because of the circumstances,” he said. “But by the grace of God, I was saved by my family and my aunt, football, education, and really the first moment … I looked out and I saw the V [at the 50yard line of Virginia’s practice field] and I realized, ‘Dude, you’re the head coach at Virginia.’”

Leaving Clemson Elliott was the third of the three accomplished coordinators Swinney had at his side when the Tigers won their two College Football Playoff championships to leave since. Scott was the first when he took off for USF’s head-coaching gig two offseasons ago, and former defensive coordinator Brent Venables accepted the big-whistle job at Oklahoma just days before Elliott departed for UVA. None of it surprises Scott and he attributes Swinney’s tight-knit and promote-from-within culture as reasons why all three were able to gain the head-coaching offers that appealed to them most before moving on from Clemson. Scott said he remembers ahead of that ’14 Russell Athletic Bowl, Clemson fans clamored for Swinney to look outside the program for a new OC, but instead Swinney provided the platform for Elliott and Scott, and in turn the Tigers offense only improved during the next seven seasons. “I’ll never forget our very first game that we got to co-coordinate together,” Scott said. Against Oklahoma, Clemson scored on its first offensive snap — a 65-yard touchdown pass from Cole Stoudt to Artavis Scott — en route to a 40-6 romp of the Sooners, who entered the bowl game as the heavy favorite. “We really never looked back,” Scott said, “but probably one of my favorite pictures is a picture of Coach Swinney in the fourth quarter of that game and he’s got me and Tony there together. He’s got one hand around Tony’s head and one hand around my head and he’s kind of looking at us both in the eye, like, ‘Man, congratulations, this is going to be great.’” Said Swinney: “To see [Elliott] now have a chance to go be the head coach at Virginia … it’s a blessing because I know what he’s going to bring. Those young men will be blessed by the way we do things here at Clemson. I have no doubt he’s going to be successful.”

Teel From Page C1

Venables, Oregon’s Dan Lanning, Washington State’s Jake Dickert and Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire. Whether this represents trend or anomaly is difficult to unpack, but it certainly runs counter to the previous decade. During the previous 10 years, a vast majority of Power Five searches, 72 of 102, landed on coaches with experience leading a college program. “I didn’t notice as it was all unfolding what was happening around me because I was so focused on my garden,” King said. “Also, kind of look at what we’ve done at Duke in terms of Kara Lawson first-time head coach [in women’s basketball], Jon Scheyer first-time head coach [in men’s basketball], I’m a first-time AD. I’m not saying that’s what we’re focused on doing, but an interesting trend to be sure. “Listen, we wanted someone with enthusiasm, excitement and energy to come in, and if that fit a first-time head coach, somebody who wants to ... run their own program and that has that kind of fire ... to prove himself — it’s a little different when it’s your first one. You don’t want to mess it up.” King is among four first-time athletics directors who hired firsttime head coaches in the past few weeks. The others are UVA’s Carla Williams, Notre Dame’s Jack Swarbrick and Oregon’s Rob Mullens. Prior to succeeding Craig Littlepage at Virginia four-plus years ago, Williams served in administration at Georgia, her alma mater, where the last two head football coaches, Kirby Smart and Mark Richt, lacked previous big-whistle experience. “So not only did I pull from that,” Williams said, “I pulled from my own experience as a first-time athletic director, and what’s really, really important is to have support, have alignment and surround yourself with people who want you to be successful and then just work your tail off.” It’s a natural inclination: ADs such as Williams and King appreciate that a Power Five institution took a chance in hiring them. So why be hesitant to give an impressive and aspiring assistant his first headcoaching opportunity? Todd Turner, founder and president of the Collegiate Sports Associates search firm, acknowledges that penchant but cites a more practical reason for this cycle’s hirings. “My initial reaction is people don’t want to pay the big buyouts [for sitting head coaches],” he said. “I think a lot of people are saying, ‘Hey, I just paid to have a coach go away, and now I’m going to have to sink another $1.5 million, $2 million into a buyout?’ ... “We were involved in 10 football searches, and I had several of them just disqualify candidates because they had buyouts, period.” Fiscal sanity? In major college athletics? What’s next, a balanced federal budget? There are notable exceptions, even in an economy ravaged by the pandemic. Miami is paying Mario Cristobal’s $9 million buyout at Oregon and reportedly owes dismissed coach Manny Diaz about $8 million, an amount likely to be offset by his new job as Penn State’s defensive coordinator. According to various California media, USC owes former coach Clay Helton more than $10 million and spent $4.5 million to buy out Lincoln Riley’s Oklahoma contract. Virginia Tech owes for-

mer coach Justin Fuente $8.75 million, but Hokies AD Whit Babcock said neither that obligation nor prospective candidates’ buyouts affected his decision to hire Pry, Penn State’s defensive coordinator and a former Virginia Tech graduate assistant. Babcock said that while everyone has their monetary limits, he senses no Power Five-wide reluctance to pay millions in a buyout for the right candidate, especially when the buyout for an incoming coach often pales to the buyout for the outgoing coach. Rather, Babcock attributes the recent hirings to supply and demand. This season’s 14 Power Five openings are the most in at least a dozen years. Moreover, enriched by escalating salaries, head coaches and coordinators are more discerning about potential moves, and more experienced coordinators, in theory, are better prepared to lead their own program. “If you look at the ACC with Elko and Elliott and Pry,” Babcock said, “that’s three guys about as close to the headcoaching job as you can get.” Forecasting whether regime change will produce success, failure or mediocrity is a fool’s errand, regardless of the new coach’s résumé. Riley, Smart, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher (at Florida State) are among the most renowned coaches whose ﬁrst turn at the corner ofﬁce came at a Power Five program. And let’s not forget accomplished but less prominent coaches such as Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi, Baylor’s Dave Aranda and Kentucky’s Mark Stoops. Conversely, there are many cautionary tales — Diaz, Jeremy Pruitt at Tennessee and D.J. Durkin at Maryland among them — reminding us again that there are no sure things, no fail-proof formulas. USC and LSU had the resources and brashness to land coaches who had steered programs to multiple College Football Playoffs: Riley and Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly. Notre Dame subsequently promoted defensive coordinator Freeman, while Oklahoma selected Venables, a former Sooners defensive coordinator who spent the past 10 years running Clemson’s defense. Washington State promoted Dickert following the Nick Rolovich COVID vaccination dust-up; Texas Tech hired a state high school legend (McGuire); Oregon and Duke, respectively, selected the coordinators of this season’s Nos. 1 and 3 defenses: Georgia’s Lanning and Texas A&M’s Elko. Florida, Texas Christian and Washington chose sitting Group of Five coaches in Louisiana’s Billy Napier, Southern Methodist’s Sonny Dykes and Fresno State’s Kalen DeBoer. Miami waited until after Oregon played in the Pac-12 championship game before bringing Crisotbal home. UVA recruited Elliott, who at Clemson orchestrated the only offenses in ACC history to average 40-plus points per game in consecutive seasons, while Virginia Tech appointed Pry, a disciple of James Franklin with deep state recruiting connections. Monitoring these Power Five rookie head coaches and future hiring trends will be intriguing. “My guess is this will be a bit of anomaly,” Babcock said. “None of us mind taking an educated gamble, but we also want risk removal, right? When you have a sitting head coach that’s done it, it’s a little less risk.” Twitter: @ByDavidTeel

• • • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 C5

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

No. 21 Kentucky handles UNC in dominating win

No. 2 Duke rolls past Elon; No. 5 Gonzaga tops No. 25 Texas Tech From staff and wire reports

Sahvir Wheeler scored 26 points and No. 21 Kentucky beat North Carolina 98-69 on Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas. Wheeler was one of four Wildcats to score in double ﬁgures. Oscar Tshiebwe added 16 points and 12 rebounds for Kentucky (8-2), while Kellan Grady had 18 points and Keion Brooks Jr. had 10. Armando Bacot (Trinity THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Episcopal) led North Carolina Kentucky’s Davion Mintz (10) (8-3) with 22 points and 10 retakes a charge against North bounds. RJ Davis had 10 points. Carolina’s Armando Bacot

Other ACC games No. 2 Duke 87, Elon 56: After having two different opponents bow out due to COVID-19 issues, Duke beat last-minute replacement Elon in Durham, N.C. The Blue Devils (10-1) never trailed and led 44-26 by halftime. Duke’s Trevor Keels had a game-high 19 points, Paolo Banchero had 12 points and nine rebounds, Wendell Moore Jr. had 12 points and ﬁve assists and Jeremy Roach had 11 points. Jerald Gilllens-Butler paced the Phoenix (3-9) with 14.

during the ﬁrst half of the Wildcats’ 98-69 victory. Bacot had 22 points and 10 rebounds.

J’Aunna Robinson each had 13 points for VSU (6-5). Rasheka Simmons led Fayetteville State with 19 points.

Top 25

No. 3 Purdue 77, Butler 48: Zach Edey came off the bench for the first time this season, posted a double-double in the first half, and his presence helped open up the Boilermakers’ 3-pointers in a rout of Butler at the Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis. Jaden Ivey made all six Western Kentucky 82, Louis- 3-point attempts and finished ville 72: Camron Justice scored with 22 points for Purdue (10a career-high 25 points with 1). Edey wound up with 14 five 3-pointers and Western points, 11 rebounds and two Kentucky beat Louisville in blocks while Trevion Williams, Bowling Green, Ky., for the first a preseason All-American, had time in their past 10 meetings. 10 points and six rebounds in Seven-foot-5 Jamarion Sharp his first start this season. added 14 points — 10 off dunks — plus eight rebounds and four No. 5 Gonzaga 69, No. 25 blocks. Josh Anderson had 13 Texas Tech 55: Andrew Nembpoints and 10 rebounds. Jairus hard scored 16 points, Rahir Hamilton and Dayvion McKBolton added 15 and Gonzaga night also scored 13 points outlasted Texas Tech in the each with McKnight collecting Colangelo Classic in Phoenix. nine assists for the Hilltoppers The Red Raiders collapsed (8-4). Noah Locke scored 20, in- on Gonzaga big man Drew cluding four 3-pointers, to lead Timme, holding the preseason the Cardinals (7-4). All-American to 7 points on 2 of 4 shooting, but the Zags No. 10 USC 67, Georgia Tech (9-2) hit 13 3-pointers — five by 53: Boogie Ellis scored 16 Bolton. Gonzaga led by eight at points, Drew Peterson added halftime and stretched it to 16 14 and Southern California by hitting four 3s during a big overcame a shaky start to beat run midway through the secGeorgia Tech in the Colangelo ond half. The Red Raiders fell Classic in Phoenix. to 8-2. The Trojans (11-0) needed some time to solve Georgia No. 8 Arizona 84, Cal BapTech’s aggressive zone, relying tist 60: Azuolas Tubelis had 19 on their defense early before points and Bennedict Mathurin pulling away from the Yellow added 14 as the Wildcats (11Jackets (5-5). 0) shook off a slow start to beat Cal Baptist in Tucson, Ariz. Pittsburgh 59, St. John’s 57: Jamarius Burton’s runner with Providence 57, No. 20 UConn 0.4 seconds left lifted Pitts53: A.J. Reeves scored 16 points burgh over St. John’s in the and Providence held off UConn showcase game of the Gotham in Hartford, Conn., in the Big Classic in New York. East opener for both teams. After St. John’s (8-3) tied the Ed Croswell had 11 points game on two Dylan Addaeand Nate Watson added 10 for Wusu free throws, Burton took the Friars (11-1), who led by 16 the inbounds pass and stormed points in the second half but down the court before lifting had to hold on at the end. R.J. the game-winning shot from Cole had 16 points for UConn the left side. Burton led all scor- (9-3). ers with 20 points. Mouhamadou Gueye added 15 for Pitt No. 22 Xavier 80, Marquette (4-7). 71: Dwon Odom scored a career-high 19 points and Nate Clemson 70, South CaroJohnson added 17 to lift Xavier lina 56: Hunter Tyson scored over Marquette in their Big 18 points and grabbed 13 reEast Conference opener in bounds to lead Clemson to a Cincinnati. win over visiting South Carolina. Jack Nunge had 13 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for Xavier (11-1, 1-0 Big East), State men which has won seven straight. Marquette (8-4, 0-1 Big East) H-SC 84, Mary Washington was led by Greg Elliott’s 18 71: Ryan Clements went 9 of points and Justin Lewis’ 15. 12 from the field and scored 25 points as Hampden-Sydney beat Mary Washington in the Tennessee-Memphis H-SC Classic. game canceled Adam Brazil added 15 points, and Josiah Hardy and DavidThe men’s basketball game son Hubbard had 10 apiece for between No. 18 Tennessee and H-SC (7-1), which opened a 12- Memphis was canceled about point lead with a 9-0 run to start an hour before tipoff Saturday the second half. Rashawn Cook due to COVID-19 issues within led MW (8-3) with 21 points. the Tigers’ program. Hampden-Sydney plays No. The Volunteers had warmed 23 Maryville Sunday at 2 p.m. up and were ready to play when the game was called off at 9:54 a.m. with several hundred State women fans already in attendance. Memphis players did not VSU 60, Fayetteville State 55: Kaaliya Williams scored 17 enter the arena. The game was to be played in Bridgespoints as Virginia State beat visiting Fayetteville State for its tone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., a midway point between the fifth win in six games. campuses of the two programs. Sommer Blakemore and

ANDREW SHURTLEFF/THE DAILY PROGRESS

Virginia center Francisco Caffaro is pressured by Fairleigh Dickinson forward Pier-Olivier Racine in the Cavaliers’ victory in Charlottesville on Saturday.

Cavaliers From Page C1

spots,” Gardner said. “The emphasis to get the ball inside tonight was key.” Virginia isn’t likely to dominate inside so decisively against ACC opponents, but Saturday afternoon, the Knights’ complete inability to slow Gardner on the low block meant the Cavaliers’ struggles with perimeter scoring weren’t a factor. UVA took just three 3-pointers in the first half, missing all of them, as Gardner went to work and the Cavaliers scored in the paint and in transition. Virginia shot 53.6% from the floor in the first half. Still, the Cavaliers weren’t able to pull away from the Knights for the first 15 minutes. FDU trailed just 22-17 with 6:24 to go before the break after a jumper by guard Brandon Rush. But ending the half on 12-2 run, Virginia went to the locker room up 34-19. The Cavaliers steadily expanded that margin, and by midway through the second half, most of their regulars were sitting. UVA’s young backups ramped up the onslaught hitting from the outside. Freshman Igor Milicic Jr. and sophomore Carson McCorkle each hit a trio of second-half 3s and freshmen Taine Murray and Malachi Poindexter, on his birthday, each added one 3-pointer. Even Indiana transfer Armaan Franklin, who had missed his previous 21 attempts beyond the 3-point arc, hit a second-half 3. After the win, UVA coach Tony Bennett said his team had practiced with purpose since losing 52-49 at JMU on Dec. 7. Saturday, against FDU, Bennett said what the team focused on in practice showed up in the game. “I saw some carryover and some things that stuck, that we really emphasized,” Bennett said. “It’s not what you teach, it’s what you emphasize. I saw that on both ends of the floor.” With a remade roster that is

UVA’s Jayden Gardner shoots between Fairleigh Dickinson’s Brandon Rush (2) and Pier-Olivier Racine. Gardner scored 29 points.

replacing the three top scorers from last year’s ACC championship team, Virginia has lost four games before Jan. 1 for the first time since 2013-14. Blowing out an overmatched Farleigh Dickinson team may not solve all — or any — of Virginia’s early-season struggles, but it sends the Cavaliers’ into their final game of the 2021 calendar year on a high note. UVA plays one final contest before the new year, hosting Clemson on Dec. 22 in its second ACC contest of the season. mbarber@timesdispatch.com Twitter: @RTD_MikeBarber FDU Racine Square Dunn Lamaute Rush Berry Rodriguez Jacks Munden Almonor Hill Wattara

M 21 23 27 27 25 18 14 10 9 7 7 5

FG FT M-A M-A 2-5 0-0 1-6 0-0 5-13 2-2 0-7 2-4 5-12 3-3 0-2 0-0 1-2 2-2 0-3 0-0 2-5 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-1 0-0

Reb O-T 3-4 3-4 0-2 1-3 0-1 0-2 3-4 1-3 0-2 0-2 0-0 1-3

A PF PT 0 1 4 1 2 2 1 0 16 1 0 2 1 0 14 0 1 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 1 2 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2

Ford 4 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 Xheraj 2 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Upshaw 1 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Totals 200 17-59 9-11 12-30 7 7 49 Percentages: FG .288, FT .818. 3-Point Goals: 6-23, .261 (Dunn 4-10, Munden 1-1, Rush 1-5, Almonor 0-1, Square 0-1, Xheraj 0-1, Berry 0-2, Lamaute 0-2). Team Rebounds: 3. Team Turnovers: 3. Blocked Shots: 2 (Almonor, Hill). Turnovers: 12 (Lamaute 3, Dunn 2, Hill, Jacks, Munden, Racine, Rodriguez, Rush, Wattara). Steals: 6 (Munden 2, Berry, Jacks, Rodriguez, Rush). FG FT Reb VIRGINIA M M-A M-A O-T A PF PT Gardner 27 14-18 1-1 2-6 1 1 29 Shedrick 15 2-2 0-0 2-4 1 1 4 Beekman 28 2-3 0-0 0-5 6 1 4 Clark 25 0-1 1-2 0-3 5 1 1 Franklin 21 5-8 1-2 0-1 1 1 12 Caffaro 18 1-5 2-2 1-4 0 4 4 Stattmann 16 0-4 0-0 0-3 3 2 0 Poindexter 14 3-3 0-0 0-1 3 2 7 Milicic 12 3-4 0-0 0-2 0 0 9 McCorkle 11 3-4 0-0 0-2 1 0 9 Murray 8 1-1 0-0 0-0 0 1 3 Coleman 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Nixon 2 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 McGahren 1 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Totals 200 34-55 5-7 5-31 21 14 82 Percentages: FG .618, FT .714. 3-Point Goals: 9-17, .529 (McCorkle 3-4, Milicic 3-4, Murray 1-1, Poindexter 1-1, Franklin 1-3, McGahren 0-1, Stattmann 0-3). Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 6 (Caffaro 2, Beekman, Gardner, McCorkle, Milicic). Turnovers: 10 (Milicic 2, Beekman, Caffaro, Franklin, Gardner, McCorkle, Murray, Shedrick, Stattmann). Steals: 7 (Beekman 2, Clark, Coleman, Franklin, Gardner, Milicic). Fairleigh Dickinson Virginia

19 34

30 48

— —

49 82

A—13,197 (14,593).

Spiders From Page C1

“It’s a little more scrutiny on the nonconference schedules for the teams that are not Power Five. N.C. State’s going to be able to play [North] Carolina and Duke … and get those opportunities, as they should. “I don’t want to jump into [talk about the NCAA tournament] too much because you still, even though that’s in the background, what we have to focus on is our next game and making sure we continue to play well, continue to improve on defense, which I think we’re taking big steps to put ourselves in that position. “Certainly, you need a lot of wins, and this is certainly a good one … This was a great opportunity. Neutral-court games are so critical for teams in the A-10, teams like us, to be able to play great competition from great conferences.” Mooney has led the Spiders to at least one win over a powerconference opponent in 15 of his 17 seasons at UR. Richmond has played 11 games this season, only four at the Robins Center, where the Spiders are undefeated. They move out of the travel-heavy portion of their schedule starting Sunday at 4 p.m., when Old Dominion (5-6) visits. That starts a stretch of four home games among ﬁve. The Spiders could be a weary and not thoroughly prepared team against ODU after beating N.C. State in Charlotte on Friday night. The risk of that was worth the potential reward associated with facing the Wolfpack (7-4) on a neutral court in the Basket-

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH

UR coach Chris Mooney: “If you had total control of your schedule, and none of the other teams cared about their schedules, you wouldn’t do it that way. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of give and take. If you’re going to try to play a great schedule, then you’re really going to have a lot of these issues that come up that you’re trying to manage and do the best you can.”

ball Hall of Fame Shootout, according to Mooney. “That’s not the way you would script it if you could,” he said. Mooney didn’t feel the Spiders could turn down the opportunity to play N.C. State on a neutral court, an invitation extended after the date with ODU had been set. That’s the way it is, and hopefully we can be up to the challenge,” Mooney said. The Spiders dealt with a comparable turnaround earlier this season. They played at Drake on Saturday, Nov. 20, and then hosted Hofstra on Monday, Nov. 22. UR lost 73-70 at Drake, and beat Hofstra 81-68. Also, Richmond came back from a two-game set in the Bahamas over a three-day span, and then went on the road for

two more games, at Wofford and at Northern Iowa. “If you had total control of your schedule, and none of the other teams cared about their schedules, you wouldn’t do it that way,” Mooney said. “Unfortunately, there’s a lot of give and take. If you’re going to try to play a great schedule, then you’re really going to have a lot of these issues that come up that you’re trying to manage and do the best you can.” Old Dominion had the week off while taking exams. The Monarchs last played on Dec. 11, when they were beaten in Norfolk by VCU 75-66. The UR-ODU game will be televised by MASN. joconnor@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6233 @RTDjohnoconnor

C6 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 • • •

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Injury concerns could deflate star QB matchup Baltimore’s Jackson is listed as questionable with sprained ankle

COWBOYS (9-4) AT GIANTS (4-9) Sunday: 1 p.m. (Fox) Line: Dallas by 11.5 The Cowboys have won eight of the last nine meetings, and while my ﬁrst thought was that this number is way too high for a road team to lay in a rivalry game, the reality is the Giants are too banged-up and too bad to back. What’s more likely: 34-17 Dallas or this being close? The pick: Dallas

JETS (3-10) AT DOLPHINS (6-7) Sunday: 1 p.m. Line: Off (likely Miami -10) Even when Miami is off, it’s on. The Dolphins’ decision to save its bye week (remember, it played at London in Week 6 but opted to hold off on the bye) was a good one, as they got a chance to recharge for a wild card push. They’ve won ﬁve in a row (all covers) and will make it six on both fronts. Zach Wilson missed the Week 11 meeting (24-17 Dolphins), and he will probably wish he didn’t make this trip after facing a blitz-happy defense that’s rested and raring to go. The pick: Miami

TITANS (9-4) AT STEELERS (6-6-1) Sunday: 1 p.m. (CBS) Line: Tennessee by 1 I like backing desperate teams with their season on the line, so I was already taking Pittsburgh. Then I saw a tweet about the Steelers’ record as home underdogs, courtesy of CBS Sports, and it only reinforced my ﬁrst instinct: The Steelers are 2-0 straight up in that spot this season, 6-0 against since the start of 2018, 12-3-2 ATS under Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger is 9-2 straight up and ATS. The pick: Pittsburgh

PANTHERS (5-8) AT BILLS (7-6) Sunday: 1 p.m. Line: Off (likely Buffalo -10) Buffalo will get back on track, but with Josh Allen dealing with a foot sprain, don’t expect this to be a blowout. The pick: Carolina

CARDINALS (10-3) AT LIONS (1-11-1) Sunday: 1 p.m. Line: Arizona by 12.5 This is a huge number to lay on the road. Still, Arizona is 7-0 straight up and ATS away from home, with wins by 25, 12, 17, 23, 14, 10 and 11. Kyler Murray should have a ﬁeld day. The pick: Arizona

TEXANS (2-11) AT JAGUARS (2-11) Sunday: 1 p.m. Line: Jacksonville by 4.5 This 2-11 battle got some juice with the ﬁring of Urban Meyer. Jacksonville is now a bigger favorite, so Vegas has the same

Washington coming back from virus pause Allen, Sweat among four activated from the COVID-19 list From wire reports

By The Associated Press

BALTIMORE — The last time Baltimore faced Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers didn’t play and the Packers were shut out. That’s the type of scenario the Ravens are hoping to avoid Sunday. Now it’s Lamar Jackson whose health is in question. The Baltimore star left last weekend’s loss at Cleveland with a sprained ankle, and he missed practice time this week. Rodgers has had his own issues, but he’s been able to play through an injured toe. Jackson’s situation has been more uncertain. The Ravens host Green Bay on Sunday. “I think it could go down to the wire,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday about Jackson’s availability. Jackson already missed one game this season because he was sick, and the Ravens (8-5) won that one with backup Tyler Huntley. Baltimore nearly rallied to beat Cleveland last weekend with Huntley but lost 24-22. That was the second straight defeat for the Ravens, whose position atop the AFC North looks tenuous. This would be quite a clash this weekend if both quarterbacks were fully healthy, but that’s not looking likely. Rodgers hasn’t practiced much since injuring his toe last month. The injury hasn’t hampered his production. The reigning MVP has thrown 10 touchdown passes without an interception during his past three games. “Well, as Allen Iverson once famously talked about practice, maybe there’s some other things involved in preparation,” Rodgers said. “I’ve always been somebody that enjoys the practice environment and the competition at practice. I love competing

NFL NOTES

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson walked off the ﬁeld with a sprained ankle last weekend.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been playing with a fractured toe for the past month.

in any situation. And I enjoy certain parts about Wednesdays and Thursdays and Fridays especially, depending on what the install is. But there’s a routine to it and helps you feel comfortable going into the game.” The last time the Packers faced Baltimore, Rodgers had a broken collarbone and replacement Brett Hundley threw three interceptions. Green Bay (10-3) can clinch the NFC North with a win this week or a Minnesota loss.

lately. The Ravens have reached 20 points only twice in the past seven games. They haven’t scored a ﬁrst-quarter touchdown in any of those. “As an offense, we know we’ve got to put up points,” Baltimore receiver Rashod Bateman said. “Every offense, that’s your job — is to put up points. We’ve just got to come out here on this ﬁeld, execute it, take it over on Sundays and do it. So, hopefully we can do that and come out on top Sunday.”

Forcing turnovers: The Packers have forced three turnovers in each of their past two games, and they have won the last 11 regular-season games in which they’ve had at least three takeaways. Rasul Douglas is the ﬁrst Packer since Hall of Famer Herb Adderley in 1965 to score on interception returns in two straight games. Baltimore is at minus-9 for the season in the turnover department.

Injuries: In addition to the quarterbacks, both teams have other health concerns. The Packers put defensive lineman Kenny Clark on the COVID-19 list. The Ravens did the same with safety Chuck Clark. For Baltimore, receiver Marquise Brown (illness), defensive tackle Calais Campbell (thigh), offensive lineman Tyre Phillips (illness), guard Ben Powers (foot), fullback Patrick Ricard (back/knee) and tackle Alejandro Villanueva (knee) missed practice time this week. Stuck in neutral: Baltimore’s Green Bay tackle Billy Turner offense looked good early in the season, with Jackson playing at a injured his left knee last weekhigh level and the running game end against Chicago. Tackle still OK after preseason injuries David Bakhtiari (knee) hasn’t played all season but practiced to J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. It’s been a different story on a limited basis this week.

NFL BLITZ PREVIEWING WEEK 15 GAME OF THE WEEK PACKERS (10-3) AT RAVENS (8-5) Sunday: 4:25 p.m. (Fox) Line: Green Bay by 7 Even if Lamar Jackson plays, his ankle won’t be anywhere near 100% and that’s not a good recipe against Aaron Rodgers and an under-the-radar Packers defense. Green Bay has been a great bet all season (10-2-1 ATS) and is in the driver’s seat to get the NFC’s 1 seed. It won’t let up here. The pick: Green Bay thought I did: The Jaguars players are going to be relieved and ﬁred up now that Meyer is gone. The pick: Jacksonville

BENGALS (7-6) AT BRONCOS (7-6) Sunday: 4:05 p.m. Line: Denver by 3 Orange Bowl, anyone? This is a big game for the AFC wild card race, with both teams having identical records. Denver has played well at home, but I’m going with the better quarterback and better team. The pick: Cincinnati

FALCONS (6-7) AT 49ERS (7-6) Sunday: 4:05 p.m. Line: San Francisco by 9.5 The 49ers have won four of ﬁve and could be a dangerous team if they make the playoffs. They’ll win here, but the number is too big: The Falcons are 5-2 on the road and are still ﬁghting. The pick: Atlanta

SAINTS (6-7) AT BUCCANEERS (10-3) Sunday: 8:20 p.m. (NBC) Line: Tampa Bay by 11.5 The Bucs are 6-0 at home, with covers in the last ﬁve. Tom Brady has lost all three regular-season games against the Saints since he joined the Bucs, though, including a 36-27 defeat this year. A desperate New Orleans team, led by its defense, can keep this to single digits. The pick: New Orleans

RAIDERS (6-7) AT BROWNS (7-6) Monday: 5 p.m. (NFL Network)

Line: Las Vegas by 2.5 This line has been all over the place. It opened at Browns -5 (which was an odd number) and now the hosts are underdogs after Baker Mayﬁeld and coach Kevin Stefanski, among others, tested positive for COVID. I really liked Las Vegas at +5, but the Browns have been in this backsagainst-the-wall situation before and they’ve won. I was all set to pick them . . . until a report that Case Keenum also tested positive. No coach and third-string QB? That’s too much. The pick: Las Vegas

VIKINGS (6-7) AT BEARS (4-9) Monday: 8:15 p.m. (ESPN) Line: Minnesota by 5.5 All but one of Minnesota’s games have been decided by 8 or fewer points, so expect another down-to-the-wire ﬁnish. Reasons to take the points: Kirk Cousins is 1-9 on MNF and 1-5 vs. Chicago since joining the NFC North. The pick: Chicago

SEAHAWKS (5-8) AT RAMS (9-4) Tuesday: 7 p.m. Line: Los Angeles by 6 The Rams have won four of the last ﬁve meetings, including 26-17 at Seattle this year. They’re off their best win of the season, but a little letdown off MNF should be expected. L.A. also has been hit hard by COVID. The Seahawks have won two in a row for the ﬁrst time all year and have a long shot at a wild card spot so expect another close rivalry game. The pick: Seattle — Joe Manniello, Newsday

After a week involving several positive COVID-19 test results among its players, the Washington Football Team is emerging from its outbreak. The organization has registered zero new positive cases in its latest round of testing and activated four players from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday, including defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat, NFL.com reported. Allen was placed on the virus list Monday as one of 36 players who tested positive. Sweat went on the list Dec. 8. He has not played since suffering a jaw injury in Week 8. In addition to Allen and Sweat, Washington activated defensive linemen Casey Toohill, James Smith-Williams and Khaleke Hudson. The team also desigated Sweat for return from injured reserve. Hudson stayed on IR with an ankle injury. He’s been there since Dec. 7. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who tested positive Friday, was placed on the COVID list. In all, 22 Washington players, were placed on the COVID list during a 10-day span. The team’s virus trouble led to the NFL postponing Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles to Tuesday.

team in time for the game. The Bears had 13 players on the COVID list as of Friday afternoon after backup quarterback Andy Dalton and cornerback Duke Shelley were added. Receiver Allen Robinson and cornerback Artie Burns were among those still out. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman was activated from the COVID list Saturday.

Jaguars won’t pay Meyer balance of pact JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Former Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer was fired for cause and the team does not intend to pay him for the final four years remaining on his contract, a source familiar with the termination told The Associated Press. Owner Shad Khan dismissed Meyer early Thursday after weeks of analysis that focused on Meyer’s mounting public blunders and even more missteps behind the scenes. The source said firing Meyer for cause was not tied to any one incident during his 11-month tenure. The Jaguars seemingly have plenty of evidence, none more damning than Meyer getting caught on video acting inappropriately with a woman at an Ohio bar in early September.

Minnesota waives cornerback Breeland

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings waived cornerback Bashaud Breeland in a surprise move at a posiNFL alters protocols, tion where they have tenuous cuts back on testing depth. Breeland was initially listed NEW YORK — Only unvaccinated players and those expe- as questionable to play at Chiriencing possible symptoms of cago on Monday night for an COVID-19 will be tested, start- unspecified reason not related to injury. Two hours later, the ing Sunday, under the NFL’s eighth-year veteran was let go. revised protocols. NFL Network reported BreeAlso, higher-risk players land had an altercation with have until 2 p.m. Monday to coaches and teammates at send written notice if they choose to opt out, according to practice on Saturday. Breeland started all 13 games a memo sent to clubs on Saturday and obtained by The As- for the Vikings (6-7).. sociated Press. The players will not be paid and the notice is Elsewhere irrevocable. “Medical information Jets: Banged-up New York strongly indicates that this vari- got its leading rusher and a ant is significantly more conta- key tight end back for its game gious but possibly less severe Sunday against the Miami than prior variants, particuDolphins. larly for people who are fully The team activated running vaccinated and have received back Michael Carter, tight end a booster shot,” NFL commisTyler Kroft, offensive lineman sioner Roger Goodell said in an- Chuma Edoga and defensive other memo sent to clubs. end Bryce Huff from injured “Our experience with the reserve. omicron variant is fully conRunning back Tevin Coleman sistent with this expectation also is expected to play Sunday — while more players and staff after missing last week’s game are testing positive, roughly against New Orleans with a two-thirds of those individuconcussion. als are asymptomatic, most of the remaining individuals have Panthers: Carolina placed only mild symptoms.” defensive tackle Derrick Brown In addition to the targeted on the COVID list. The desigtesting plan and the opt-out nation means Brown, who is option, the new protocols give vaccinated, will miss Sunday’s more flexibility for players to road game against Buffalo. attend meetings virtually. Earlier this week, the league Falcons: Atlanta placed and the NFL Players Associasafety Erik Harris (pectoral) on tion updated protocols to allow injured reserve. asymptomatic vaccinated players to return sooner if they have Bengals: Cincinnati downtwo negative tests on the same graded offensive tackle Isaiah day, or one negative test and Prince (illness) and cornerback an antibody test shows the inVernon Hargreaves III (illness) dividual has reached a certain to out. level. Dr. Tony Casolaro, chief Browns: Cleveland activated medical officer for Washington, defensive end Takkarist McKinsaid in a conference call that ley from the COVID list and 21 players on the team who placed right tackle James Hudtested positive would’ve been son on it. able to practice based on mild symptoms. Cowboys: Dallas placed defensive tackles Trysten Hill and Osa Odighizuwa on the COVID Bears’ coordinators list. hit by health woes CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears’ health woes haven’t been limited to the players. Three of the team’s coordinators have affected, too. Bill Lazor felt as if he had a bad head cold. Under normal circumstances, the Bears’ offensive coordinator would simply take some medicine and go about his job. But after testing positive for COVID-19 this week, he is working remotely. So are defensive coordinator Sean Desai and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor. The Bears could be without all three when they host Minnesota on Monday night. Tabor and Desai have also experienced some symptoms. Both appeared to be in better shape and were hopeful they would be cleared to rejoin the

Texans: Houston added cornerback Jimmy Moreland (James Madison) to the injury report with an illness. He was listed as questionable. Colts: Indianapolis downgraded center Ryan Kelly (knee/ illness/personal matter) to out. Saints: New Orleans placed tight end Garrett Griffin (hamstring) on injured reserve. Steelers: Pittsburgh defensive end Isaiah Buggs (ankle) was downgraded to out for Sunday’s game against Tennessee. Titans: Tennessee activated edge rusher Bud Dupree from injured reserve and placed fullback Tory Carter on IR.

• • • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 C7

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Irving, Durant join Nets’ virus parade Team tops league with nine players out for protocols

COVID-19 vaccine mandate for athletes playing in the city’s public venues. He has to test to be cleared to play and apparently he either tested positive or By The Associated Press had an inconclusive result. James Harden, LaMarNEW YORK — Kyrie Irving’s return to the Brook- cus Aldridge, DeAndre’ Bembry, Bruce Brown, lyn Nets is starting with Jevon Carter, Paul Millsap a trip to the NBA’s health and James Johnson all are protocols — and Kevin listed as out because of Durant is joining him. the protocols. Needing to The Nets’ outbreak worsened Saturday when have eight players to start they announced both stars a game, the Nets scrapped their plan to rest Patty were in protocols, giving Mills and said he would be them a league-high nine available. They also signed players on the injury reswingman James Ennis III port for that reason. and guard Shaquille HarriDurant already was son to 10-day contracts. scheduled for a night off Also Saturday, Cavato rest Saturday against liers rookie forward Evan Orlando on the opening Mobley entered health night of a back-to-back. protocols. Instead, he became ineligible to play anyway when he was added to the injury NHL reaches five report. The Nets decided teams in COVID limbo Friday that Irving would rejoin them for practices The NHL on Saturday and road games, though shut down the Boston Bruhe remains ineligible to ins and Nashville Predaplay at home because he tors through Christmas, hasn’t met New York City’s bringing to ﬁve the num-

SPORTS BRIEFS BASEBALL

ber of teams in COVID-19 limbo. Weekend games for the Canucks and Maple Leafs also were postponed as the league tries to control a spiraling outbreak in its locker rooms. The NHL and its players association agreed to daily testing and other enhanced protocols to slow the spread of the coronavirus. They will take effect immediately and last at least through Jan. 1, with an evaluation no later than Jan. 7. The Bruins and Predators join Calgary, Colorado and Florida, which already had been shut down through next week because of outbreaks. Saturday night’s game between Toronto and Vancouver and Sunday’s ArizonaVancouver and TorontoSeattle games were also postponed amid rising cases across North America due to the coronavirus’ omicron variant. Approximately 70 players are in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and

the number of games postponed this season has climbed past 20. Several Canadian provinces are now or will soon limit attendance at large events like NHL games to 50% of capacity. Besides the daily testing for players and coaches, the league said “additional pregame testing may be implemented, on a caseby-case basis, when a COVID outbreak occurs within a team.” Moments after the announcement, Detroit placed three players, coach Jeff Blashill and assistant coach Alex Tanguay in the protocol ahead of Saturday night’s home game against New Jersey. The Red Wings have the only player in the league, Tyler Bertuzzi, who is not vaccinated. The Bruins’ COVID-19 list grew to nine players on Saturday when Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar were placed in the protocol. The team said it has closed its training facilities.

PRO FOOTBALL

HOCKEY

SCOREBOARD HIGH SCHOOLS Girls basketball James River 46, Glen Allen 36 JR: Lanie Grant 20 pts; Arshae Jackson 8 pts; GA: Claudia Disbrow 13 pts; Lindsey Shoulders 9 pts. Hermitage 53, Henrico 50 HERM: Robinson 14 pts; Thomas 15 pts, 4 3-pointers; Woodley 8 pts; Harmon 8 pts; HEN: Moore 17 pts, 5 3-pointers; Brown 9 pts. Steward 67, Collegiate 38 STEW: Sanai Green 13 pts; Tori West 17 pts, 3 3-pointers; Gates Fox 12 pts; COL: Lily Berger 9 pts, 4 assts; Ellie Smith 8 pts. West Springﬁeld 41, Matoaca 38 MAT: Kiana Brown 11 pts; George 9 pts, 12 rebs; K. Booth 5 pts; A. Booth 5 pts; WS: Chasteen 14 pts; Naranjo 9 pts. Glen Allen 67, Matoaca 40 GA: Claudia Disbrow 15 pts; 5 assts; Lindsey Shoulders 12 pts, 6 rebs; Ava Johnson 10 points, 8 rebs, 4 blcks; MAT: Maia Pettaway 15 pts; Allyson Booth10 pts; Faith Brown 7 pts. Records: Glen Allen 5-2, Matoaca 4-4

Boys basketball

Armstrong 66, J.R. Tucker 56 JRT: Ken Wallace 19 pts, 10 rebs; Jerimiah Hister 11 pts, 11 rebs; Donovan Lee 7 pts, 11 rebs; ARMS: R. Lee Brown 19 pts; D. Chatham 16 pts; D. Liggins Johnson 13 pts. Caroline 83, Culpeper 45 CARO: Jevonte Wright-Parker 28 pts; Dominque Washington 17 pts; Jay Freeman 10 pts; CLP: Nate Amos 14 pts. Records: Caroline 5-0 Hopewell 61, Thomas Dale 59 HOPE: Cameron Mise 21 pts; Tyheim Love 13 pts; Samauri Tinch 10 pts; TD: Miles Phillips 20 pts; Donovan Means 11 pts; Stephen Hicks 10 pts; Shombe Jackson 10 pts. Records: Hopewell 5-2 Steward 71, Collegiate 56 STEW: Curtis Blair III 21 pts; Cameron Gregory 17 pts; Nichols Booker 14 pts; COL: Luke Smith 21 pts, 8 rebs; JB Bell 10 pts; Colin Ryan 8 pts. St. Christopher’s 69, Walsingham Academy 33 STC: Keishawn Pulley 19 pts, 5 3-pointers; Nikkos Kovanes 12 pts, 4 3-pointers; Zach Murphy 8 pts; WA: Paul Williams 11 pts; Cooper Jones 9 pts. Records: St. Chris 4-1, Walsingham 4-3 Midlothian 73, Clover Hill 54 MIDLO: Harry Clarke 14 pts; Jack Scott 11 pts; Conner Reid 10 pts. Fluvanna 68, Goochland 57 GOO: JJ Cox 13 pts; FLU: Edmonds 26 pts; Coleman 12 pts; Bruce 11 pts. Records: Goochland 2-2, Fluvanna 5-1 Prince George 78, Matoaca 55 PG: Jordan Lambert 19 pts; Curtis Allen 17 pts; MAT: Marcellus McEllen 13 pts. Records: Prince George 3-3, Matoaca 2-3 Henrico 66, Hermitage 48 HEN: PJ Wyatt 16 pts, 3 rebs; Karon Richardson 13 pts, 8 rebs; Jaden Walker 12 pts, 8 rebs; HERM: Chase Weaver 12 pts; Jabari Morris-Jones 9 pts. Records: Henrico 5-0

Wrestling

Dinwiddie 72, Hopewell 6 106: Bryson Nesmith (DINW) forfeit; 113: Hunter Lee (DINW) forfeit; 120: Jordin Barnes (DINW) forfeit; 126: Jason Rayner (DINW) forfeit; 132: Wilkin Murillo-Cruz (HOPE) p. Xander Nesmith (Fall 1:45); 138: Sydney Ogburn (DINW) p. Michael Hammond (Fall 3:52); 145: Quentin Mankin (DINW) forfeit; 152: Double Forfeit; 160: William Nunnally (DINW) p. Massiah Johnson (Fall 1:12); 170: Conner Cliborne (DINW) p. Bradlee Creel (Fall

0:53); 182: Asher Duch (DINW) p. Patrick Scott (Fall 1:26); 195: Maximus Duch (DINW) forfeit; 220: Benjamin Pﬁster (DINW) p. Aravly Avila (Fall 0:35); 285: William Simmons (DINW) p. Tariq Abdullah (Fall 1:25). Dinwiddie 54, Glen Allen 24 106: John Stottlemyer (GLAL) p. Bryson Nesmith (Fall 3:03); 113: Mohammad Zanganeh (GLAL) p. Hunter Lee (Fall 1:20); 120: Jordin Barnes (DINW) forfeit; 126: Jason Rayner (DINW) p. Fahim Alam (Fall 0:25); 132: Xander Nesmith (DINW) by forfeit; 138: Lambert James (GLAL) p. Sydney Ogburn (Fall 0:19); 145: Quentin Mankin (DINW) p. Jeffrey Parent (Fall 1:00); 152: Double Forfeit; 160: William Nunnally (DINW) p. Nick Rosado (Fall 1:40); 170: Conner Claiborne (DINW) p. Nana Utsey (Fall 0:47); 182: Bohanon Ian (GLAL) p. Asher Duch (Fall 1:16); 195: Maximus Duch (DINW) by forfeit; 220: Benjamin Pﬁster (DINW) p. William Perryman (Fall 0:56); 285: William Simmons (DINW) forfeit. Cosby 48, Goochland 34 106: Owen French (COS) p. Camron Hardy (1st period); 113: Eli Cramer (COS) forfeit; 120: Jenna Anderson (COS) p. Summit Caul (3rd period); 126: Sawyer Reasoner (COS) p. Jordan Duke (1st period); 132: Jackson Lambert (COS) p. Noah Daniel (2nd period); 138: Jackson Higgins (COS) p. John Summitt (1st period); 145: Ryan Neiffer (COS) p. Blake Smith (1st period); 152: Riley Hite (GOO) p. Owen Fay (3rd period); 160: Reese Vincent (GOO) p. Zach Bannister (2nd period); 170: Patrick Harlow (GOO) forfeit; 182: Adger Cardani (GOO) md. Tyler Ritz (11-2); 195: Cole Glealing (COS) p. Sean McCaul (1st period); 220: Jahran Tucker (GOO) p. Matt Aleman (1st period); 285: Alex Rosenbaum (GOO) p. Sam Allman (1st period). Goochland 64, Colonial Heights 12 106: Camron Hardy (GOO) forfeit; 113: double forfeit; 120: Jordan Duke (GOO) forfeit; 126: X. Munoz (CH) p. Nick Daniel (2nd period); 132: Noah Daniel (GOO) forfeit; 138: John Summitt (GOO) p. B. Hernandez (3rd period); 145: Blake Smith (GOO) forfeit; 152: Riley Hite (GOO) md. N. Sprinkle (17-4); 160: Reese Vincent (GOO) p. R. Saleh (1st period); 170: Patrick Harlow (GOO) forfeit; 182: Adger Cardani (GOO) forfeit; 195: T. Booth (CH) p. Sean McCaul (1st period); 220: Jahran Tucker (GOO) forfeit; 285: Alex Rosenbaum (GOO) p. P. Logan (1st period). Goochland 42, J.R. Tucker 36 106: Edward Hamilton (JRT) p. Camron Hardy (1st period); 113: double forfeit; 120: Jordan Duke (GOO) forfeit; 126: Jack Dunham (JRT) p. Nick Daniel (3rd period); 132: Reid Scoggins (JRT) p. Noah Daniel (2nd period); 138: John Summitt (GOO) p. Isiah Ford (1st period); 145: Blake Smith (GOO) p. Lopez Ramos (1st period); 152: Dawson Lewis (GOO) p. Will Clarkson (1st period); 160: Reese Vincent (GOO) p. Victoria Harris (1st period); 170: Palmer (JRT) p. Patrick Harlow (2nd period); 182: Adger Cardani (GOO) p. Daniel Velasquez (2nd period); 195: Liam Malvar (JRT) p. Sean McCaul (1st period); 220: Grayson (JRT) p. Jahran Tucker (1st period); 285: Alex Rosenbaum (GOO) p. Justin (2nd period). Goochland 42, Chancellor 36 106: Camron Hardy (GOO) forfeit; 113: double forfeit; 120: Aiden (CHAN) p. Jordan Duke (1st period); 126: Dylan (CHAN) p. Nick Daniel (1st period); 132: Noah Daniel (GOO) p. Devon (1st period); 138: John Summitt (GOO) p. Mohammad (2nd period); 145: Nicholas (CHAN) p. Blake Smith (1st period); 152: Clever (CHAN) p. Riley Hite (1st period); 160: Reese Vincent (GOO) p. David (1st period); 170: Jay (CHAN) p. Patrick Harlow (1st period); 182: Jamie (CHAN) p. Ethan Winter (1st period); 195: Sean McCaul (GOO) p. Elijah (1st period); 220: Jahran Tucker (GOO) p. Caleb (1st period); 285: Alex Rosenbaum (GOO) p. Matthew (1st period).

COLLEGE BASKETBALL Men’s scores Bucknell 82, La Salle 70 Canisius 65, Buffalo 64 Howard 79, NC A&T 57 Maine 86, New England 50 Marist 84, Boston U. 79, OT Mount St. Mary’s 74, Morgan St. 60 N. Iowa 75, Marshall 60 NC Central 86, Delaware St. 53 Pittsburgh 59, St. John’s 57 Providence 57, UConn 53 Stony Brook 64, St. Peter’s 63 TCU 80, Georgetown 73 Belmont 115, Pilots 86 Clemson 70, South Carolina 56 Davidson 74, Radford 54 Duke 87, Elon 56 Florida 66, South Florida 55 George Mason 80, Georgia 67 Georgia St. 92, Toccoa Falls 44 Kentucky 98, North Carolina 69 La.-Monroe 74, Southern Miss. 65 Mississippi 76, Dayton 68 Nicholls 104, MVSU 73 North Alabama 106, SE Baptist 40 North Florida 92, Trinity Baptist 44 SC State 90, Tennessee St. 88, OT Southern Cal 67, Georgia Tech 53 Troy 84, Buffaloes 64 UNC-Asheville 79, ETSU 64 UNC-Wilmington 71, High Point 69, OT Vanderbilt 77, Austin Peay 51 Virginia 82, Fairleigh Dickinson 49 W. Kentucky 82, Louisville 72 West Virginia 65, UAB 59 Wofford 76, Presbyterian 49 Bellarmine 77, Miami (Ohio) 68 Bradley 77, Saint Joseph’s 73 Illinois 106, St. Francis (Pa.) 48 Illinois St. 85, Ball St. 64 Indiana 64, Notre Dame 56 Indiana St. 67, Alabama A&M 43 Missouri 83, Utah 75 North Texas 62, Wichita St. 52 Purdue 77, Butler 48 W. Illinois 71, E. Illinois 54

Wright St. 72, Tennessee Tech 63 Xavier 80, Marquette 71 Gonzaga 69, Texas Tech 55 Texas A&M-CC 57, Lamar 53 Texas St. 75, Paul Quinn 36 Arizona 84, Cal Baptist 60 Colorado 60, CS Bakersﬁeld 46 New Mexico St. 93, N. New Mexico 60 Washington St. 82, N. Colorado 56

Women’s scores

Bucknell 77, George Mason 67 Fairﬁeld 57, Marist 52 Monmouth (NJ) 64, Iona 55 Mnt St. Mary’s 82, Md.-Estrn Shore 65 Penn St. 68, Duquesne 60 Rutgers 73, Wagner 54 St. Francis (NY) 85, Caldwell 37 Syracuse 82, UMBC 50 Alabama St. 80, Rams 44 American 62, Longwood 58 Auburn 82, Grambling St. 58 Austin Peay 73, Gardner-Webb 62 Coastal Carolina 76, Florida A&M 72 Coll. of Charleston 77, Radford 59 Davidson 56, UNC-Greensboro 52 LSU 77, Bradley 51 North Alabama 74, Chattanooga 71 Old Dominion 85, Appalachian St. 49 S. Alabama 52, Charl. Southern 51 Stanford 74, Tennessee 63 Troy 73, Mississippi St. 66 Tulsa 67, Georgia St. 55 Liberty 54, Tx. Rio Grande Valley 32 Saint Louis 75, Ill. Chicago 47 Arkansas 82, Cent. Arkansas 44 Air Force 63, Dixie St. 48 Arizona St. 79, San Diego 60 BYU 71, Washington St. 53 California 89, Cal Poly 73 Fresno St. 81, UC Merced 29 Loyola Marymount 77, Texas St. 68 Montana St. 76, Seattle 49 Pepperdine 56, Boise St. 54 UNLV 80, Paciﬁc 79 Utah 65, Utah Valley St. 57 Washington 62, E. Washington 59

NFL

NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE

East

L T

South

L T

North

L T

West

Tennessee Indianapolis Houston Jacksonville Baltimore Cincinnati Cleveland Pittsburgh

9 4 7 6 6 7 3 10

Pct

0 0 0 0

.692 .538 .462 .231

Pct

9 4 0 7 6 0 2 11 0 2 11 0 8 7 7 6

5 6 6 6

350 363 254 226

East

324 371 177 180

290 283 356 340

Pct

0 0 0 1

.615 .538 .538 .500

304 354 278 272

L T

Pct

South

Tampa Bay Atlanta New Orleans Carolina North

L T

9 6 6 4

4 7 7 9

.692 .538 .154 .154

Kansas City 10 4 0 .714 385 L.A. Chargers 8 6 0 .571 379 Denver 7 6 0 .538 275 Las Vegas 6 7 0 .462 283 NATIONAL CONFERENCE Dallas Philadelphia Washington N.Y. Giants

200 229 288 397

Pct

284 293 289 322

296 370 228 360 PA

0 0 0 0

.692 .462 .462 .308

380 337 266 232

287 291 324 310

L T

Pct

10 6 6 5

3 7 7 8

0 0 0 0

.769 .462 .462 .385 Pct

410 245 304 257

297 353 285 282

Green Bay Minnesota Chicago Detroit

10 3 6 7 4 9 1 11

L T

0 0 0 1

.769 .462 .308 .115

328 344 231 213

272 333 332 354

West

L T

Pct

Arizona 10 3 0 .769 366 254 L.A. Rams 9 4 0 .692 366 293 San Francisco 7 6 0 .538 329 301 Seattle 5 8 0 .385 272 262 WEEK 15 Saturday’s Result New England at Indianapolis, late Sunday’s Games Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m. Arizona at Detroit, 1 Carolina at Buffalo, 1 Houston at Jacksonville, 1 N.Y. Jets at Miami, 1 Tennessee at Pittsburgh, 1 Atlanta at San Francisco, 4:05 Cincinnati at Denver, 4:05 Green Bay at Baltimore, 4:25 New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 8:20 Monday’s Games Las Vegas at Cleveland, 5 p.m. Minnesota at Chicago, 8:15 Tuesday’s Games Washington at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Seattle at L.A. Rams, 7

PRO BASKETBALL Atlantic

Southeast

21 15 14 13 13 W

Pct

8 15 15 15 16

.724 .500 .483 .464 .448

Pct

— 6½ 7 7½ 8 GB

Miami Charlotte Washington Atlanta Orlando

18 16 15 14 5

12 15 15 15 25

.600 .516 .500 .483 .167

— 2½ 3 3½ 13

Central

Pct

Chicago 17 10 .630 Milwaukee 19 12 .613 Cleveland 18 12 .600 Indiana 13 18 .419 Detroit 4 24 .143 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest

Pct

Tampa Bay Toronto Florida Detroit Boston Buffalo Ottawa Montreal

19 20 18 14 14 10 9 7

Metropolitan

L OT Pts

GF GA

L OT Pts

GF GA

6 8 7 13 10 15 17 21

4 2 4 3 2 5 1 3

42 94 77 42 98 76 40 104 87 31 83 102 30 71 69 25 82 104 19 76 97 17 67 109

Washington 18 5 7 43 106 N.Y. Rangers 19 7 4 42 86 Carolina 20 7 1 41 90 Pittsburgh 16 8 5 37 88 Columbus 14 13 1 29 91 Philadelphia 11 12 5 27 73 New Jersey 10 13 5 25 78 N.Y. Islanders 8 12 5 21 54 WESTERN CONFERENCE

78 77 61 74 95 92 97 73

Central

Minnesota Nashville St. Louis Colorado Winnipeg Dallas Chicago Arizona

19 19 17 17 13 13 11 6

Paciﬁc

L OT Pts

8 10 8 8 11 12 15 21

2 1 5 2 5 2 3 2

— — ½ 6 13½ GB

Memphis Dallas San Antonio Houston New Orleans

19 14 11 10 10

11 14 17 20 21

.633 .500 .393 .333 .323

— 4 7 9 9½

Northwest

Pct

Utah Denver Minnesota Portland Oklahoma City

20 15 14 12 8

8 14 15 18 19

.714 .517 .483 .400 .296

— 5½ 6½ 9 11½

Paciﬁc

Pct

Golden State 24 5 .828 — Phoenix 23 5 .821 ½ L.A. Clippers 16 13 .552 8 L.A. Lakers 16 14 .533 8½ Sacramento 12 18 .400 12½ Friday’s Results Miami 115, Orlando 105 Denver 133, Atlanta 115 Golden State 111, Boston 107 New Orleans 116, Milwaukee 112, OT San Antonio 128, Utah 126 Portland 125, Charlotte 116 Memphis 124, Sacramento 105 Minnesota 110, L.A. Lakers 92 Saturday’s Results Houston 116, Detroit 107 Boston 114, New York Knicks 107 Toronto 119, Golden State 100 Orlando 100, Brooklyn 93 L.A. Clippers at Oklahoma City, late Cleveland at Milwaukee, late Washington at Utah, late Sunday’s Games Miami at Detroit, 6 p.m. Portland at Memphis, 6 San Antonio at Sacramento, 6 New Orleans at Philadelphia, 7 Cleveland at Atlanta, 7:30 Denver at Brooklyn, 7:30 Charlotte at Phoenix, 8 Dallas at Minnesota, 8 L.A. Lakers at Chicago, 8

LOCAL GOLF Holes-in-one

♦Charles Swartz, 120-yard 12th hole at Hermitage CC, 7 iron, playing with Ric Arenstien, Danny Jackson and Stuart Plotkin. ♦Ted Kral, 152-yard 11th hole at Willow Oaks, 8 iron, playing with Mike Kelly and Brad Smallwood. ♦Mark Dyson, 167-yard 13th hole at Mill Quarter GC, 5 wood, playing with Doug Neisz, Bill Dickson, Rick Sherdel and Scotty More.

NBA

Lakers’ Davis out at least four weeks Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis will be out for at least four weeks after spraining a ligament in his left knee. The Lakers announced the latest major setback Saturday for Davis, the eight-time All-Star with a lengthy injury history, particularly since moving to Los Angeles in 2019. Davis was injured in the third quarter of the Lakers’ road loss to the Timberwolves on Friday night. Minnesota forward Jaden McDaniels collided with Davis and sent the Lakers star to the court.

Tech’s Gray goes third in NWSL draft

40 108 85 39 89 79 39 104 81 36 115 91 31 86 85 28 71 78 25 69 93 14 56 109

L OT Pts

Anaheim 17 9 6 40 103 89 Vegas 19 11 0 38 107 91 Calgary 15 7 6 36 87 62 Edmonton 17 11 0 34 96 87 Los Angeles 13 10 5 31 76 72 San Jose 15 14 1 31 78 85 Vancouver 14 15 2 30 81 90 Seattle 10 16 3 23 81 103 Friday’s Results Pittsburgh 3, Buffalo 2, OT Vegas 3, N.Y. Rangers 2, SO Washington 5, Winnipeg 2 St. Louis 4, Dallas 1 Nashville 3, Chicago 2, OT Arizona 6, Anaheim 5, OT Saturday’s Results Florida at Minnesota, ppd Boston at Montreal, ppd Carolina 5, Los Angeles 1 Philadelphia 4, Ottawa 3 Toronto at Vancouver, late Chicago at Dallas, late New Jersey at Detroit, late Tampa Bay at Colorado, ppd Columbus at Calgary, ppd Edmonton at Seattle, late Sunday’s Games Vegas at N.Y. Islanders, 2 p.m. St. Louis at Winnipeg, 3 Boston at Ottawa, 5 Nashville at Carolina, 5 Los Angeles at Washington, 7 Pittsburgh at New Jersey, 7 Toronto at Seattle, 9 Arizona at Vancouver, 10

ODDS

NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Brooklyn Philadelphia Boston Toronto New York

Atlantic

Buck Showalter is back on the bench in New York. Nearly 30 years since making his name in pinstripes, Showalter has been hired as manager of the Mets as he returns to the Big Apple to take over his ﬁfth major league team. The former New York Yankees skipper replaces Luis Rojas, let go in early October following two losing seasons. Mets owner Steve Cohen revealed the move Saturday afternoon on Twitter. Showalter has managed more than 3,000 big league games during 20 seasons. Showalter, 65, joins Hall of Famers Casey Stengel, Yogi Berra and Joe Torre as managers of both the Mets and Yankees. Dallas Green held both jobs as well. In addition to building a winner across town during the 1990s with the Yankees, Showalter has managed the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. He compiled a regular-season record of 1,551-1,517-1 (.506 winning percentage) from 1992 to 2018, winning three AL manager of the year awards.

SOCCER

AMERICAN CONFERENCE New England Buffalo Miami N.Y. Jets

Showalter hired as Mets’ manager

NFL Favorite Line (O/U) Underdog Dallas 11½(44½) NY GIANTS Arizona 12½ (47½) DETROIT PITTSBURGH 1 (43) Tennessee MIAMI OFF(OFF) NY Jets JACKSONVILLE 4½(39½) Houston BUFFALO OFF(OFF) Carolina DENVER 3 (44) Cincinnati SAN FRANCISCO 9½(46) Atlanta Green Bay 7(43½) BALTIMORE TAMPA BAY 11½(45½) New Orleans NBA Favorite Line (O/U) Underdog SACRAMENTO OFF (OFF) San Antonio MEMPHIS 4 (220) Portland Miami 6 (204) DETROIT PHILADELPHIA 5½ (210) New Orleans BROOKLYN OFF (OFF) Denver ATLANTA 5 (220) Cleveland PHOENIX 8 (226½) Charlotte CHICAGO OFF (OFF) LA Lakers MINNESOTA 3½ (214) Dallas COLLEGE BASKETBALL Favorite Line Underdog DETROIT MERCY 11½ Cent. Michigan UMASS 6 Fairﬁeld ARKANSAS STATE 6 Air Force RHODE ISLAND 6½ Charleston (SC) BOWLING GREEN 11½ Robert Morris UIC 8 Northern Illinois OKLAHOMA 19½ UT Arlington SMU 6 NEW MEXICO Texas 9½ STANFORD PACIFIC (CA) 2½ UC Davis MID. TENNESSEE 3½ Coastal Carolina DRAKE 23½ Chicago St. CAL 11½ Dartmouth MONTANA ST. 11 Portland RICHMOND 12½ Old Dominion SANTA CLARA 10½ Montana UC RIVERSIDE 13½ Sacramento St. Kansas St. 1 NEBRASKA NHL Favorite Money Line Underdog Las Vegas -144 N.Y.ISLANDERS WINNIPEG -130 St. Louis Boston -184 OTTAWA CAROLINA -146 Nashville WASHINGTON -150 Los Angeles Pittsburgh -160 NEW JERSEY Toronto -154 SEATTLE VANCOUVER -255 Arizona

ON THIS DATE 1913 — Heavyweight champion Jack Johnson fights to a 10-round draw with Battling Jim Johnson in Paris. 1917 — The NHL begins play. Joe Malone of the Montreal Canadiens scores five goals in a 9-4 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Harry Hyland of the Montreal Wanderers scores five goals in a 10-9 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. 1943 — Harry Lumley, at 17 years and 38 days old, becomes the youngest goaltender in NHL history when he plays for the Detroit Red Wings in a 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. 1948 — The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Chicago Cardinals 7-0 in a major snowstorm for the NFL title. Philadelphia’s Bucko Kilroy recovers a fumble on the 17-yard line in the fourth period. Steve Van Buren later scores.

Before Emily Gray headed to Virginia Tech, she wrote down a list of goals that she wanted to achieve in her college soccer career. One of them was to be chosen in the National Women’s Soccer League draft. Gray achieved that goal Saturday when she was chosen by the North Carolina Courage with the third overall pick. Later in the ﬁrst round, North Carolina selected Virginia forward Diana Ordonez with the sixth overall pick. There were 12 picks in the ﬁrst round. Gray became the highest NWSL draft pick in Hokies history. Mandy McGlynn, who decided this month to leave the NWSL to play in Sweden, was taken in the third round with the 20th overall pick in January 2020.

HOCKEY

Capitals beat Jets in Lowry’s debut Vitek Vanecek made 40 saves and the visiting Washington Capitals beat Winnipeg 5-2 Friday night to spoil the debut of new Jets coach Dave Lowry. Michael Sgarbossa and Alex Ovechkin scored empty-net goals in the ﬁnal 2:40 to seal the win for Washington. Brett Leason, Daniel Sprong and Conor Sheary also scored for the Capitals. Lowry, Winnipeg’s former assistant coach, was named interim head coach after Paul Maurice announced his resignation earlier Friday. ♦ Marie-Philip Poulin scored at 3:31 of overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the United States on Friday night in Game 6 of the My Why Tour preOlympics women’s series in St. Louis. Canada has won four of the six games in the nine-game series.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Auburn hires Davis to run offense Auburn has hired Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Austin Davis as offensive coordinator. Coach Bryan Harsin ﬁred Mike Bobo following a 6-6 record in their ﬁrst regular season at Auburn. The team faces Houston in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 28. Davis played in the NFL for St. Louis, Cleveland, Denver, Seattle and Tennessee. He started in coaching as an offensive assistant with the Seahawks in February 2019 and was elevated to quarterbacks coach in 2020, working with eight-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson (Collegiate). ♦ Kyle King passed for 445 yards and three touchdowns, Alphonso Thomas rushed for two more scores and Mary Hardin-Baylor broke away after halftime to unseat reigning champion North Central (Ill.) College 57-24 on Friday night to win the NCAA Division III national title in Canton, Ohio.

SKIING

Bennett claims World Cup downhill win The big jumps and the varied terrain on the Saslong course in Selva di Val Gardena, Italy, remind the American racers of home. It’s been the perfect recipe for success over the years and Bryce Bennett added another win for the team at the Dolomites resort Saturday in the first classic downhill of the World Cup season. The 6-foot-7 Californian joined teammate Steven Nyman (three downhill victories) and Bode Miller (one super-G victory) as American winners on the Saslong. For his first career victory, Bennett finished 0.14 seconds ahead of Otmar Striedinger of Austria and 0.32 ahead of Niels Hintermann of Switzerland.

Goggia, Johnson finish 1-2 again Olympic champion Sofia Goggia held up seven fingers after finishing a women’s World Cup downhill downhill in Val d’Isere, France: one for each victory in her last seven downhill starts. Goggia and American rival Breezy Johnson finished 1-2 for the third time this season. Goggia has won all seven World Cup downhills in which she competed since Dec. 18, 2020. The Italian missed the final two races of last season with a knee injury. Goggia beat Johnson by .27 seconds, with Austrian skier Mirjam Puchner .91 behind in third. The result sent Goggia past Mikaela Shiffrin to the top of the overall standings, leading the American three-time champion by 10 points. — From staff and wire reports

C8 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 • • •

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

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SPORTS

Editor: Michael Phillips (804) 649-6546 mphillips@timesdispatch.com

DAYS

•••

SQUIRRELSBASEBALL.COM

SECTION B • RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • RICHMOND.COM

Tech’s spring takeaway: winning turnover battle

Attacking defense, controlled offense crucial for Fuente BY MIKE BARBER Richmond Times-Dispatch

Saying a coaching staff emphasized the football during spring drills might sound obvious. But at Virginia Tech, Justin Fuente spent the past two months stressing how important it is for the offense to protect the ball,

for the fifth fewest in the league, and Braxton Burmeister, who takes over as the team’s starting quarterback this year, threw just one interception in his NORTH CAROLINA 84 pass attempts in 2020. AT VIRGINIA TECH “I think we are becomFootball season opener ing more conscientious Sept. 3: Time TBD of the ball,” said Fuente. second fewest in Fuente’s “We get multiple people to the ball to tackle and five-season tenure, and their five fumble recover- work punches and rakes to try to get the ball out. Ofies tied last year for the fensively, it’s definitely on fewest in that time. They only committed 14 the forefront of the older turnovers last season, tied HOKIES, Page B3

and how vital it is for the defense to take it away. “Anything to get the ball back,” said junior cornerback Brion Murray. “Just attack the ball at all times. Never forget about it.” The Hokies, who are scheduled to hold their 15th and ﬁnal spring practice on Friday and won’t hold their annual spring game due to the pandemic, tied for eighth in the ACC with 17 forced turnovers a year ago. Their 12 interceptions were the

“I think we are becoming more conscientious of the ball.” Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente, on

MATT GENTRY/THE ROANOKE TIMES

TOYOTA OWNERS 400

TOYOTACARE 250

Series: Cup

Series: Truck

Sunday: 3 p.m.

TV: Fox

Saturday: 1:30

quarterback Braxton Burmeister (left) and the Hokies. Burmeister threw just one interception in his 84 pass attempts last season.

TV: FS1

David Teel

dteel@TimesDispatch.com

Spiders ramp up for Dukes showdown

hen Richmond and James Madison agreed to Saturday’s de facto division championship football game, Spiders coach Russ Huesman intended to dial back this week’s practices — with good OPINION reason. Twice this spring the Colonial Athletic Association rivals had been scheduled to clash, only to have COVID-19 dictate otherwise. Twice game plans had been devised, installed and rehearsed. Conﬁdent his team had retained that knowledge, and hoping to conserve energy, Huesman thought a chill week of practices was best. The players vetoed him. “Had a lot of push-back from [them],” Huesman said. “They wanted the regular Tuesday, Wednesday practice. They felt like they needed it and wanted it and felt good about it.” So Huesman and his staff stood down. They trusted their players, who understand the stakes and want desperately to reverse the series’ recent history.

TEEL, Page B3

PHOTOS BY DEAN HOFFMEYER AND JAMES WALLACE/ TIMES-DISPATCH, BUD KRAFT AND THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MAKE SHIFT Following an inconsistent 2020 season, the Toyotas are on a tear heading to Richmond Raceway this weekend BY RANDY HALLMAN

Sunday’s betting favorites at RR

Special correspondent

1. Martin Truex Jr.

4-1

2. Denny Hamlin

6-1

3. Brad Keselowski

13-2

4. Kyle Larson

15-2

5. Joey Logano

8-1

6. Kyle Busch

9-1

11. Christopher Bell 28-1 18. Bubba Wallace 100-1

NO. 11 UR AT NO. 1 JMU

Source: BETMGM

College football Saturday: 2 p.m., NBCSW+

ASCAR’s elite Cup Series season makes its ninth stop — Sunday’s 400-lapper at Richmond Raceway — with a familiar pattern emerging. The Toyotas are at it again. Toyota is outnumbered in Cup races. The 37-car lineup for the last race at Martinsville Speedway was typical — 18 Chevrolets, 14 Fords, ﬁve Toyotas. But the Toyota drivers — four

The Toyota brigade of Denny Hamlin (center), Kyle Busch (bottom left), Martin Truex Jr. (bottom right), Bubba Wallace (left) and Christopher Bell have combined for three wins, 13 top-ﬁve ﬁnishes and 823 laps led in eight Cup races this season.

ished a disappointing 16th, but led 23 laps along the way. Look for stories, photo highlights and Overall, it was the kind of showmore from the Cup and Truck Series. ing David Wilson wants to see. Wilson is president of Toyota Racon the Joe Gibbs Racing team and ing Development, the operation the fifth driving for a Gibbs affiliate that supports all the brand’s motorsports efforts. — are getting the job done. A Virginia Tech graduate with At Martinsville, Martin Truex a degree in mechanical engineerJr. won the race in a Gibbs car. ing, Wilson isn’t always easy to The other three Gibbs drivers — please, even in victory. Consider Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell last June, Truex won at Martinsand Kyle Busch — all finished in the top ten. Bubba Wallace, driv- ville, but the other three Gibbs ing for the affiliated team, finHALLMAN, Page B8

Coming this weekend

Springers carry on RVA has baggage claim to Robinson’s fame Baseball pioneer visited city after canceled game a few times, one of which ‘Tough situation’ is both lesson, hurdle for Highland Springs BY ZACH JOACHIM Richmond Times-Dispatch

Highland Springs football coach Loren Johnson didn’t know what to say to Manchester coach Tom Hall. But he knew exactly what to say to his Springers. Johnson and Hall spoke on Monday, after the highly anticipated Class 5, Region B championship clash between their teams was declared no contest following a positive COVID-19 test within the Lancers program. Highland Springs (7-0) was

left legend with lost luggage

HIGHLAND SPRINGS VS. DEEP CREEK OR MAURY

BY JOHN O’CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch

Class 5 state semiﬁnal When: April 23 or 24 Page B8: Previewing Friday’s playoff games

named the region champion and will play the 5A representative next weekend in the state semiﬁnals. Johnson apologized to Hall, to which the Manchester coach responded, “You’ve got nothing to apologize for.” But Johnson said that was his instinct, to apologize to his competitor when facing such adversity. “If you’re a competitor, nobody wants to win it like

SPRINGERS, Page B8

1968, DEAN LEVI/RICHMOND NEWS LEADER

Baseball legend Jackie Robinson talked with Zelda Smith (left) and Venice Watkins during a stop in Richmond in November of 1968. He visited in support of Hubert Humphrey’s presidential campaign.

We paused for Jackie Robinson Day, an annual celebration of April 15, 1947, when Robinson as a Brooklyn Dodger became the first Black man to play Major League Baseball. In a few ways, Robinson is always in Richmond. A portion of the outfield fence at The Diamond is dedicated to Robinson, whose picture is featured. Also, his number 42 is painted on the walls along each foul line. And no Richmond Flying Squirrel ever wears No. 42, retired throughout all levels of affiliated baseball in honor of Robinson. In person, Robinson visited Richmond at least four times following the completion of his playing career, and

ROBINSON, Page B3

B2 FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • • •

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Redtails? Redwolves? WFT tests new names

Jim Crumley of Botetourt County poses with a turkey after a successful hunt. A decoy on the left was a useful tool in the hunt, sporting realistic eyes and an exterior that can draw in live turkeys. Crumley’s target turkey weighed in at 17.5 pounds, while his hunting cohort, C.J. Davis, took down a bird nearly 5 pounds larger nearby.

BY MICHAEL PHILLIPS Richmond Times-Dispatch

SUBMITTED PHOTO

OUTDOORS

Stalking turkey can be a rewarding experience

hunting alongside Crumley, we could have had a “true double.” Crumley was in that enviable situation where two motivated gobome of my most beautiful blers expressed interest in the sultry hunting expeditions occur in sounds coming from his Copper Pot the spring. The eruption of color as nature wondrously awakens friction call. His usual approach is to head toward one of the ridgetops from winter dormancy is inspiring. for daybreak listening. Trails created Few places rival, for instance, by logging crews crafting brilliant springtime Texas when wildflowselect-cut timber stands offer good, ers carpet the landscape unless, easy access to prime locations. of course, you consider Virginia’s Crumley’s timber stand improvesplendor of redbuds and ments and abundant wildlife openOPINION dogwoods. ings create superb wildlife habitat. Redbuds were in their Based on where the birds’ locavibrant glory as I left the 18-wheeler tion when they gobbled, Crumley extravaganza that is Interstate 81 figured they’d approach from one of and began the peaceful climb into the mountains of Botetourt County two trails: one high, one low. Rather than make a 50/50 bet and set up near Buchanan. Nestled near a on one trail, Crumley set up where ridgetop, off a meandering gravel the trails converged. He planted one road, is the log home of Jim and of Davis’ Purrfect Pair XD hen deSherry Crumley. coys at the convergence, tucked into Jim is the creative genius and enthe base of a tree and readied his 12 trepreneur behind Trebark camgauge over/under shotgun. ouflage, the first commercial camo The decoys are unique, sporting product designed for hunters. Sherry is a past member of the Board of the taxidermist quality eyes and a covered in a fabric designed to replicate Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Board of the a turkey’s natural iridescence. These decoys are light and collapsible. National Wild Turkey Federation. Davis explained that the decoys The plan was to hang out, catch have “an internal, reverse slinky,” up and enjoy a meal, and then try operating a bit like a lightly coiled to find a cooperative wild turkey or two in the early morning. C.J. Davis, spring, with enough tension to pop the decoy into shape but not so tight president of Flint Holdings LLC, that it prevents easy collapse, clowhich owns the Montana Decoys sure and transport. Unlike other deCo., (montanadecoy.com) was alcoys, it is also adjustable. The decoy ready there and had been hunting can be posed with different looks: for a couple days. feeding, upright, etc. Those beautiful redbuds are The turkeys chose the high road abundant on the Crumleys’ mounand committed once they saw tain property, which spans two Crumley’s decoy. As often happens ridgetops with a creek valley in bewhen two toms approach, one struts tween. The kitchen smells were inmore than the other, if the subordicredible, especially when the oven nate bird even struts at all. door was opened and we inhaled Crumley picked his bird, squeezthe aroma of freshly baked redbud ing the trigger when he judged the muffins, made with the delicate range optimal. The turkey was a flowers. Reserved for next mornlean 17.5 pounds with inch-plus ing’s breakfast, they were delicious spurs and a thick beard. The gobwarmed and buttered. bler Davis rolled on the other side of the road was a chunky 22 pounds, a A daily double hefty boy for the mountains, clearly first in line at the turkey chow line. Crumley and Davis doubled the Crumley explained that an over/ day before (sort of). They weren’t under shotgun is now his preferred hunting side-by-side in a situation where they fired simultaneously on firearm for hunting mountain birds. two approaching gobblers, but they The reason is the undulating tereach shot toms at roughly the same rain and the fact that turkeys rarely approach from the easy, expected time of the morning. direction. Crumley detailed times Had I been there a day early, BY KEN PERROTTE

The Free Lance-Star

when the top of a turkey’s tail fan could be seen at extremely close range just beyond a nearby ripple on the ridgeline. Sometimes, though, the bird’s head and neck materialized, offering a shot. “I often missed birds at close range. That shot pattern is so tight, especially with guns set up for more conventional distance shots (2540 yards). I started putting an improved cylinder choke in my bottom barrel and using very ﬁne shot. This gives me a pattern of 10-15 inches at close range,” he said, spreading his hands to demonstrate width. “My top barrel has a tight choke and more traditional shot, usually 6s or 5s,” he said, adding with a laugh: “The most important thing is for me to remember to select the right barrel.”

All talk, no action I teamed up to hunt with Jim; Davis and Sherry hunted solo—he by a powerline near a ridgetop and she closer to the creek bottom. Jim and I walked a ridgetop on the property’s eastern edge, watching the sun rise over the Blue Ridge. All the gobbles we heard came from near the creek bottom or the opposing slope. Oh well. Adjusting course, we passed a hayfield where I spied a single turkey just moving out of sight. We set up and lightly called for 15 minutes with no response. The early morning activity was complete. Davis had chased a recalcitrant gobbler all over the mountain. Sherry heard birds but none that would cooperate. Crumley said the toms usually fire up again around 9 a.m. We rode around for a leisurely tour of his mountain paradise. Heading back for a final try, we neared the hayfield location. Crumley made a couple of yelps and, sure enough, a bird gobbled twice. It was 8:55 a.m. “Told ya,” he said. Of course, the turkey was precisely at the spot where we began the morning, likely strutting his tail feathers off. Sneaking in would be tough — too tough it turned out. “Sometimes the gobblers win. I like it that way,” Crumley grinned. Outdoors@FreeLanceStar.com

Capt. Art Conway of Conway’s River Rat Guide Service out of Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reported that Chickahominy Lake midday water temperatures were in the upper 60s to lower 70s throughout most of the main lake on Wednesday. The lake level was about 6 inches above the top of the dam. The water was medium to dark brown and clear to slightly cloudy in the central lower lake. Most blue cats and bullheads were along flats, drop-offs, and in channels in the main lake. When active, cats were hitting live minnows and cut bait. Crappie were in multiple patterns. Moderate numbers of crappie could be found in creeks and near wood cover on 3-to-6-foot flats in the upper lake, and the males were dark indicating spawning activity. In the lower lake, most crappie had left the upper areas in creeks in favor of creek mouths and on flats in the main lake, frequently around cypress trees or wood cover. Active fish were hitting live minnows, tubes, curly tail grubs and small swim baits. White and yellow perch were scattered or in loose aggregates on flats and channel edges in the main lake, with occasional fish in creeks. When active they were hitting small live minnows, swim baits and jigs. Some bluegill and shellcracker were in creeks and were hitting live worms, Nikko nymphs and small swimbaits.

Snyder targets Allen via court filings cation of the Defamatory Articles.” Snyder’s lawsuit also alleges that Allen spoke Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder with John Moag, a Baltimore investment banker is asking a federal court representing the team’s for permission to search three minority shareholdthrough text messages ers, who wished to sell and other communicatheir stake in the team, on tions made by former a number of occasions. team president Bruce “In the 6 weeks leading Allen. up to the publication of Allen, who worked for the Defamatory Articles the team for a decade until his firing at the end ... (Allen) and Mr. Moag spoke 21 times for 270 of the 2019 season, is alminutes, or 4.5 hours,” leged to have been a the lawsuit alleges. source for negative reA text message from porting about the team and Snyder that came out Moag was a central piece of evidence in a lawsuit last spring. The filing is in conjunc- between Snyder and tion with a lawsuit filed in those minority partners. The text read, in part: India against a company “If you continue your named MEAWW, which game, you know what I ran unsubstantiated alknow and what I have legations against Snyder never spoken about. And in the weeks leading up to a series of Washington you know it has nothing Post reports about sexual to do with the media s.... misconduct among team it’s the more series s.” That lawsuit was later executives. In the California filing, dismissed after the parSnyder’s legal team notes ties reached an agreement that led to the that Allen was “rarely, Snyder family purchasing if ever,” mentioned in full control of the team. the exposés, despite his The NFL took over an “hands-on role in runinvestigation into the ning the Team on a daysexual misconduct alto-day basis.” legations, but a league It continues: “This spokesman said in March glaring omission raises the final report has not further questions about yet been received. Respondent’s possible role in and/or knowledge mphillips@timesdispatch.com of the creation, solicita(804) 649-6546 Twitter: @michaelpRTD tion, drafting and publiBY MICHAEL PHILLIPS

Richmond Times-Dispatch

FRIDAY’S EVENTS COLLEGE BASEBALL ♦ Richmond at Saint Louis, 3 p.m. ♦ Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech, 6 ♦ Louisville at Virginia, 6

FISHING REPORT CHICKAHOMINY LAKE

The Washington Football Team has promised a rebranding in early 2022, and has begun surveying season-ticket holders about potential new names. A survey sent out on Wednesday night included at least 37 names, as reported by fans who shared their survey on social media. Those fans were asked to rank their two favorite and least favorite options, though each fan received only a small subset of the names. The survey was accompanied by a letter from team president Jason Wright. “This is an ongoing, iterative process,” he wrote, adding that the team would continue to engage stakeholders in the coming weeks and months. The team is also producing a behind-thescenes show about the rebranding. The name options included the current placeholder name, Washington Football Team, as well as internet fan favorite the Washington Redwolves.

Pickerel and bass were in creeks and around cypress trees, on ﬂats and on channel edges in the main lake. When active, bass and pickerel were hitting live minnows, spinnerbaits, swim baits, stick worms, crank baits, jerk baits, blade baits and jigs. Fishing with Capt. Conway, Mickey Cleveland had four crappie, and one each of bluegill, yellow perch, gizzard shad, pickerel and bass. Tom Porter had 29 crappie, and one each of white perch, blue cat and bass.

LAKE COUNTRY Jeff Crow reports the following from Lake Country in southern Virginia: Kerr Reservoir has been hovering just below 301 feet this week. At this level, a few trees and bushes will be in the water, making for key spawning locations. Gaston has been running high again this week and was just over 200 feet for much of the week. The Kerr powerhouse reduced their discharge to about eight hours a day or so earlier in the week. Water temperatures continue to rise and have been in the mid to upper 60s in many locations. Good catﬁsh reports continued to come in the week, and many of these catches were from shallow water. Casting larger baits in the shallows is a good way to catch giant cats right now. Big chunks of fresh cutbait attract blue cats and sometimes big ﬂatheads. Good choices of cutbait include either white perch or big shad.

Heavy monofilament can be used with a two to four foot leader and a big sinker in the range of 2-3 ounces for these shallow fish. The crappie are biting well this week and many fish over two pounds are being caught. Zack Royce of Blue Brothers Charters reports a lot of species are biting well on Lake Gaston, particularly the crappie. While Zack focuses on catfish quite often, recently he has been doing well with the crappie, and catching a mixed bag including perch, bass and cats. Many anglers are long-lining now that we are well into spring. While some anglers are targeting crappie on shallow cover, some are finding them following schools of bait. This is where long-lining really comes into play as more water can be covered, and suspended crappie under schools of bait can be caught. Shooting docks is becoming more and more productive as we head into mid-April. Largemouth bass are focused on beds right now and it is one of the few times fishing close to the bank is productive. Pitching or flipping soft plastics around shallow cover can produce big bites. Other lures such as spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, jigs and topwater are also producing good bites. If it is tough, a finesse worm or wacky rigged stickbait may be the key. Spawning comes in waves so there will be both post-spawn and pre-spawn fish to be caught as well. —- Compiled by Lily Betts

The list of names that fans received on their surveys: ♦ The Washington Aces ♦ The Washington Ambassadors ♦ The Washington Anchors ♦ The Washington Archers ♦ The Washington Armada ♦ The Washington Aviators ♦ The Washington Beacons ♦ The Washington Belters ♦ The Washington Brigade ♦ The Washington Commanders ♦ The Washington Defenders ♦ The Washington Demon Cats ♦ The Washington Griffins ♦ The Washington Guardians ♦ The Washington Icons ♦ The Washington Majors ♦ The Washington Monarchs ♦ The Washington Pilots ♦ The Washington Presidents ♦ The Washington Razorbacks ♦ The Washington Redhogs ♦ The Washington Redtails ♦ The Washington Redwolves ♦ The Washington Renegades ♦ The Washington Riders ♦ The Washington Rising ♦ The Washington Royals ♦ The Washington Rubies ♦ The Washington Swifts ♦ The Washington Warriors ♦ The Washington Wayfarers ♦ The Washington Wild Hogs ♦ Washington Football Team ♦ The Washington 32 FC (W32) ♦ Washington Capital City Football Club (CCFC) ♦ First City Football Club (FCFC) ♦ Washington DC Football Club (DCFC)

♦ Davidson at VCU, 6:30 p.m. HIGH SCHOOLS ♦ Playoff glance, Page B5

FRIDAY’S TV AUTO RACING ♦ 5:25 a.m. — ESPN2, F1 practice ♦ 8:55 — ESPNU, F1 practice ♦ 7 p.m. — FS1, NHRA qualifying

♦ 9:35 — ESPN, New York at Dallas

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ♦ 2 p.m. — MLB, Atlanta at Chicago Cubs ♦ 7 — MASN, Arizona at Washington ♦ 7 — MLB, Tampa at N.Y. Yankees ♦ 8 — MASN2, Baltimore at Texas ♦ 10 — MLB, L.A. Dodgers at San Diego

GOLF ♦ 7:30 a.m. — Golf, EPGA: Austrian Open ♦ Noon — Golf, Champions: Chubb Classic ♦ 3 p.m. — Golf, PGA: The Heritage ♦ 7 — Golf, LPGA: LOTTE Championship

COLLEGE BASEBALL ♦ 4 p.m. — ESPNU, Michigan at Minnesota ♦ 7 — ACCN, Clemson at Miami ♦ 7 — ESPNU, Vanderbilt at Tennessee

NHL ♦ 7 p.m. — NHL, N.Y. Islanders at Boston

COLLEGE SOFTBALL ♦ 5 p.m. — ACCN, North Carolina at Pitt NBA ♦ 3 p.m. — NBA, Indiana at Utah ♦ 7:15 — ESPN, L.A. Clippers at Philadelphia

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ♦ 8 p.m. — CBSSN, Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championship

SOCCER ♦ 3 p.m. — NBCSN, Premier: Tottenham at Everton ♦ 9:30 and 11:30 — CBSSN, UEFA Champions League. ♦ 9:30 — FS1, Minnesota at Seattle TENNIS ♦ 6 a.m. — Tennis, Tournaments TBD ♦ 1 p.m. — Tennis, WTA: Charleston Open

FRIDAY’S RADIO MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ♦ 2 p.m. — Atlanta at Chicago Cubs, 106.1 ♦ 7 — Arizona at Washington, 910 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL ♦ 2 p.m. — Atlantic Shores vs. Miller School, 820

TALK SHOWS ♦ 7 a.m. — The Sports King, 106.1 ♦ 8 — Bob Black, 950 ♦ 8 — Sportsphone with Big Al, 106.1 ♦ Noon — Wes McElroy, 910 ♦ 3 — Matt Josephs, 950 Subject to change

• • • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 B3

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Blue Devils burn Cavs Providence transfer Nichols chooses VCU Robertson, Duke hand No. 4 UVA heartbreaking loss

BY MIKE BARBER Richmond Times-Dispatch

CHARLOTTESVILLE — Ian Laviano took a long pause, sucked a breath through his teeth, then exhaled before letting the words escape his mouth. “For me and some of the older guys,” the Virginia lacrosse senior said this week, “there is that hatred for Duke. I’ll say it.” Thursday night’s loss at Klockner Stadium will only add to that. Virginia native Joe Robertson, a senior attackman who played his high school lacrosse in Charlottesville at St. Anne’s-Belﬁeld, scored the game-winner with 32 seconds left in overtime to give No. 3 Duke a thrilling 13-12 win over No. 4 UVA. Seniors Dox Aitken and Charlie Bertrand scored three goals and seniors Matt Moore and Payton Cormier added two apiece for the Cavaliers (9-3, 2-3 ACC), who had their four game win streak snapped. Robertson scored twice and had three assists for the Blue Devils (11-1, 3-1), who got three goals each from Brennan O’Neill and Princeton transfer Michael Sowers. It’s been just under two years since Virginia ended a programdogging 11-game losing

equalizer. Instead, his shot missed and he was called for a questionable unsportsmanlike penalty that befuddled TifNO. 3 DUKE 13, fany and let Duke open NO. 4 VIRGINIA 12 (OT) the second half a man up. UVA was called for four Men’s lacrosse first-half penalties, Duke none. streak against Duke with Virginia killed off that a thrilling 13-12 doublepenalty over the first 52 overtime victory in the national semifinals, a win seconds of the third quarter, then tied the game that propelled the Cava7-7 on a goal by Aitken liers to the 2019 national with 12:58 left in the third championship. In that game, it was La- quarter. Cormier’s second goal viano’s score off a pass of the game gave UVA its from Matt Moore that first lead since the first lifted UVA over the Blue quarter. Devils. He scored off a feed Thursday night’s from Shellenberger to put long-awaited rematch the Cavaliers up 10-9 with certainly lived up to its 3:27 left in the third. Just predecessor. 7 seconds later, Aitken UVA took an early found the back of the cage 3-1 lead in the first for an 11-9 edge. quarter, getting goals Virginia led 11-10 going from Bertrand, Aitken into the fourth quarter, and freshman Connor setting the stage for a Shellenberger. physical and tense final Duke answered with a stanza. UVA held that one 5-0 run, going up 6-3 on a man-up goal by O’Neill goal margin until Duke’s Garrett Leadmon tied the with 12:08 to go before game 12-12 with 1:45 to halftime. play. The visiting Blue DevUVA called timeout ils led 7-5 when Virginia coach Lars Tiffany called with 42 seconds to set up a final attack in regulatimeout with 1:10 to go tion. Bertrand scored the before halftime. apparent game-winner Out of the timeout, but the referees waived Bertrand — a graduate transfer from Merrimack his goal off because he fell — scored his second goal into the inner circle of the crease. of the half, rushing the That sent the game to cage and beating Duke goalie Mike Adler high as overtime. And that’s where RobBertrand tumbled to the ertson ended it, giving Laground. viano and UVA one more That cut UVA’s deficit to 7-6 and, with 8 seconds reason to hate Duke. left before the break, Lambarber@timesdispatch.com viano nearly scored the Twitter: @RTD_MikeBarber

Teel From Page B1

The stakes: Saturday’s winner secures the CAA’s South Division title and an almost certain bid to the 16-team NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, the field for which will be revealed at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on ESPNU. The series: JMU has defeated Richmond in each of the last four seasons, the most recent two by a combined 111-17. “If we want to be considered on the level that JMU is on,” Spiders running back Aaron Dykes said, “this is the type of game we have to compete in and win. … We just want people to know we can play and [that] we’re not any less than [JMU].” The Dukes (4-0, 2-0 CAA) have won 14 consecutive games at Bridgeforth Stadium, site of Saturday’s contest, and 12 straight versus league opponents at any venue. They sit atop the two national FCS polls and have reached the playoffs in each of the last six seasons. The Spiders (3-0 overall and CAA) are No. 10 and 11, respectively, in the media and coaches polls. Their most recent playoff appearance was 2016. “We definitely know what’s at stake and that we belong in playing at the top and ranked among the best,” Richmond linebacker Tristan Wheeler said. “So we’re going to go into this game with a chip on our shoulder and try to show everyone this is where we belong and play for that spot in the playoffs.” That’s admirable confidence, but in this abbreviated and often-disrupted season, good luck to anyone identifying the best teams, especially the playoff selection committee chaired by Missouri State athletic director Kyle Moats. Richmond has defeated Elon (1-5) twice and William & Mary (1-2) once. JMU has beaten Elon, W&M, Robert Morris (0-3) and Morehead State (3-3). Small sample sizes notwithstanding, the Spiders and Dukes are an intriguing statistical matchup. For example, headlined

DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/TIMES-DISPATCH

Running back Aaron Dykes says Richmond players view Saturday’s game at James Madison as an opportunity to prove they’re among the nation’s best teams.

by Percy Agyei-Obese, JMU averages 5.3 yards per rush. Wheeler, end Darius Reynolds and the Richmond defense yield 2.1 yards per carry. “The bottom line is, we have to get ’em on the ground when we’ve got an opportunity to get ’em on the ground, and we’ve got to fit gaps,” Huesman said. “And if that’s good enough, that’s good enough. We can’t say, ‘Yeah, we had him in the backfield,’ and the next thing you know it’s a 15yard gain.” Similarly, Dykes and quarterback Joe Mancuso give the Spiders a deceptive, ball-control running game that averages 4.5 yards per rush and 34:27 time of possession. Thanks in large measure to middle linebacker Kelvin Azanama (Monacan) and defensive end Mike Greene (Highland Springs), the Dukes allow 1.3 yards per carry. “We’ve got to have some sustained drives, no question,” Huesman said, “and our offense has really helped the defense out quite a bit this spring, hanging on to the football, converting, getting first downs, converting fourth downs. …

“I don’t think our offense is putting up gaudy numbers — they’re putting up really good numbers. But they’re hanging onto the football, they’re eating clock, they’re getting first downs, and that has helped the defense tremendously. And they’re going to have to do it [again Saturday].” Win Saturday, and Richmond will likely be playing April 24 in the postseason — after a week of full-scale drills. Indeed, Huesman said Richmond’s all-out preparation for JMU was spot-on. Had he ever known a team to decline less rigorous practices? “Nope, nope,” Huesman said with a laugh. “When I was playing, man, I’d have been doing backflips all the way down the hall. Great group of guys we’re working with right now, though. This is a tremendous football team. I’ve said it before: Every day I walk onto the practice field and walk into this office, it’s a joy to be around them. They’re great kids and hard workers, and we’ll see if we’re good enough.” Twitter: @ByDavidTeel

Forward averaged 6.1 points before having eye surgery BY WAYNE EPPS JR. Richmond Times-Dispatch

VCU added more experience to its frontcourt Thursday, with the addition of a transfer out of Providence. Jimmy Nichols Jr., a 6-8, 220 pounder from Conway, S.C., announced on Twitter early Thursday afternoon that he has committed to VCU. He ﬁlls one of what was two open scholarships the Rams had open, following the February departure of point guard Tre Clark and the March transfer of 7-1 center Brendan Medley-Bacon. Nichols spent the ﬁrst three years of his college career at Providence,

though he played just ﬁve games in 2019-20 due to a foot injury. He also did not play in the Friars’ ﬁnal nine games this past season. Nichols had eye surgery, according to The Providence Journal. But in 16.9 minutes per game across 16 appearances this past year, as a junior, Nichols averaged 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and shot 40.9% from deep (9 of 22). The 16 games included eight starts. Nichols started 18 of 30 appearances as a freshman in 2018-19, with 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, playing an average of 11.5 minutes. Out of Conway High School, Nichols carried a three-star composite rating from 247Sports. He was the No. 35-ranked power forward in the Class of 2018, and the No. 5 player overall in the class

out of South Carolina. VCU offered Nichols in 2017. Nichols announced his decision to transfer out of Providence on March 25. Fellow forwards Greg Gantt and Kris Monroe also transferred out of the school. The Rams now have one open scholarship remaining. They will also add incoming freshmen Jalen DeLoach (6-9 forward) and Nick Kern (6-6 guard). It remains unclear whether either of their senior forwards, Corey Douglas or Levi Stockard III, will return, utilizing the extra year of eligibility granted to winter sports athletes by the NCAA. But if they chose to return, they wouldn’t count against the scholarship limit of 13. wepps@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6442 Twitter: @wayneeppsjr

Hokies From Page B1

players’ minds. We’ve got to get the younger guys up to speed with all that.” Tech’s ﬁve defensive fumble recoveries were the fewest for the program since at least 1987, so the Hokies have stressed stripping the ball in drills and scrimmages. So in position group work, assistant coaches are working on ways to dislodge the football from ball carriers and stressing effort and awareness to pursue and pounce on fumbles that do come loose. “With us it’s all about effort. If we get the ball out, you’ve got to do that with effort,” said defensive end TyJuan Garbutt. “They’re doing that with all our turnovers circuits, giving us ways to get the ball out with strips, with punches. I think we’ve been doing a really good job emphasizing the point.” Of course, as Garbutt noted, pass rushers are limited in what they can do because the team is wary of contact on quarterbacks in the spring. “We try to protect our guys, always protect our guys in the orange. Don’t let anyone touch the quarterback,” said Garbutt. “So you can’t reach maybe while you’re getting blocked to try to get the ball.” Still, the mindset that’s being taught this spring, he believes, will translate to game action in the fall.

MATT GENTRY/THE ROANOKE TIMES

Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen (left) works with quarterback Braxton Burmeister during spring practice. Burmeister, a senior, is entering the 2021 season as the prohibitive favorite to start for the Hokies.

For now, the Hokies are wrapping up spring, finishing their weight room and conditioning work. Next week, they’ll hold meetings with their position coaches and with Fuente. They’ll have one final team meeting in May, then final exams, before heading home. Fuente said he doesn’t know yet if the school or athletic department will require athletes to be vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to campus. “That’s not a decision for me to make,” said Fuente. “I don’t know what our, meaning Virginia Tech’s stance will be.” In an earlier media session, Fuente discussed the programs role in educating players about the vaccine. “I haven’t touched on it yet because it hasn’t got-

ten to our young people,” he said. We will not just show up one day and say, ‘It’s vaccination day.’ We will work through (our medical personnel) in terms of education, giving these kids and their parents information — accurate information, you get information anywhere — to help them make the decision if they want to participate in it or not.” Note: Fuente said the team only suffered one major injury this spring. Wide receiver Changa Hodge suffered a torn ACL last week, underwent surgery, and will miss the upcoming season. Hodge, a transfer from Villanova last year, spent most of the year on special teams before catching three passes in the ﬁnal two games. mbarber@timesdispatch.com Twitter: @RTD_MikeBarber

Robinson From Page B1

during one of those trips, his luggage was lost. A few days before the Nov. 5, 1968, presidential election, Robinson appeared in Richmond on behalf of the HumphreyMuskie Democratic ticket. Robinson had been on the road for several days (20 states). When he arrived at Richmond’s Byrd Field on a ﬂight following a long morning of travel, his baggage mistakenly had not accompanied him. According to the Richmond News Leader, Robinson said, “Well, I’ve gone this far with this shirt, I guess I can go for the rest of the way.” He ﬁlled out a lost-baggage form at the airport, and moved on with his day. Robinson spoke at the Twi-Lite Snack Bar for 30 minutes, and then addressed Virginia Union University students at another stop. His baggage arrived in Richmond during Robinson’s speaking engagements, and he reunited with the luggage at Byrd Field on his way out of town, headed for New York. Robinson previously visited Richmond during 1968 in May, when he

2018, JOE MAHONEY/TIMES-DISPATCH

In front of an outfield wall sign honoring the legendary Jackie Robinson, Flying Squirrels’ right fielder Luigi Rodriguez grabbed a fly at The Diamond in 2018.

spoke to Virginia Union students during their honors week convocation. In 1957, the year after Robinson retired, he spoke at the Mosque and a fundraising and membership drive for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Robinson made stops across the country that year on behalf of the NAACP. In 1960, Robinson came to Richmond and spoke at the opening session of Virginia’s NAACP annual convention, at the Moore Street Baptist Church. Robinson died in 1972, at age 53, of heart disease and diabetes. In Cairo, Ga., there are two roads named for baseball native sons. Robinson, the more famous of the two,

resided in the southwest Georgia town for a year before moving to California with his family. Jackie Robinson Memorial Drive is a 10-mile stretch of a highway in the Cairo (KAY-roe) area. It’s not far from Willie Harris Drive, named for the former manager of the Flying Squirrels. After a 12-year career in the big leagues, Harris’ hometown honored him by renaming West Washington Drive, the street on which Harris’ childhood home is located, Willie Harris Drive. Harris, Richmond’s manager in 2018 and 2019, is also Black. “I wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for [Robinson],” Harris said after a 2018 Squirrels game. joconnor@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6233 Twitter: @RTDjohnoconnor

BASEBALL

B4 FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • • •

American League East

Boston Toronto New York Tampa Bay Baltimore

9 6 5 5 5

Pct

4 6 7 7 8

.692 .500 .417 .417 .385

— 2½ 3½ 3½ 4

Pct

Central

6 7 6 6 6

4 5 6 7 7

.600 .583 .500 .462 .462

— — 1 1½ 1½

West

Pct

Kansas City Cleveland Detroit Chicago Minnesota

Seattle 8 5 .615 — Los Angeles 7 5 .583 ½ Houston 6 6 .500 1½ Oakland 5 7 .417 2½ Texas 5 7 .417 2½ Wednesday’s Games Toronto 5, N.Y. Yankees 4 Boston 3-7, Minnesota 2-1 Kansas City 6, L.A. Angels 1 Texas 5, Tampa Bay 1 Chi. White Sox 8, Cleveland 0 Detroit 6, Houston 4 Seattle at Baltimore, ppd. Thursday’s Games Seattle 4-2, Baltimore 2-1 Minnesota 4, Boston 3 Cleveland 4, Chicago White Sox 2 Texas at Tampa Bay, late Toronto at Kansas City, late Detroit at Oakland, late Friday’s Games Tampa Bay (Wacha 0-1) at N.Y. Yankees (TBD), 7:05 p.m. Chicago White Sox (Cease 0-0) at Boston (Pivetta 2-0), 7:10 Cleveland (Allen 1-1) at Cincinnati (Hoffman 1-1), 7:10 Baltimore (López 0-2) at Texas (Foltynewicz 0-2), 8:05 Toronto (Matz 2-0) at Kansas City (Minor 1-0), 8:10 Minnesota (TBD) at L.A. Angels (Heaney 1-1), 9:38 Detroit (Ureña 0-2) at Oakland (Montas 1-1), 9:40 Houston (Urquidy 0-1) at Seattle (Kikuchi 0-0), 10:10 Saturday’s Games Tampa Bay at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 Toronto at Kansas City, 2:10 Chicago White Sox at Boston, 4:05 Detroit at Oakland, 4:07 Cleveland at Cincinnati, 4:10 Baltimore at Texas, 7:05 Minnesota at L.A. Angels, 9:07 Houston at Seattle, 9:10

National League East

New York Philadelphia Miami Atlanta Washington Central

Cincinnati Milwaukee St. Louis Chicago Pittsburgh West

5 6 5 5 3

3 6 7 8 6 L

7 7 6 5 5

5 5 6 7 8 W

Pct

.625 .500 .417 .385 .333

— 1 2 2½ 2½

Pct

.583 .583 .500 .417 .385 L

Pct

— — 1 2 2½ GB

Los Angeles 10 2 .833 — San Francisco 8 4 .667 2 San Diego 9 5 .643 2 Arizona 4 8 .333 6 Colorado 3 9 .250 7 Wednesday’s Results Washington 6, St. Louis 0 Milwaukee 7, Chicago Cubs 0 San Francisco 3, Cincinnati 0 N.Y. Mets 5, Philadelphia 1 Pittsburgh 5, San Diego 1 Miami 6, Atlanta 5, 10 L.A. Dodgers 4, Colorado 2 Thursday’s Results Atlanta 7, Miami 6 San Diego 8, Pittsburgh 3 Arizona at Washington, late Colorado at L.A. Dodgers, late Philadelphia at N.Y. Mets, ppd. Friday’s Games Atlanta (Smyly 0-0) at Chicago Cubs (Davies 1-1), 2:20 p.m. Arizona (Widener 1-0) at Washington (Scherzer 0-1), 7:05 St. Louis (Martínez 0-2) at Philadelphia (Eﬂin 0-0), 7:05 Cleveland (Allen 1-1) at Cincinnati (Hoffman 1-1), 7:10 San Francisco (DeSclafani 1-0) at Miami (TBD), 7:10 Pittsburgh (Brubaker 1-0) at Milwaukee (Houser 1-1), 8:10 N.Y. Mets (deGrom 0-1) at Colorado (González 1-0), 8:40 L.A. Dodgers (Buehler 1-0) at San Diego (Weathers 1-0), 10:10 Saturday’s Games Arizona at Washington, 1:05 p.m. Atlanta at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 St. Louis at Philadelphia, 4:05 Cleveland at Cincinnati, 4:10 San Francisco at Miami, 6:10 Pittsburgh at Milwaukee, 7:10 N.Y. Mets at Colorado, 8:10 L.A. Dodgers at San Diego, 8:40

Seattle 4, Baltimore 2 GAME ONE Seattle AB R H BI W K Avg Haniger rf 4 1 1 2 0 0 .306 France dh 4 0 0 0 0 0 .267 Seager 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 .295 Marmolejos 1b 2 0 0 0 1 1 .238 Bishop pr-lf 0 1 0 0 0 0 .250 Torrens c 2 0 1 0 1 1 .273 Trammell cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 .143 Moore 2b 3 1 1 0 0 2 .139 Crawford ss 3 0 1 2 0 0 .262 Haggerty lf 3 1 1 0 0 0 .182 White 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .120

Totals

27 4 5 4 2 5

Baltimore AB R H BI W K Avg Mullins cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 .413 Santander dh 3 0 0 0 0 3 .220 Franco 3b 2 1 1 0 1 0 .233 Mancini 1b 3 1 1 2 0 0 .170 Severino c 3 0 1 0 0 1 .250 Mountcastle lf 3 0 1 0 0 0 .234 Urías 2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 .200 Stewart ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .231 Galvis ss 2 0 0 0 1 0 .154 McKenna rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 .200

Totals

24 2 4 2 2 6

Seattle 000 022 0 — 4 5 0 Baltimore 200 000 0 — 2 4 1 E-Galvis (1). LOB-Seattle 5, Baltimore 3. 2B-Crawford (1). HR-Haniger (3), off Harvey; Mancini (3), off Gonzales. RBIs-Haniger 2 (9), Crawford 2 (3), Mancini 2 (10). SB-Trammell (1), Haggerty (1). DP-Seattle 1. Seattle IP H R ER W K P ERA Gonzales 5 3 2 2 2 5 83 8.22 Montero 1 1 0 0 0 0 11 3.68 Graveman 1 0 0 0 0 1 9 0.00 W: Gonzales 1-1; S: Graveman 2 Baltimore IP H R ER W K P ERA Harvey 42/3 3 2 2 1 3 89 5.02 Scott 1 2 2 2 1 2 34 3.38 1 Fry /3 0 0 0 0 0 1 2.25 Armstrong 1 0 0 0 0 0 17 18.0 L: Scott 0-2 T-2:23. A-0 (45,971)

Seattle 2, Baltimore 1 GAME TWO Seattle Haniger rf France 2b Bishop lf Seager 3b Torrens dh Murphy c White 1b Trammell cf Moore lf-2b Crawford ss

Totals

AB R H BI W K Avg 4 1 2 1 0 0 .321 3 0 1 0 1 1 .271 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250 3 0 1 0 0 1 .298 2 0 0 0 1 0 .257 3 0 0 0 0 1 .182 2 0 1 0 1 0 .148 3 0 0 0 0 0 .132 3 1 1 1 0 0 .154 3 0 1 0 0 1 .267

26 2 7 2 3 4

Baltimore AB R H BI W K Avg Mullins cf 3 0 0 0 0 2 .388 Stewart lf 2 0 1 0 1 0 .267 Santander rf 2 0 0 0 1 0 .209 Mancini 1b 2 0 0 0 0 0 .163 Franco 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 .217 Mountcastle dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 .220 Ruiz 2b 3 0 1 0 0 2 .143 McKenna pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200 Galvis ss 3 1 1 1 0 0 .167 Sisco c 2 0 0 0 0 0 .176

Totals

23 1 3 1 2 6

Seattle 001 010 0 — 2 7 0 Baltimore 001 000 0 — 1 3 1 E-Mancini (1). LOB-Seattle 6, Baltimore 4. HR-Moore (1), off Zimmermann; Haniger (4), off Zimmermann; Galvis (1), off Dunn. RBIs-Moore (6), Haniger (10), Galvis (3). CS-Trammell (2). DP-Seattle 1; Baltimore 1. Seattle IP H R ER W K P ERA Dunn 5 2 1 1 2 6 68 3.72 Vest 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 1.08 Middleton 1 1 0 0 0 0 17 7.20 W: Dunn 1-0; S: Middleton 2 Baltimore IP H R ER W K P ERA Zimmermann 5 6 2 2 3 2 87 4.24 Lakins Sr. 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 0.00 Sulser 1 1 0 0 0 2 22 0.00 L: Zimmermann 1-1 T-2:01. A-5,060 (45,971)

Atlanta 7, Miami 6

Late Wednesday

Miami AB R H BI W K Avg Dickerson lf 4 0 2 1 0 1 .282 Duvall rf 1 1 1 1 0 0 .278 Marte cf 3 1 1 1 2 0 .319 Aguilar 1b 5 0 1 0 0 0 .333 Cooper rf 5 0 1 1 0 1 .222 Floro p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --BAnderson 3b 4 0 0 0 1 3 .186 Chisholm ss-2b 4 1 1 0 0 1 .258 Berti 2b-lf 4 1 1 1 0 2 .208 Wallach c 3 1 1 1 1 1 .200 Rogers p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Sierra ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .143 Pop p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Bass p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Detwiler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Rojas ss 0 1 0 0 1 0 .275

TEXAS 5, TAMPA BAY 1

Totals

35 6 9 6 5 10

Atlanta AB R H BI W K Avg Acuña Jr. rf 5 2 2 2 0 1 .442 Freeman 1b 3 0 0 0 2 0 .191 Ozuna lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .163 d’Arnaud c 1 0 0 0 0 1 .225 Albies 2b 3 0 0 1 1 2 .149 Swanson ss 4 0 3 1 0 0 .204 Riley 3b 4 1 0 0 0 1 .190 Heredia cf-lf 1 1 0 0 2 1 .000 AJackson c 4 0 0 0 0 3 .111 Minter p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --IAnderson p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .333 Adrianza ph 1 1 1 0 0 0 .300 Webb p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Sandoval ph 1 1 1 3 0 0 .375 Jones p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Matzek p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Inciarte cf 1 1 1 0 0 0 .267

Totals 33 7 8 7 5 11 Miami 020 100 102 — 6 9 0 Atlanta 000 023 002 — 7 8 0

One out when winning run scored. LOB-Miami 8, Atlanta 9. 2B-Chisholm Jr. (3), Berti (3), Duvall (3), Swanson (4). HR-Marte (1), off Jones; Acuña Jr. (7), off Rogers; Sandoval (3), off Pop. RBIs-Berti (5), Wallach (3), Dickerson (3), Marte (4), Duvall (10), Cooper (7), Acuña Jr. 2 (14), Sandoval 3 (7), Albies (8), Swanson (4). S-Rogers. Miami IP H R ER W K P ERA Rogers 5 3 2 2 3 7 95 2.40 Pop 1 2 3 3 0 1 19 18.90 Bass 1 0 0 0 0 1 17 10.80 Detwiler 1 0 0 0 0 1 12 0.00 1 Floro /3 3 2 2 2 1 27 2.70 L: Floro 0-1 Atlanta IP H R ER W K P ERA IAnderson 5 6 3 3 4 6 98 4.70 Webb 1 0 0 0 0 1 11 3.00 Jones 1 1 1 1 0 0 18 3.38 Matzek 1 0 0 0 0 2 14 0.00 Minter 1 2 2 2 1 1 25 7.11 W: Minter 1-0 T-3:24. A-11,739 (41,084)

Cleveland 4, Chicago White Sox 2 Cleveland AB R H BI W K Avg ARosario cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .179 Gamel cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Hernandez 2b 4 1 2 0 0 1 .178 Ramírez 3b 4 1 1 2 0 0 .222 ERosario lf 3 0 1 0 1 1 .250 Reyes dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 .233 Naylor rf 4 1 1 0 0 2 .225 Bauers 1b 4 0 2 0 0 2 .143 Hedges c 3 0 0 0 0 2 .091 Giménez ss 4 1 1 1 0 2 .185

Totals

35 4 8 3 1 14

Chicago AB R H BI W K Avg Anderson ss 5 1 2 0 0 1 .250 Eaton rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .261 Abreu 1b 3 0 0 0 1 3 .184 Moncada 3b 4 0 1 1 0 1 .191 Mercedes dh 4 0 1 0 0 0 .476 Grandal c 4 0 0 0 0 0 .133 Robert cf 3 1 2 0 1 0 .269 Vaughn lf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .136 Madrigal 2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 .282 Lamb ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 35 2 8 1 2 8 Cleveland 000 002 110 — 4 8 1 Chicago 100 000 001 — 2 8 2

E-Giménez (2), Abreu 2 (2). LOB-Cleveland 6, Chicago 9. 2B-Bauers (1), Giménez (2), Mercedes (4). 3B-Robert (1). HR-Ramírez (3), off Lynn. RBIs-Ramírez 2 (6), Giménez (3), Moncada (5). SB-ERosario 2 (3), Ramírez (2). Cleveland IP H R ER W K P ERA Civale 6 5 1 1 2 4 99 2.18 Wittgren 1 1 0 0 0 1 15 9.82 Karinchak 1 1 0 0 0 2 19 0.00 Clase 1 1 1 0 0 1 15 0.00 W: Civale 3-0; S: Clase 3 Chicago IP H R ER W K P ERA Lynn 6 5 2 2 0 10 93 0.92 2 Crochet /3 2 1 1 0 0 8 1.69 Kopech 11/3 1 1 1 1 2 33 1.17 Ruiz 1 0 0 0 0 2 16 2.08 L: Lynn 1-1 T-3:17. A-7,049 (40,615)

San Diego 8, Pittsburgh 3 San Diego AB R H BI W K Avg Grisham cf 5 2 2 0 0 2 .333 Profar lf 4 2 2 0 1 0 .295 Cronwrth 2b 2 2 2 2 2 0 .358 Machado 3b 3 1 1 3 1 0 .240 Hosmer 1b 5 1 2 2 0 0 .340 Kim ss 5 0 0 0 0 1 .194 Marcano rf 4 0 1 1 0 0 .167 Stammen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500 Campusano c 3 0 0 0 1 0 .091 Paddack p 3 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Hill p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Mateo rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .267

Totals

35 8 10 8 5 4

Pittsburgh Frazier 2b Newman ss Reynolds lf Moran 1b González 3b Polanco rf Stallings c Fowler cf Keller p Holmes p Alford ph Oviedo p Difo ph Feliz p Bednar p Perez ph

AB 5 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1

R 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

H 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1

BI 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

W 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

K 1 0 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Avg .289 .174 .275 .311 .257 .200 .303 .167 .000 --.050 --.316 ----.083

Totals 35 3 8 1 2 8 San Diego 420 101 000 — 8 10 1 Pittsburgh 010 020 000 — 3 8 1

E-Marcano (1), Moran (2). LOB-San Diego 7, Pittsburgh 7. 2B-Cronenworth 2 (5), Hosmer (4), Marcano (1), Profar (1), Moran (3), González (3), Frazier (5). HR-Machado (3), off Keller. RBIs-Cronenworth 2 (3), Machado 3 (8), Marcano (1), Hosmer 2 (11), González (8). SB-Grisham (1), Cronenworth (1), Profar (3). CS-Hosmer (1). SF-Cronenworth, Machado. DP-San Diego 1. San Diego IP H R ER W K P ERA Paddack 5 5 3 1 2 4 99 4.15 Hill 1 0 0 0 0 2 16 0.00 Stammen 3 3 0 0 0 2 36 2.70 W: Paddack 1-1; S: Stammen 1 Pittsburgh IP H R ER W K P ERA Keller 31/3 9 7 7 3 1 83 8.74 Holmes 12/3 0 0 0 0 1 29 9.00 Oviedo 2 0 1 1 2 1 31 9.45 Feliz 1 0 0 0 0 1 16 3.18 Bednar 1 1 0 0 0 0 14 3.18 L: Keller 1-2 T-3:15. A-4,023 (38,747)

Minnesota 4, Boston 3 Boston Hernández cf Gonzalez lf Verdugo lf-cf Bogaerts ss Devers 3b Vázquez c Arroyo 2b Renfroe rf Cordero dh Dalbec 1b

AB R H BI W 30 1 0 0 01 0 0 1 40 1 3 0 30 1 0 1 40 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 31 1 0 0 21 0 0 2 40 0 0 0 30 0 0 0

K Avg 1 .216 0 .212 0 .271 1 .370 3 .255 0 .295 0 .313 1 .179 2 .276 2 .176

Minnesota AB R H BI W Arraez lf-3b-2b 5 1 4 2 0 Polanco 2b-ss 30 0 0 1 Cruz dh 50 1 0 0 Kepler rf 50 1 1 0 Astudillo 3b 30 0 0 0 Garlick lf 10 1 0 0 Sanó 1b-3b 21 1 1 2 Cave cf 31 0 0 0 Jeffers c 41 1 0 0 Riddle ss 30 0 0 0 Garver 1b 10 0 0 0

K Avg 0 .326 0 .157 2 .405 2 .205 0 .304 0 .333 0 .100 1 .154 2 .190 0 .200 0 .161

Totals

30 3 4 3 4 10

Totals 35 4 9 4 3 7 Boston 000 000 030 — 3 4 2 Minnesota 020 001 001 — 4 9 0

One out when winning run scored. E-Dalbec (2), Bogaerts (2). LOB-Boston 5, Minnesota 11. 2B-Verdugo (5), Arroyo (6), Garlick (3). HR-Sanó (2), off Sawamura. RBIs-Verdugo 3 (11), Arraez 2 (8), Sanó (4), Kepler (8). SB-Arroyo (1). S-Cave. DP-Minnesota 1. Boston IP H R ER W K P ERA Richards 5 4 2 0 2 4 89 6.00 Sawamura 1 1 1 1 0 1 18 1.42 Taylor 1 1 0 0 0 0 15 11.57 2 Andriese /3 1 0 0 1 1 12 2.70 Hernandez 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 3 1.50 1 Ottavino /3 2 1 1 0 1 14 9.82 L: Ottavino 1-1 Minnesota IP H R ER W K P ERA Pineda 7 2 0 0 1 6 88 1.00 2 Robles /3 0 3 3 2 1 16 5.06 1 Rogers /3 1 0 0 1 1 14 0.00 Colomé 1 1 0 0 0 2 14 5.68 W: Colomé 1-1 T-3:25. A-7,925 (38,544)

N.Y. METS 5, PHILADELPHIA 1

AB R H BI W Texas Kiner-Falefa ss 4 1 0 0 1 Dahl dh 51 2 2 0 Gallo rf 21 1 0 2 García lf 40 2 2 0 NLowe 1b 41 2 1 0 Solak 2b 40 0 0 0 Heim c 31 0 0 1 Culberson 3b 30 2 0 1 Taveras cf 40 0 0 0

Totals

K Avg 1 .235 1 .209 0 .270 0 .375 0 .239 0 .209 1 .214 1 .368 1 .094

33 5 9 5 5 5

Tampa Bay Meadows lf Arozarena rf BLowe 2b Díaz 1b Wendle 3b Margot cf Tsutsugo dh Zunino c Adames ss

AB R H BI W 40 1 0 0 40 0 0 0 41 1 1 0 40 2 0 0 40 1 0 0 40 2 0 0 40 1 0 0 30 0 0 0 30 0 0 0

K Avg 0 .238 2 .289 1 .200 0 .286 0 .303 1 .290 2 .158 2 .148 2 .200

Totals

34 1 8 1 0 10

Texas 010 000 400 — 5 9 0 Tampa Bay 000 000 001 — 1 8 0 LOB-Texas 6, Tampa Bay 6. 2B-Dahl (3), Wendle (4). HR-NLowe (4), off Fleming; García (1), off Mazza; BLowe (1), off Cody. RBIs-NLowe (15), Dahl 2 (3), García 2 (2), BLowe (4). DP-Texas 1; Tampa Bay 1. Texas IP H R ER W K P ERA Arihara 52/3 3 0 0 0 5 85 3.07 King 1 3 0 0 0 1 20 1.50 Cody 21/3 2 1 1 0 4 35 5.87 W: Arihara 1-1 Tampa Bay IP H R ER W K P ERA Fleming 5 4 1 1 2 2 84 1.80 Mazza 3 5 4 4 3 1 48 11.74 Strickland 1 0 0 0 0 2 17 3.00 L: Fleming 0-1 T-2:58. A-3,021 (25,000)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX 8, CLEVELAND 0 Cleveland AB R H BI W K Avg Luplow cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .217 Hernandez 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 .146 Ramírez 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 .220 Gamel lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Reyes dh 3 0 0 0 0 0 .256 ERosario lf 2 0 0 0 0 1 .243 Bauers 1b 1 0 0 0 0 1 .059 ARosario ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 .208 Naylor rf 3 0 0 0 0 0 .222 RPérez c 2 0 0 0 0 0 .217 Chang 1b-3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 .200

Totals

27 0 0 0 0 7

Chicago AB R H BI W K Avg Eaton rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 .262 Robert cf 5 1 2 1 0 0 .245 Abreu 1b 3 0 0 0 2 2 .196 Moncada 3b 4 1 1 2 0 1 .186 Mercedes dh 5 1 3 3 0 0 .500 Collins c 4 0 0 0 0 0 .167 Vaughn lf 4 1 1 0 0 1 .167 García ss 3 2 1 1 1 1 .129 Madrigal 2b 4 1 3 1 0 0 .278

Totals

36 8 12 8 3 6

Cleveland 000 000 000 — 0 0 0 Chicago 602 000 00x — 8 12 0 LOB-Cleveland 1, Chicago 9. 2B-Vaughn (2), García (2), Robert (5). HR-Mercedes (3), off Plesac. RBIs-Moncada 2 (4), Mercedes 3 (10), García (2), Madrigal (1), Robert (5). Cleveland IP H R ER W K P ERA 2 /3 7 6 6 0 0 26 5.27 Plesac Stephan 2 2 2 2 1 2 47 9.00 1 Maton 1 /3 1 0 0 1 1 28 0.00 Quantrill 2 1 0 0 1 0 23 0.00 OPérez 1 1 0 0 0 1 12 0.00 Shaw 1 0 0 0 0 2 12 1.80 L: Plesac 1-2 Chicago IP H R ER W K P ERA Rodón 9 0 0 0 0 7 114 0.00 W: Rodón 2-0 T-2:40. A-7,148 (40,615)

L.A. DODGERS 4, COLORADO 2 Colorado AB R H BI W K Avg Hampson 2b 5 1 1 0 0 4 .233 Tapia lf 4 0 2 0 1 1 .286 Story ss 4 0 1 1 0 1 .265 Blackmon rf 4 0 0 1 0 0 .154 McMahon 3b 4 0 1 0 0 0 .289 Cron 1b 4 0 2 0 0 1 .182 Hilliard cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .120 Nuñez c 3 0 0 0 1 2 .174 Gray p 1 0 1 0 0 0 .333 Daza ph 1 1 1 0 0 0 .250 Almonte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Fuentes ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .184 Kinley p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Givens p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Bard p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Trejo ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000

Totals

36 2 9 2 2 12

Los Angeles AB R H BI W K Avg Betts cf-rf 3 1 1 0 2 1 .323 Seager ss 4 1 1 0 1 0 .366 Turner 3b 4 1 2 2 0 2 .390 Muncy 1b 3 0 0 0 1 1 .368 Lux 2b 2 0 0 1 0 1 .220 Treinen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Alexander p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Ríos ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .190 Knebel p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Jansen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Beaty lf 3 0 1 0 0 1 .100 Taylor cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .290 McKinstry rf-2b 4 1 2 1 0 0 .333 Barnes c 4 0 1 0 0 0 .273 May p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000 VGonzález p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Raley rf-lf 1 0 1 0 1 0 .500

Totals

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

31 4 9 4 5 8

Colorado 000 020 000 — 2 9 0 Los Angeles 201 000 01x — 4 9 0 LOB-Colorado 9, Los Angeles 11. 2B-McMahon (3), Seager (5), Raley (1). HR-Turner (3), off Gray; McKinstry (3), off Bard. RBIs-Story (4), Blackmon (5), Turner 2 (11), Lux (5), McKinstry (11). SF-Lux. S-May. Colorado IP H R ER W K P ERA Gray 4 5 3 3 2 3 89 2.87 Almonte 1 0 0 0 1 2 23 6.00 Kinley 1 1 0 0 1 0 21 4.15 Givens 1 1 0 0 0 2 23 3.60 Bard 1 2 1 1 1 1 21 1.93 L: Gray 1-1 Los Angeles IP H R ER W K P ERA May 41/3 7 2 2 1 6 71 1.74 V.González 11/3 1 0 0 0 0 18 2.25 Treinen 1 1 0 0 0 2 11 3.60 1 /3 0 0 0 0 0 5 3.86 Alexander Knebel 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 0.00 Jansen 1 0 0 0 1 3 19 1.59 W: Knebel 1-0; S: Jansen 3 T-3:36. A-15,093 (56,000)

AL leaders Through Wednesday’s games BATTING—Mercedes, Chicago, .500; Buxton, Minnesota, .469; Mullins, Baltimore, .442; Cruz, Minnesota, .438; Gurriel, Houston, .429; Guerrero Jr., Toronto, .390; Trout, Los Angeles, .381; Martinez, Boston, .378; Merriﬁeld, Kansas City, .375; Bogaerts, Boston, .372 HOME RUNS—Ramos, Detroit, 6; Buxton, Minnesota, 5; Devers, Boston, 5; Martinez, Boston, 5 RBI—Martinez, Boston, 16; Lowe, Texas, 15; Devers, Boston, 13; Franco, Baltimore, 12; Ohtani, Los Angeles, 12; Baddoo, Detroit, 11; Merriﬁeld, Kansas City, 11; Lowrie, Oakland, 11; Tucker, Houston, 11

NL leaders Through Wednesday’s games BATTING—Nimmo, New York, .464; Acuña Jr., Atlanta, .447; J.Turner, Los Angeles, .390; Soto, Washington, .375; Muncy, Los Angeles, .368; Seager, Los Angeles, .356; Aguilar, Miami, .353; Solano, San Francisco, .353; Zimmerman, Washington, .346; Evans, Pittsburgh, .342; Molina, St. Louis, .342 RBI—Naquin, Cincinnati, 14; Shaw, Milwaukee, 12; Acuña Jr., Atlanta, 12; McKinstry, Los Angeles, 11; India, Cincinnati, 11; Turner, Los Angeles, 11; Myers, San Diego, 11 HOME RUNS—Acuña Jr., Atlanta, 6; Naquin, Cincinnati, 5; McMahon, Colorado, 5; Duvall, Miami, 4; Longoria, San Francisco, 4; Freeman, Atlanta, 4; Escobar, Arizona, 4; Castellanos, Cincinnati, 4

On this date 1929: Cleveland’s Earl Averill became the ﬁrst American League player to hit a home run in his ﬁrst major league plate appearance. The Indians won the game 5-4 in 11 innings on Carl Lind’s double. 1935: Babe Ruth, 40, made a sensational National League debut in Boston. His single and homer off Carl Hubbell led the Braves over the Giants 4-2. 1940: Bob Feller of Cleveland defeated the Chicago White Sox 1-0 in the only opening day nohitter in major league history.

Philadelphia AB R H BI W K Avg McCutchen lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .139 Hoskins 1b 4 0 1 0 0 1 .261 Harper rf 4 0 0 0 0 3 .231 Realmuto c 3 0 0 0 1 1 .297 Bohm 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 .233 3 1 2 1 0 0 .295 Segura 2b Torreyes ss 2 0 0 0 0 2 .000 Gregorius ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 .310 Quinn cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 .050 Wheeler p 2 0 0 0 0 2 .286 Coonrod p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Knapp ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .222 Romero p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Velasquez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---

Totals

30 1 3 1 1 14

New York AB R H BI W K Avg Nimmo cf-lf 5 1 3 0 0 1 .464 Lindor ss 4 2 2 0 1 0 .222 Smith lf 5 0 3 1 0 2 .286 Díaz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Alonso 1b 3 0 0 1 0 1 .207 McNeil 2b 3 0 1 0 0 1 .174 Conforto rf 2 1 0 0 1 0 .120 McCann c 4 1 3 2 0 0 .280 Guillorme 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .364 Peterson p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Villar ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .263 Familia p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Loup p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Pillar cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 .182

Totals 34 5 12 4 2 7 Philadelphia 000 010 000 — 1 3 0 New York 200 000 12x — 5 12 1

E-Smith (1). LOB-Philadelphia 3, New York 10. HR-Segura (1), off Peterson; McCann (1), off Romero. RBIs-Segura (4), Smith (6), Alonso (5), McCann 2 (3). SF-Alonso. DP-Philadelphia 1; New York 1. Philadelphia IP HRERW K P ERA Wheeler 61/310 3 3 1 6108 3.00 2 Coonrod /3 0 0 0 0 0 3 1.59 2 /3 2 2 2 0 0 1510.80 Romero 1 /3 0 0 0 1 1 921.60 Velasquez L: Wheeler 1-2 New York IP HRERW K P ERA Peterson 6 2 1 1 010 80 6.30 1 /3 1 0 0 1 0 12 3.38 Familia Loup 12/3 0 0 0 0 2 14 0.00 Díaz 1 0 0 0 0 2 11 4.91 W: Peterson 1-1 T-2:50. A-7,520 (41,922)

PITTSBURGH 5, SAN DIEGO 1 San Diego AB R H BI W K Avg Grisham cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .316 Machado 3b 3 1 0 0 1 0 .234 Hosmer 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 .333 Pham lf 3 0 1 1 1 0 .143 Profar rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .275 Cronwrth 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .333 Kim ss 3 0 2 0 0 1 .226 Caratini c 2 0 0 0 1 0 .222 Musgrove p 1 0 1 0 0 0 .250 Mateo ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .286 Johnson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Hill p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Myers ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .333 Kela p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Adams p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Altavilla p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---

Totals

30 1 6 1 3 5

Pittsburgh AB R H BI W K Avg Frazier 2b 5 1 3 2 0 0 .300 Evans 3b 4 0 0 0 1 2 .342 Reynolds lf 5 0 1 0 0 4 .298 Moran 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 .293 Newman ss 2 0 0 0 1 0 .190 Underwood p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Howard p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Difo ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .278 Stratton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Polanco rf 2 2 2 1 2 0 .194 Fowler cf 4 1 1 0 0 2 .185 Perez c 2 1 0 0 1 1 .000 Anderson p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .000 González ss 2 0 1 1 0 0 .258

Totals 33 5 9 5 5 11 San Diego 000 001 000 — 1 6 0 Pittsburgh 010 010 03x — 5 9 0

LOB-San Diego 5, Pittsburgh 10. 2B-Hosmer (3), Frazier 2 (4). HR-Polanco (1), off Musgrove. R B Is - P ha m ( 2 ) , P o l a n co ( 1 ) , Moran (8), González (7), Frazier 2 (7). SB-Polanco (1), Pham (2). DP-Pittsburgh 3. San Diego IP H R ER W K P ERA Musgrove 4 4 1 1 2 6 81 0.47 Johnson 1 2 1 1 0 1 20 9.00 Hill 1 0 0 0 1 1 16 0.00 Kela 1 0 0 0 1 1 24 0.00 2 /3 3 3 3 1 1 21 13.50 Adams 1 /3 0 0 0 0 1 5 0.00 Altavilla L: Musgrove 2-1 Pittsburgh IP H R ER W K P ERA Anderson 51/3 4 1 1 2 2 86 4.02 Underwood 12/3 1 0 0 1 3 30 3.24 Howard 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 3.18 Stratton 1 1 0 0 0 0 8 5.40 W: Anderson 1-2 T-3:27. A-5,228 (38,747)

MIAMI 6, ATLANTA 5 Miami AB R H BI W K Avg Dickerson lf 4 1 1 0 0 3 .257 Marte cf 5 2 1 0 0 3 .318 Aguilar 1b 5 1 2 2 0 0 .353 Duvall rf 5 0 1 0 0 4 .257 BAnderson 3b 4 1 0 0 1 1 .205 Chisholm 2b 4 1 2 3 1 2 .259 Rojas ss 3 0 1 1 1 0 .275 Alfaro c 4 0 1 0 0 3 .174 Neidert p 1 0 0 0 1 1 .000 Cimber p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Berti ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .200 Bleier p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Floro p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Cooper ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .226 Curtiss p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 García p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---

Totals

36 6 9 6 5 18

Atlanta Acuña Jr. rf Freeman 1b Ozuna lf d’Arnaud c Albies 2b Swanson ss Riley 3b Inciarte cf Morton p Newcomb p Adrianza ph LJackson p Smith p Sandoval ph Matzek p

AB 5 5 5 4 1 3 4 3 2 0 1 0 0 1 0

R 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

H 3 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BI 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

W 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

K 1 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0

Avg .447 .205 .178 .231 .159 .156 .211 .214 .200 --.222 ----.286 ---

Totals 34 5 8 5 5 8 Miami 014 000 000 1 — 6 9 0 Atlanta 002 010 200 0 — 5 8 0

LOB-Miami 7, Atlanta 5. 2B-Rojas (4), Aguilar (2), Acuña Jr. (6). HR-Chisholm Jr. (2), off Morton; Acuña Jr. (5), off Neidert; Acuña Jr. (6), off Bleier. RBIs-Rojas (5), Aguilar 2 (6), Chisholm Jr. 3 (5), Acuña Jr. 4 (12), Freeman (9). SB-Rojas (3), Chisholm Jr. (3). DP-Miami 3; Atlanta 2. Miami IP H R ER W K P ERA Neidert 42/3 5 3 3 4 3 76 4.00 Cimber 11/3 0 0 0 1 1 17 3.60 Bleier 1 2 2 2 0 0 14 5.68 Floro 1 0 0 0 0 1 8 0.00 Curtiss 1 1 0 0 0 1 7 3.38 García 1 0 0 0 0 2 12 1.23 W: Curtiss 2-0; S: García 2 Atlanta IP H R ER W K P ERA Morton 6 7 5 5 2 9 96 4.76 Newcomb 1 0 0 0 1 2 18 2.08 L.Jackson 1 1 0 0 2 1 24 0.00 Smith 1 0 0 0 0 3 16 4.50 Matzek 1 1 1 0 0 3 18 0.00 L: Matzek 0-1 T-3:26. A-12,480 (41,084)

DETROIT 6, HOUSTON 4 Detroit AB R H BI W K Avg Grossman lf 4 1 2 1 0 0 .194 Candelario 3b 5 0 3 2 0 2 .326 Ramos c 4 0 1 1 1 0 .278 Mazara rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 .237 JJones cf 2 0 0 0 1 2 .136 Núñez dh 4 1 0 0 0 0 .200 Schoop 1b 3 2 1 0 1 1 .205 Baddoo cf-rf 4 1 1 1 0 2 .370 Goodrum ss 3 1 0 1 1 2 .208 HCastro 2b 3 0 0 0 1 1 .000

Totals

34 6 8 6 5 10

Houston Straw cf Díaz 2b Brantley lf Gurriel 1b Tucker rf Correa ss Toro 3b Dawson dh JCastro c Stubbs pr

AB 5 4 5 3 5 4 3 3 3 0

R 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

H 1 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 1 0

BI 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0

W 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 1 1 0

K 1 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

Avg .220 .250 .324 .429 .204 .292 .000 .333 .167 ---

Totals 35 4 8 4 6 6 Detroit 030 300 000 — 6 8 1 Houston 000 021 001 — 4 8 0

E-Schoop (1). LOB-Detroit 8, Houston 10. 2B-Grossman (2), Baddoo (2), Candelario (4), Gurriel (4). HR-JCastro (2), off Fulmer. RBIs-Baddoo (11), Goodrum (1), Grossman (4), Candelario 2 (7), Ramos (8), JCastro 2 (4), Gurriel 2 (5). DP-Detroit 1; Houston 1. Detroit IP H R ER W K P ERA Fulmer 5 3 2 2 1 2 78 3.00 1 /3 2 1 1 1 0 23 11.57 Norris 2 Farmer /3 0 0 0 0 0 11 9.53 Lange 1 1 0 0 0 2 11 0.00 Soto 1 1 0 0 1 0 16 2.70 Cisnero 0 1 1 1 2 0 15 6.75 BGarcia 1 0 0 0 1 2 19 5.40 W: Fulmer 1-0; S: BGarcia 2 Houston IP H R ER W K P ERA McCullers 32/3 4 6 6 3 3 87 5.27 Smith 0 2 0 0 1 0 17 13.50 Bielak 21/3 1 0 0 1 3 44 2.25 Stanek 1 0 0 0 0 2 13 1.29 Raley 1 0 0 0 0 1 9 9.00 Pressly 1 1 0 0 0 1 12 0.00 L: McCullers Jr. 1-1 T-4:00. A-14,720 (41,168)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Minnesota’s Max Kepler (center) celebrates with teammates after his RBI single in the bottom of the ninth beat Boston 4-3.

ROUNDUP

Kepler, Twins snap Red Sox’s run at nine By The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — Max Kepler’s RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Minnesota a 4-3 victory Thursday over Boston — stopping a five-game losing streak for the Twins and breaking a nine-game winning string for the Red Sox. The Red Sox, who tied it in the eighth on Alex Verdugo’s threerun double, were on their longest winning streak since a 10-game run in 2018, the season they won the World Series. Luis Arraez opened the Minnesota ninth with his fourth hit, a single off Adam Ottavino (1-1) and Jorge Polanco was hit by a pitch. Nelson Cruz, on a 10-game hitting streak, then struck out. Kepler came through with his hit to shallow center, helping the Twins avoid what would’ve been their first four-game sweep by the Red Sox in 21 years. Alex Colome (1-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory. Braves 7, Marlins 6: Dansby Swanson’s RBI single with the bases loaded capped host Atlanta’s two-run rally in the ninth inning as the Braves snapped a four-game losing streak. Atlanta, which ended a four-game losing streak, recovered after blowing a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth. Dylan Floro (0-1) couldn’t hold the 6-5 lead in the bottom half. Ender Inciarte and Ronald Acuña Jr. singled and Freddie Freeman walked to load the bases with no outs. Floro struck out Travis d’Arnaud before walking Ozzie Albies to force in the tying run. Swanson’s single to left field set off the on-field celebration. Pablo Sandoval connected for his third pinch-hit homer this season, a three-run drive in the seventh gave Atlanta a 5-3 lead. Acuña hit a two-run homer, his majors-leading seventh, for Atlanta’s only runs off Trevor Rogers, who pitched five innings and allowed three hits. Mariners 4-2, Orioles 2-1: Mitch Haniger became the first Seattle

player to homer out of the leadoff spot in both ends of a doubleheader, hitting a tiebreaking drive in the second game that led the visiting Mariners over the Baltimore Orioles for a sweep. Haniger’s fifth-inning homer to left-center off Bruce Zimmermann (1-1) broke a 1-all tie and gave him four home runs this season. J.P. Crawford hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the sixth inning that lifted Seattle to a 4-2 win in the opener — a fitting score for Jackie Robinson Day. Seattle won three of four from Baltimore and has won five of its last six. The Orioles, who managed just seven hits in the two games, have lost eight of 10 following an opening three-game sweep at Boston. Padres 8, Pirates 3: Manny Machado homered during a fourrun first inning, and Eric Hosmer added a two-run single in the second as visiting San Diego jumped on Pittsburgh early. The outburst against Mitch Keller (1-2) helped San Diego earn a split of the four-game series. Chris Paddack (1-1) labored at times but managed to get through five innings. Indians 4, White Sox 2: Slumping Jose Ramirez connected for a go-ahead, two-run homer off Lance Lynn in the sixth inning as visiting Cleveland bounced back from being no-hit by Chicago’s Carlos Rodon on Wednesday to beat the White Sox. Lynn was nursing a 1-0 lead when Ramirez launched a fullcount pitch with two outs deep to right for his third home run. Andres Gimenez led off the inning with a ground-rule double before Ramirez ended his 0-for-19 skid. Aaron Civale (3-0) allowed only a run — in the first — and five hits through six innings in his third straight strong start. The 25-year-old right-hander struck out four, walked two and lowered his ERA to 2.18. Lynn (1-1) permitted his first two earned runs this season on five hits through six innings, while striking out 10 and walking none.

NOTES

Padres star Tatis likely to return Friday vs. Dodgers PITTSBURGH — San Diego shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to be activated from the 10-day disabled list Friday for the opener of the Padres’ series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in San Diego. Tatis has been sidelined since April 5 after hurting his left shoulder during an at-bat in a game against San Francisco. It was initially feared Tatis would need surgery. That didn’t come to pass, but there is a risk of re-injury. Tatis, 22, finished fourth in NL MVP balloting last season and signed a $340-million contract extension in the offseason. White Sox: Shortstop Tim Anderson was activated from the 10day injured list before Chicago’s game against Cleveland. Anderson, the 2019 AL batting champ, suffered a left hamstring injury April 4 at Anaheim, Calif. Twins: Center fielder Byron Buxton missed his third consecutive game Thursday with a tight hamstring. The Twins are hoping he can avoid the injured list and return for this weekend’s series against the Los Angeles Angels. Buxton is off to a tremendous start this seson, hitting .469 with five home runs and nine RBIs. Giants: San Francisco placed right-hander Johnny Cueto on the 10-day IL with a lat strain. Cueto suffered the injury after throwing five shutout innings Wednesday

against Cincinnati. Cueto, 34, is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA this season. Blue Jays: Toronto placed reliever Jordan Romano on the injured list with right ulnar neuritis. Romano had been favored to serve as the Blue Jays’ closer for the next few weeks after Julian Merryweather was put on the IL on Wednesday with a strained left oblique. Nationals: Catcher Jonathan Lucroy has elected to become a free agent after Washington designated him for assignment Monday. Lucroy, who appeared in five games with the Nationals, was no longer needed on the big league roster after fellow catchers Yan Gomes and Alex Avila were activated from the COVID-19 list. Tigers: Detroit placed outfielder Nomar Mazara on the 10-day injured list with a left abdominal strain. Mazara was injured in Wednesday’s game vs. Oakland. Right-hander Joe Jimenez was recalled from the Tigers’ alternate site to take Mazara’s place on the roster. Cubs: Chicago pitcher Ryan Tepera was suspended for three games by Major League Baseball, which concluded he intentionally threw at Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff this week. Cubs manager David Ross was suspended for one game and fined because of Tepera’s actions. Chicago’s Willson Contreras was hit by a pitch from Woodruff leading off the fourth on Tuesday night. Tepera threw a pitch behind Woodruff in the fifth. — The Associated Press

SCOREBOARD

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

GOLF

ODDS BASEBALL

PGA Tour

Favorite Money Line Underdog Atlanta -135 CHICAGO CUBS PHILADELPHIA -127 St. Louis WASHINGTON -204 Arizona MILWAUKEE -156 Pittsburgh L.A. Dodgers -161 SAN DIEGO TEXAS -122 Baltimore Toronto -137 KANSAS CITY OAKLAND -185 Detroit Houston -118 SEATTLE Cleveland -110 CINCINNATI

RBC Heritage At Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, S.C. Yardage: 7,099; Par: 71 Cameron Smith 62 Stewart Cink 63 Matt Wallace 65 Collin Morikawa 65 Charles Howell III 66 Billy Horschel 66 Harold Varner III 66 Tom Hoge 67 Lucas Glover 67 Austin Cook 67 Kevin Streelman 67 Daniel Berger 67 Mackenzie Hughes 67 Corey Conners 67 Brian Harman 67 Kyoung-Hoon Lee 67 Danny Lee 68 Charley Hoffman 68 Brian Gay 68 Sung Kang 68 Sungjae Im 68 Troy Merritt 68 Branden Grace 68 Will Zalatoris 68 Michael Thompson 68 Emiliano Grillo 68 Matthew NeSmith 68 Adam Schenk 68 Vaughn Taylor 68 Carlos Ortiz 68 Robert Streb 68 Wesley Bryan 68 Sergio Garcia 68 Danny Willett 68 Camilo Villegas 69 Cameron Davis 69 Nick Taylor 69 Kevin Tway 69 Richy Werenski 69 Brandt Snedeker 69 Brice Garnett 69 Scott Harrington 69 Russell Henley 69 Abraham Ancer 69 Ian Poulter 69 Kyle Stanley 70 Doug Ghim 70 Andrew Putnam 70 Andrew Landry 70 Jim Furyk 70 Matt Kuchar 70 Dustin Johnson 70 Rory Sabbatini 70 Robert MacIntyre 70 C. Bezuidenhout 70 Wyndham Clark 70 Brian Stuard 70 Brendon Todd 70 Shane Lowry 70 Scott Piercy 70 Hudson Swafford 70 Harris English 70 Chris Kirk 70 Sepp Straka 70 Ryan Moore 70 Rafael Campos 70 Harry Higgs 71 Maverick McNealy 71 Chase Seiffert 71 Russell Knox 71 Si Woo Kim 71 Matt Fitzpatrick 71 Alex Noren 71 Lee Westwood 71 Anirban Lahiri 71 Jason Dufner 71 Tyler Duncan 71 Dylan Frittelli 71 Webb Simpson 71 Patrick Cantlay 71 Bill Haas 72 Satoshi Kodaira 72 Michael Kim 72

NBA Favorite Line (O/U) Underdog UTAH 9½ (235) Indiana DETROIT 7 (Off) Okla. City New Orleans 1 (241) WASHINGTON BROOKLYN 13½ (223½) Charlotte Denver 8½ (225½) HOUSTON Portland 1½ (231) SAN ANTONIO DALLAS 5 (210½) New York NHL Favorite Money Line Underdog MONTREAL -136 Calgary BOSTON -114 N.Y. Islanders MINNESOTA -190 San Jose COLORADO -306 Los Angeles Edmonton -182 VANCOUVER Vegas -241 ANAHEIM

AUTO RACING Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 lineup Race Sunday at Richmond Raceway (Car number in parentheses) 1. (19) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota 2. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota 3. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet 4. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet 5. (22) Joey Logano, Ford 6. (5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet 7. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford 8. (20) Christopher Bell, Toyota 9. (4) Kevin Harvick, Ford 10. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota 11. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet 12. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford 13. (8) Tyler Reddick, Chevrolet 14. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet 15. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota 16. (21) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford 17. (1) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet 18. (42) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet 19. (6) Ryan Newman, Ford 20. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford 21. (41) Cole Custer, Ford 22. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford 23. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford 24. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet 25. (37) Ryan Preece, Chevrolet 26. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford 27. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet 28. (15) James Davison, Chevrolet 29. (38) Anthony Alfredo, Ford 30. (43) Erik Jones, Chevrolet 31. (52) Josh Bilicki, Ford 32. (00) Quin Houff, Chevrolet 33. (51) Cody Ware, Chevrolet 34. (77) Justin Haley, Chevrolet 35. (78) BJ McLeod, Ford 36. (7) Corey Lajoie, Chevrolet 37. (53) Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet 38. (33) Austin Cindric, Ford

Camping World Truck Series ToyotaCare 250 lineup Race Saturday at Richmond Raceway (Car number in parentheses) 1. (99) Ben Rhodes, Toyota 2. (16) Austin Hill, Toyota 3. (98) Grant Enﬁnger, Toyota 4. (52) Stewart Friesen, Toyota 5. (24) Raphael Lessard, Chevrolet 6. (21) Zane Smith, Chevrolet 7. (88) Matt Crafton, Toyota 8. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford 9. (2) Sheldon Creed, Chevrolet 10. (22) Austin Wayne Self, Chevrolet 11. (15) Tanner Gray, Ford 12. (51) Kyle Busch, Toyota 13. (42) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet 14. (1) Hailie Deegan, Ford 15. (23) Chase Purdy, Chevrolet 16. (40) Ryan Truex, Chevrolet 17. (45) Brett Mofﬁtt, Chevrolet 18. (4) John H. Nemechek, Toyota 19. (13) Johnny Sauter, Toyota 20. (9) Codie Rohrbaugh, Chevrolet 21. (04) Cory Roper, Ford 22. (02) Kris Wright, Chevrolet 23. (18) Chandler Smith, Toyota 24. (12) Tate Fogleman, Chevrolet 25. (11) Spencer Davis, Ford 26. (20) Spencer Boyd, Chevrolet 27. (25) Timothy Peters, Chevrolet 28. (30) Danny Bohn, Toyota 29. (19) Derek Kraus, Toyota 30. (26) Tyler Ankrum, Chevrolet 31. (41) Dawson Cram, Chevrolet 32. (33) Keith McGee, Chevrolet 33. (10) Jennifer Jo Cobb, Chevrolet 34. (56) Timmy Hill, Chevrolet 35. (3) Howie DiSavino III, Chevrolet 36. (44) Jett Noland, Chevrolet 37. (34) Josh Reaume, Toyota 38. (6) Norm Benning, Chevrolet 39. (49) Ray Ciccarelli, Chevrolet 40. (32) Sam Mayer, Chevrolet

HOCKEY NHL East

Washington N.Y. Islanders Pittsburgh Boston N.Y. Rangers Philadelphia New Jersey Buffalo

28 27 27 23 21 20 14 11

Central

Carolina Tampa Bay Florida Nashville Chicago Dallas Columbus Detroit West

Colorado Vegas Minnesota St. Louis Arizona San Jose Los Angeles Anaheim North

28 29 27 24 20 15 15 16 W

30 29 25 19 19 18 16 14 W

L OT Pts

12 12 13 12 16 17 22 25

4 4 3 6 6 6 6 7

60 58 57 52 48 46 34 29

L OT Pts

GF GA

154 126 147 116 140 125 103 105

GF GA

10 4 60 137 12 2 60 146 12 5 59 138 20 1 49 120 19 5 45 123 14 12 42 113 20 9 39 112 23 6 38 103 L OT Pts

9 11 13 17 20 20 20 23

4 2 3 6 5 4 6 7

132 102 120 107 112 155 139 149

103 110 120 127 139 107 145 141 GA

64 60 53 44 43 40 38 35

154 138 124 122 118 114 114 101

101 96 111 132 139 141 127 138

L OT Pts

Toronto 28 12 4 60 145 117 Winnipeg 27 14 3 57 144 117 Edmonton 25 15 2 52 134 120 Montreal 18 13 9 45 123 114 Calgary 19 21 3 41 115 127 Vancouver 16 18 3 35 100 120 Ottawa 14 26 4 32 118 164 Wednesday’s Results Minnesota 5, Arizona 2 Winnipeg 3, Ottawa 2 Calgary 4, Montreal 1 Colorado 4, St. Louis 3 Vegas 6, Los Angeles 2 Anaheim 4, San Jose 1 Thursday’s Results Buffalo 5, Washington 2 Boston 4, N.Y. Islanders 1 N.Y. Rangers 4, New Jersey 0 Winnipeg 5, Toronto 2 Carolina 4, Nashville 1 Tampa Bay 3, Florida 2, OT Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 1, SO Detroit 4, Chicago 1 Columbus at Dallas, late Friday’s Games Calgary at Montreal, 6 p.m. N.Y. Islanders at Boston, 7 San Jose at Minnesota, 8 Edmonton at Vancouver, 9 Los Angeles at Colorado, 9 Vegas at Anaheim, 10 Saturday’s Games New Jersey at N.Y. Rangers, 12:30 p.m. Washington at Philadelphia, 12:30 Pittsburgh at Buffalo, 3 Ottawa at Montreal, 4 St. Louis at Arizona, 6 Chicago at Detroit, 7 Florida at Tampa Bay, 7 Nashville at Carolina, 7 Toronto at Vancouver, 7 Columbus at Dallas, 8 San Jose at Minnesota, 8 Edmonton at Winnipeg, 10 NHL SCORING LEADERS Through Wednesday’s games GP G A PTS McDavid, EDM 42 23 46 69 Draisaitl, EDM 42 22 39 61 Kane, CHI 43 14 40 54 Marner, TOR 43 14 39 53 MacKinnon, COL 39 17 36 53 Matthews, TOR 40 32 21 53 Rantanen, COL 43 26 26 52 Scheifele, WPG 43 16 33 49 Crosby, PIT 41 16 32 48 Marchand, BOS 38 19 29 48

Zach Johnson Patrick Rodgers Tom Lewis Sam Burns Bo Hoag Aaron Wise C.T. Pan Kevin Kisner Pat Perez Sebastian Munoz Ryan Armour Byeong Hun An Nick Watney Henrik Norlander John Augenstein Robby Shelton Denny McCarthy Mark Hubbard Ted Potter, Jr. Martin Trainer Adam Long Graeme McDowell Luke Donald Hunter Mahan Peter Malnati Scott Stallings Tyrrell Hatton Bo Van Pelt Scott Brown Tommy Gibson William McGirt Patton Kizzire Chesson Hadley Luke List Kevin Na Paul Casey Davis Love III J.T. Poston Ben Martin Beau Hossler Xinjun Zhang Jim Herman Chez Reavie Will Gordon Brandon Hagy Tommy Fleetwood K.J. Choi Michael Gligic Adam Hadwin Bryson Nimmer Doc Redman

Angela Stanford Jeongeun Lee6 Azahara Munoz Aditi Ashok Klara Spilkova Yealimi Noh Sarah Schmelzel Kyung Kim Linnea Strom Jenny Coleman Katherine Kirk Amy Olson Jenny Shin Amy Yang Paula Reto Xiyu Lin Haeji Kang Tiffany Chan Alison Lee Gabriela Ruffels Chella Choi A Lim Kim Lindy Duncan Haley Moore Louise Ridderstrom Sarah Burnham Kristen Gillman Hannah Green Georgia Hall Jillian Hollis Maria Fernanda Torres Ssu-Chia Cheng Lauren Coughlin Celine Herbin Gerina Piller Moriya Jutanugarn Cheyenne Knight Lizette Salas Alena Sharp Esther Henseleit Pornanong Phatlum Nuria Iturrioz Perrine Delacour Robynn Ree Kendall Dye Nasa Hataoka Inbee Park Minjee Lee Maria Fassi Matilda Castren Mina Harigae Jacqui Concolino Haru Nomura Cydney Clanton Eun-Hee Ji Giulia Molinaro Lindsey Weaver Cheyenne Woods Pajaree Anannarukarn Ryann O’Toole Albane Valenzuela M. Muangkhumsakul A. Tanguay Jennifer Chang Lee Lopez Kelly Tan Caroline Inglis Wichanee Meechai Youngin Chun Brittany Lang Jasmine Suwannapura Dana Finkelstein Lauren Kim Kim Metraux Alana Uriell Cristie Kerr Su Oh Pernilla Lindberg Elizabeth Szokol Yui Kawamoto Marissa Steen Ariya Jutanugarn Caroline Masson K. Perry-Hamski Min Seo Kwak Jennifer Song Lauren Stephenson Ashleigh Buhai Jiwon Jeon

72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 75 75 75 75 76 76 76 76 76 80 81

LPGA Tour LOTTE Championship At Kapolei Golf Club, Kapolei, Oahu Yardage: 6,586; Par: 72 Wednesday’s First Round Brittany Altomare 64 Yuka Saso 64 Nelly Korda 65 So Yeon Ryu 65 Ally Ewing 65 Stacy Lewis 66 Stephanie Meadow 67 Lydia Ko 67 Jessica Korda 67 Rose Zhang (a) 67 Sei Young Kim 67 Wei-Ling Hsu 67 Mi Hyang Lee 67 In Gee Chun 68 Hinako Shibuno 68 Nicole Broch Larsen 68 Brooke Henderson 68 Yu Liu 68 Brianna Do 68 Leona Maguire 68 Anne van Dam 68 Muni He 68 Danielle Kang 68 Hyo Joo Kim 68 Jennifer Kupcho 68 Lexi Thompson 68 Jeongeun Lee 69 Luna Sobron Galmes 69 Na Yeon Choi 69 Austin Ernst 69

69 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 73 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 75

TRANSACTIONS BASEBALL MLB — Suspended and fined Cub’s P Ryan Tepera for three-games and an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing at Brandon Woodruff in an April 13 game at Milwaukee. American League BALTIMORE — Recalled RHP Cole Sulser from the alternate training site for first game and then assigned him back to the alternate training site. BOSTON — Optioned RHP Eduard Bazardo to the alternate training site. CHICAGO — Recalled SS Tim Anderson from the IL. Designated OF Nick Williams for assignment. DETROIT — Placed RF Nomar Mazara on the 10-day IL. Recalled RHP Joe Jimenez from the alternate training site. LOS ANGELES — Optioned 2B Jack Mayfield to the alternate training site. MINNESOTA — Recalled RHP Shaun Anderson from the alternate training site. Optioned RHP Cody Stashak and RF Alex Kirilloff to the alternate training site. SEATTLE — Recalled RHP Robert Dugger from the taxi squad. National League ST. LOUIS — Selected the contract of OF Scott Hurst from the alternate training site. Optioned OF Lane Thomas to the alternate training site. Placed RHP Dakota Hudson on the 60day IL from the 10-day IL. FOOTBALL National Football League ARIZONA — Signed OLBs Dennis Gardick and Kylie Fitts to exclusive rights one-year contracts. Signed WRs Andre Baccelli and Darece Roberson Jr., DL Ryan Bee, RB Tavien Feaster and LB Jamell Garcia-Williams to contracts. ATLANTA — Signed DT Duron Harmon and RB Cordarrelle Patterson to oneyear contracts. Waived RB Ito Smith. BUFFALO — Signed OG Forrest Lamp. CLEVELAND — Signed DE Porter Gustin. JACKSONVILLE — Signed LB Dakota Allen. LAS VEGAS — Waived DT Maurice Hurst and DE Arden Key. Released QB Kyle Sloter. NEW ORLEANS — Signed WR Jalen McCleskey. PITTSBURGH — Signed LB Vince Williams. SEATTLE — Signed DE Aldon Smith. HOCKEY National Hockey League CAROLINA — Reassigned G Jeremy Helvig to South Carolina (ECHL) from Chicago (AHL). CHICAGO — Assigned F Josh Dickinson to Indy (ECHL). COLUMBUS — Recalled C Josh Dunne from the taxi squad. LOS ANGELES — Reassigned D Austin Strand to Ontario (AHL). NASHVILLE — Signed G Tomas Vomacka to a two-year, entry-level contract. NEW JERSEY — Recalled C Ben Street from Binghantom (AHL) to the taxi squad. N.Y. RANGERS — Recalled LW Gabriel Fontaine from loan by New York (NHL) taxi squad. SAN JOSE — Recalled D Greg Pateryn from San Jose (AHL) loan to the taxi squad. Returned D Nicolas Meloche to San Jose (AHL). TORONTO — Signed LW Rodion Amirov to a three-year, entry-level contract. Recalled C Adam Brooks from taxi squad. WASHINGTON — Reassigned D Bobby Nardella to Hershey (AHL). SOCCER Major League Soccer ATLANTA — Signed D Josh Bauer to

TENNIS ATP World Tour Monte-Carlo (Monaco) Rolex Masters Surface: Red clay Round of 16: Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) def. Cristian Garin (16) 6-3, 6-4; Alejandro Davidovich Fokina def. Lucas Pouille 6-2, 7-6 (2); David Gofﬁn (11) def. Alexander Zverev (5) 6-4, 7-6 (7); Daniel Evans def. Novak Djokovic (1) 6-4, 7-5; Rafael Nadal (3) def. Grigor Dimitrov (14) 6-1, 6-1; Fabio Fognini (15) def. Filip Krajinovic 6-2, 7-6 (1); Andrey Rublev (6) def. Roberto Bautista Agut (9) 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-3; Casper Ruud def. Pablo Carreno Busta (12) 7-6 (4), 5-7, 7-5

WTA MUSC Health Women’s Open At Family Circle Tennis Center Charleston, S.C.; Surface: Red clay Round of 16: Maria Camila Osorio Serrano def. Christina McHale 2-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6; Ons Jabeur def. Alycia Parks 6-4, 6-0; Astra Sharma def. Madison Brengle 6-4, 4-6, 7-5

a one-year contract with three additional option years. MIAMI — Loaned D Patrick Seagrist to Indy (USL). NEW YORK CITY — Signed D Vuk Latinovich to a contract with options through 2024. SEATTLE — Loaned MF Shandon Hopeau to San Antonio (USL). KANSAS CITY — Signed G Parker Siegfried on loan from USL Championship side Louisville City FC after acquiring protected rights from New York City FC in exchange for a 2023 SuperDraft third round pick.

PRO BASKETBALL NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic

Philadelphia Brooklyn Boston New York Toronto Southeast

38 37 29 29 22 W

Pct

17 18 26 27 34

.691 .673 .527 .518 .393

Pct

— 1 9 9½ 16½ GB

Atlanta Miami Charlotte Washington Orlando

30 28 27 21 18

26 27 27 33 37

.536 .509 .500 .389 .327

— 1½ 2 8 11½

Central

Pct

Milwaukee 35 20 .636 Indiana 26 28 .481 Chicago 22 32 .407 Cleveland 20 34 .370 Detroit 16 39 .291 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest

Pct

— 8½ 12½ 14½ 19 GB

Dallas Memphis San Antonio New Orleans Houston

30 27 26 25 14

24 26 27 30 41

.556 .509 .491 .455 .255

— 2½ 3½ 5½ 16½

Northwest

Pct

Utah Denver Portland Oklahoma City Minnesota

41 35 31 20 14

14 20 23 35 42

.745 .636 .574 .364 .250

— 6 9½ 21 27½

Paciﬁc

Pct

Phoenix 39 15 .722 — L.A. Clippers 39 18 .684 1½ L.A. Lakers 34 21 .618 5½ Golden State 27 28 .491 12½ Sacramento 22 33 .400 17½ Wednesday’s Results Milwaukee 130, Minnesota 105 Cleveland 103, Charlotte 90 Philadelphia 123, Brooklyn 117 Toronto 117, San Antonio 112 New York 116, New Orleans 106 Orlando 115, Chicago 106 L.A. Clippers 100, Detroit 98 Golden State 147, Oklahoma City 109 Indiana 132, Houston 124 Dallas 114, Memphis 113 Denver 123, Miami 106 Washington 123, Sacramento 111 Thursday’s Results Milwaukee 120, Atlanta 109 Golden State at Cleveland, late Boston at L.A. Lakers, late Sacramento at Phoenix, late Friday’s Games Indiana at Utah, 3 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Philadelphia, 7 New Orleans at Washington, 7 Oklahoma City at Detroit, 7 Charlotte at Brooklyn, 7:30 Orlando at Toronto, 7:30 Denver at Houston, 8 Memphis at Chicago, 8 Miami at Minnesota, 8 Portland at San Antonio, 8:30 New York at Dallas, 9:30 Saturday’s Games Utah at L.A. Lakers, 4:30 p.m. Cleveland at Chicago, 8 Detroit at Washington, 8 Golden State at Boston, 8:30 Memphis at Milwaukee, 9 San Antonio at Phoenix, 10

WNBA draft FIRST ROUND 1. Dallas (from New York), Charli Collier, F/C, Texas 2. Dallas, Awak Kuier, C, Virtus Eirene RG (Italy) 3. Atlanta, Aari McDonald, G, Arizona 4. Indiana, Kysre Gondrezick, G, West Virginia 5. Dallas (from Washington), Chelsea Dungee, G, Arkansas 6. New York (from Connecticut), Michaela Onyenwere, F, UCLA 7. Los Angeles (from Dallas), Jasmine Walker, F, Alabama 8. Chicago (from Phoenix), Shyla Heal, G, Townsville Fire (Australia) 9. Minnesota, Rennia Davis, G/F, Tennessee 10. Los Angeles, Stephanie Watts, G, Southern Cal 11. Seattle, Aaliyah Wilson, G, Texas A&M 12. Las Vegas, Iliana Rupert, C, Tango Bourges Basket (France)

HIGH SCHOOLS Football CLASS 6, REGION A Saturday’s final ♦No. 2 Thomas Dale (6-0) at No. 1 Oscar Smith (6-0), 2 p.m. CLASS 4, REGION B Friday’s final ♦No. 2 King George (7-0) at No. 1 Monacan (7-0), 7 p.m. CLASS 3, REGION B Friday’s final ♦No. 2 Independence (4-1) at No. 1 Goochland (6-0), 7 p.m.

Boys volleyball CLASS 6, REGION A Tuesday’s semifinals ♦Oscar Smith at James River, 6 p.m. ♦Thomas Dale at Grassfield, 6 CLASS 5, REGION B Friday’s final ♦No. 1 Deep Run at No. 2 Glen Allen, 7:30 p.m. CLASS 1-4, WESTERN SECTION Thursday’s final ♦Maggie Walker at Patrick Henry, late

Girls volleyball CLASS 5, REGION B Friday’s ﬁnal at Glen Allen ♦No. 2 Mills Godwin vs. No. 4 Atlee, 5:30 p.m. CLASS 4, REGION B Thursday’s Final ♦Powhatan at Monacan, late

Field hockey CLASS 6, REGION A Thursday’s semifinal ♦Cosby 1, Ocean Lakes 0 (OT) Saturday’s final ♦Cosby vs. TBD, 3 p.m. CLASS 5, REGION B Thursday’s semifinals ♦No. 1 Midlothian vs. No. 4 Atlee, late ♦No. 2 Deep Run vs. No. 3 Prince George, late Friday’s final at Henrico High ♦Midlothian/Atlee vs. Deep Run/Prince George, 6 p.m.

Boys volleyball CLASS 6, REGION A SEMIFINALS Thomas Dale 3, Cosby 1 Top performers: Thomas Dale — Deklan Wingo 24 kills, 4 blocks; Isaiah Oriente 10 kills, 3 blocks; Styles Newcomb 8 kills, 10 digs Cosby — Caleb Collins 14 kills, 5 blocks, 6 digs; Justin Sawyer 7 kills, 11 digs; Colin Selk 8 digs Records: Thomas Dale 12-1, Cosby 8-4 CLASS 5, REGION B SEMIFINALS Glen Allen 3, J.R. Tucker 0 Top performers: Tucker — Traylor Duval 3 kills, 1 block; Owen Hahn 3 kills, 3 blocks; Ryan Lowry 5 kills, 9 digs; Glen Allen — Andrew Onusconich 32 assists, 2 kills; Brooks Cowart 10 kills, 12 digs, 3 aces; Trevor Foy 10 kills Records: J.R. Tucker 8-5, Glen Allen 11-2 Deep Run 3, Atlee 2 Top performers: Atlee — Connor Hammock 22 kills, 5 blocks, 7 digs, assist; Luke Bobko 20 digs, 4 assists; Garrett Bond 13 kills, 7 digs, 3 aces, 2 blocks, assist Deep Run — Ian Wagenhauser 25 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces; Tyler Gray 19 kills, 2 aces, 3 digs; Wade Every: 63 assist, 5 digs, 4 kills Records: Atlee 10-4, Deep Run 14-0 CLASS 4, REGION B SEMIFINALS Patrick Henry 3, Monacan 1 Top performers: Patrick Henry — Forrest Jones 6 kills, 2 assists, 2 digs, 4 blocks; Cameron Miller 14 kills, 1 assist, 1 ace, 8 digs, 4 blocks; Stephen Matthews 3 assists, 22 digs Records: Patrick Henry 10-1

Girls volleyball CLASS 5, REGION B SEMIFINALS Mills Godwin 3, Prince George 0 Top performers: Godwin — Kaitlyn McNeel 30 kills, 2 aces, 10 digs; Jamie Wright 35 assists; Ryan Taylor 5 kills Prince George — Kassidy Reed 16 assists, 3 aces, 5 digs; Grace Peterson 9 kills, 3 blocks; Makayla Easter 9 kills, 3 blocks; Jaylin Slaughter 4 aces, 9 kills, 4 digs, 2 blocks Records: Mills Godwin 13-0, Prince George 10-2 CLASS 4, REGION B SEMIFINALS Atlee 3, Midlothian 1 Top performers: Midlothian — Diana Wesolosky 13 kills, 12 digs, 2 aces; Bri Leeper 11 kills, 12 digs, 3 aces; Katie Arrington 13 assists, 6 digs Atlee — Brianna Brown 43 assists, 6 kills, 19 digs; Audrey Ellenberger: 19 digs, 2 aces; Morgan Crawford 18 kills, 5 blocks, 5 digs, ace CLASS 3, REGION B SEMIFINALS Goochland 3, Independence 2 Top performers: Goochland — Nova Wonderling 11 kills, 26 digs, 2 blocks; Nicole Brown 20 assists, 10 kills, 12 digs, block; Marina Stratiou 21 assists, 6 digs Records: Goochland 9-2, Independence 7-5

Golf CLASS 4, REGION B CHAMPIONSHIP 18 holes at Mattiponi Springs GC (par 72) Team scores: Monacan 318, IND (North) 323, IND (South) 331, Hanover 339, Eastern View 375, Orange 372 MON: Quint Dingledine 69, Brayden Latham 74, Samuel Sims 84, Claire Campbell 91 HAN: Andrew Wilkinson 71, Connor Bond 82, Tanner Yager 92, Ethan Boyd 94 Individual qualiﬁers: Wilkinson, Zane Moore (Louisa) 74, Dan Ailor (Patrick Henry) 77

Baseball Benedictine 10, Collegiate 0 Top performers: Benedictine — Jay Woolfolk, Connor Handy 2 hits, 9 k’s; Hank Carpin 3-4 3-4, 2 runs, RBI; Sam Saunders 2-3, 2 RBI

Girls track St. Catherine’s 115, Trinity Episcopal 24, St. Margaret’s 17 100m: Charlotte Robinson (STC) 12.81; 200m: Hampton Turton (STC) 26.64; 400m: McKay Magness (STC) 1:06.91; 800m: Whitney Morgan (STC) 2:41.00; 1,600m: Abby Armstrong (STC) 5:44.16; 3,200m: Turner Clark (STC) 13:50.71; 100m hurdles: Madelyn Diradour (STC) 20.37; 300m hurdles: Madelyn Diradour (STC) 57.28; 4x100m relay: STC 55.34; 4x400m relay: STC 4:21.63; 4x800m relay: STC 11:30.09; high jump: Charlotte Robinson (STC) 4-6; pole vault: Becca Galbraith (STC) 7-6; long jump: Lilly Bersen (TSE) 14-8; triple jump: Charlotte Robinson (STC) 34-9.5; shot put: Mide Enajekpo (STM) 36-11; discus throw; Kate Hurlbert (TSE) 107-10

Boys track St. Christopher’s 84, Fork Union Military Academy 48 100m: Gabryl Cunningham (FUMA) 11.65; 200m: Nash Steed (STC) 23.56 400m: Colin Royal (STC) 54.63; 1,600m: Will Wise (STC) 4:56.98; 3,200m: Ford Clark (STC) 10:09.47; 100m hurdles: Jayden Smith (STC) 14.60; 300m hurdles: Jayden Smith (STC) 41.34; 4x100m relay: FUMA 45.40; 4x400m relay: FUMA 3:32.75; 4x800m relay: FUMA 9:37.98; high jump: Jaden Carter (FUMA) 6-0; pole vault: Mike Hawkins (STC) 12-6; long jump: Jayden Smith (STC) 20-0; triple jump: Jayden Smith (STC) 40-11.25; shot put: Harrison Tompkins (STC) 46-80; discus throw; Gregory Hyson (FUMA) 116-2

ON THIS DATE 1949: The Toronto Maple Leafs win 3-1 to sweep the Detroit Red Wings for the second straight year in the Stanley Cup Finals. 1949 — The Toronto Maple Leafs win 3-1 to sweep the Detroit Red Wings for the second straight year in the Stanley Cup Finals. 1987: Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls scores 61 points in a 117-114 loss to the Atlanta Hawks and becomes the second player to surpass the 3,000-point mark in a season.

• • • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 B5

SPORTS BRIEFS COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Va. native, ex-Purdue star Leroy Keyes dies

Newport News native Leroy Keyes, a two-time consensus All-America running back and one of the greatest football players in Purdue history, died Thursday. He was 74. Mr. Keyes had been in poor health recently, suffering from congestive heart failure and a cancer recurrence. He previously had prostate cancer. Mr. Keyes was third in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1967 and was the runner-up to O.J. Simpson in 1968. But Leroy Keyes he wasn’t just a star at Purdue — he was an icon who excelled as a running back, defensive back, kickoff returner and handled kickoff duties. After ﬁnishing his career as the school’s career leader in touchdowns (37), points (222) and all-purpose yards (3,757), the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Mr. Keyes with the third pick overall in 1969. Injuries forced him out of the NFL after just ﬁve seasons. Mr. Keyes starred at Carver High in Newport News in football, basketball and track.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

LSU’s Thomas headed to NBA

LSU freshman Cameron Thomas, whose 23 points per game led the Tigers in scoring, said he is declaring for the NBA draft and intends to sign with an agent. The 6-foot-4 guard from Chesapeake led all Division I freshmen in scoring last season while helping LSU advance to the finals of the SEC tournament and the second round of the NCAA tournament. He is the latest of several prominent LSU players to declare for the NBA draft. Junior guard Javonte Smart also has done so, along with junior forward Darius Days and sophomore forward Trendon Watford. The exodus of players from LSU was expected. But it also comes as the NCAA continues to look into allegations of improper recruiting tactics by coach Will Wade, a former coach at VCU. ♦ Cincinnati hired UNC Greensboro coach Wes Miller to replace the fired John Brannen. Miller won 185 games in 10 seasons at UNC Greensboro. In the past five years, the Spartans have five-straight 20-win seasons, two NCAA tournament appearances, two NIT appearances and two Southern Conference tournament championships.

WNBA DRAFT

Wings take Collier, Kuier with top two picks

Texas center Charli Collier said she wrote down goals with her late father when he was hospitalized with cancer five years ago, and being selected No. 1 in the WNBA draft was one of them. She checked off that goal on Thursday night when the Dallas Wings took her with the first pick. The Wings also had the No. 2 pick and a rare opportunity to transform the franchise. They chose Awak Kuier, who became the first Finnish player to be drafted in the WNBA. It’s the first time in league history that a team had picks No. 1 and 2. The Wings acquired the top pick in a February trade after being awarded the second choice in the draft lottery. Collier helped the Longhorns reach the Elite Eight. The junior averaging 19.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game last season while shooting 51.1% from the field. Kuier, 19, played professionally in Italy, averaging 8.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. The Wings added Chelsea Dungee of Arkansas with the fifth pick. Between the Dallas picks, Atlanta chose Arizona guard Aari McDonald, and Kysre Gondrezick of West Virginia went fourth to Indiana.

NFL

Seahawks sign DE Smith to one-year deal

The Seattle Seahawks signed defensive end Aldon Smith to a reported one-year contract. Smith, 31, spent the 2020 season with Dallas, his ﬁrst season since being reinstated from a four-year suspension for various substance abuse-related issues. With the Cowboys, Smith had ﬁve sacks in 16 games. Three of those sacks came against the Seahawks in Week 3. ♦ Atlanta signed safety Duron Harmon and four-time All-Pro return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson to oneyear contracts. Harmon started all 16 games for Detroit in 2020 and set a career high with 73 tackles. Patterson led the NFC with an average of 29.1 yards per kick return for Chicago last season. Atlanta also released running back Ito Smith, who rushed for 268 yards and one touchdown last season.

TENNIS

Djokovic bounced in Monte Carlo

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic lost 6-4, 7-5 to Dan Evans in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters for his ﬁrst defeat of the year. No. 3 Rafael Nadal had no such problems, breezing past Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-1 to reach the quarterﬁnals of a tournament he has won a record 11 times. It was an unusually sloppy performance from Djokovic, the Australian Open champion who has 82 career titles compared to one for the unseeded Evans. Having won in Melbourne for his 18th major title, Djokovic was 10-0 in 2021 coming into the match.

ELSEWHERE ♦ Axel Ahlander scored to tie the game in regulation then added the winning penalty kick to give James Madison the victory over Drexel in the CAA men’s soccer semiﬁnals in Philadelphia. The game was tied 1-1 after regulation, and Ahlander’s kick gave JMU the advantage in penalty kicks 8-7. The Dukes will play either Hofstra or UNC Wilmington in Saturday’s ﬁnal. ♦ Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the Milwaukee Bucks’ lineup Thursday night at Atlanta after missing six games with an ailing left knee. Antetokounmpo’s 28.8 points rank fourth in the league. ♦ Golden State rookie center James Wiseman is out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee. Wiseman, the second pick in last year’s draft, appeared in 39 games (27 starts) for the Warriors this season, averaging 11.5 points on 51.9% shooting and 5.8 rebounds in 21.4 minutes. ♦The NHL has delayed the Vancouver Canucks’ return to competition. The Canucks, who have not played since March 24 due to a COVID-19 outbreak, were scheduled to host Edmonton on Friday. The league announced the team would not play that game and did not immediately set a new date for Vancouver’s return. — From staff and wire reports

B6 FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • • •

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Rodón nears perfection but nets no-hitter

An errant slider to toe in ninth took away perfect game

Aldridge retires due to irregular heartbeat Forward recently signed with Brooklyn, but scary incident spurred decision

From wire reports

WHITE SOX 3, INDIANS 0

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Carlos Rodón jumped around near the mound, surrounded by exuberant teammates. All the injuries, all the uncertainty, it seemed like a lifetime ago. From no roster spot to nohitter — Rodón had arrived at his moment. The left-hander threw the second no-hitter of the young baseball season Wednesday night, losing his bid for a perfect game on a hit batter with one out in the ninth inning, and the Chicago White Sox cruised to an 8-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians. “It just feels good to finally sit here and tell you I dominated today, and it felt good,” Rodón said. “I’ve never really done that. I’ve never done that on this level at least, and it feels good to say I did it.” The 28-year-old pitcher got some help from AL MVP José Abreu, who picked up Josh Naylor’s slow bouncer leading off the ninth and got his toe on first base in the nick of time. The pandemic-limited crowd of 7,148, bundled up on a cool, crisp night, had to endure a quick replay review when the Indians challenged, but the call was upheld. Rodón then plunked Roberto Pérez on the back foot with an 0-2 slider — the only runner he allowed. An incredulous Rodón looked on almost in bewilderment as Pérez made his way to first, asking the veteran catcher if the ball actually hit him. It had. A perfect game saved by inches — then lost by a foot.

Late Wednesday

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rodón regained his composure in time to strike out Yu Chang looking and retire Jordan Luplow on a sharp grounder to third baseman Yoán Moncada, starting a joyous celebration. Rodón held out his arms as Moncada jumped toward him and backup catcher Zack Collins joined the impromptu party. “That was the most incredible thing that I’ve ever been a part of behind the plate,” the 26-year-old Collins said. The circumstances were reminiscent of 2015, when Washington ace Max Scherzer was one strike from a perfect game against Pittsburgh before hitting a leaning José Tabata with a 2-2 pitch. Scherzer retired the next batter for a no-hitter. Sidelined by a string of injuries throughout his career, Rodón was out of a job for a while last winter. Back in December, the White Sox declined to offer him a 2021 contract. The No. 3 pick in the 2014 amateur draft resigned with the team as a free agent, agreeing to a one-year deal for $3 million on Feb. 1. Looks like a pretty good call at the moment. Rodón (2-0) won a spot in the rotation in spring training and pitched ﬁve scoreless innings in his ﬁrst start of the season. He was supposed to pitch Monday against Cleveland, but was scratched because of an upset stomach. “There’s an old saying: ‘There’s not a lot of justice in this game, but every once in

LaMarcus Aldridge compiled seven All-Star selections and ﬁve AllNBA honors across 15 seasons with Portland, San Antonio and his short stint with Brooklyn.

White Sox starter Carlos Rodón celebrates after throwing a no-hitter against the Indians on Wednesday. It came less than a week after Joe Musgrove’s no-hitter.

a while,’” Chicago manager Tony La Russa said. “Proved to me he’s a finisher, and that’s a really good thing for his future and ours.” It was the first no-hitter for the White Sox since Lucas Giolito pitched one Aug. 25 last year against Pittsburgh and No. 20 in franchise history, second-most among major league teams behind the Dodgers (23). Pérez made two hard outs earlier in the game and said when he came up in the ninth, he was unaware Rodón had not permitted a baserunner. Rodón’s gem came only five days after Joe Musgrove threw a no-hitter for his hometown Padres at Texas — the first no-no in club history. San Diego had been the only big league franchise without one. Working quickly in short sleeves with the top of his jersey unbuttoned, Rodón threw 75 of 114 pitches for strikes. He struck out seven in his first major league shutout and second complete game. Rodón was helped by a six-run first inning that included another long homer by rookie Yermin Mercedes. The upstart rookie went 3 for 5 to run his batting average to .500 (19 for 38). The homer was his third of the season.

NEW YORK — LaMarcus Aldridge retired from the NBA on Thursday after saying he experienced an irregular heartbeat during his final game with the Brooklyn Nets. Aldridge, 35, posted a statement on social media saying the heart concerns he had during and after Brooklyn’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday were one of the “scariest things” he’s experienced. Aldridge, who was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome — an abnormality that can cause a rapid heartbeat — as a rookie in 2007, said he feels better now after getting it checked out but nevertheless decided to end his 15-year career. “For 15 years I’ve put basketball first, and now, it is time to put my health and my family first,” Aldridge wrote. The seven-time All-Star signed with the Nets on March 28 and he had become their starting center. He missed the last two games with what the team had called a non-COVID-19 illness. Aldridge joined the Nets after reaching a buyout agreement with the San Antonio Spurs and provided his new team with an inside post presence that was one of the few things it was missing. The 6-foot11 Aldridge had the best of his five games with the Nets in the one before his heart trouble, scoring 22 points in a victory over New Orleans on April 7. The No. 2 pick in the 2006 draft was long one of the best at his position, averaging 19.4 points in a career that began with nine seasons in Portland. Aldridge went on to play 5 1/2 seasons with the Spurs and was a five-time All-NBA selection. Aldridge missed time at the end of his rookie season to get treated and also sat out for 10 days in training camp in 2011 after his heart symptoms returned. His arrhythmia came back in 2017 and he missed two games that March. “You never know when something will come to an end,” Aldridge said, “so make sure you enjoy it every day. I can truly say I did just that.”

Bulls’ LaVine sidelined by COVID-19 protocols CHICAGO — Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine is expected to miss the next few games and enter the NBA’s health and safety protocol for COVID-19. The Bulls were scheduled to practice Thursday afternoon, a rare opportunity for the team given the rapid pace of games during this condensed season, but had to call if off due to league protocols, per a team spokeswoman. The length of LaVine’s absence, which was first reported by ESPN, is unclear, but it certainly arrives at an inopportune time. The Bulls have dropped four consecutive games and maintain only a one-game lead over the Raptors for the No. 10 seed and final spot in the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference. LaVine has been averaging a career-high 27.5 points per game this season, which earned him his first All-Star game appearance in March.

Jordan will be presenter for Bryant’s induction into Hall LOS ANGELES — Michael Jordan surprised attendees at Kobe Bryant’s public memorial by eulogizing the Lakers legend. Jordan will once again be a part of a big moment for Bryant and his family, this time as his presenter when Bryant is enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on May 15. Bryant was originally set to be inducted last year as part of the 2020 class, but the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the ceremony. Bryant will enter the Hall of Fame as part of a superstar class that includes Tim Duncan (who will be presented by David Robinson) and Kevin Garnett (who will be presented by Isiah Thomas). Former Lakers coach and Houston Rockets legend Rudy Tomjanovich will also be among the group enshrined.

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To place an ad, call 804.643.4414 Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. or visit Richmond.com, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. GENERAL

Recruitment GENERAL NEWSPAPER CARRIER WANTED for the Manakin/Goochland area. Good supplemental income. Carriers are independent contractors and must have: dependable vehicle, valid driver’s license, and Virginia insurance. Hours of availability are 1:00 AM – 6:00 AM, seven days a week. For more information, call Kara Eagle 804-337-7574 or email keagle@timesdispatch.com. NEWSPAPER CARRIER WANTED in the Goochland/Louisa areas. Good supplemental income. Carriers are independent contractors and must have: dependable vehicle, valid driver’s license, and Virginia insurance. Hours of availability are 2:00 AM – 6:00 AM, seven days a week. For more information, please call Rita Stetson 804-229-4696. The Richmond Times-Dispatch is seeking a Full-Time Metro Distribution Supervisor in the Northside/Henrico area. Job Responsibilities: To recruit, motivate and train carrier force to provide good service while increasing/ maintaining circulation volumes and meeting service goals. Assist in maintaining overall distribution center operations. All Distribution Supervisors are responsible for achieving consistent, proper and on-time delivery to subscribers. Handle customer’s problems and service requests to the customer’s satisfaction. Work with carriers to meet retail collection goals and resolve problems with retail outlets. Collect all open routes and collect payments from carriers. As a Distribution Supervisor, you are responsible for the successful overall performance of your assigned area within the distribution center. Starting salary is $40,000 plus commission. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Valid Drivers’ License and proof of insurance required, the ability to work well with others in a team environment and the ability to follow all Company policies and procedures including but not limited to attendance standards. Education and Experience: High School diploma or equivalent. Must successfully pass Criminal Background Investigation and Drug Screen. Please contact Neal Whitlow 804-640-3360 or gwhitlow@timesdispatch.com.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch is seeking Full-Time Metro Distribution Supervisors in the Southside / Chesterfield areas. Job Responsibilities: To recruit, motivate and train carrier force to provide good service while increasing/ maintaining circulation volumes and meeting service goals. Assist in maintaining overall distribution center operations. All Distribution Supervisors are responsible for achieving consistent, proper and on-time delivery to subscribers. Handle customer’s problems and service requests to the customer’s satisfaction. Work with carriers to meet retail collection goals and resolve problems with retail outlets. Collect all open routes and collect payments from carriers. As a Distribution Supervisor, you are responsible for the successful overall performance of your assigned area within the distribution center. Starting salary is $40,000 plus commission. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Valid Drivers’ License and proof of insurance required, the ability to work well with others in a team environment and the ability to follow all Company policies and procedures including but not limited to attendance standards. Education and Experience: High School diploma or equivalent. Must successfully pass Criminal Background Investigation and Drug Screen. Please contact Teresa Brandon at 804-801-7653 or tbrandon@ timesdispatch.com.

Looking for an advance to your career? Drivers Health Care Construction Receptionist Auto Sales Vet Assistant Painting Maintenance Technology Teaching Engineering Dental Hygienist Carpenter Check out the Help Wanted Listings

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AUCTION SALES

GENERAL The Richmond Times Dispatch is seeking Part-Time Distribution Center/ Service Assistant for the TriCities and Petersburg area. Job Responsibilities: Provides assistance to the Metro Circulation Department and Circulation Manager with redelivery of service related calls to our subscribers on a daily basis. All complaints must be taken to the door and placed in the hand of the subscriber within one hour of receiving notification. Will also assist with the verification of our delivered products as scheduled by the center manager. Performs route delivery audits. Completes verification reports of delivery, stops from the stop report, and handling product stop/starts verification. Requirements: Must have valid VA driver’s license, VA automobile insurance, and a dependable vehicle. Ability to use Microsoft Office and basic computer skills. Must have an iPhone or Android cell phone. Pay is $13.50 per hour, 25 hours per week. Schedule: Sunday 7:00 am to 12:00 pm, Monday - Thursday 6:00 am to 11:00 am, Fridays and Saturdays off (scheduled as needed). Must successfully pass Criminal Background Investigation and Drug Screen. Please contact Teresa Brandon 804-8017653 or tbrandon@timesdispatch.com.

Pets & Animals DOGS LABRADOODLE f1 puppies- AKC parents, BLACK & CREAM, VET checked. Family raised. Micro-chippped. Ready $1500. 540-493-6764. POODLES TOYS, Mini Pups, Adults, AKC. 804-313-7445. www.dupuypoodles.com ROTTWEILER - Male puppy. 10 wks old. Looks like a teddy bear. Current shots and worming up to date. $600. Call 804-749-3940

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Announcements AUCTION SALES Auction Notice is hereby given that contents of the following rental units located at Broad Street Mini Storage will be offered for sale by public auction for non payment of rent. Terms: Cash. We reserve the right to reject any and all bids. Broad Street Mini Storage 7215 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23294 (804) 672-0673 Monday, April 19, 2021, 10:30 A.M. B014 JAMEL JACKSON A. D013 GEORGE STANLEY K016 NATHAN MITCHELL L027 RUTH BAILEY AND CHARLOTTE SHIFFLETT Auction notice is hereby given that the contents of the following rental unit(s) located at the address below will be offered for sale by public auction for non-payment of rents. Terms: Cash, we reserve the right to reject any and all bids. BROOK ROAD MINI STORAGE 9001 Brook Road Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 804-261-6610 Date: April 19, 2021 AT 1:30 PM B-018 PHARES, REBECCA B-041 LEGROS, NICOLE L C-010 PLEASANT JR., LINWOOD E-002 WORRELL, PATTI JEAN F-104 GUFFEY, STEVEN G-019 WALLS, VERONICA D G-057 TURNAGE, LINDA GAIL G-216 ICEMAN, ICEMAN L-026 TOWNES, MICHAEL Auction Notice is hereby given that the contents of the following rental unit(s) located at the address below will be offered for sale by public auction for non-payment of rents. Terms: CASH. We reserve the right to reject any and all bids. Broad Street West Mini Storage 3950 Deep Rock Rd Richmond, VA 23233 804-270-5463 Monday, April 19, 2021 at 9 A.M. UNIT C030 THIBOU, TIA UNIT D035 TOWNES, SHAQUINTA

The easy way to place a classiﬁed ad is to call 643-4414

ON NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE FOLLOWING RENTAL UNITS LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS BELOW WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION FOR NON-PAYMENT OF RENTS. TERMS: CASH. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS. HUGUENOT-ROBIOUS MINI-STORAGE 11480 ROBIOUS ROAD RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23235 804-272-4364 MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021 AT 3:OO P.M C160 MARSHALL C224 STERNHEIMER D042 MEALY D225 HOHN E142 STERNHEIMER P038 HENDERSON J004 LORMAND J008 F0X P007 FOX P020 RAGAN P032 TORRES P034 TORRES

Merchandise MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

CHOICE

Shopping for an accessible van? Only one dealer to shop? You have a choice. Compare for savings.

MITS of Virginia a 20 year full service accessible van dealer offers local sales and service representing Braunability, Vantage Mobility and more!! Large inventory of new and used vans. Starting at just $12K. Call Ken 1-800420-6470 to schedule your appointment! Vadlr #12069 PERMOBIL F3 WHEELCHAIR - Permobil F3 Wheelchair with power tilt, recliner,legs. $2000 Joe @ 804 897 8393

MISC. ITEMS WANTED WE BUY OLD ANTIQUE ORIENTAL RUGS - Almost any condition/size: good or bad, worn or damaged. Call Allison today (local) 816-786-2134

Farmers Markets FARM & DAIRY EQUIPMENT COMBINE TIRES for sale. Two 30.5x32, 70%. $100 each. Call 804-305-0491 MASSEY FERGUSON 35 tractor with roto tiller, $3500 obo. Call 434-372-0729

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• • • Friday, 16, 16, 2021 FRIDAY,April APRIL 2021 B7

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Automobiles

ADVERTISE IN CLASSIFIED. IT WORKS.

For Sale By Owner

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No warranties or certiﬁcations implied

4 WHEEL DRIVE

Transportation

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CARS FOR SALE CHEVROLET - 2008 Malibu, burgundy, very good cond. Good tires. $3350. New inspect 804-605-4890 804-615-3699 FORD - 1994 Thunderbird, white/red, 3.8 liter, new tires, new paint, cold A/C, mechanically sound, must see. Runs great. $6,000. Goochland, (cell) 602-571-1900)

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FORD - 1996 F150 4wd, no rust, 57939 miles, info at lzlva @mailtds.com, asking $2,400 804-2975602

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TRUCKS/BUSES/TRACTORS 6MC - 1988, V8, new engine, crate big block, new trans, tilt steering wheel, bucket seats, rebuilt rear end, $7500/ offer. 804-605-4890 or 804-615-3699.

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Yard and Estate Sales What will you ﬁnd today? YARD & ESTATE SALES

Announcements YARD & ESTATE SALES 22401 - The areas LARGEST Indoor Garage Sale is April 17-18 at the Fredericksburg Expo Center. Up to 100 Sellers under one roof for two days of Selling. Admission is only $5, Seniors $4 Early Birds $11. Tickets must be purchased online. For more info visit: www.everyt hingbutthegarage.com 23005 - Garage sale, sat. 4/17/21, 8:00 am garage is full of Misc. household and crafts. It’s gotta go!! Make me an offer! 11151 old telegraph rd 23060 - Inside Sale! Biltmore Church, 1300 New York Ave. Sat. 8am to 12pm. Food and bake sale. Large variety of items

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23059 - Glen Allen 23060 - Glen Allen 23103 - Manakin Sabot 23220 - Richmond

YARD & ESTATE SALES

23084 - Gigantic Indoor Flea Market & Yard Sale on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday April 16, 17, 18 from 8 am -3 pm each day. Thousands of items to shop from. Rain or Shine. No early birds, please. 64W to Exit 143 (Louisa/Ferncliff) right off exit, 2/10 of mile crossover rt 250 at flashing lights, go 3 miles, on left 1768 Kents Store Way.

23111 - Pebble Creek Neighborhood Yard Sale Sat. 4/17, 7 am-12 noon 23112 - Estate/yard sale. 4152 Old Exchange Place, Sat. 8-3, Sun. 10-2. 50 yrs. accumulation. 14’ alum. V-bottom boat w/15 HP motor & trailer, 13" wood planner, 16" jigsaw, tools galore, lawn & garden tiller, furn., hh & more. All cash. Face masks appreciated.

23227 - YARD SALE Saturday April 17th. Rain date Sunday April 18th. 8am - 1pm 3900 Seminary Ave (corner of Seminary and Claremont- enter from Claremont Ave) What to expect? You never know what you will find. Linens and other household textiles, rugs, furniture- end tables, library table, coffee tables, vintage bench, assorted decorative items, knick knacks, seasonal/ holiday decorative items, garden stuff, costume jewelry Cash only COVID safe venue 23229 - The Estate Experts Sale at 8702 Overhill Rd. Henrico. Sat. 9-3 and Sun. 10-2. Please type in The Estate Experts at estatesales.net for item listings & pics. 23838 - SFS Estate Sale 11130 Sterling Cove Dr. Chesterfield, VA. April 15-18, 2021 9am-4pm Sale features : Antiques, Vintage, LR, DR, BR, Kitchen, China, Glass, Décor, Clothing, Tools, Electronics, Collectibles, W/M Clothing, Lawn/Garden and so much more. Review pics and detail on Estate Sales.Net by zip code.

23114 - The Grove Community Wide Yard Sale Sat. 4/17, 8 am to noon, Grove Hill Rd. off N. Woolridge Rd. Something for everyone! Rain date April 24. 23116 Kings Charter HOA 7am-noon Community Yard Sale 4/17/21 Rain or Shine!!

North

East

23005 - Ashland 23219 - Richmond 23222 - Richmond 23227 - Henrico 23228 - Henrico 23230 - Henrico

23221 - Richmond 23226 - Henrico 23229 - Henrico 23233 - Short Pump 23238 - Henrico 23294 - Henrico

23075 - Highland Springs 23111 - Mechanicsville 23116 - Mechanicsville 23150 - Sandston 23231 - Varina

West

23112 - Midlothian 23113 - Midlothian 23114 - Midlothian 23139 - Powhatan 23235 - Bon Air 23236 - Chesterﬁeld 23838 - Chesterﬁeld

James River

South

23224 - Richmond 23225 - Richmond 23234 - Chesterﬁeld 23237 - Chesterﬁeld 23831 - Chester

23832 - Chesterﬁeld 23803 - Petersburg 23834 - Colonial Heights 23860 - Hopewell

East

23836 - Chester

YARD SALE ZIP CODE AREAS

Services Directory HOME & BUSINESS

Business & Service Directory AC & HEATING LEWIS HEATING & AIR LLC - Residential / Commercial. Upgrade to NEW ENERGY Efficient units. Service - Install Duct Cleaning & Water Heater. Major credit cards accepted. 804-928-9976

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UNCONTESTED DIVORCE/WILLS Divorce $395 + $86 cost. No court. Hilton Oliver, Attorney 757-490-0126 WILLS $195. Se habla Espanol. hilton@hiltonoliverattorneyva.com

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CONCRETE WORK Bernard’s Concrete - sidewalks, cobblestones, retainer walls, patios, repair brick, References. Licensed. & insured. Call 804-874-9184

DRYWALL & SHEETROCK DENNY DRYWALL Fixing sheetrock & plaster for 50+ yrs. Quality work. All guaranteed. 804-536-1384 James A. Brock Drywall & Home Repairs References available. Licensed & insured. No job too small. 804-300-0528

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HANDY-MAN SERVICE ONE call does it all Also Power Washing. 804-350-8657

HAULING QUICK HAUL JUNK REMOVAL Property cleanups, trash outs, foreclosures, standard moving and downsizing. Free estimates. John Newton, 804-212-8413

MASONRY KEYSTONE MASONRY - Call for a free quote. Block, stone, concrete, etc. Quality & trustworthy. Lic. & insured. Call 434-547-9909, keystonemasonllc@ gmail.com

PLUMBING

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TAX PREPARATION Jones Tax Service LLC: James Cary Jones, EA, jonesjc1@aol.com, (804) 594-5380, jonestaxservicellc.com. BBB accredited. Competitive fees. Email or call for appointment.

TREE SERVICE ACT NOW & SAVE! STUMP REMOVAL SPECIALS. TREE CLEANUP. 16 YRS. EXPERIENCE. LIC/INS. FREE EST. 804-338-7763. Bernard’s Tree Service, stump grinder, clean up mulch, mulch, landscaping, plant trees & more. Free estimates. References. Licensed. & insured. Call 804-874-9184 Full Service Tree Company. (Removal, trimming, topping, stump grinding & firewood delivery) Offering free estimates and providing fully insured work. 804-357-0065

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Legal Advertisements YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW. STAY INFORMED. Legal Notice Policy The Richmond Times-Dispatch is not responsible for typographical errors or errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of the ﬁrst insertion. No liability will arise through the omission for any cause of any ad or legal notice. You are cautioned to check the papers to ascertain if your ad or legal notice is published on the proper dates and in the proper form. LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

NB+C, LLC is proposing to construct an 86-foot overall height monopole telecommunications structure at 9415 Atlee Commerce Blvd., Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia (N37° 41’ 36.3” W77° 25’ 44.9”). The structure would be lit with FAA Style E lighting. NB+C, LLC invites comments from any interested party on the impact the proposed undertaking may have on any districts, sites, buildings, structures, or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering, or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under National Historic Preservation Act Section 106. Comments may be sent to Environmental Corporation of America, ATTN: Annamarie Howell, 1375 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or via email to publicnotice@eca-usa.com. Ms. Howell can be reached at (770) 667-2040 x 136 during normal business hours. Comments must be received within 30 days of the date of this notice. In addition, any interested party may also request further environmental review of the proposed action by notifying the FCC of the specific reasons that the action may have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment pursuant to 47 CFR Section 1.1307. This request must only raise environmental concerns and can be filed online using the FCC pleadings system or mailed to FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554 within 30 days of the date that this notice is published. Instruction for filing an online Request for Environmental Review can be found at www.fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest. Refer to File No. A1192024 when submitting the request and to view the specific information about the proposed action. X0630b/HMF Notice to Creditors: the decedent , KATHLEEN STRAWMYER, who lived in Henrico, County, Virginia, died on March 19, 2021. Creditors of the decedent are hereby notified that they should present all claims to the undersigned, counsel for the decedent’s fiduciary, within 6 weeks after the date of publication of this notice. Golightly, Mulligan & Morgan 2016 John Rolfe Parkway Richmond, Virginia 23238 This residential property is privately owned. The property address is located at (3603 Stevens Wood Ct. Chesterfield, VA) with zip code [23832], located in Public Records at ( LOT 26 BLOCK C SECTION 2 STEVENS HOLLOW ), via Land Records of Chesterfield County, Virginia. Listed by KAMEREN DANNET HARRIS. Contact: kdhlistings@gmail.com V I R G I N I A: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND John Marshall Courts Building VIRGINIA DAVIES SANFORD, Administrator of the Estate of THOMAS DENISON SANFORD, SR., Deceased Plaintiff, v. Case No. CL21-752-1 SUSAN CAMPBELL SANFORD, Serve: VIA REQUEST FOR ORDER OF PUBLICATION PURSUANT TO Virginia Code 8.01-316 And THOMAS DENISON SANFORD, JR. Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The above-referenced matter is a Partition suit concerning the real property located at, and commonly known as 4206 Echo Ho Lane, Richmond, Virginia 23235 (the “Property”), which was owned by Thomas Denison Sanford, Sr., Deceased. The children of Thomas Denison Sanford, Sr., Deceased, are: Susan Campbell Sanford, daughter of decedent, and Thomas Denison Sanford, Jr., son of decedent. Thomas Denison Sanford, Sr.’s wife pre-deceased him. On November 21, 2016, VIRGINIA D. SANFORD AND THOMAS D. SANFORD, JR. were appointed by Henrico Circuit Court as Co-Guardians and Co-Conservators for THOMAS DENISON SANFORD, SR., an incapacitated person. Defendant Susan Campbell Sanford previously resided at the Property until she was arrested, pled GUILTY to Financial Exploitation of Mentally Incapacitated Person and was incarcerated. Following her release, Susan Campbell Sanford failed to report in with her Probation Officer and her whereabouts are unknown. An affidavit for service by order of publication has been made and filed by the Plaintiff, having been unable to locate Defendant Susan Campbell Sanford. It is accordingly ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant Susan Campbell Sanford, whose whereabouts are unknown, shall be served by Publication and she shall do what is necessary to protect her interests. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk

NOTICE OF SALE

Auction Notice is hereby given that the contents of the rental unit(s) located at the below address will be offered for sale by public auction for non-payment of rents. Terms: Cash. We reserve the right to reject any and all bids. Staples Mill Mini Storage, 8513 Staples Mill Road Richmond, Va 23228-2716 804-262-0072 Monday, April 19, 2021 @ 12 Noon. JASON BARRETT UNIT#F020; KENDELL BROWN UNIT#F057; KENDELL BROWN UNIT#F055; MARY P. TURNER UNIT#F032 ON NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE FOLLOWING RENTAL UNITS LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS BELOW WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION FOR NON-PAYMENT OF RENTS. TERMS: CASH. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS. HUGUENOT-ROBIOUS MINI-STORAGE 11480 ROBIOUS ROAD, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23235 804-272-4364 MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021 AT 3:OO P.M C160 MARSHALL, C224 STERNHEIMER, D042 MEALY, D225 HOHN E142 STERNHEIMER, P038 HENDERSON, J004 LORMAND, J008 F0X, P007 FOX, P020 RAGAN, P032 TORRES, P034 TORRES Auction Notice is hereby given that contents of the following rental units located at Broad Street Mini Storage will be offered for sale by public auction for non payment of rent. Terms: Cash. We reserve the right to reject any and all bids. Broad Street Mini Storage 7215 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23294 (804) 672-0673 Monday, April 19, 2021, 10:30 A.M. B014 Jamel Jackson A. D013 George Stanley K016 Nathan Mitchell L027 Ruth Bailey and Charlotte Shifflett Auction Notice is hereby given that the contents of the following rental unit(s) located at the address below will be offered for sale by public auction for nonpayment of rents. Terms: CASH. We reserve the right to reject any and all bids. Broad Street West Mini Storage, 3950 Deep Rock Rd. Richmond, VA 23233, 804-270-5463 Monday, April 19, 2021 at 9 A.M. UNIT C030 THIBOU, TIA UNIT D035 TOWNES, SHAQUINTA

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NOTICE OF SALE Auction notice is hereby given that the contents of the following rental unit(s) located at the address below will be offered for sale by public auction for nonpayment of rents. Terms: Cash, we reserve the right to reject any and all bids. Brook Road Mini Storage 9001 Brook Road Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 804-261-6610 Date: April 19, 2021 at 1:30 PM B-018 PHARES, REBECCA B-041 LEGROS, NICOLE L C-010 PLEASANT Jr., LINWOOD E-002 WORRELL, PATTI JEAN F-104 GUFFEY, STEVEN G-019 WALLS, VERONICA D G-057 TURNAGE, LINDA GAIL G-216 ICEMAN, ICEMAN L-026 TOWNES, MICHAEL

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Hourigan Construction Corp. is soliciting Letters of Interest/Intent from subcontractors and vendors of certified Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned businesses (SWaM) for UVA Contemplative Commons. The project is a LEED Silver new 57,000 SF multi-use hybrid steel frame/glulam timber building located on Emmett St Charlottesville, VA. The project scope includes multipurpose classrooms, studios, and office space, as well as two pedestrian bridges. RFP Date: Anticipated issue end of May 2021. SWaM businesses are encouraged to participate. Interested parties should email company information to Carla Velasquez at carla.velasquez@hourigan.group. Drug Free Workplace/EOE

SEALED BID SALE SALE OF REAL ESTATE FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA Sealed bids will be accepted by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in the office of the Western Region Property Manager located at 731 Harrison Avenue, Salem, Virginia 24153, until, but no later than, April 27, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. for the following property: Being as shown in RED on Sheet 6 and 7 of the plans for Route 15, State Highway Project 0015-073-109, RW-201 and lying south of and adjacent to the north revised proposed right of way line of Route 15 from a point 21.31 feet opposite Station 149+57.43 (Route 15 S.B.L. Construction Baseline) to a point 21.91 feet opposite Station 159+06.08 (Route 15 S.B.L. Construction Baseline) containing 3.2841 acres, more or less, land; and being a part of the same lands acquired from Albert Bigger by Deed dated October 27, 2008, recorded as Instrument Number 200802744, being recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Prince Edward County, Virginia. The value placed on this parcel is $ 55,000.00. Bids must be submitted in the manner prescribed in the “Instruction to Bidders” available from VDOT, accompanied by a certified check, cashier’s check or money order in the amount of 10% of the bid as a deposit. Employees of VDOT, their immediate families or any person employed with the valuation and/or acquisition of this property are ineligible to bid. The property is being sold “as is” with conveyance by deed without warranty. For further information and proposals, contact VDOT at the above address or call Amanda Newhouse at 540-387-5572 or email at amanda.newhouse@vdot.virginia.gov . The property will be open for inspection by appointment only on April 22, 2021, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Please call 540-387-5572 or email amanda.newhouse@vdot.virginia.gov to set an appointment before attending.

TRUSTEE SALES

TRUSTEE’S SALE OF 4372 JALEE DR, RICHMOND, VA 23234 In execution of a Deed of Trust in the original principal amount of $193,500.00, with an annual interest rate of 7.350000% dated February 28, 2007, recorded among the land records of the Circuit Court for the County of Chesterfield as Deed Book 7696, Page 0109, the undersigned appointed Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at public auction all that property located in the County of Chesterfield, at the front of the Circuit Court building for the County of Chesterfield located at 9500 Court House Road, Chesterfield, Virginia on May 13, 2021 at 3:00 PM, the property with improvements to wit: Tax Map No. 772-690-7699-00000 THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. TERMS OF SALE: ALL CASH. A bidder’s deposit of 10% of the sale price, will be required in cash, certified or cashier’s check. Settlement within fifteen (15) days of sale, otherwise Trustees may forfeit deposit. Additional terms to be announced at sale. Loan type: Conventional. Reference Number 20-287165. PROFESSIONAL FORECLOSURE CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA, Substitute Trustees, C/O LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP, 10021 Balls Ford Road, Suite 200, Manassas, Virginia 20109 (703) 449-5800. Publication Dates: April 9 and April 16, 2021 TRUSTEE’S SALE OF 6318 CYRUS ST, NORTH CHESTERFIELD A/R/T/A RICHMOND, VA 23234. In execution of a certain Deed of Trust dated September 19, 2005, in the original principal amount of $24,400.00 recorded in the Clerk’s Office, Circuit Court for Chesterfield County, Virginia, in Book 6648 at Page 214 as Instrument No. 64156 . The undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at public auction in the front of the Circuit Court building for Chesterfield County, 9500 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA on May 10, 2021, at 12:30 PM, the property described in said Deed of Trust, located at the above address, and more particularly described as follows: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS THEREON AND APPURTENANCES THERETO BELONGING, LYING AND BEING IN THE DALE MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA, KNOWN, NUMBERED AND DESIGNATED AS LOT 13, BLOCK F, SECTION 2, KINGS FOREST SUBDIVISION, AS SHOWN ON THAT CERTAIN UNDATED PLAT ENTITLED "KINGS FOREST RE-SUBDIVISION OF SECTION 2" MADE BY A.G. HAROCOPOS AND ASSOC., RECORDED MARCH 20, 1980, IN THE CLERK‘S OFFICE, CIRCUIT COURT, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA, IN PLAT BOOK 35, PAGE 70, TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF SAID PROPERTY. TERMS OF SALE: ALL CASH. A bidder’s deposit of ten percent (10%) of the sale price or ten percent (10%) of the original principal balance of the subject Deed of Trust, whichever is lower, in the form of cash or certified funds payable to the Substitute Trustee must be present at the time of the sale. The balance of the purchase price will be due within fifteen (15) days of sale, otherwise Purchaser’s deposit may be forfeited to Trustee. Time is of the essence. Substitute Trustee has identified an unreleased security instrument which may be superior to the subject Deed of Trust. Substitute Trustee disclaims any implication that the Property will be sold free and clear of all liens. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser may, if provided by the terms of the Trustee’s Memorandum of Foreclosure Sale, be entitled to a $50 cancellation fee from the Substitute Trustee, but shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. A form copy of the Trustee’s memorandum of foreclosure sale and contract to purchase real property is available for viewing at www.bwwsales.com. BIDDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO FOLLOW CDC GUIDANCE AND WEAR A COVER OVER BOTH NOSE AND MOUTH AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING AT THE AUCTION. Additional terms, if any, to be announced at the sale and the Purchaser may be given the option to execute the contract of sale electronically. This is a communication from a debt collector and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. The sale is subject to seller confirmation. Substitute Trustee: Equity Trustees, LLC, 8100 Three Chopt Road, Suite 240, Richmond, VA 23229. For more information contact: BWW Law Group, LLC, attorneys for Equity Trustees, LLC, 6003 Executive Blvd, Suite 101, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-961-6555, website: www.bwwsales.com. VA-351752-1.

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B8 FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 • • •

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

GOLF ROUNDUP

Smith leads after career-low 62

to take the lead. Smith surpassed his previous low of 63, accomplished three times on tour. HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. The 47-year-old Cink shot his — Cameron Smith birdied the lowest score in 75 career rounds difficult 17th and 18th holes at Harbour Town — not bad, at Harbour Town to shoot a 9-under 62, his career low on the considering he won here in 2000 and 2004. PGA Tour, and take a one-shot Collin Morikawa, who will delead over Stewart Cink at the fend his PGA Championship title RBC Heritage on Thursday. up the South Carolina coast next Cink finished his 63 around lunchtime and no one appeared month, shot 65 along with Matt Wallace. Charles Howell III, Billy likely to beat that score in overHorschel and Harold Varner III cast, breezier afternoon condishot 66. tions. Yet Smith played his best Smith is coming off a tie for down the challenging stretch. The Australian chipped in for 10th at the Masters, his second strong finish in five months at birdie on the par-3 17th, then Augusta National. He was runstuck his approach to the lighthouse finishing hole within 5 feet ner-up to Dustin Johnson last By The Associated Press

SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH

Monacan’s Dominic Moreno (7) celebrated after forcing a Patrick Henry fumble during last week’s Class 4, Region B semiﬁnal. The Chiefs defeated the Patriots 28-19.

FRIDAY’S FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GAMES CLASS 4, REGION B Teams: No. 2 King George (7-0) at No. 1 Monacan (7-0), 7 p.m. Streaming: Check Monacan’s social media athletics sites The skinny: Monacan hasn’t scored more than 34 points but hasn’t scored fewer than 26 while controlling games. The largest margin of victory is 34-7 over James River. Trying to contain the passing game will be a focal point for both teams. Monacan quarterback Tyler Hensley has thrown for 1,414 yards with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions. Kyjuan Pettus has 32 catches for 602 yards and eight TDs, and Elijah McLeod has 29 catches for 470 yards and 4 TDs. Running back Keshawn Jefferson has 750 yards and 10 TDs. King George quarterback Charles Mutter has thrown for 1,647 yards, with 19 TDs and ﬁve interceptions. Javon Campbell, who switched from running back to receiver this season, has 45 catches for 778 yards and 11 TDs. The Foxes had close wins early (19-14, 24-21) before starting to roll. First football meeting between the schools. Winner plays at Region A winner, Lake Taylor or Churchland, in the state semiﬁnals.

From Page B1

CLASS 3, REGION B

Hallman From Page B1

cars ﬁnished 19th, 20th and 24th. “We embarrassed ourselves,” Wilson said after that race. “this is one of the most embarrassing races I can remember for the Toyota family.” Later last year, Wilson would declare the whole season “unacceptable” by Toyota standards. Gibbs Toyotas won nine races in 2020 — Hamlin accounted for seven victories. Truex and Busch notched one apiece. Erik Jones, who was replaced by Bell on the team this season, was shut out. In an interview last week, Wilson looked back on his blunt assessment of 2020. “I was not shy in expressing my disappointment,” he said. “We all hold each other accountable, and that’s what I love about our culture. We’re not afraid to own up the fact that we have more work to do.” Wilson said the team took too long in 2020 to adapt to NASCAR’s abbreviated race weekends, a response to the pandemic. Most the races were — and still are — run with zero practice, no qualifying. A team needs to have its car adjusted to the track from the start, and be able to make effective in-race adjustments if the initial setup is amiss. “Kyle Busch comes to mind in particular,” Wilson said. “They were just

Ko, a two-time major champion who’s seeking her first win since 2018, is 24 under par her last three rounds. She nearly caught Patty Tavatanakit with a final-round 62 last week at the year’s first major, the ANA Inspiration. Ko had an opening-round 67 at Kapolei and was 14 under at the midpoint. The 23-year-old from New Zealand made nine Ko takes lead at Lotte birdies in her bogey-free second Championship round and needed just 24 putts. A Lim Kim, who won the U.S. KAPOLEI, Hawaii — Lydia Women’s Open in December, Ko went low again, shooting a shot 64 and was tied with Bri9-under 63 at Kapolei Golf Club anna Do (66) at 10 under. to take a three-stroke lead midSeventeen-year-old Rose way through the second round at Zhang (68) was five shots back. the Lotte Championship.

Springers

Teams: No. 2 Independence (4-1) at No. 1 Goochland (6-0), 7 p.m. Streaming: NFHS Network (subscription) The skinny: Bulldogs quarterback CJ Towles has thrown just one pick this season while completing 58% of his passes for 480 yards and eight touchdowns in five regular-season games. He leads Goochland’s Wing-T attack, which features two primary playmakers: rugged running back Conner Popielarz (six rushing TDs, two receiving) and dynamic receiver Kameron Holman (three receiving TDs, one rushing). But the Bulldogs’ calling card is their defense. They have blanked opponents in three games and not allowed more than 18 points. Senior linebacker Will Stratton leads the team in tackles. Junior edge De’andre Robinson spends ample time in opposing backfields. That unit will face its toughest test of the season in a Lions offense that averages 44 points. Independence quarterback Brian Courtney has run for more than 800 yards and passed for more than 500. Second football meeting between the schools. Goochland won 42-6 in last season’s 3B playoffs. Winner plays at Region A winner, Lafayette or Phoebus, in state semifinals. — Zach Joachim and Tim Pearrell

November. Johnson, the world’s topranked player who has an endorsement deal with tournament sponsor RBC, opened with a 1-under 70. Will Zalatoris, the fast-rising 24-year-old who was runner-up to Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, played with Johnson and shot 68.

this,” Johnson said. “This is a hard situation. With as much as we’ve been through, you get the opportunity to kick off in February and go through six, seven weeks of playing football at a high level, then you get thrown a curveball like this. It’s a tough pill to swallow.” Manchester vs. Highland Springs has become among the most anticipated high school football matchups in the Richmond area. In 2018, both won state titles — the Springers in Class 5, and the Lancers in Class 6 — before Manchester dropped to Class 5. They met in a 2019 regular-season game that Highland Springs won 26-16, scoring 26 unanswered points after Manchester jumped out to a 16-0 lead. Who knows when the foes could meet in the playoffs again as part of the same classification? The Lancers will move back up to Class 6 next season. But the sides are scheduled to play early this upcoming fall, and Johnson said there’s some positive irony in that. He and Hall had a “candid conversation” Monday about moving forward and the opportunity to represent the region at states. It’s to that opportunity which Highland Springs now turns its attention. Johnson said it was initially difficult to quell emotions and refocus. “In the last 72 hours, our emotions have been up, down, twisted in a knot and then released all over again,” Johnson said on Tuesday. “That makes it a difficult thing to handle.” After the news broke, he told his players the same things he tells them all the time, Johnson said, though now with added weight

SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH

Highland Springs’ Jamareeh Jones held up a belt after securing a game-winning pick in a victory over Varina on April 2. After a win and a cancellation in the region playoffs, the Springers will play again next week.

and perspective to his words. “Football is not guaranteed, neither is life. So be mindful of everything that you’re doing, everything that you say, who you’re hanging around,” he said. “We were saying those things before COVID hit, now we’re saying them even more. ... For us, it was one of those deals where we needed to make sure we could reel the kids back in, because they were all amped up to play.” Springs will only have to subdue that competitive ﬁre for a short time. In 5A, No. 3 Deep Creek (6-1) meets No. 4 Maury (5-1) Saturday at 2 p.m. The Commodores are the defending Class 5 champions. Johnson said he’ll be watching that game closely online. He added that the abnormal

week off is challenging to handle from a strategic perspective. What Highland Springs practices have looked like this week, what the team has focused on and how they’ve run their drills, has been quite different to how it would have looked if they were preparing to play Manchester. “All football coaches try to become creatures of habit. So it changes a lot of things,” Johnson said. “We have to be strategic in this situation and plan the correct way, make sure we don’t work our kids too hard or take too much time off.” From Day 1 this season, Johnson has tried to use the pandemic and all the challenges associated with it as a teaching tool to help mold the young men

he’s charged with mentoring. Using adversity to foster growth is something he tries to do within his program every day, even under normal circumstances. But perhaps never more so than this week. “In our environment, in our community, we’ve had things like this happen before, tragic things or tough decisions or tough situations,” Johnson said. “So it’s not new, but it’s not something our kids are used to either. It’s not normal for us. But it is something our kids can relate to other situations, and it helps us become a stronger program and it helps them become stronger individuals.” ZJoachim@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6555 Twitter: @ZachJoachim

second in 2017 and a third in 2019. Toyota’s competitors and executives might get an extra kick out of winning Sunday’s race at Richmond Raceway — it’s the Toyota Owners 400. The Gibbs drivers will be among the betting favorites. Busch has six Cup wins at the track, Hamlin three. Truex swept the track’s two Cup races in 2019. Bell hasn’t won a Cup race at Richmond but was a three-time winner in the Xfinity Series. Truex said the ¾-mile D-shaped track suits his driving skill set. “Richmond’s about as slippery as it gets,” he said. “The car doesn’t want to turn … a place that’s slick and wear the tires down, 2019, JAMES H. WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH that’s a place where I feel comfortable. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. won the last spring race held at Richmond Raceway: the 2019 Toyota Owners “I feel like I know what it 400. The scene was nothing new, as Toyota drivers have won seven of the past 10 Cup races in Richmond. takes,” Truex said. “I know race that first season. The what I need, and then it’s in the eight races. He leads that’s what makes the so far off that by the time next year, the Gibbs team just a matter of, OK, how Gibbs team successful. the NASCAR points race they got the car underswitched from the Chevro- do we get the car to do “Unless you’re leadhandily and has led more neath them, the balance these things.” laps than any other driver. ing every lap and winning let camp to Toyota. right, it was too late. You Bell likes the same RichBusch took the brand every race, you’re looking Kyle Busch is still scufknow, oftentimes he was for more,” he said. “That’s to victory lane for the first mond Raceway qualities the fastest car on the race fling but has registered a Truex extols. time in the fourth race of one great thing about track, but we were halfway pair of top-five finishes. “Richmond, for whatthe 2008 season. Three wins in eight starts working at JGR. They’re into the third stage, and In 2015, Busch became ever reason, has been a relentless. That’s what you there wasn’t enough time put the team on pace to really great race track for the first driver to win the want. It pushes you to be win more than a dozen of to do anything with it.” me,” Bell said, “so I expect Cup championship drivthe season’s 36 events. Wil- the best you can be and So far, 2021 is looking us to be really competiing Toyotas. Truex won a son was asked if that would never settle. better for the Gibbs fourtive. … The tire really falls title in 2017. Busch took “It’s really fun to have some as a whole. The team be a successful season. off, the pavement’s really his second in 2019. “We think we should win that relentless attitude has won three of the first slippery. Toyota has also made of ‘nothing’s ever good eight races. Truex’s victory a minimum of 12 races,” “You slip and slide enough — we can do bet- itself a contender for at Martinsville was his sec- he said. “We should get there,” he said, “which I feel NASCAR’s prestigious ter.’ It’s really an honor four of our teams into the ond. Bell took an impresfalls into my wheelhouse.” manufacturers points [16-driver] playoffs … And to drive their cars and go sive win on the Daytona championship. In 2016, to battle with them every I’d like to see two Toyotas International Speedway Randy Hallman, a veteran Toyota ended a 13-year weekend.” in Phoenix amongst the road course. NASCAR writer, is retired from the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Email run for Chevrolet as Toyota entered the Hamlin is yet to win, but final four.” him at fullthrottlerh@gmail.com champ. Toyota backed NASCAR Cup Series in Those are high expeche has a remarkable string and follow him on Twitter its first makers title with a @RandyLHallman. 2007 and didn’t win a tations — and Truex said of seven top-five finishes

SPORTS

L.C. Bird boys swipe win late

Editor: Michael Phillips (804) 649-6546 mphillips@timesdispatch.com

Fourth-quarter thievery lifts the Jaden Daughtry-led Skyhawks to victory on Friday night. Page C3

•••

SECTION C • RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH • SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 • RICHMOND.COM

Rhode Island burns VCU from long range Visiting team hits season-high 57.1% from 3-point range

VCU’s Levi Stockard III (left) shoots against Rhode Island’s Makhel Mitchell in the ﬁrst half of VCU’s loss at the Siegel Center on Saturday. Stockard scored 7 points.

DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/TIMES-DISPATCH

and though VCU overall has defended against the 3 at a high level — the shot beyond the arc was URI’s weapon of choice Saturday. The team connected on 8 of 14 RHODE ISLAND 83, VCU 68 attempts, helping it pull away for BY WAYNE EPPS JR. an 83-68 win at the Siegel Center. Richmond Times-Dispatch Wednesday: VCU at George “We’ve been taking people Washington, 2 p.m., NBCSW off the 3-point line,” VCU coach For the past four seasons, Now online Mike Rhoades said. “But they Rhode Island has been a thorn in shot their best game from 3 VCU’s side. See more photos from today because of the way they atVCU entered the day Saturday Saturday’s game at Richmond.com. tacked us. And something we got with 112 victories against Atlanto address and work on.” school, URI. tic 10 opponents since it joined The loss snapped a sevenThe trend continued Saturday. the league in 2012-13, the most Though URI has struggled with game winning streak. VCU (9-3, of any school. But VCU has had a losing record against one league 3-point efﬁciency this season — VCU, Page C3

PLAYOFFS RETURN TO WASHINGTON

David Teel

dteel@TimesDispatch.com

CAA coaches view fall FBS campaign as ‘blueprint’

heir fall schedules scrapped, Russ Huesman, Mike London and Curt Cignetti had the rare opportunity to observe Football Bowl Subdivision games unencumbered this season. They were OPINION struck by the competition’s quality and intensity, and the athletes’ sheer talent. But the overarching takeaway, what they most hope to emulate in their impending Championship Subdivision seasons, is the discipline and ingenuity all parties exhibited in crafting and following COVID-19 protocol. “The bottom line is the sacriﬁces … that these athletes [made] just to have the ability to play football games,” said Huesman, entering his fourth year Richmond’s coach. “I don’t think people realize how hard it was. … “I need to tell our football team that what we did in the fall and how we handled ourselves in the fall just to be able to practice, now you have to ramp that up by three TEEL, Page C4

STATE FCS OPENERS

Feb. 20: Morehead State at James Madison, noon March 6: William & Mary at Richmond, 1 p.m.

The Sunday index Page C2: Wes McElroy argues the Heisman Trophy and NFL MVP usually belong to QBs, but maybe not this season. Page C5: Jerry Lindquist recalls a ﬁtting tribute for Culpeper’s John Averett. Page C10: Ohio State’s Day has built dynasty on QBs.

JAMES H. WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

NFL playoff scoreboard

Stories, Page C5

BILLS 27, COLTS 24

RAMS 30, SEAHAWKS 20

Buffalo ends a 25-year victory drought in the playoffs by defeating Indianapolis.

L.A.’s defense harasses Seattle QB Russell Wilson into one of his worst performances.

The pass of Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke is tipped by Tampa Bay’s Kevin Minter in the ﬁrst half. The former Old Dominion star got the start in WFT’s playoff game against the Buccaneers, but the game ended after press time. Get a report at Richmond.com.

Spiders steal the show against Patriots Richmond’s 13 thefts spark road win against GMU

BY JOHN O’CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch

FAIRFAX — Grant Golden got caught up in a ﬁrst-half rebounding

scramble and twisted his left ankle. The 6-foot-10 senior stayed still, bent at the waist, for several seconds, and then hobbled off the court. From the University of Richmond’s perspective, that was the scariest part of a 77-57 win at George Mason on Saturday afternoon.

Richmond led by 14 after 12 minutes, dealt with the previously noted issues, and had a 17-point advantage with 7:30 left. Golden’s ﬂoor presence — he missed only a few minutes with the ankle twist — was particularly important for

that ﬁrst half and a short stretch of defensive instability in the second, but otherwise overwhelmed Mason (5-5, 1-3 A-10), behind 13 steals. GMU’s early turnover problems (ﬁnished with 19) made it appear the Spiders started with control in this noon game.

UR 77, GEORGE MASON 57 Saturday: VCU at UR, 1 p.m.

UR (9-3, 3-1, A-10) worked through some offensive sloppiness during

SPIDERS, Page C3

SUNDAY, JANU

Cavs’ Huff too tough for Eagles

Big man delivers 18 points, five blocks in UVA’s road win BY BENNETT CONLIN The Daily Progress

Some days when the Virginia men’s basketball team takes the ﬂoor, it turns out to be Jay Huff’s day. Some games, the 7-foot center looks like the most unstoppable force in the ACC on both ends. Saturday was one of those days.

NO. 22 VIRGINIA 61, BOSTON COLLEGE 49

Wednesday: Notre Dame at Virginia, 2:30 p.m., ACC

The big man scored Virginia’s first 2 points and didn’t let up throughout the afternoon, finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds and five blocks to help lead the Cavaliers to a 61-49 victory

over Boston College. It was UVA’s third straight win. The blocks all came in the ﬁrst half of play. “To be honest, I feel like I probably dropped my shooting percentage today because I missed a few chippies, a few easy ones or just some that I would like to make,” Huff said, “but it still felt good to have a good, strong ﬁrst half, and I wanted to make sure I led that into the second half.” When Huff was on the

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

FOOTBALL TEAM THE 804VARSITY ALL-DECADE

••• Z16 SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021

BY ERIC KOLENICH

Richmond Times-Dispatch

he 2010s were a transformational decade for high school football in the Richmond area. Local teams claimed state championships at a rate never seen before. In the 2000s, teams of the old Central Region won three state titles. Between 2010 and 2019, those squads four claimed 11. Highland Springs won

MEET THE FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE Why he made the team: A runner-up for the player of the decade, Henderson had a spectacular junior season in 2019, scoring a Richmondarea record 53 touchdowns and leading Hopewell to TREVEYON HENDERSON the Class 3 RB HOPEWELL, state title and a 15-0 record. An he was player All-Metro selection as a sophomore, senior season of the year as a junior and missed his Ohio with signed He pandemic. the because of State in the Class of 2021. Why he made the team: One of the smallest, ﬁercest ball carriers in the area, Johnson rushed for 4,822 yards and 61 touchdowns in a little more than two varsity seasons. He was named All-Metro in 2010, player YAHKEE JOHNSON of the year L.C. BIRD, RB in 2011, and he led Hampton 2017. University in rushing yards in 2016 and Why he made the team: He didn’t become a starter until his senior season in 2012, but he made the most of it, rushing for 2,935 yards, second most in one year in the local record book. He led L.C. Bird to the PAUL ROBERTSON Group AAA, L.C. BIRD, RB Division 6 state championship, the and he ﬁrst of three state titles for the Skyhawks, was named All-Metro player of the year.

THE PLAYER OF THE DECADE

one of the most Why he made the team: Clark was in Richmondpolished and successful quarterbacks lark had as good a year as any area history. Ass a senior, Clark quarterback could hope to have. He threw for 2,327 yards, 35 touchdowns and just one interception. He rushed for 774 yards and scored 17 more touchdowns. The Lancers tied the state record for points scored, won the Class 6 state title and went 15-0. A four-year starter, he is third in the TimesDispatch record book with 9,215 career yards — including 7,148 yards passing — and second in total touchdowns with 119. He’s now on the roster at Notre Dame. Brendon Clark has played in two games for the Fighting Irish.

Why he made the team: Becton was the size of an NFL lineman as a high school junior. He was named All-Metro in 2016 as the Springers won their second of four consecutive state titles. He starred in college MEKHI BECTON at Louisville HIGHLAND SPRINGS, OL and was drafted 11th overall by the New York Jets in 2020.

Why he made the team: Fast and elusive, Dortch was named All-Metro in 2014 and player of the year in 2015, when the Springers won their ﬁrst of four state titles. He recorded the most receiving GREG DORTCH yards in HIGHLAND SPRINGS, WR the decade with 2,363. After two games playing for Wake Forest, he played in is now on for the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 and the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad.

CAVALIERS, Page C4 SCOTT BRACEY BENEDICTINE, WR

Why he made the team: Bracey was All-Metro three times, from 20132015, and was player of the year in 2014. During those three years, he produced 5,240 yards of offense as a receiver and quarterback. He played for Duke then J transferred to JMU.

SUIRAD WARE

HIGHLAND SPRINGS, OL

Why he made the team: A two-way lineman, Ware was named All-Metro in 2018 when the Springers won the Class 5 state title and again in 2019. He went to East Carolina as a defensive lineman.

Why he made the team: In 2013, Atlee had two Division I offensive linemen, Eberle and Nick Clarke (Old Dominion). That year the Raiders rushed for more than 3,000 yards, and Eberle was named ALEC EBERLE All-Metro. ATLEE, OL Eberle started 44 consecutive games at Florida State at center. Why he made the team: Pritchard was the top offensive lineman on the 2018 squad, when Manchester went 15-0 and won the Class 6 state title. That team rushed for 3,500 yards and threw for almost 2,500. WILL PRITCHARD Pritchard MANCHESTER, OL went to Virginia Tech.

in a row, preceded by L.C. Bird’s three consecutive. It helped that the Virginia High School League revamped its system of alignment into in 2013, spreading out local schools them ﬁve different classiﬁcations, giving more chances to take home trophies. But the transformation went beyond but winning. Participation went down, talent seemingly went up. Concerns over head injuries multiplied.

and the area’s most prominent collegiate this professional players are missing from ﬁrstlist. Only individuals who were named team All-Metro between 2010 and 2019

the The 804 area code gained ground on vaunted 757. No-huddle, passing offenses proliferated, leaving behind the run-everya down approach. The zone-read became staple of high school football. no Because of the pandemic, there was Allno and 2020 in prep football season an Metro team. To ﬁll the void, we picked decade. all-decade team and player of the are Only high school accomplishments of some why is which taken into account,

were eligible. The team was voted by: Weldon Bradshaw, Gary Criswell, Gary Hess, Jonathan Howard, Eric Kolenich, Dave Lawrence and Arthur Utley. If two players tied in voting, both were named to the team.

MEET THE FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

BRENDON CLARK MANCHESTER, QB

AUGIE CONTE

BLESSED SACRAMENT HUGUENOT, OL

COLBY COOKE GOOCHLAND, KICKER

Why he made the team: Playing for one of the smallest schools in the area, Conte was a large, dominant blocker. He was a senior in 2011 when the Knights continually ran the ball behind him. He was a three-year starter at Virginia Tech. Why he made the team: Cooke was named AllMetro in 2010 and 2011, and when his career was done, he set two local records that still stand: most ﬁeld goals in a season (17) and in a career (32). He went to Vanderbilt on scholarship.

Why he made the team: Ratke was All-Metro in 2014 and 2015, and as a senior he kicked 50 of 52 extra points and 11 of 12 field goals. He excelled at kickoffs, routinely putting the ball in the end zone. He went to ETHAN RATKE JMU, where ATLEE, KICKER he set school records for field goals in a career and field goals in a season. Why he made the team: One of the decade’s fiercest power runners, Rogers was named All-Metro in 2011-12, when he played QB, receiver and linebacker. As a senior, he rushed for 1,178 yards and SAM ROGERS threw HANOVER, UTILITY for 1,006. He walked on at and was Virginia Tech, later earned a scholarship coach. drafted by the L.A. Rams. He is now Hanover’s

SULAIMAN KAMARA HERMITAGE, DL

HAKEEM BEAMON MANCHESTER, DL

Why he made the team: Beamon was a disruptive defensive end in 2018, when he made 16 tackles for loss and helped lead Manchester to the Class 6 state title and a 15-0 record. He has played in 11 games for Penn State, including eight in 2020.

KEYON WILLIAMS HOPEWELL, DL

COREY MARSHALL DINWIDDIE, DL

CURTIS GRANT HERMITAGE, LB

Why he made the team: Williams was part of an imposing defensive line in 2019 when Hopewell won the Class 3 state title and ﬁnished 15-0. He was an All-Metro pick after recording 94 tackles, 37 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Why he made the team: Marshall was a two-year All-Metro selection in 2009 and 2010. As a senior, he was the Generals’ leading tackler with 122 total tackles. At Virginia Tech, he had 97 total tackles. Why he made the team: Tall, fast and capable of eating offensive players, Grant was an All-Metro pick from 2008-10. He had 134 total tackles as a senior and then won a national title at Ohio State. He played for the N.Y. Giants in 2017.

Why he made the shby, one of team: Ashby, the decade’s most intuitive players and a runner-up for the player of the lldecade, was an Alletro selection from Metro 2014-2016. A four-year starter, he recorded 100-plus tackles in each season and won two state titles. Hee played for Virginia Tech and recently declared for the NFL draft.

RAYSHARD ASHBY L.C. BIRD, LB

Rayshard Ashby (right) made a big impact with the Hokies after winning two state titles at Bird.

Why he made the team: Pope started as a wide receiver but matured into a linebacker, becoming one of the most imposing players on the ﬁeld. He was All-Metro in 2016 when he recorded six K’VAUGHAN POPE interceptions DINWIDDIE, LB and 2017 when he had 65 tackles State. and 39 assists. He plays for Ohio Why he made the team: Harris was named All-Metro in 2009 and 2010 as a QB and defensive back. He never stopped improving. He went to Virginia and though he went undrafted, he is now the starting ANTHONY HARRIS free safety L.C. BIRD, DB for the Minnesota Vikings.

Why he made the team: Talbert was All-Metro in 2017 and 2018 and intercepted nine passes in his career. He was a dangerous return man, and he played wide receiver, leading Highland Springs to titles TREMAYNE TALBERT state in each of HIGHLAND SPRINGS, DB his two varsity seasons. Why he made the team: Wallace’s chance didn’t come until his senior year in 2015, but he made the most of his opportunity, playing cornerback, producing 1,094 yards of offense, winning a state title and K’VON WALLACE attracting HIGHLAND SPRINGS, DB an offer from Clemson. Wallace now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.

High school Highland Springs L.C. Bird Dinwiddie Varina Thomas Jefferson Trinity Episcopal Monacan Patrick Henry Hermitage Highland Springs L.C. Bird Varina

Position Quarterback Running back Running back Wide receiver Wide receiver Wide receiver Offensive line Offensive line Offensive line Offensive line Offensive line Utility

THE THIRD-TEAM OFFENSE Player Wilton Speight Kevin Green Isiah Paige Devin Flowers Tye Freeland Rasheed Worsham Kei’Trel Clark Mac Patrick James Bell Marshal Hicks Marquise Jones Aaron Lewis Martavias Robinson John Steibel Billy Kemp

High school Collegiate Petersburg Varina Glen Allen Dinwiddie L.C. Bird Manchester Hanover Manchester L.C. Bird Hermitage Hermitage L.C. Bird Hermitage Highland Springs

Why he made the team: Meadows was named All-Metro in 2010 — when he averaged 37 yards per punt — and 2011 — when he averaged 41 yards. Goochland went to the state title game his senior year, and MEADOWS THOMAS he played GOOCHLAND, PUNTER for Purdue on scholarship from 2012-15, averaging 39.7 yards per punt.

GREG CUFFEY HOPEWELL, UTILITY

Why he made the team: Cuffey was named player of the year in 2017 at utility when he led Hopewell to the Class 3 state title. He threw for 2,020 yards, rushed for 572 and recorded three interceptions on defense. He now plays for William & Mary.

THE SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE

THE SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE Player Juwan Carter Earl Hughes Sadarius Williams Doni Dowling Jaylen Jones Tink Boyd Isaiah Fludd Eli Hanback Marius Young Justin Carey Josey Davis Maurice Canady

PHOTOS BY TIMES-DISPATCH AND THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Position Quarterback Quarterback Running back Running back Wide receiver Wide receiver Wide receiver Offensive line Offensive line Offensive line Offensive line Offensive line Offensive line Kicker Utility

High school Benedictine Highland Springs

Player Nigel Williams Aaron Motley Darrell Taylor Tyler Powell Ellis Brooks Josh Doggett John Kinney Jalen Elliott Brian Brown K’ymon Pope Ronnie Monroe Tyler Warren Tabyus Taylor

Hopewell Cosby Benedictine Atlee Hermitage L.C. Bird Hermitage Dinwiddie Hopewell Atlee Hopewell

Position Defensive line Defensive line Defensive line Defensive line Linebacker Linebacker

Linebacker Defensive back Defensive back Defensive back Defensive back Punter Utility

THE THIRD-TEAM DEFENSE Player Reggie Ruffin Kevonte Demery Raynard Revels Thompson Brown Christian White Deon Clarke Mateo Jackson C.J. Reavis Tim Harris Syour Fludd Denzel Williams Alex Burton Devin McCray

High school Hopewell Henrico Hermitage St. Christopher’s Highland Springs L.C. Bird Hermitage Thomas Dale Varina Monacan Dinwiddie Hermitage Goochland

Position Defensive line Defensive line Defensive line Defensive line Linebacker Linebacker Linebacker Defensive back Defensive back Defensive back Defensive back Punter Utility

Presenting the 804Varsity All-Decade Football team The TimesDispatch announces its selections for the top high school players from the Richmond area over the past 10 years, led by player of the decade Brendon Clark of Manchester. Pages C6-7

C2 SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 • • •

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

SUNDAYS WITH WES

Smith and Henry performed at historic levels

f you’re old enough to remember the 1970s sitcom “The Brady Bunch,” one of the greatest complaints by middle sister, Jan, was that everything always found its way to be about the oldest sister, Marcia. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. It feels the same when discussing football. Somehow, the conversation always comes back to quarterbacks. Take it from a guy who works in sports talk radio, when in Wes doubt to fill dead air: McElroy talk quarterbacks. “Who is elite? Who’s not?” “Who should be the highest paid?” “ Who should be drafted first?” “Would you pay Dak Prescott? Here’s the telephone number, call me now and weigh in”! OPINION Marcia, Marcia, Marcia, quarterback, quarterback, quarterback. There’s only one quarterback on the field, and there’s only one starting job per team. The position occupies the spotlight all the time, and with that comes praise but also the bulk of the criticism, sometimes unfair. Yet, while Josh Allen, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Lamar Jackson are on the marquee this weekend, let’s not lose sight of a week that treated us to the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy in 29 years and only the eighth running back in history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. Tuesday night, DeVonta Smith of Alabama became just the fourth wide receiver and first since Desmond Howard in 1991 to take home the Heisman with 447 first-place votes, more than doubling those of Trevor Lawrence of Clemson. The Heisman is to be awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football, not the most outstanding quarterback. However, with nine quarterbacks winning during the previous 10 years, it requires an extremely exceptional season to grab the attention of voters away from the QBs.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS

Alabama’s DeVonta Smith (left) became the ﬁrst wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since Desmond Howard in 1991, and Tennessee’s Derrick Henry became the eighth NFL running back to top 2,000 yards in a season.

Smith did that. The Maxwell Award winner accumulated 98 receptions, more than 1,500 yards and averaged 15.4 yards per punt return in 11 games. While the award shouldn’t be given on stats alone, no wide receiver came within 300 yards of Smith’s receiving total in the regular season. Only Jaelon Darden of North Texas had more touchdowns with the next closest Power Five wide receiver catching seven fewer scoring receptions. It’s hard to argue that during the past three seasons, Lawrence has become the face of college football and is the no-brainer No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL draft.

Is he the most outstanding player in college football? Arguably, yes. But my Heisman vote went to Smith for having the most outstanding season. It’s tough to argue that Aaron Rodgers shouldn’t be the NFL’s most valuable player, but there is no argument about what running back means the most to his team’s success. Derrick Henry’s ,2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns helped open the game plan for Ryan Tannehill, A.J. Brown, and the rest of Tennessee’s offense that averaged 30.7 points. The 2015 Heisman Trophy winner earned All-Pro honors for the ﬁrst time and placed himself in the

elite club of running backs surpassing 2,000 yards in a season, joining the elite company of Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Jamal Lewis, OJ Simpson and Eric Dickerson. While Simpson’s accomplishment stands out for achieving the mark in 14 games, the significance of Henry’s place in history is that he did it in an era when offenses rely significantly more on passing. As pointed out by CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo, only eight other players managed to break the 1,000-yard rushing mark during the regular season. That number is tied for the sixth-fewest amount of 1,000-yard rushers in a 16-game season. “I’m telling you what, it’s ... great to see first of all,” said Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis of Henry’s season when he appeared on my show in December. “But it’s necessary. People have gotten into this state, this thought that the running back is unnecessary and it’s not the case. It’s you just don’t have that many feature backs available because all the colleges have gone to these ‘run and shoot type’ offenses that need a little running back. And so you can’t find the bigger guys because in high school, they moved the guys to linebacker.” Henry will face Baltimore on Sunday, coming at the Ravens with a full head of steam. As per Elias Sports, his 2,684 yards are the most by a running back in a 20-game span since Davis’ 2,670 in 1997-1998 and Earl Campbell’s 2,641 yards in 1980-1981. A wide receiver winning the Heisman and a running back topping 2,000 yards are rare to see. The good news is you haven’t missed them yet, as Smith suits up Monday in the national championship game and Henry will play Sunday in an AFC first-round playoff game. Well, it’s good news for us; bad news if you’re pulling for Ohio State or Baltimore, respectively, as they try to slow down two men in historic seasons. Wes McElroy hosts a daily sports talk show from 2 to 6 p.m. on 910 and 105.1.

VCU’s Williams notes Rams’ unity in uncertain times

health. I would say, actually not going into the training room after games and knowing my body’s aching. It was really just me trying to figure out myself, and obviously Question: This might seem like this isn’t high school anymore. It’s a really simple question, but how a whole other gear. You got to go does it feel to playing ball and feel- do it and it’s part of the learning ing healthy? experience. Answer: It feels great, honestly. Question: With all the new faces I can’t explain it. I’m just so happy and youth, how has this team been for myself and then just for our able to come together this season? trainers to keep pushing me and Answer: It’s understanding us keeping me in perfect shape so I and [the younger players] seeing don’t cause any injuries that are that we’re trying to this for the betunnecessary. terment of themselves and our Question: How truly beat up team’s success. The coaches have were you last year? just always been in our ears to talk Answer: So many I did to myto our teammates and just honself, but I was probably, if I rate it estly just be there for one another out of a 10, [my body] was probon and off the court. ably a 6 out of 10. Question: Because of COVID-19 Question: How would you say and being limited to doing certain you did it to yourself? Were you things socially, how has it brought just not taking care of yourself? you guys together? Answer: Oh, some of it is defiAnswer: Definitely the team nitely, I did it to myself. I wasn’t chemistry for sure. That’s probreally paying attention to my own ably the biggest one just because VCU’s Vince Williams took some time with Wes McElroy to talk about the start of the season, taking care of his body, and how the Rams have come together in uncertain times.

SUNDAY’S TV NBA ♦ 3 p.m. — NBA, Utah at Detroit ♦ 7 — NBA, Miami at Boston MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ 11 a.m. — Fox, Providence at Xavier ♦ 4 p.m. — ESPN2, Cincinnati at Wichita State ♦ 6 — ACCN, Notre Dame at Virginia Tech ♦ 6 — CBSSN, Colgate at Boston U. ♦ 6 — ESPN2, Loyola Chicago at Drake WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ Noon — ACCN, Clemson at Louisville ♦ Noon — SEC, Florida at Georgia ♦ Noon — CBSSN, Davidson at Rhode Island ♦ Noon — ESPNU, Dayton at George Washington ♦ 1 p.m. — MASN, Miami at North Carolina ♦ 2 — ACCN, Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech ♦ 2 — SEC, Alabama at Vanderbilt ♦ 2 — CBSSN, Saint Joseph’s at La Salle ♦ 2 — ESPNU, Rutgers at Ohio State ♦ 4 — SEC, Texas A&M at Arkansas ♦ 4 — ESPNU, Iowa State at Texas Tech ♦ 5 — ESPN, South Carolina at Kentucky ♦ 6 — SEC, Missisippi at Mississippi State ♦ 6 — ESPNU, North Alabama at Steson NFL PLAYOFFS ♦ 1 p.m. — ABC/ESPN, Baltimore at Tennessee ♦ 4:30 — CBS, Chicago at New Orleans ♦ 8:20 — NBC, Cleveland at Pittsburgh

since we are all here with each other, we really can’t do too much outside of us. So it’s kind of like we kind of have to hang out with each other at this point [says laughing], so I feel like we’re getting to know us as people outside of the basketball court. That just helps tremendously. I feel like we keep just building up on our character and people around us. I feel like with everything the sky’s the limit for us.

Question: With being so tight and together, is there a teammate that you’ve gotten to know maybe a little more if you weren’t around each other so much? Answer: Jamir [Watkins] is really outgoing. It seems like he’s quiet and to himself, but he actually, since he’s been with us since prior to the season starting, he’s got a lot more comfortable with being around us and he’s talking more, he’s laughing more. He’s not so serious [says laughing]. He’s going to do some very good things for us in the future.

STAT OF THE DAY 5: NFL players with a passing, rushing and receiving touchdown in their postseason careers: Freeman McNeil, Kordell Stewart, Julian Edelman, Nick Foles and Josh Allen (above), who joined the list with a rushing TD in Buffalo’s playoff victory over Indianapolis on Saturday.

GOLF ♦ 4 p.m. — NBC, PGA: Tournament of Champions SOCCER ♦ 6:25 a.m. — ESPN2, Italian: Teams TBD ♦ 8 — NBCSN, FA-WSL ♦ 12:30 p.m. — UNI, Mexican: Queretaro at Toluca ♦ 8 — FS1, Mexican: Cruz at Santos Laguna TENNIS ♦ 12:30 p.m. — Tennis, ATP: Delray Beach Championships ♦ 1 a.m. (Monday) — Tennis, WTA: Abu Dhabi Open DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/TIMES-DISPATCH

VCU’s Vince Williams says he’s taking better care of himself to avoid injuries after being hampered by them last season.

SUNDAY’S RADIO MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ♦ 6 p.m. – Notre Dame at Virginia Tech, 96.1 Subject to change

After rough start to year, Rams revitalized in A-10 play

with a win against Saint Mary’s and beat a talented Buffalo team at home. But the Rams emerged from nonconference competiBY WAYNE EPPS JR. tion with a 2-5 record. Richmond Times-Dispatch Still, those games provided good information, For VCU’s women’s coach Beth O’Boyle said. basketball team, noncon- The Rams, who were picked ference play was a test, to as the Atlantic 10 preseason say the least. favorite, entered their For starters, the run-up league opener at Richto the season featured 20 mond on Dec. 20 knowing fewer practices than usual they needed to get better. due to quarantining. “We thought we weren’t Then all but one of the playing consistently hard Rams’ out-of-conference enough for 40 minutes, contests were on the road that there were some lulls — a result of the season in our play,” O’Boyle said. start date being pushed “And there definitely were back by two weeks to some great moments out Nov. 25 in the midst of there, but that there were the COVID-19 pandemic. other times where we were Most of VCU’s nonconplaying too relaxed. ference home games had “So I think what we took been scheduled for dates from that first semester prior to Nov. 25. was, ‘Hey, this is what we Also, injuries affected really need to improve on.’” multiple players. Six Rams VCU, closer to full missed at least a game and strength, proceeded to VCU deployed five differ- author a dominating, 24ent starting lineups over point victory against the the course of seven nonSpiders. conference matchups. What followed was an VCU opened the season almost three-week break

Women are 2-0 against league foes after opening 2-5

VCU AT ST. BONAVENTURE Women’s basketball Sunday: Noon

VCU coach Beth O’Boyle said winning the Atlantic 10 tourney title remains the Rams’ goal.

from games, over the holidays and including a bye on the ﬁrst full weekend of A-10 league play last weekend. Some players returned home for a bit. They restarted workouts shortly before the new year, with some renewed energy. They’re beginning league play full force this weekend, as they chase a second regular-season A-10 title in three years and what’s been an elusive conference tournament title. “I think there is deﬁnitely that push that, ‘Hey, this is the conference season,’” O’Boyle said. “And

we’re ready to go.” The Rams’ spate of absences included multiple pivotal pieces. Senior Tera Reed, VCU’s leading scorer the past three seasons, missed three games early. Senior Sydnei Archie, who started all 64 of her appearances the past two seasons, missed the first two games of this season, as did junior Janika Griffith-Wallace, a talented transfer who sat out last season after arriving from Murray State. Freshman Elze Motekaityte, who is averaging 11.2 minutes, also missed two nonconference games. She didn’t appear in VCU’s return to A-10 play either, at Duquesne Friday night. Sophomore Samantha Robinson, who is averaging 19.6 minutes, missed the Rams’ Dec. 9 game against East Carolina. Senior Sofya Pashigoreva missed each of the team’s first eight games before making an appearance against Duquesne Friday. Still, O’Boyle feels the Rams had the pieces there

in the nonconference bouts to have won. Their five losses were decided by an average of 6 points. “I think it was a couple different things in each one of those games — not finishing out the game the way that we wanted to,” O’Boyle said. Despite the speed bumps VCU has encountered, the team has four players averaging doublefigure points, led by Reed (16 points per game). And Sarah Te-Biasu has stepped in and played assuredly at point guard as a freshman, surrounded by the experienced returners who made the Rams the A-10 favorite. “I think that, with the tempo that we really want to play at, that when we can use our defense — and whether that’s full court or the half court — and we can apply pressure and really disrupt the rhythm of teams’ offense, that we’re going to be in a good spot,” O’Boyle said. A-10 play this year features an altered configu-

ration, with 18 games, up from 16, and a regionalized travel format. The majority of games will be played on Fridays and Sundays, allowing teams to get two games per weekend road trip or two games at home over the course of a weekend. As it begins league play in earnest this weekend, VCU is on the road. It won 68-63 in overtime at Duquesne on Friday night, to improve to 4-5 overall and 2-0 in A-10 play, and will face St. Bonaventure (1-5, 0-3) on Sunday at noon. The Rams have had some challenges and disappointing results to push through. But, at the same time, their goals have remained the same, O’Boyle said. They’re now off to a perfect start to league play, and the title chase will continue. “We want to be playing for that A-10 championship,” O’Boyle said. wepps@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6442 Twitter: @wayneeppsjr

• • • SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 C3

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Steals seal victory for supersized Skyhawks Transfer Daughtry pours in 23 points to lead L.C. Bird

BY TIM PEARRELL Richmond Times-Dispatch

To the L.C. Bird boys basketball team’s ID card this season, put this under height: everywhere. Playing as fast as possible on offense and constantly pressuring ballhandlers on defense have been signatures for the Skyhawks under coach Troy Manns. Opponents now had better be able to throw the ball around and over some college-sized guards. Bird can put 6-foot-5 guard Jaden Daughtry, 6-5 guard Bryce Blaine, 6-4 guard Promyse Ferguson, 6-3 guard Yuri Manns or 6-2 guard Davien Banks on the ball. Behind them are forwards ranging from 6-6 to 6-9. “This is the biggest team overall we’ve ever had,” Manns said. Homestanding James River isn’t small either and did a nice job handling the length and pressure for the most part Friday. But some timely Bird steals in the fourth quarter, combined with a technical foul and Daughtry’s finishing kick, gave Bird enough of a push to claim a 61-55 victory in a game between teams that have state playoff aspirations — Bird in Class 5, James River in Class 6. “James River does a fantastic job against our press, so we have to make adjustments to it,” Manns said. “You’ve got to kind of change up some things when we play them because they’re so prepared.” Most teams will have a hard time preparing for Bird’s size, depth and interchangeable pieces, especially after the Skyhawks get some practice time. Manns said his team has practiced three times in about 2 1/2 weeks because of the pandemic. They beat Midlothian on Wednesday night but didn’t do much Thursday outside of watching film. They also have games scheduled for Saturday and Monday. “What we’re doing right now is we’re learning on the fly, and we’re very appreciative of having the opportunity to play,” Manns said. He’s learning he has another dimension with the

DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/TIMES-DISPATCH

L.C. Bird’s Keyontae Lewis (right) shoots over James River’s Cole Grubbs during the ﬁrst half of their game on Friday night. Grubbs scored 17 points for the Rapids.

2:54 left in the third period. Their advantage was 40-39 with 6:23 remaining in the game when Daughtry scored inside and was L.C. BIRD 61, JAMES RIVER 55 fouled by a player who wore a jersey number that Boys basketball late Friday didn’t match the scoregame of Daughtry, a junior book, resulting in a techtransfer from Benedictine. nical foul and a possible He has offers from Old 7-point sequence. Dominion, Norfolk State, Neither team had a stelMarshall and Hampton, lar night at the foul line. among others. Daughtry missed his free The left-hander had 23 throw, and Davien Banks points, 11 in the fourth made one of the two techquarter. Blaine scored 15. nical free throws. With “He’s a fantastic kid,” Bird still having possesManns said of Daughsion of the ball, Daughtry. “He’s a fun kid to be try hit one of two shots around. He’s a sponge. He after being fouled. A turnwants to learn. … He’s a over produced a layup by multifaceted guy. He can Blaine and a 45-40 lead. hit a 3. He can post up. He “I thought we had about can handle the ball. So we three slip-ups [with turnjust try to take advantage overs] late,” Rapids coach of the mismatches when Andrew Blazar said. “That’s they present themselves.” their identity as a program, James River, playing its and they’re going to punish ﬁrst game, had some trou- you every time you turn the ble with the pressure early ball over, especially those and fell behind 25-15 belive-ball turnovers. fore steadying itself. The “We’re going to be good. Rapids can score with 6-9 Like I told the guys after the Cole Grubbs (17 points), game, we played far from 6-6 Neal Hill (7) and guards our best basketball and lost Pierce Boerner (7) and Za- to the best team we’ll play kari McQueen (17), who in the regular season by transferred from Matoaca. two or three baskets.” They cut the deﬁcit to tpearrell@timesdispatch.com 5 by halftime, held Bird to (804) 649-6965 Twitter: @timpearrelltd 3 points in third quarter, Bird 20 14 3 24 — 61 and took the lead on Miles L.C. James River 13 16 9 17 — 55 Johnson’s 3-pointer with

Late surge lifts Monarchs Mabry’s slam puts finishing touch on 27-point quarter

BY LILY BETTS Richmond Times-Dispatch

With a slam dunk in the final seconds, Meadowbrook junior Cecil Mabry put an exclamation point on a 64-55 victory over Matoaca that was won with a dominant fourth quarter. The Monarchs (1-1) dropped their first game of the season 67-49 to Petersburg on Wednesday, and head coach Sam Bryant said that Friday’s win was part of working out “growing pains” with many players who are playing varsity for the first time. “I knew going in that I was going to have a young team, and that’s the exciting thing about these guys,” Bryant said. “What I’m learning is that they’re going to fight to the end. They did it in the first game, and they definitely did it tonight.” While the game was Matoaca’s first of season, the Warriors (0-1) appeared to be the more put-together team through the opening frame. Junior guard Jayden Pierre got his team on the board first on a steal, and

MEADOWBROOK 64, MATOACA 55 Boys basketball Friday

Matoaca collected 4 more points from the free throw line to put together an early lead. Mabry proved himself to be a critical scorer for the Monarchs (1-1) by shooting a pair of 3-pointers from the corner in short order to chip away at the lead, and a third score from deep gave the team an 11-6 lead. Matoaca tied up the game but lost starter Tevion Walker to injury by the end of the quarter. By intermission, the Warriors had picked up a lead of 29-23. The second half saw both teams take turns with quarter-dominating runs. Tristan Cole put up 7 points for Matoaca as the team went on a 14-4 rally through the ﬁrst 6 minutes. Bryant said that his team stumbled balancing dictating the pace without giving the Warriors opportunities to produce off errors. “We get in situations where we’re beating ourselves by turning the ball over and getting into foul trouble,” Bryant said.

Monarch Tysean Jackson recorded the team’s first field goal of the second half with less than 3 minutes left in the third, and it served as a catalyst for his teammates as they narrowed the Warriors lead down to 9 to start the final quarter, 45-37. Meadowbrook maintained its momentum, and a shot from junior Chamar Hoover tied the game 51-51 with 4 minutes left on the clock. Pierre put up 4 more points for the Warriors, but Hoover and freshman Lamar Gregg combined for 17 points in the final quarter to give the Monarchs a solid lead even before Mabry’s showstopper. With a young roster, Bryant said that he needed players to step up when their numbers were called without letting the pressure get to their head. “[Gregg] stepped up in the fourth quarter big time,” Bryant said. “He was very poised and confident, and that’s exactly what I want from them. Don’t feel the pressure that this is varsity, just relax and have fun.” LBetts@timesdispatch.com Meadowbrook 11 12 14 27 — 64 Matoaca 11 18 16 10 — 55 MDB: Chamar Hoover 14, Cecil Mabry 11, Lamar Gregg 11, Armareon Johnson 9

VCU From Page C1

2-1) now has lost four straight against URI, and nine of its last 10 overall. URI carries an 11-7 series advantage against VCU. Bones Hyland led all with 24 points for VCU, including four 3s (4 of 11). KeShawn Curry added 11 points. Freshman Ishmael Leggett helped URI (6-6, 2-3) grab control in the second half, with 7 points in the first 8:22. He scored the first two baskets in a 7-0 URI run that broke a 54-all tie and gave URI the lead for good. Jeremy Sheppard, a Richmond native and former John Marshall standout, capped the spurt with a layup off a steal to push the advantage to 61-54 at the 11:07 mark — URI’s largest lead at the time. Later, Sheppard and Allen Betrand hit back-toback 3s to expand the URI lead to 67-56 with 9:37 to play. At that point, the game began to slip from VCU’s hands. It never got closer than 9 thereafter. Hyland’s diagnosis for what allowed URI to have 3-point success was that VCU wasn’t locked into its game plan. It let URI get comfortable, he said. “You got to keep your foot on the gas,” Hyland said. URI’s clip of 57.1% from 3-point range Saturday was its highest this season. Meanwhile, VCU got away from being aggressive on offense as the game wore on. It finished with just 28 points in the second half, its secondlowest total in a half this season. “Second half, adversity hit. And we started to fall away from our offense. The plays that we run,” Curry said. “And we started breaking off and not doing what we do. And it came back to bite us.” VCU shot just 33.3% in the second half and 38.9% overall — its second-lowest mark this season. URI shot 48.1%, highest of any VCU opponent this year. Fatts Russell led URI with 23 points, tying his season high, to go along with nine rebounds. Sheppard had a career-

Spiders From Page C1

Richmond because of the way he treated the Patriots last season. In two UR wins, he converted 18 of 24 shots and scored 46 points in 56 minutes. The Spiders fed Golden early Saturday, and in the first half, he made five of seven shots (12 points to go with nine rebounds). For the second consecutive year, Mason has not had anybody big enough and strong enough to contain Golden, who scored 18 on 7-of-11 shooting, and had 10 boards. “I think the emphasis for us always is try to get it inside early, force teams to double me ... so we can throw it out and get shots, make the right play, get moving on offense and go from there,” Golden said. Richmond’s quick guards, Jacob Gilyard (15 points, five steals, five assists) and Blake Francis (13 points, 5 of 18) caused those early-game Mason turnovers and delivered the Spiders instant momentum. “It all started with the guards,” Golden said. “Their ball pressure today was amazing, really forcing those ball-handlers to make decisions, really made them uncomfortable before they crossed halfcourt and it really set the tone for our whole defense today.” The 13 steals were a season high, and Gilyard had two in the first couple of minutes, which UR coach Chris Mooney recognized as having an “intimidating” effect on the

DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/TIMES-DISPATCH

VCU’s Corey Douglas Jr. (13) shoots inside against Rhode Island’s Malik Martin in the second half of an Atlantic 10 game at the Siegel Center on Saturday.

high 21 points, plus seven rebounds. Despite URI’s offensive success, VCU was effective with its interior defense early in the game. On consecutive possessions in the early stages of the first half, Hason Ward had a block, before Curry and Vince Williams blocked back to back after a URI offensive rebound. On the next Rhode Island possession, Corey Douglas recorded a block of his own, preceding a shotclock violation. VCU registered seven blocks in the first half and finished with a seasonhigh 11. URI turned to the outside shot down the stretch of the first half., Sheppard, Russell, D.J. Johnson, Antwan Walker and Allen Betrand connected. The team went 5 of 7 from 3-point range in the half. VCU’s defense, which has been strong this season, wasn’t good enough against URI. VCU continues A-10 play at George Washington at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. “We just gave them too many easy ones,” Rhoades said. “They had

something to do with that, credit to Rhode Island. “They came in here and took it at us.” wepps@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6442 Twitter: @wayneeppsjr FG FT Reb URI M M-A M-A O-T A PF PT Walker 7 1-2 0-0 0-1 0 4 3 M.Mitchell 17 1-3 0-0 1-4 2 4 2 Betrand 30 5-8 1-1 0-0 2 3 13 Russell 31 4-11 13-14 1-9 0 0 23 Sheppard 32 8-13 2-3 2-7 2 3 20 Martin 28 2-6 1-1 1-3 0 0 5 Harris 25 1-2 4-6 0-4 1 2 6 Carey 14 0-4 0-0 1-2 2 1 0 Leggett 11 3-4 2-5 2-4 0 4 8 Johnson 5 1-1 0-0 0-1 0 2 3 Totals 200 26-54 23-30 8-35 9 23 83 Percentages: FG .481, FT .767. 3-Point Goals: 8-14, .571 (Betrand 2-3, Russell 2-4, Sheppard 2-4, Johnson 1-1, Walker 1-1, Martin 0-1). Team Rebounds: 6. Team Turnovers: 2. Blocked Shots: 3 (Makhe.Mitchell 2, Johnson). Turnovers: 17 (Sheppard 3, Johnson 2, Leggett 2, Makhe.Mitchell 2, Russell 2, Walker 2, Betrand, Carey, Harris, Martin). Steals: 8 (Martin 2, Russell 2, Sheppard 2, Betrand, Walker). FG FT Reb VCU M M-A M-A O-TAPFPT Douglas 16 0-1 0-0 0-2 0 3 0 Stockard 9 1-2 5-5 0-1 0 3 7 Williams 31 1-9 1-2 2-6 2 2 4 Baldwin 22 0-4 4-4 0-1 1 4 4 Hyland 33 8-19 4-5 0-5 0 4 24 Curry 26 5-7 0-2 1-1 1 1 11 Ward 21 3-4 2-2 0-4 0 1 8 Clark 18 1-4 0-0 0-1 5 4 2 Watkins 16 2-3 3-4 0-1 0 2 8 Brown-Jones 8 0-0 0-0 0-1 0 2 0 Totals 20021-5419-243-23 926 68 Percentages: FG .389, FT .792. 3-Point Goals: 7-23, .304 (Hyland 4-11, Curry 1-1, Watkins 1-2, Williams 1-4, Baldwin 0-2, Clark 0-2). Team Rebounds: 3. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 11 (Ward 4, Douglas 2, Williams 2, Clark, Curry, Watkins). Turnovers: 16 (Baldwin 3, Hyland 3, Brown-Jones 2, Curry 2, Williams 2, Clark, Stockard, Ward, Watkins). Steals: 10 (Baldwin 3, Clark 2, Hyland 2, Williams 2, Watkins). Rhode Island VCU

40 40

43 28

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83 68

A—250 (7,637).

Robins Center on Saturday at 1 p.m., on CBS Sports Network. Richmond’s Dec. 19 game against visiting Duquesne was postponed (COVID-19 issues in Dukes’ program), and that has not been rescheduled, and UR also has another nonconference opening allowable (played eight rather than maximum of nine). “I don’t know how likely that feels, but any situation could show up,” said Mooney of a ninth nonconference game. “We’re going to look to [fill in] that Duquesne game at Patriots. some point … We’ll work “You can’t be casual with [the Dukes] and conwith the ball!” GMU coach ference to try to figure out Dave Paulsen yelled to his the best time.” starting freshman guard, joconnor@timesdispatch.com Tyler Kolek. (804) 649-6233 @RTDjohnoconnor Mooney saw the ball pressure as the lead item FG FT Reb UR M M-A M-A O-T A PF PT in Richmond’s “most Burton 36 6-11 3-4 3-8 0 0 17 Cayo 27 3-6 0-0 0-0 0 4 6 complete defensive Golden 27 7-11 4-4 4-10 2 1 18 game” of the season. Francis 36 5-18 1-1 2-6 3 3 13 Gilyard 39 5-13 2-2 1-4 5 1 15 “That was really a great Koureissi 16 1-2 1-2 1-3 1 1 3 defensive game, comple- Grace 13 2-2 0-0 0-0 1 3 5 I.Wilson 5 0-1 0-0 0-2 1 0 0 mented by a good offenBailey 1 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Totals 200 29-65 11-13 11-33 13 13 77 sive game,” he said. Percentages: FG .446, FT .846. 3-Point The Patriots cut the Goals: 8-21, .381 (Gilyard 3-8, Burton 2-5, Francis 2-6, Grace 1-1, I.Wilson Richmond lead to 4 late 0-1). Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnin the first half, and to 4 a overs: None. Blocked Shots: 3 (Burton, Grace). Turnovers: 8 (Francis couple of times in the sec- Golden, 4, Cayo 2, Golden, Koureissi). Steals: 13 (Gilyard 5, Francis 4, Burton 3, Cayo). ond half, but the veteran FG FT Reb Spiders responded with GMU M M-A M-A O-T A PF PT Oduro 20 2-4 1-2 0-5 0 2 5 poise and confidence. A-10 standings

Conf. All W L W L Richmond 3 1 9 3 VCU 2 1 9 3 St. Bonaventure 2 1 4 1 Davidson 2 1 6 4 Massachusetts 2 1 3 3 George Washington 2 1 3 7 Rhode Island 3 2 6 6 Saint Louis 0 0 7 1 Duquesne 2 2 3 3 La Salle 2 2 5 6 Dayton 1 2 5 3 George Mason 1 3 5 5 Fordham 1 3 1 3 Saint Joseph’s 0 3 1 8 Friday’s Result Dayton 89, Davidson 78 Saturday’s Results Richmond 77, George Mason 57 George Washington at St. Bonaventure, ppd. Rhode Island 83, VCU 68 Duquesne 48, Fordham 45 Massachusetts 83, La Salle 67 Saint Joseph’s 67, Albany 64

Notes: George Mason played without starting sophomore guard Xavier Johnson (5.3 ppg) because of a shin injury. He is the son of former Spiders guard Kelvin Johnson (1,400 points 1981-85). The Spiders are not scheduled to play a midweek game, but that is subject to change, Mooney said. Their next date is with VCU at the

A.Wilson 31 8-12 0-0 1-6 0 0 16 Greene 35 1-7 0-0 1-7 2 2 3 Kolek 33 3-9 0-0 0-5 1 2 7 Miller 31 3-8 2-2 1-4 3 0 8 Hartwell 23 3-5 2-2 0-0 0 2 10 Calixte 16 3-4 1-1 3-4 1 1 7 Haidara 4 0-1 0-0 0-1 0 1 0 Polite 4 0-0 1-2 0-0 0 0 1 Frazier 2 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 1 0 Henry 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Totals 200 23-51 7-9 6-32 7 11 57 Percentages: FG .451, FT .778. 3-Point Goals: 4-15, .267 (Hartwell 2-4, Greene 1-4, Kolek 1-5, A.Wilson 0-1, Miller 0-1). Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 4 (A.Wilson 3, Oduro). Turnovers: 18 (Calixte 4, Greene 3, Kolek 3, Miller 3, Polite 2, A.Wilson, Hartwell, Oduro). Steals: 3 (Greene 2, Calixte). Richmond George Mason A—250 (10,000).

35 26

42 31

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77 57

C4 SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 • • •

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Jones’ last-second 3 lifts Texas

Guard’s big shot comes 2 years after leukemia diagnosis By The Associated Press

MORGANTOWN, W.Va — Three years to the day since Texas coach Shaka Smart told his players that Andrew Jones had been diagnosed with leukemia, the junior guard put his latest stamp on what is turning into a special season for the Longhorns. Jones hit a 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left to lift the fourth-ranked Longhorns to a 72-70 victory over No. 14 West Virginia on Saturday. Courtney Ramey drove into the lane among four defenders before tossing the ball to Jones in the right corner for an uncontested shot after West Virginia’s Emmitt Matthews missed two free throws with 11 seconds left. On Jan. 9, 2018, Smart told his players that Jones had been diagnosed with leukemia. Jones missed most of the next two seasons and completed his cancer treatments in September 2019. On Saturday, Jones went over the 1,000-point mark for his career. Ramey scored 19 points for Texas (10-1, 4-0 Big 12), which had to come from nine points down in the second half. Jones ﬁnished with 16 points, Matt Coleman had 13 and freshman Greg Brown had 12 points and 14 rebounds. Taz Sherman scored 17 points, Sean McNeil added 14 points and Derek Culver had his seventh double-double of the season, with 14 points and 16 rebounds, for the Mountaineers (9-4, 2-3). No. 2 Baylor 67, TCU 49: Jared Butler scored a season-high 28 points and the Bears stayed undefeated with another another double-digit win even after trailing at halftime for the ﬁrst time this season. MaCio Teague added 12 points and Davion Mitchell had 10 for Baylor (11-0, 4-0 Big 12). Mike Miles had 15 of

Teel

NOTRE DAME AT NO. 19 VIRGINIA TECH Sunday: 6 p.m. TV: ACC Network Records: Notre Dame 3-6, 0-3 ACC; Virginia Tech 8-2, 2-1 Notes: Notre Dame is coming off a 66-65 loss at North Carolina last weekend. Notre Dame has also lost to Michigan State, Ohio State, Duke, Purdue and UVA. … Nate Laszewski averages 17.2 points and 8.2 rebounds for the Fighting Irish. The 6-foot-10 junior forward leads the ACC in both ﬁeld goal percentage (65.8%) and 3-point percentage (59%); he ranks fourth nationally in the latter category. He had seven 3-pointers in last weekend’s loss. … Prentiss Hubb averages 14.8 points and 4.6 assists for the Fighting Irish, while Dane Goodwin averages 13.8 points. … Notre Dame leads the ACC in both 3-point ﬁeld-goal percentage (38.9%) and free throw percentage (79.3%). The Fighting Irish lead the nation in fewest fouls committed per game (12.4). … Keve Aluma averages 15.5 points for the Hokies. — Mark Berman, The Roanoke Times

his 17 points by halftime for the Horned Frogs (9-4, 2-3), who led at halftime only because of the freshman’s highlight buzzerbeating 65-footer. No. 6 Kansas 63, Oklahoma 59: David McCormack hit the clinching short hook shot with 12.8 seconds to go, giving the Jayhawk 17 points against the short-handed Sooners. Ochai Agbaji added 14 points and Jalen Wilson had nine points and 11 rebounds, helping Kansas (11-2, 4-1 Big 12) avoid back-to-back losses in Allen Fieldhouse for the ﬁrst time since the ﬁrst season under Roy Williams in 1988-89. The Sooners (6-4, 2-3) played without Brady Manek and Jalen Hill because of COVID-19 protocols.

Vescovi’s hot hand began early for the Vols (9-1, 3-1 SEC) as he hit his first four shots from behind the arc. Senior Savion Flagg was the Aggies’ saving grace at the end of the first, connecting on three consecutive 3-pointers to pull the Aggies (6-4, 1-3) within 6. No. 11 Houston 71, Tulane 50: Marcus Sasser scored 20 of his careerhigh 28 points in the first half to lead the Cougars over the Green Wave. Sasser finished with a career-high eight 3-pointers for Houston (10-1, 5-1 AAC). Jordan Walker scored 13 points for Tulane (6-3, 1-3).

points to help the Blue Devils down the Demon Deacons in Mike Krzyzewski’s return from a onegame absence due to COVID-19 protocols. Krzyzewski missed Wednesday’s 1-point win against Boston College. He had said previously that he and his wife were following quarantine protocols after a family member had tested positive for COVID-19.

ACC Miami 64, N.C. State 59: Isaiah Wong scored 24 points and Earl Timberlake had six of his career-high 13 in the last 68 seconds as the Hurricanes edgesd the Wolfpack. The Hurricanes (5-5, 1-4 ACC) had lost their previous three games by a total of 5 points. Thomas Allen scored 14 points to lead the Wolfpack (6-3, 2-2).

State men

William & Mary 67, Delaware 62: Quinn Blair had 13 points and eight rebounds as the Tribe beat the Blue Hens to end a four-game losing streak. Connor Kochera had 12 points and eight rebounds for William & Mary (3-5, 1-2 CAA). Ohio State 79, No. 15 Sunday’s game beRutgers 68: Duane Wash- tween the two teams has ington Jr. scored 17 points been postponed because and the Buckeyes closed of a shortage of available the first half with a big players for the Blue Hens run to beat the Scarlet (3-5, 1-2). Knights. No. 7 Creighton 97, St. The Buckeyes (9-3, 3-3 John’s 79: Denzel MaRadford 79, CharlesBig Ten) used a 22-4 burst ton Southern 64: Fah’Mir honey scored a seasonto take a 42-30 lead at high 24 points to lead six Ali had a season-high 20 halftime in sending Rutplayers in double figures points as the Highlanders gers (7-4, 3-4) to its third with star Marcus Zegatopped the Buccaneers. straight loss. rowski out of the lineup, Josiah Jeffers had 10 and the Bluejays pulled points for Radford (7-6, No. 18 Texas Tech 91, away early in a victory 6-1 Big South). PhlandIowa State 64: Kyler Edover the Red Storm. rous Fleming Jr. had 20 The Bluejays (10-2, 6-1) wards scored 16 of his points for the Bucs (1-8, 19 points in the first half won their sixth straight 0-5). Big East game in the same as the Red Raiders built a huge lead and breezed season for the first time Hampton 73, UNCpast the Cyclones. since joining the conferAsheville 71: Davion WarGate City’s Mac Mcence in 2013. The Red ren made two free throws Storm (6-6, 1-5) dropped Clung added 18 points for to end the game, had a the Red Raiders (10-3, 3-2 career-high 32 points plus to 0-4 on the road. Big 12). Solomon Young 15 rebounds, and the Piand Rasir Bolton led the No. 9 Tennessee 68, rates edged the Bulldogs. Cyclones (2-7, 0-5) with 15 Texas A&M 54: Santiago Marquis Godwin scored points each. Vescov scored a careera career-high 20 points high 23 points, includfor Hampton (5-7, 4-3 Big No. 21 Duke 79, Wake ing six 3-pointers, and South). Tajion Jones had Forest 68: Matthew Hurt the Volunteers beat the 17 points for the Bulldogs scored a career-high 26 Aggies. (4-6, 3-2).

Cavaliers From Page C1

floor, UVA (7-2, 3-0 ACC) outscored Boston College (2-9, 0-5 ACC) by 30 points. About the only thing that went wrong for Huff were four missed shots — and a few late fouls. He noted that his 7-for-11 shooting performance (63.6%) did fall slightly below his previous season-high shooting percentage of 68.5. Virginia started the road game strongly, jumping out to a 13-5 lead in the first six minutes. The offense was clicking as Sam Hauser, Huff and Trey Murphy combined for the squad’s first 13 points. Reece Beekman and Kihei Clark acted as facilitators to set up the offense. After a Huff free throw put UVA up 13-5, the Cavaliers went cold. They started missing shots, driving into blocked shots in the lane and committing sloppy turnovers. Boston College’s offense never caught fire, but UVA went more than eight minutes without a point. The Eagles reeled off a 14-0 run and took a 25-18 lead with 4 minutes left in the opening half. “We really just don’t want to get down on ourselves when that happens because we’ve been in that situation before,” Huff said. “I’ve been in more ‘10 seconds left in the game, down two or up two’ situations than I can count, so it doesn’t really make me nervous anymore. Same goes for when a team goes on a run. It kind of is what it is.” The run led to a Virginia timeout, and the Cavaliers responded to Tony Bennett’s message. “I said make some shots,” Bennett joked. “I said you’ve got to be aggressive. I said we’re standing, we got to move the ball.” They ripped off an 11-1 run to close the half, taking a 29-26 lead into the break. Boston College tied the game on its first shot of the second half, a 3-pointer from CJ Felder. UVA answered with a jumper by Clark, and the Cavaliers never relinquished the lead during the final 19 minutes. Clark finished with 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting. He’s committed just four turnovers in three ACC

ACC standings Conf. All W L W L Louisville 3 0 8 1 Virginia 3 0 7 2 Duke 3 0 5 2 Clemson 3 1 9 1 Virginia Tech 2 1 8 2 Pittsburgh 2 1 6 2 Georgia Tech 2 1 6 3 N.C. State 2 2 6 3 North Carolina 2 2 7 4 Syracuse 1 1 7 2 Florida State 1 1 5 2 Miami 1 4 5 5 Wake Forest 0 3 3 3 Notre Dame 0 3 3 6 Boston College 0 5 2 9 Saturday’s Results Duke 79, Wake Forest 68 Miami 64, N.C. State 59 Virginia 61, Boston College 49 Clemson at North Carolina, ppd. Syracuse 74, Georgetown 69 Sunday’s Game Notre Dame at Va. Tech, 6 p.m.

games after a six-turnover showing against Gonzaga. Hauser finished the game with 17 points and 10 rebounds, picking up his third consecutive double-double. Even without Casey Morsell, Kody Stattmann and Kadin Shedrick, who missed the game with a non-COVID-19 illness, the Cavaliers had plenty of firepower. They also had assistant coaches Jason Williford and Brad Soderberg, who missed Wednesday’s win over Wake Forest because of COVID-19 protocols, back on the bench. Virginia led 43-38 with slightly more than 10 minutes left, and the Cavaliers rattled off a 13-1 run to take a 56-39 lead with 6 minutes to play. Hauser and Huff scored the final 11 points of the 13-1 run. UVA held Boston College to 30.9% shooting and a season-low 49 points. The team’s previous scoring low was 63 points. FG FT Reb VIRGINIA M M-A M-A O-T A PF PT Hauser 36 7-16 1-2 2-10 1 2 17 Huff 29 7-11 4-4 2-8 0 4 18 Beekman 37 0-4 4-4 0-3 3 1 4 Clark 40 6-8 0-0 0-3 3 0 12 Murphy 38 3-9 0-0 0-4 0 3 8 McKoy 9 1-5 0-0 1-4 0 2 2 Woldetensae 6 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 2 0 Caffaro 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 0 McCorkle 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Totals 200 24-53 9-10 5-32 7 15 61 Percentages: FG .453, FT .900. 3-Point Goals: 4-15, .267 (Hauser 2-6, Murphy 2-6, Huff 0-1, Beekman 0-2). Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 6 (Huff 5, Murphy). Turnovers: 6 (Hauser 2, Huff 2, Clark, Murphy). Steals: 3 (Hauser 2, Huff). FG FT Reb BC M M-A M-A O-T A PF PT Felder 32 3-7 2-4 1-9 0 2 9 Karnik 32 2-12 2-3 4-9 0 3 7 Heath 33 2-10 1-2 2-6 3 1 6 Kelly 32 4-8 1-1 1-5 1 1 10 Langford 34 5-7 3-5 2-4 2 0 14 Tabbs 21 0-9 0-0 1-1 2 2 0 V. Baan 8 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 1 0 Williams 8 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 3 Totals 200 17-55 9-15 11-34 9 10 49 Percentages: FG .309, FT .600. 3-Point Goals: 6-21, .286 (Williams 1-1, Kelly 1-2, Langford 1-2, Heath 1-3, Felder 1-4, Karnik 1-4, Vander Baan 0-1, Tabbs 0-4). Team Rebounds: 3. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 6 (Felder 3, Vander Baan 2, Karnik). Turnovers: 11 (Kelly 6, Langford 2, Heath, Karnik, Vander Baan). Steals: 3 (Karnik, Kelly, Langford). Virginia Boston College

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On the field this fall, Cignetti, Huesman and London noticed the increased scoring and perhaps some early-season From Page C1 rust for players and officials alike. Otherwise, near-empty stadiums notwithtimes in the spring because there cannot standing, the games looked familiar. be any missteps whatsoever.” “There were a lot of teams that played Huesman, William & Mary’s Lonat a very high level,” Cignetti said, “and don and James Madison’s Cignetti are there were some excellent games. I preparing their teams for the Colonial thought Ohio State’s performance Athletic Association’s six-game, springagainst Clemson [in the College Footsemester schedule, which runs March ball Playoff semifinals] was one of the 6-April 10. The league’s southern flank of most inspirational of the year. That was UR, JMU, W&M and Elon are set to play a game that seemed like the enthusiasm one another twice each, much like NFL and excitement you would normally see division rivals, saving money on travel with a full stadium.” and minimizing virus exposure. A few ACC coaches this season said Richmond and W&M will bus to-andthey believed canceled spring practices from games without overnight stays, and erratic training camps left defenses taking players back to their high school behind the curve, especially when it routines. JMU has not decided whether it came to tackling. But Huesman didn’t will travel on game day. notice any decline. The Dukes and Phoenix are play“I ain’t buying all that,” he said with a ing two nonconference contests apiece DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/TIMES-DISPATCH laugh. “Nobody tackles great. … The athprior to the CAA season, while the SpiRichmond quarterbacks Beau English (17) and Joe Mancuso worked out as head coach letes are so good, they put ‘em in space. ders and Tribe are content with league Russ Huesman looked on during a November practice. The Spiders are preparing for a … Maybe as they evaluated and really games only. At 16 teams instead of the six-game spring slate that’s set to begin March 6 against William & Mary. studied and looked closely, maybe they usual 24, the FCS playoffs are scheduled house,” London said, citing as examples can say that. But as a fan just watchclose to Wake Forest head coach Dave to start April 24. seating charts on the bus and staggering ing, that to me was not something that Clawson, who as Richmond’s big whistle “Common sense has to override [evjumped off the screen. practice reps to avoid close contact. in 2004 hired him as defensive coordinaerything],” Cignetti said. “It’s going to “It’s the way the game is now. When London found his enthusiasm for be important to keep your team fresh, to tor. Clawson’s Deacons lost three of their you’re out there in space, and they throw 11 regular-season games to the pandemic. watching football tempered in October, make this as enjoyable for them as posa bubble [screen], and it’s one-on-one, London, in his second season at W&M, when he contracted the virus. His sympsible, and your staff also.” toms were minor, but the experience gave that ain’t real easy now, unless you’ve got No question. Ask FBS players, coaches served as Virginia’s head coach and rehim a better understanding of the anxiet- some stiff running the ball. But they put mains tight with his former assistant and administrators. DeVonta Smith out there, he just makes ies inherent in any COVID diagnosis. The games were rewarding, but adher- and Cavaliers receivers coach Marques you miss and outruns you.” W&M paused all sports activities in Hagans. UVA flew to Florida State for a ing to and enforcing COVID protocols Smith, Alabama’s sublime receiver, October because of 12 virus cases in the November game, only to have the conwas exhausting. The daily uncertainties won the Heisman Trophy and leads the test canceled hours before kickoff due to athletic department, and JMU football surrounding schedules and test results Crimson Tide into Monday’s scheduled was curtailed in September. Five Richwere frustrating, and by regular season’s contact tracing within FSU’s program. mond players missed the team’s final fall national championship game against Cignetti has worked at five FBS proend, many programs opted out of bowl Ohio State in Miami Gardens, Fla. practice due to contact tracing, Huesconsideration, Virginia Tech and Virginia grams, including Alabama and North The FCS playoff final is scheduled Carolina State, and his brother Frank just man said. among them. for May 15 or 16 in Frisco, Texas, and “We got hit fairly hard when we came completed his first season as Boston ColFurthering the challenge for FCS like their FBS colleagues during the fall, back to school [in September], and we lege’s offensive coordinator. The Wolfcoaches, they must manage players’ Huesman, London and Cignetti just had to pause for awhile,” said Cignetti, workloads during the next three months pack, Crimson Tide and Eagles played who in his JMU debut guided the Dukes hope their spring season can reach the full schedules, though BC declined a with the prospect of a traditional 2021 finish line. to the 2019 national championship bowl invitation. training camp and schedule on the ho“I was glad [the FBS] got to play,” In short, Huesman, Cignetti and Lon- game. “But I think it was a good lesson rizon in August. So think fewer practice Huesman said. “I think everybody don have heard the yin and yang of pan- for our guys because once we resumed reps and game snaps for the starters. in late September, we had very few posi- throughout the country needed it. For demic football, the joys of competition, Cignetti, Huesman and London have tives, and I’m hopeful and optimistic that me, I needed it, and I watched. [Now our countless FBS connections whose coun- the randomness of interruptions, the players] need to line up against somesel will inform their approach to playing inner conflicts of whether playing in the will be the case moving forward. body else this spring and compete.” “You get what you demand, and I first place was/is advisable. in a pandemic. The FBS provided “a blueprint to how think the message [about following proA former South Carolina and Memphis tocols] has to be strong on a daily basis.” Twitter: @ByDavidTeel you travel, how you practice, how you assistant coach, Huesman is especially

NFL PLAYOFFS

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

• • • SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 C5

Bills come due with first playoff win in 25 years Allen accounts for three TDs in victory over Colts

By The Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills earned their first playoff victory in a quarter-century on Saturday when Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes, scored another rushing, and Micah Hyde batted down Philip Rivers’ desperation pass for a 27-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts in a first-round game. Buffalo snapped an 0-6 postseason skid by winning its first playoff game since a 37-22 win over Miami on Dec. 30, 1995. And it came in the Bills’ first home playoff game in 24 years, with a limited number of 6,700 fans in attendance for the first time this season. Allen finished 26 of 35 for 324 yards, with a 5-yard touchdown to Dawson Knox and a 35-yarder to Stefon Diggs. The game wasn’t decided until the final play, when Rivers faced fourthand-11 from Buffalo’s 47. Rivers threw a deep pass for T.Y. Hilton, who was surrounded by defenders in the right side of the end zone. Hyde broke through, leaping and batting the ball to the ground. Hyde was one of three Bills defenders who failed to do the same thing in al-

BILLS 27, COLTS 24 lowing DeAndre Hopkins’ 43-yard leaping catch in the final seconds of Arizona’s 32-30 win over Buffalo on Nov. 15. Buffalo (14-3) has won seven in a row since. Kicker Tyler Bass accounted for the decisive points by hitting a 54-yard field goal to put Buffalo up 27-16 with 8:08 remaining. The Bills added a new entry to a season in which they’ve ended numerous slumps. Buffalo won its first AFC East title in 25 years, and matched a season record in wins set in 1990 and ’91. The Colts (11-6) ended a season in which they won 11 games for the first time since 2014, and reached the playoffs for the second time in three years under coach Frank Reich. Rivers finished 27 of 46 for 309 yards, and his career playoff record dropped to 5-7 in completing his first — and potentially last — season with the Colts as he ponders retirement. Diggs, who became Buffalo’s first player to lead the NFL in catches and yards receiving, finished with six catches for 128 yards. The Bills didn’t make it look easy, with Allen nearly losing a fumble at

midﬁeld when sacked for a 23-yard loss by Denico Autry on ﬁrst down from the Indianapolis 37. Offensive lineman Daryl Williams, however, recovered. In shades of last year, when Buffalo squandered a 16-0 third-quarter lead in a 22-19 overtime loss at Houston, the Bills nearly coughed up a 24-10 fourth-quarter lead. The Colts responded with a seven-play, 75-play drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Pascal. After Bass upped Buffalo’s lead to 27-16, the Colts scored less than two-minutes later. Rivers hit a wide-open Jack Doyle for a 27-yard touchdown and Doyle caught a 2-point conversion pass. Indianapolis Buffalo

3 7

7 7

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24 27

First Quarter Ind—FG Blankenship 30, 5:29. Buf—Knox 3 pass from Allen (Bass kick), 1:49. Second Quarter Ind—Taylor 1 run (Blankenship kick), 8:07. Buf—Allen 5 run (Bass kick), :14. Third Quarter Buf—FG Bass 46, 11:05. Fourth Quarter Buf—Diggs 35 pass from Allen (Bass kick), 14:10. Ind—Pascal 9 pass from Rivers (run failed), 11:32. Buf—FG Bass 54, 8:08. Ind—Doyle 27 pass from Rivers (Doyle pass from Rivers), 6:13. A—6,772. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing–Indianapolis, Taylor 21-78, Hines 6-75, Pittman 1-11, Brissett 1-0, Rivers 1-(minus 1). Buffalo, Allen 1154, Singletary 3-21, Moss 7-21. Passing–Indianapolis, Rivers 27-460-309. Buffalo, Allen 26-35-0-324. Receiving–Indianapolis, Doyle 7-70, Pittman 5-90, Alie-Cox 4-32, Pascal 3-37, Burton 3-34, Hilton 2-32, Taylor 2-6, Hines 1-8. Buffalo, Beasley 7-57, Diggs 6-128, Davis 4-85, Moss 4-26, Singletary 3-23, Knox 2-5. Missed FG–Indianapolis, Blankenship 33.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Buffalo defensive back Josh Norman (right) celebrates with teammates after the Bills’ home victory over Indianapolis in an AFC ﬁrst-round game Saturday.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rams defensive back Darious Williams returns an interception off Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (right) 42 yards for a ﬁrst-half touchdown in Seattle.

Rams torment Wilson, oust rival Seahawks Akers rushes for 131 yards, TD to fuel L.A.’s attack

By The Associated Press

SEATTLE — A lot of Cam Akers churning yards on the ground and mostly a great Rams defense has Los Angeles moving on in the NFC playoffs at the expense of division-foe Seattle. Akers rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown, Darious Williams returned Russell Wilson’s interception 42 yards for a score, and the Rams beat the Seahawks 30-20 in an NFC ﬁrst-round game Saturday. “A lot of guys stepped up and answered the bell in a big way,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. The best defense in the league during the regular season carried its dominance into the playoffs — even while missing unanimous All-Pro tackle Aaron Donald for much of the second half. No team was better at limiting yards or points than the Rams (11-6) and they continued to torment Wilson, a former Collegiate standout, and the Seahawks (12-5). Seattle’s quarterback was under siege from the defensive front and a secondary that minus one play never let DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett break loose. Donald, before leaving

The Rams pulled off the upset without a healthy quarterback for more the three quarters. John Wolford started for the second RAMS 30, SEAHAWKS 20 straight week but injured with a rib injury, and Jalen his neck when he dived headfirst in the first quarter Ramsey were superb. But and was hit in the helmet so were other role players such as Troy Reeder, Jordan by Jamal Adams’ shoulder. Wolford was taken to Fuller and Leonard Floyd. a hospital as a precaution, Floyd had two of the but McVay said he was in Rams’ five sacks. Two of the locker room celebratthe others belonged to Donald. The Rams allowed ing after the victory. “I think it was really just just 278 total yards and 11 a stinger,” McVay said. first downs. Jared Goff took over less Williams’ interception than two weeks after unwas his third of the season dergoing surgery on his against Wilson after pickright thumb; he was ining him off twice in Los Angeles in November. He jured in the Week 16 loss to Seattle. Goff was 9 of 19 jumped a wide receiver for 155 yards. screen intended for MetL.A. Rams 3 17 0 10 — 30 calf and returned it unSeattle 0 10 3 7 — 20 touched to give the Rams a First Quarter LAR—FG Gay 40, 3:52. 13-3 lead midway through Second Quarter the second quarter. Sea—FG Myers 50, 10:29. Akers added a 5-yard LAR—FG Gay 39, 7:51. LAR—Williams 42 interception reTD run just before halfturn (Gay kick), 6:40. Sea—Metcalf 51 pass from Wilson time for a 20-10 lead. (Myers kick), 3:43. Wilson had one of his LAR—Akers 5 run (Gay kick), 1:57. Third Quarter worst playoff performances. Sea—FG Myers 52, 13:45. He was 11 of 27 for 174 Fourth Quarter LAR—FG Gay 36, 11:33. yards. Wilson connected LAR—Woods 15 pass from Goff (Gay with Metcalf on a pair of kick), 4:46. Sea—Metcalf 12 pass from Wilson TDs: 51 yards in the first (Myers kick), 2:28. A—0. half off a broken play, and INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS a 12-yard TD with 2:28 left. Rushing–L.A. Rams, Akers 28-131, Brown 9-30, Goff 4-4, Wolford 1-2, Woods Seattle was 2 of 14 on 1-(minus 3). Seattle, Carson 16-77, Wilthird downs, and the Seson 4-50, Hyde 4-5, Dav.Moore 1-4. Passing–L.A. Rams, Goff 9-19-0ahawks saw their 10-game 155, Wolford 3-6-0-29. Seattle, Wilson 11-27-1-174. home playoff win streak Receiving–L.A. Rams, Kupp 4-78, end. Their last home play- Woods 4-48, Akers 2-45, Brown 1-9, Higbee 1-4. Seattle, Metcalf 5-96, off loss came in January Lockett 2-43, Swain 1-28, Carson 1-5, 2005 to the St. Louis Rams. Dissly 1-1, Dav.Moore 1-1.

Ravens’ Jackson seeks playoff victory to remove career flaw

By The Associated Press

Lamar Jackson has an NFL MVP trophy, two 1,000-yard rushing seasons and a 30-7 regular-season record as the Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback. What he doesn’t have is a playoff victory, a shortcoming Jackson intends to rectify Sunday on the road against the Tennessee Titans. Jackson’s postseason ledger began with a 23-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018. He rebounded to guide the Ravens to a 14-2 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but his second foray into the postseason ended abruptly last January with a 28-12 beat-down by the Titans. While it’s a bit harsh to say that Jackson can’t win a big game, he hasn’t yet proved he can. “I don’t really care about what people have to say,” Jackson said. “I’ve only been to the playoffs twice in my young career. Other people have been in the league forever and haven’t been in the playoffs at all. But I’m definitely trying to erase that narrative right there.” In both playoff defeats, the Ravens fell behind early and never made up the deficit. As the youngest quarterback ever to start an NFL postseason game, Jackson, 21, fumbled three times, threw an interception and was sacked seven times by the Chargers. Jackson finished with 54 yards rushing, but he was booed by many in the crowd after the host Ravens

fell behind by 20 points. The loss to the Titans had a familiar feeling. Jackson threw two early interceptions as Tennessee took a 14-0 lead, and he later lost a fumble. The three turnovers overshadowed his decent numbers: 143 yards rushing and 365 yards through the air on 59 pass attempts. Baltimore’s offense centers on a running game led by Jackson, whose two 1,000-yard rushing seasons are an unprecedented accomplishment by a quarterback. The Ravens aren’t built to play from behind, and in retrospect, Jackson believes he played out of character in those two playoff games while trying to bring Baltimore back. “You just take your time. When things don’t happen as they should, don’t try to make things happen right away,” he said. “I feel that’s what I did a little bit.” This time, Jackson brings the Ravens into the playoffs with a ﬁve-game winning streak.

Browns get boost with three off virus list

CLEVELAND — The Browns ﬁnally caught a break when safety Ronnie Harrison, tight end Harrison Bryant and linebacker Malcolm Smith were activated from the COVID-19 list and can play Sunday night at Pittsburgh. The hard-hitting Harrison’s return helps a depleted Cleveland secondary missing cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson, who remain on the COVID-

SUNDAY’S GAMES BALTIMORE (11-5) AT TENNESSEE (11-5) Time: 1:05 p.m. TV: ESPN, ABC Line: Baltimore by 3½ The skinny: If you like your football served with lots of points, make sure you get a good seat and buckle up for three hours of fireworks. The Titans (30.7 points per game) and the Ravens (29.3) have the top two rushing attacks in the NFL. These teams met in the AFC semifinals last year, when Tennessee upset No. 1 seed Baltimore (the Titans also won this season’s Week 11 matchup, 30-24, in OT). Now, the Ravens are on the road but still favored. Lamar Jackson is back to his MVP-caliber level as the Ravens finished on a five-game win streak while scoring 34, 47, 40, 27 and 38 points. Baltimore could benefit from being a lower seed and embracing that underdog role as the playoffs advance. Derrick Henry and Tennessee will be a tough out, but Jackson gets Baltimore going early nd exacts some Raven-ge. The pick: Baltimore

CHICAGO (8-8) AT NEW ORLEANS (12-4) Time: 4:40 p.m. TV: CBS Line: New Orleans by 10 The skinny: This could be Drew Brees’ last hurrah so the urgency level in New Orleans is high, especially after a run of playoff misfortune that includes a 1-4 against-the-spread mark in the last ﬁve playoff games. The Saints are clearly the better team, but with the Alvin Kamara COVID-19 news possibly being a distraction and a Bears team playing with house money (and conﬁdent they could hang with the Saints after a 26-23 OT loss in Week 8), this feels as if a backdoor cover will be open late. The pick: Chicago

CLEVELAND (11-5) AT PITTSBURGH (12-4) Time: 8:15 p.m. TV: NBC Line: Pittsburgh by 6 The skinny: Only a tortured franchise like the Browns could end the NFL’s longest playoff drought (2002 season) and then fewer than 48 hours later ﬁnd out they won’t have their head coach for that game. I was all set to call the outright upset, but I can’t do it now. The news of Kevin Stefanski’s positive COVID-19 test is too much to overcome. Even if Baker Mayﬁeld keeps it close early, Ben Roethlisberger (24-2-1 all-time vs. Cleveland) has the weapons at receiver to pull away later. The pick: Pittsburgh — Joe Manniello, Newsday

19 list and will not play. Ward is the Browns’ best defensive back and his absence hurts as he would have been assigned to cover Juju Smith-Schuster or Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh’s top deep threats. Cornerback Terrance Mitchell’s status is also unclear. He’s been out — an issue not tied to an injury — and is listed as questionable. If he can’t play, Tavierre Thomas would likely take on a larger role.

The sixth-seeded Browns will make their ﬁrst playoff appearance since 2002 short-handed. First-year coach Kevin Stefanski and Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio tested positive this week and cannot take part in the game because league rules require anyone testing positive to isolate for 10 days. Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be in charge, with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt tak-

NFL PLAYOFFS

Saturday’s first-round results ♦ Buffalo 27, Indianapolis 24 ♦ L.A. Rams 30, Seattle 20 ♦ Tampa Bay at Washington, late Sunday’s first-round games ♦ Baltimore at Tennessee 1:05 p.m., ESPN ♦ Chicago at New Orleans 4:40 p.m., CBS ♦ Cleveland at Pittsburgh 8:15 p.m., NBC First-round byes: Kansas City (AFC), Green Bay (NFC) Note: Conference semifinals Jan. 16-17; conference championships Jan. 24; Super Bowl LV Feb. 7 at Tampa, Fla.

ing over play-calling duties. Harrison was just placed on the COVID-19 list Thursday. However, it turns out his test was a false positive and he was cleared to play after subsequent negative tests. The Steelers enter with the worst rushing offense in the NFL, ﬁnishing last in yards rushing (1,351) and yards per carry (3.6). The Steelers also have COVID-19 issues. They will be without cornerback Joe Haden, who is on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Cam Sutton will ﬁll in.

Brees, Saints face resurgent Bears

NEW ORLEANS — Saints linebacker Demario Davis’ largely productive NFL career also has had its share of disappointing moments. Losing seasons with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns helped Davis cherish recent postseason opportunities with New Orleans. And in the play-

offs, Davis has experienced excruciating losses in the past three seasons — with the decisive score coming on each game’s ﬁnal play. So as the Saints embark on another playoff run, starting Sunday against recently resurgent Chicago in the Superdome, Davis is imploring teammates to narrow their focus and stay in the present. “The only thing that we’re promised is this moment. That is the only clock that you could be looking at,” Davis said. For the Saints, the stakes are high because their quarterback is 41-year-old Drew Brees, who has become synonymous with New Orleans during the past 15 seasons. Brees brought the football-obsessed community it’s lone major pro sports championship 11 seasons ago, and became the NFL’s all-time leader in yards passing. Brees will turn 42 on Jan. 15 and hasn’t committed to playing beyond this season, so each game could be his last. Brees is in his ninth postseason with New Orleans and 11th in his career. Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky, in his fourth season, is in the playoffs for just the second time. Trubisky was benched earlier this season and has started just nine games. But the Bears went 6-3 in those games, with three victories in four games to close the regular season and sneak into the playoffs. “We got nothing to lose. We know everybody is overlooking us,” Trubisky said.

C6 SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 • • •

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• • • SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 C7

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

THE 804VARSITY ALL-DECADE FOOTBALL TEAM BY ERIC KOLENICH Richmond Times-Dispatch

MEET THE FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE Why he made the team: A runner-up for the player of the decade, Henderson had a spectacular junior season in 2019, scoring a Richmondarea record 53 touchdowns and leading Hopewell to TREVEYON HENDERSON the Class 3 HOPEWELL, RB state title and a 15-0 record. An All-Metro selection as a sophomore, he was player of the year as a junior and missed his senior season because of the pandemic. He signed with Ohio State in the Class of 2021. Why he made the team: One of the smallest, fiercest ball carriers in the area, Johnson rushed for 4,822 yards and 61 touchdowns in a little more than two varsity seasons. He was named All-Metro in 2010, player YAHKEE JOHNSON of the year L.C. BIRD, RB in 2011, and he led Hampton University in rushing yards in 2016 and 2017. Why he made the team: He didn’t become a starter until his senior season in 2012, but he made the most of it, rushing for 2,935 yards, second most in one year in the local record book. He led L.C. Bird to the PAUL ROBERTSON Group AAA, L.C. BIRD, RB Division 6 state championship, the first of three state titles for the Skyhawks, and he was named All-Metro player of the year. Why he made the team: Fast and elusive, Dortch was named All-Metro in 2014 and player of the year in 2015, when the Springers won their first of four state titles. He recorded the most receiving GREG DORTCH yards in HIGHLAND SPRINGS, WR the decade with 2,363. After playing for Wake Forest, he played in two games for the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 and is now on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad.

SCOTT BRACEY BENEDICTINE, WR

THE PLAYER OF THE DECADE Why he made the team: Clark was one of the most polished and successful quarterbacks in Richmondarea history. Ass a senior, Clark lark had as good a year as any quarterback could hope to have. He threw for 2,327 yards, 35 touchdowns and just one interception. He rushed for 774 yards and scored 17 more touchdowns. The Lancers tied the state record for points scored, won the Class 6 state title and went 15-0. A four-year starter, he is third in the TimesDispatch record book with 9,215 career yards — including 7,148 yards passing — and second in total touchdowns with 119. He’s now on the roster at Notre Dame. Brendon Clark has played in two games for the Fighting Irish.

SUIRAD WARE

HIGHLAND SPRINGS, OL

Why he made the team: A two-way lineman, Ware was named All-Metro in 2018 when the Springers won the Class 5 state title and again in 2019. He went to East Carolina as a defensive lineman.

in a row, preceded by L.C. Bird’s three consecutive. It helped that the Virginia High School League revamped its system of alignment in 2013, spreading out local schools into ﬁve different classiﬁcations, giving them more chances to take home trophies. But the transformation went beyond winning. Participation went down, but talent seemingly went up. Concerns over head injuries multiplied.

The 804 area code gained ground on the vaunted 757. No-huddle, passing offenses proliferated, leaving behind the run-everydown approach. The zone-read became a staple of high school football. Because of the pandemic, there was no prep football season in 2020 and no AllMetro team. To ﬁll the void, we picked an all-decade team and player of the decade. Only high school accomplishments are taken into account, which is why some of

the area’s most prominent collegiate and professional players are missing from this list. Only individuals who were named ﬁrstteam All-Metro between 2010 and 2019 were eligible. The team was voted by: Weldon Bradshaw, Gary Criswell, Gary Hess, Jonathan Howard, Eric Kolenich, Dave Lawrence and Arthur Utley. If two players tied in voting, both were named to the team.

MEET THE FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

BRENDON CLARK MANCHESTER, QB

AUGIE CONTE

BLESSED SACRAMENT HUGUENOT, OL

COLBY COOKE GOOCHLAND, KICKER

Why he made the team: Ratke was All-Metro in 2014 and 2015, and as a senior he kicked 50 of 52 extra points and 11 of 12 field goals. He excelled at kickoffs, routinely putting the ball in the end zone. He went to ETHAN RATKE JMU, where ATLEE, KICKER he set school records for field goals in a career and field goals in a season. Why he made the team: One of the decade’s fiercest power runners, Rogers was named All-Metro in 2011-12, when he played QB, receiver and linebacker. As a senior, he rushed for 1,178 yards and SAM ROGERS threw HANOVER, UTILITY for 1,006. He walked on at Virginia Tech, later earned a scholarship and was drafted by the L.A. Rams. He is now Hanover’s coach.

SULAIMAN KAMARA HERMITAGE, DL

HAKEEM BEAMON MANCHESTER, DL

KEYON WILLIAMS HOPEWELL, DL

COREY MARSHALL DINWIDDIE, DL

CURTIS GRANT HERMITAGE, LB

Why he made the team: Kamara was a three-year All-Metro pick from 2013-15. His record 325 total tackles during those three years led a Hermitage defense that was one of the most stout in the area. He now plays for Wake Forest. Why he made the team: Beamon was a disruptive defensive end in 2018, when he made 16 tackles for loss and helped lead Manchester to the Class 6 state title and a 15-0 record. He has played in 11 games for Penn State, including eight in 2020. Why he made the team: Williams was part of an imposing defensive line in 2019 when Hopewell won the Class 3 state title and ﬁnished 15-0. He was an All-Metro pick after recording 94 tackles, 37 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Why he made the team: Marshall was a two-year All-Metro selection in 2009 and 2010. As a senior, he was the Generals’ leading tackler with 122 total tackles. At Virginia Tech, he had 97 total tackles. Why he made the team: Tall, fast and capable of eating offensive players, Grant was an All-Metro pick from 2008-10. He had 134 total tackles as a senior and then won a national title at Ohio State. He played for the N.Y. Giants in 2017.

Why he made the team: Ashby, shby, one of the decade’s most intuitive players and a runner-up for the player of the lldecade, was an Alletro selection from Metro 2014-2016. A four-year starter, he recorded 100-plus tackles in each season and won two state titles. Hee played for Virginia Tech and recently declared for the NFL draft.

RAYSHARD ASHBY L.C. BIRD, LB

Rayshard Ashby (right) made a big impact with the Hokies after winning two state titles at Bird.

Why he made the team: Pope started as a wide receiver but matured into a linebacker, becoming one of the most imposing players on the ﬁeld. He was All-Metro in 2016 when he recorded six K’VAUGHAN POPE interceptions DINWIDDIE, LB and 2017 when he had 65 tackles and 39 assists. He plays for Ohio State. Why he made the team: Harris was named All-Metro in 2009 and 2010 as a QB and defensive back. He never stopped improving. He went to Virginia and though he went undrafted, he is now the starting ANTHONY HARRIS free safety L.C. BIRD, DB for the Minnesota Vikings.

Why he made the team: Talbert was All-Metro in 2017 and 2018 and intercepted nine passes in his career. He was a dangerous return man, and he played wide receiver, leading Highland Springs to TREMAYNE TALBERT state titles in each of HIGHLAND SPRINGS, DB his two varsity seasons. Why he made the team: Wallace’s chance didn’t come until his senior year in 2015, but he made the most of his opportunity, playing cornerback, producing 1,094 yards of offense, winning a state title and K’VON WALLACE attracting HIGHLAND SPRINGS, DB an offer from Clemson. Wallace now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.

THE SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE Player Juwan Carter Earl Hughes Sadarius Williams Doni Dowling Jaylen Jones Tink Boyd Isaiah Fludd Eli Hanback Marius Young Justin Carey Josey Davis Maurice Canady

High school Highland Springs L.C. Bird Dinwiddie Varina Thomas Jefferson Trinity Episcopal Monacan Patrick Henry Hermitage Highland Springs L.C. Bird Varina

Position Quarterback Running back Running back Wide receiver Wide receiver Wide receiver Offensive line Offensive line Offensive line Offensive line Offensive line Utility

High school Collegiate Petersburg Varina Glen Allen Dinwiddie L.C. Bird Manchester Hanover Manchester L.C. Bird Hermitage Hermitage L.C. Bird Hermitage Highland Springs

PHOTOS BY TIMES-DISPATCH AND THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Why he made the team: QBs rarely threw in Greene’s vicinity. He recorded nine tackles for loss as a senior, his second straight year named AllMetro. The Springers won the Class 5 state title during his junior year. He MALCOLM GREENE now plays HIGHLAND SPRINGS, DB for Clemson, where he had 1.5 sacks in the ACC title game against Notre Dame. Why he made the team: Meadows was named All-Metro in 2010 — when he averaged 37 yards per punt — and 2011 — when he averaged 41 yards. Goochland went to the state title game his senior THOMAS MEADOWS year, and he played GOOCHLAND, PUNTER for Purdue on scholarship from 2012-15, averaging 39.7 yards per punt.

GREG CUFFEY HOPEWELL, UTILITY

THE SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE Player Nigel Williams Aaron Motley Darrell Taylor Tyler Powell Ellis Brooks Josh Doggett John Kinney Jalen Elliott Brian Brown K’ymon Pope Ronnie Monroe Tyler Warren Tabyus Taylor

High school Benedictine Highland Springs Hopewell Cosby Benedictine Atlee Hermitage L.C. Bird Hermitage Dinwiddie Hopewell Atlee Hopewell

Position Defensive line Defensive line Defensive line Defensive line Linebacker Linebacker Linebacker Defensive back Defensive back Defensive back Defensive back Punter Utility

High school Hopewell Henrico Hermitage St. Christopher’s Highland Springs L.C. Bird Hermitage Thomas Dale Varina Monacan Dinwiddie Hermitage Goochland

Position Defensive line Defensive line Defensive line Defensive line Linebacker Linebacker Linebacker Defensive back Defensive back Defensive back Defensive back Punter Utility

C8 SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 • • •

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

SPORTS MEMORIES

Jerry Lindquist on a court legend receiving his due and other dinks and dunks across sports BY JERRY LINDQUIST

Special correspondent

he memory man strikes again with short, as well as long, term recollections from five decades of watching kids’ games and getting a check for it — plus another decade and a half doing it as an innocent (?) bystander. This is Volume XXXVI: “The World’s Biggest Hick Town.” At the risk of blowing our cover (and saying something nice about the man) ... we start with a shout out to Culpeper High School for honoring a former coach more than 40 years after he moved on. I was going to say to bigger and better things but, despite carving an enviable career that put him on a first-name basis with some of basketball’s best-known players, coaches and administrators, “it couldn’t get any better than this,” he said. Making the occasion (Oct. 23, 2020) even sweeter was the way the principal (Daniel Soderholm), school board and county board of supervisors went about keeping it a surprise until the honoree walked through the gym door to applause from old friends standing on the new floor imprinted with — and now and forever known as — “Coach John Averett Court.” If you think he was overcome by emotion, that might not be strong enough. “Somehow I began talking … and crying … and later I asked [wife] Pat what I said. ‘Did I make any sense?’” Averett recalled last week. “She assured me I did.” (This is where we pause, revert to form, and say, “Since when?” Understand, it would be the kindest cut Averett ever got from a long-time sparring partner going back to the 1977-78 season when he was an assistant on Carl Slone’s staff at alma mater University of Richmond. We learned early on he was one of the fortunate few who could laugh at themselves. Take your job seriously but never yourself. That was, is and always will be Averett.) And, oh the tales he can tell about 21 years as sales rep for basketball shoe maker Converse, serving such icons as Bobby Knight, Karl Malone, Rick Pitino, Pat Summit and Julius “Dr J” Erving. The Converse location at the coaches convention during the NCAA’s Final Four was the place to be, a must-visit to see college hoops’ who’s who, a virtual center ring with Averett the ringmaster. If anyone knew what was going on, it was Mrs. Averett’s little boy. He was everybody’s friend … well, just about everybody anyway. His opinion has always been valued here even when we disagree. Nobody loves UR more but that doesn’t mean he will defend the school, or particular program or coach, with blind devotion. Want to get Averett going? Tell him the $17 million spent on Robins Center upgrades a few years ago was a giant waste of money. He knows what you’re doing — and still it’s guaranteed to generate a response: You couldn’t be more mistaken. Usually much stronger. Averett (UR, ’60) joined Slone’s program from Culpeper, where he coached basketball (1967-77), winning a state championship in 1973, as well as golf and cross country. After Slone was fired, Averett spent the first of several turns in the UR athletic office — sometimes unofficially. He joined Converse in 1980, retired in 2001 and since then has been a regular at Spiders home games. For 15 years he was the school’s liaison with basketball’s game officials. Averett made sure their needs were met especially before a game. A happy official is a friendly official, right? “They’re human. You can’t tell me that, if you treat them nicely, they aren’t going to respond,” he said. “They would say, ‘No … no … no … we’d never cheat.’ I’m not saying that, but … you’ve got to treat people right. Just make them comfortable … and in the back of their minds, when they see they’ve got a game in Richmond, it’s got to affect them. You’re kidding yourself if you think differently.” All right, John, now that you’re on record as saying game officials are human, fess up: How many technical fouls did you get at Culpeper, just how friendly were you towards the blind mice from the bench anyway? “I’m sure I got some … but I don’t remember them,” Aver-

STEPHANIE OLINGER/CULPEPER STAR-EXPONENT

John Averett spoke at a ceremony dedicating the Culpeper High School gym ﬂoor to him on Oct. 23. Averett coached boys basketball, cross country and golf at the school from 1967 to 1977.

ett said. However, he did get a couple coaching AAU hoops. One he will never forget: “I got a technical for staring at him. ‘ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I DIDN’T SAY A THING!’” (That will be the day.) Once the New York Nyets (sorry, Jets) shockingly didn’t lose a couple of games, the cheering you heard should have been from Trevor Lawrence, Clemson quarterback expected to be No. 1 in the next NFL draft. Put it this way: Wouldn’t you rather play in warm-weather (well, sort of) Jacksonville, Fla., where you will be given a hero’s welcome — and patience will rule? Or, be banished to the Big Apple, where the tabloids will love you one day, and cheap-shot you the next — where people are going rather than coming in the face of an out-of-control crime rate, high taxes, etc., etc., etc.? Sam Darnold, the Jets’ top draft choice in 2018 (third overall), knows what can happen, going from “Savior Sam” to “get the bum out of town” in three embattled seasons. Now, Jets’ GM Joe Douglas, also a UR alumnus (they’re everywhere), says he thinks Darnold can be great in the NFL then hedges on the quarterback’s future in green and white. In other words, make us an offer! Late Tuesday, Lawrence removed one of his options, announcing — to no one’s surprise — he would skip his final season of eligibility at Clemson. That leaves one alternative if the Jets should be in a position to call his name: pull a John Elway/Eli Manning and flat out refuse to report. Certainly worked for them. Looking in on one of New York’s tabs recently, yours truly was reminded of a conversation many moons ago with one of the rag’s sportswriters, who is still on the job. “When you’re hired, the first thing you’re told is: ‘Make every story controversial.’” he said. In other words, don’t lie but twisting the truth is acceptable. Is that what Lawrence needs — or wants? You must have the thickest of all skins to survive in what late Atlanta sports editor (and icon) Furman Bisher called, “the biggest hick town in the world.” Being born and raised in The City, I should be offended, but then it was a great place to grow up in the 40s and early 50s, when you could go out after dark without fear. When that began to change, my dad said, “We’re outta here,” and we left for rural central New Jersey — which, of course, is rural no more. ESPN was at it again, remind-

ing us why we seldom watch the once-must-see network now prone to reducing coverage to the lowest possible denominator. This time we heard “SportsCenter” anchor Jay Harris react to a college football player’s lookat-me, fake-injury routine, calling it “Maybe my most favorite … EVER!” And Harris laughed, joined by co-host Hannah Storm who added, “He should get some acting award.” Yeah, a razzie for being a bad thespian. Kentucky DB Brendon Echols, pushed from behind at play’s end, went face down and remained there for several seconds until rolled over on his back by concerned teammates who proceeded to push down on his chest … “to resuscitate him,” Harris said. Ha-ha! Ho-ho! Hee-hee! Let’s hear it for mee-eeee! Talk about sending the wrong message. Sportsmanship? Never heard of it. At a reported $1M-plus annually, Jon Gruden still didn’t cut it on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. Now, as the $100M coach of your Las Vegas football team, he’s hardly been worth the money there either. For the 15th time in 16 years — the last three on his watch — the Raiders failed to make the playoffs when Gruden decided not to score a touchdown but kick a ﬁeld goal instead and lost 23-22 to Miami. On a last-second FG, of course. Actually, the real villain was Daniel Carson, who missed an extra point — badly — after the Raiders’ last touchdown. That really was the difference, which begs the question? Why minimize a kicker’s culpability? Say it, the bum blew it. All he does is kick the ball then, basically, stays out of the way. And makes a lot of money doing it, invariably without danger to his body parts. So the franchise formerly named for an Idaho potato dumped quarterback Dwayne Haskins after a typically horrendous performance in Week 16. The New York Post called the decision stunning. Only if you hadn’t seen him play, or heard Boomer Esiason (CBS) at halftime when Carolina led 20-6. “There’s zero chance [Haskins] will be the [Washington] quarterback next year,” he said. OK, so Boomer was a bit off, but what’s nine months among friends? On Monday, talk show knowit-all Colin Cowherd said his “friend” Urban Meyer would be the next Jaguars’ coach “if he wants it ...but there are some health concerns.” Which allegedly led to retirements at Florda (two national championships)

and Ohio State (one). Yeah, Meyer has an excellent college résumé, but think about it: He taught Haskins everything he knows at OSU, a one-season wonder on a very good team (13-1) that played a bunch of very bad teams (combined record: 82-84). Chris Simms, on NBCSN’s Pro Football Talk (easily the best of the genre), built Meyer up then quickly became realistic about the man who once recruited him for Notre Dame. “He’s got amazing people skills … which gave him a great advantage [in college recruiting],” Simms said, acknowledging sweet-talking moms and dads won’t help in what would be Meyer’s ﬁrst pro job. Also, there was “his short shelf life at Florida and Ohio State … and usually stress and being tired doesn’t go away … especially as you get older.” Simms, who played QB at Texas (and didn’t like Notre Dame because “at the time they ran a prehistoric offense … all run, little pass”), said Meyer’s reported reach for a $12M annual salary wasn’t a reach at all. He rattled off the names of several top NFL coaches … “and they make more than $12 million … way, way more.” Cowherd said he thought Meyer would be a perfect ﬁt in Jacksonville’s college-town-like atmosphere. Then again … Jags’ owner Shahid Khan likes to meddle — it’s his money (net worth: $1.8 billion) after all — and that’s not good. See WFT’s Dan Snyder. (Khan’s son spent his money creating pro rasslin’ newcomer All Elite Wrestling, seen weekly on TNT. Word is he meddles with story lines. Runs in the family.) OK. so he’s just a rookie … as NFL on Fox analyst, that is … but Jonathan Vilma talked and talked then talked some more Dec. 20 but still missed one of the big storylines of Seattle 20, Washington 15. Richmond’s own (Hermitage High School) Duane Brown played magician and made Chase Young disappear. The Seahawks’ left tackle dominated the rookie defensive end who has been so good that he was an object of the network’s pregame show. Vilma joined Fox this year from ESPN where he was featured on college football. A former linebacker at Miami, Fla., and with the New York Jets (their No. 1 draft choice in 2004) and New Orleans Saints (2011 Super Bowl championship), he is not a favorite of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. In 2012 Vilma was suspended for al-

legedly offering $10,000 to any player who would injure rival quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Brett Favre. He sued Goodell for defamation, and the suspension was rescinded. Vilma worked the game on Fox with Kenny Albert, whose former partner, ex-UVA AllAmerican and all-pro cornerback Ronde Barber, was fired by the network after seven seasons (2013-19). He spent his entire 16-year NFL career with the Buccaneers and is on the shortlist of finalists for pro football’s Hall of Fame. Chris Walker. Remember the name. The former Villanova point guard (1988-92) was analyst on CBS Sports Network coverage of the Jan. 2 St. Bonaventure-at-Richmond game. The more he talked, the closer you listened. Walker actually made sense. You learned something. Even more impressive, he didn’t hesitate to recommend strategy, that’s how confident he was — which was understandable considering all the schools (8) he’s been as an assistant coach as well as interim boss at Texas Tech (2012-13). With seconds left, the score tied, and the Bonnies in possession, Walker, 50, said UR should “try something they haven’t been doing” like using the element of surprise and doubleteaming the ball. The Spiders played straight up, basically allowing a long, game-winning (69-66) field goal by a player who, for the season, had made only 1 of 11 3-point attempts before that. We would be remiss not to mention K.C. Jones, the former Boston Celtics great and coach who died Christmas Day at age 88, was hired to run the Richmond Virginians of the AllAmerica Basketball Alliance — and lasted all of a few days. He showed up for a few practices then, shortly before season’s start, bolted for Boston and an assistant’s position with his former NBA team. Lucky him. The AABA went under in less than a month, and we thought hockey’s Richmond Wildcats, who made it through three difficult but occasionally noteworthy months, were quick to come and go. Former UR star Jeff Butler liked Jones. Why not? “He made the cuts ... and kept me,” Butler recalled last week. He kept his contract — still has it — as a souvenir, which was about all he had to show for the experience. “I never got paid … $200 a game plus percentage of the gate.” What gate? Before the AABA folded Feb. 2, 1978, the eight member teams played as few as eight, and as many as 12, games. Your Virginians were 3-8, attracting 451 curiosity seekers to their opener at the Arena. Another home game drew 67 friends and family. “Virginia has one win against a No. 1 team … 1986, North Carolina,” said Tom McCarthy, CBS lead yapper sitting in a network studio somewhere, during topranked Gonzaga’s Dec. 26 98-87 blowout of the Cavaliers. Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert hit threes from long, longer and longest and not once was run over while off his feet and knocked to the floor. In the old days, when Virginia coach Terry Holland always had at least one enforcer, Kisbert wouldn’t have had to pretend and fall down on his own, trying to impress officials he was fouled. He would have been early on, sending a bruising message designed to cool off a hot shooter. Holland was in charge when the homestanding Hoos stopped unbeaten and No. 1 Carolina (21-0) 86-73 on Thursday, Jan. 30, 1986. Junior Kenny Smith was the Tar Heels point guard who would be a consensus All-American the following season. Yes, the same K. Smith, 55, who has been on TV since 1998 and has been TNT’s voice of reason when Charles Barkley goes off on one of his often-incoherent rants during the network’s NBA studio show. The Heels finished 28-6, third in the ACC (10-4), and reached the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16. Virginia (19-11, 7-7) dropped a first-round decision to 12thseeded DePaul. Those were the Cavaliers of Olden Polynice, Tom Sheehey and the not-related Kennedys, Andrew and Mel. Until next time ... Jerry Lindquist can be reached by email at mbl749@comcast.net.

• • • SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 C9

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

SCOREBOARD ODDS NFL Favorite Line (O/U) Baltimore 3½ (54½) NEW ORLEANS 10 (47) PITTSBURGH 6 (47½)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL Underdog TENNESSEE Chicago Cleveland

COLLEGE FOOTBALL Favorite Line (O/U) Underdog Monday (CFP championship) Alabama 8 (75) Ohio State NBA Favorite Line (O/U) Underdog Utah 7(216½) DETROIT L.A. CLIPPERS 12 (227) Chicago BROOKLYN Off (Off) Okla. City Denver 6 (218) NEW YORK BOSTON Off (Off) Miami HOUSTON Off (Off) L.A. Lakers MINNESOTA Off (Off) San Antonio GOLDEN STATE Off (Off) Toronto COLLEGE BASKETBALL Favorite Line Underdog VIRGINIA TECH 7 Notre Dame XAVIER 4 Providence CHARLESTON Off Drexel IOWA 10 Minnesota WICHITA STATE 2½ Cincinnati Indiana 6 NEBRASKA ILLINOIS 11 Maryland

PRO BASKETBALL NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic

Southeast

6 5 4 4 2

3 5 4 5 8

.667 .500 .500 .444 .200

— 1½ 1½ 2 4½

Central

Pct

Philadelphia Boston New York Brooklyn Toronto

7 7 5 5 2

Orlando Charlotte Miami Atlanta Washington Indiana Milwaukee Cleveland Chicago Detroit

Pct

3 3 4 5 6

.700 .700 .556 .500 .250

6 5 5 4 2

Pct

3 4 4 6 7

.667 .556 .556 .400 .222

— — 1½ 2 4 GB

— 1 1 2½ 4

WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest

Dallas San Antonio New Orleans Houston Memphis

Pct

4 4 4 3 3

4 4 5 4 6

.500 .500 .444 .429 .333

— — ½ ½ 1½

Northwest

5 4 4 4 2

4 4 4 5 6

Pct

.556 .500 .500 .444 .250

— ½ ½ 1 2½

Paciﬁc

Pct

Utah Portland Oklahoma City Denver Minnesota

BASEBALL NOTES

Phoenix 7 3 .700 — L.A. Lakers 7 3 .700 — L.A. Clippers 6 4 .600 1 Golden State 5 4 .556 1½ Sacramento 4 5 .444 2½ Friday’s Late Results Utah 131, Milwaukee 118 Memphis 115, Brooklyn 110 Toronto 144, Sacramento 123 Golden State 115, L.A. Clippers 105 L.A. Lakers 117, Chicago 115 Saturday’s Results Denver 115, Philadelphia 103 Phoenix 125, Indiana 117 Charlotte 113, Atlanta 105 Miami 128, Washington 124 Cleveland at Milwaukee, late San Antonio at Minnesota, late Orlando at Dallas, late Portland at Sacramento, late Sunday’s Games Utah at Detroit, 3 p.m. Chicago at L.A. Clippers, 4 p.m. Denver at New York, 6 p.m. Oklahoma City at Brooklyn, 6 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Houston, 7 p.m. Miami at Boston, 7 p.m. San Antonio at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Toronto at Golden State, 8:30 p.m.

TRANSACTIONS FOOTBALL National Football League BALTIMORE — Activated P Sam Koch from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Placed OL Ben Bredeson on injured reserve. Promoted QB Tyler Huntley and OT R.J. Prince to the active roster. CHICAGO — Activated DB Marqui Christian and LB Manti Te’o to the active roster. CLEVELAND — Activated TE Harrison Bryant, S Ronnie Harrison and LB Malcolm Smith from the reserve/COVID19 list. Activated LB Montrel Meander from the practice squad/COVID-19 list. Promoted WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, CB A.J. Green (COVID-19 replacement) and T Alex Taylor from the practice squad. Released DT Joey Ivie. NEW ORLEANS — Activated RB Alvin Kamara from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Activated WRs Michael Thomas, Deonte Harris and CB Patrick Robinson from injured reserve. Placed OL Nick Easton on injured reserve. Waived WR Jake Kuermow. Promoted WRs Chase Hansen and Lil’Jordan Humphrey to the active roster. PITTSBURGH — Activated LB Robert Spillane and OL Matt Feiler from injured reserve. Promoted TE Kevin Rader to the active roster. Waived LB Tegray Scales SEATTLE — Placed DL Jonathan Fullard on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Promoted DT Cedrick Lattimore to the active roster. TENNESSEE — Promoted OLB Brooks Reed and OL Daniel Munyer to active roster as COVID-19 replacements. HOCKEY National Hockey League EDMONTON — Waived LW Joseph Gambardella, RW Adam Cracknell and C Seth Grifﬁth. Assigned G Stuart Skinner, D Markus Niemelainen and C Cooper Marody to Bakersﬁeld (AHL). FLORIDA — Claimed D Gustav Forsling off waivers NTORONTO — Waived G Michael Hutchinson.

HOCKEY NHL BEGIN REGULAR SEASON Wednesday’s Games Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 5:30 p.m. Montreal at Toronto, 7 Chicago at Tampa Bay, 8 Vancouver at Edmonton, 10 St. Louis at Colorado, 10:30 Thursday’s Games Washington at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Boston at New Jersey, 7 N.Y. Islanders at N.Y. Rangers, 7 Dallas at Florida, 7 Carolina at Detroit, 7:30 Columbus at Nashville, 8 Calgary at Winnepeg, 8 Vancouver at Edmonton, 9 San Jose at Arizona, 9 Anaheim at Vegas, 10 Minnesota at Los Angeles, 10 Friday’s Games Washington at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7 Chicago at Tampa Bay, 7 Dallas at Florida, 7 Toronto at Ottawa, 7 St. Louis at Colorado, 9 WASHINGTON CAPITALS SCHEDULE Jan.: 14, at Buffalo, 7 p.m.; 15, at Buffalo, 7; 17, at Pittsburgh, noon; 19, at Pittsburgh, 7; 22, Buffalo, 7; 24, Buffalo, 7; 26, N.Y. Islanders, 7; 28, N.Y. Islanders, 7; 30, Boston, 7 Feb.: 1, Boston, 7 p.m.; 4, at N.Y. Rangers, 7; 7, Philadelphia, noon; 9, Philadelphia, 7; 11, at Buffalo, 7; 13, at Buffalo, 1; 14, at Pittsburgh, 3; 16, at Pittsburgh, 7; 20, N.Y. Rangers, 7; 21, N.Y. Rangers, 5; 23, Pittsburgh, 7; 25, Pittsburgh, 7; 27, at New Jersey, 1 March: 1, at New Jersey, 7 p.m.; 3, at Boston, 7; 5, at Boston, 7; 7, New Jersey, 5; 9, New Jersey, 7; 11, at Philadelphia, 7; 13, at Philadelphia, 7; 15, N.Y. Islanders, 7; 16, N.Y. Islanders, 7; 19, N.Y. Rangers, 7; 25, New Jersey, 7; 26, New Jersey, 7; 28, N.Y. Rangers, noon; 30, at N.Y. Rangers, 7 April: 1, at N.Y. Islanders, 7; 2, at New Jersey, 7; 4, at New Jersey, 3; 6, at N.Y. Islanders, 7; 8, Boston, 7; 11, Boston, 7; 13, Buffalo, 7; 15, Buffalo, 7; 17, at Philadelphia, 12:30; 18, at Boston, 12; 20, at Boston, 7; 22, at N.Y. Islanders, 7; 24, at N.Y. Islanders, 7; 27, at Philadelphia, 7; 29, Pittsburgh, 7 May: 1, Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.; 3, at N.Y. Rangers, 7; 5, at N.Y. Rangers, 7; 7, Philadelphia, 7; 8, Philadelphia, 7

Men’s scores Saturday’s Results EAST Army 83, Holy Cross 68 Buffalo 86, Ball St. 69 Colgate 86, Boston U. 79 Duquesne 48, Fordham 45 Lafayette 83, Bucknell 60 Manhattan 45, Quinnipiac 42 Massachusetts 83, La Salle 67 Mass.-Lowell 71, Hartford 62 Monmouth (N.J.) 80, Marist 64 NJIT 63, Maine 54 Navy 69, Lehigh 61 Niagara 66, Rider 55 Northeastern 67, Hofstra 56 Ohio St. 79, Rutgers 68 Saint Joseph’s 67, Albany 64 Siena 74, Fairﬁeld 58 Syracuse 74, Georgetown 69 Texas 72, West Virginia 70 UMBC 69, New Hampshire 54 Vermont 76, Binghamton 60 Virginia 61, Boston College 49 SOUTH Alabama 94, Auburn 90 Appalachian St. 77, Georgia Southern 71 Belmont 89, UT Martin 69 Campbell 64, Longwood 58 Coastal Carolina 83, South Alabama 69 Coll. of Charleston 61, Drexel 60 Duke 79, Wake Forest 68 E. Kentucky 90, Tennessee Tech 80 Hampton 73, UNC Asheville 71 Kentucky 76, Florida 58 Liberty 76, Kennesaw St. 47 Lipscomb 65, Bellarmine 58 Louisiana Tech 63, W. Kentucky 58 Miami 64, N.C. State 59 Middle Tennessee 67, FIU 56 Mississippi St. 84, Vanderbilt 81 Morehead St. 56, Jacksonville St. 55 Morgan St. 78, Norfolk St. 74 New Orleans 86, Incarnate Word 64 Nicholls 87, SE Louisiana 67 North Alabama 73, Stetson 66, OT North Florida 70, Jacksonville 68 Northwestern St. 78, McNeese St. 75 Old Dominion 64, FAU 55 Radford 79, Charleston Southern 64 Rhode Island 83, VCU 68 Richmond 77, George Mason 57 South Florida 69, East Carolina 63 Southern U. 61, Grambling St. 55 Texas-Arlington 75, La.-Monroe 74 The Citadel 92, Chattanooga 87 UAB 62, Southern Miss. 58 UALR 78, Louisiana-Lafayette 76, OT William & Mary 67, Delaware 62 Winthrop 75, Gardner-Webb 65 Wofford 48, UNC Greensboro 45 MIDWEST Austin Peay 74, E. Illinois 71 Bowling Green 93, Cent. Michigan 65 Connecticut 72, Butler 60 Creighton 97, St. John’s 79 E. Michigan 71, Akron 59 Evansville 57, Illinois St. 48 Fort Wayne 88, Ill.-Chicago 55 Green Bay 87, Oakland 78 Kansas 63, Oklahoma 59 Kent St. 80, W. Michigan 54 Miami (Ohio) 70, N. Illinois 58 Milwaukee 71, IUPUI 63 Missouri St. 81, Valparaiso 68 Oklahoma St. 70, Kansas St. 54 Seton Hall 76, DePaul 68 Texas Tech 91, Iowa St. 64 Wright St. 93, Youngstown St. 55 SOUTHWEST Ark.-Pine Bluff 91, Alabama St. 82 Arkansas 99, Georgia 69 Baylor 67, TCU 49 Houston 71, Tulane 50 Lamar 71, Houston Baptist 65 Sam Houston St. 91, Cent. Arkansas 80 Tennessee 68, Texas A&M 54 UTSA 77, North Texas 69 FAR WEST California 84, Washington 78 Colorado St. 83, UNLV 80 Idaho St. 76, N. Arizona 70 Montana 84, Whitworth 67 Montana St. 76, N. Colorado 74, OT Northwest Nazarene 75, Portland St. 72 S. Utah 83, Idaho 67 Santa Clara 66, Saint Mary’s 64 Southern Cal 73, Arizona St. 64 Stanford 75, Washington St. 60 UC Irvine 79, UC San Diego 65 UC Riverside 70, Hawaii 68

Women’s scores Saturday’s Results EAST Boston U. 79, Colgate 51 Bucknell 80, Lafayette 51 Cent. Michigan 79, Buffalo 63 Connecticut 87, Providence 50 Delaware 79, William & Mary 55 Drexel 70, Delaware St. 47 Holy Cross 80, Army 46 Lehigh 79, American U. 70 Maine 77, NJIT 60 Marist 52, Manhattan 44 Mass.-Lowell 81, Hartford 45 Northeastern 54, Hofstra 53 Quinnipiac 55, St. Peter’s 40 Siena 73, Rider 64 St. John’s 64, Butler 56 Temple 61, UCF 58 West Virginia 92, Texas 58 SOUTH Alabama A&M 65, MVSU 41 Appalachian St. 70, Georgia Southern 58 Campbell 55, Longwood 54 Charlotte 65, Marshall 56, OT Chattanooga 66, ETSU 51 E. Kentucky 73, Tennessee Tech 65 Gardner-Webb 75, Charl. Southern 62 Grambling St. 67, Southern U. 64 High Point 61, Winthrop 43 Jackson St. 66, Alcorn St. 31 Jacksonville St. 69, Morehead St. 56

Liberty 76, Kennesaw St. 59 Lipscomb 84, Bellarmine 72 Louisiana Tech 58, W. Kentucky 52 McNeese St. 67, Northwestern St. 47 Middle Tennessee 99, FIU 89 N.C. A&T 78, S.C. State 39 Nicholls 76, SE Louisiana 63 Old Dominion 77, FAU 72 Presbyterian 60, S.C.-Upstate 50 SE Missouri 64, Tennessee St. 45 Samford 78, Mercer 69 South Alabama 55, Coastal Carolina 52 South Florida 80, Houston 51 UAB 84, Southern Miss. 65 Wofford 61, Furman 54 MIDWEST Akron 84, Miami (Ohio) 77 Austin Peay 77, E. Illinois 68 Bradley 80, S. Illinois 68 Green Bay 61, Detroit 48 Kent St. 70, Ball St. 61 Milwaukee 64, Fort Wayne 33 N. Dakota St. 66, Nebraska-Omaha 55 N. Illinois 78, Bowling Green 71 Northwestern 77, Iowa 67 Ohio 85, Toledo 66 S. Dakota St. 87, W. Illinois 66 SIU-Edwardsville 64, Murray St. 57 South Dakota 80, UMKC 53 Tulane 68, Cincinnati 49 Wright St. 64, Cleveland St. 46 Youngstown St. 72, Oakland 57 SOUTHWEST Abilene Christian 73, Texas A&M-CC 51 Alabama St. 87, Ark.-Pine Bluff 79 Arkansas St. 70, Texas State 54 North Texas 76, UTSA 52 Oklahoma St. 69, TCU 50 Oral Roberts 90, North Dakota 82 Rice 55, UTEP 43 Sam Houston St. 67, Cent. Arkansas 60 Texas-Arlington 61, La.-Monroe 37 Tulsa 72, Memphis 68 FAR WEST California Baptist 62, Utah Valley 53 Colorado St. 67, UNLV 58 E. Washington 71, Weber St. 59 Gonzaga 75, Portland 43 Idaho St. 78, N. Arizona 65 Long Beach St. 66, Cal St.-Fullerton 64 N. Colorado 57, Montana St. 49 Nevada 66, San Diego St. 59 Portland St. 74, Sacramento St. 64 San Francisco 73, Saint Mary’s 56 Santa Clara 77, Paciﬁc 74 UC Irvine 62, UC Riverside 60

GOLF PGA Tour Sentry Tournament of Champions At Kapalua Plantation Course Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii Yardage: 7,596; Par: 73 Friday’s Second Round Harris English 65-67 — 132 Daniel Berger 69-65 — 134 Collin Morikawa 69-65 — 134 Ryan Palmer 67-67 — 134 Justin Thomas 65-69 — 134 Xander Schauffele 69-66 — 135 Brendon Todd 68-67 — 135 Sungjae Im 67-68 — 135 Patrick Reed 67-68 — 135 Dustin Johnson 71-65 — 136 Jon Rahm 70-66 — 136 Scottie Schefﬂer 70-66 — 136 Bryson DeChambeau 69-67 — 136 Joaquin Niemann 69-67 — 136 Carlos Ortiz 69-67 — 136 Patrick Cantlay 68-68 — 136 Jason Kokrak 71-66 — 137 Billy Horschel 71-66 — 137 Webb Simpson 70-67 — 137 Brian Gay 70-67 — 137 Viktor Hovland 69-68 — 137 Marc Leishman 69-69 — 138 Richy Werenski 69-69 — 138 Martin Laird 69-69 — 138 Nick Taylor 67-71 — 138 Sergio Garcia 67-71 — 138 Lanto Grifﬁn 71-68 — 139 Kevin Na 71-68 — 139 Cameron Champ 71-68 — 139 Adam Scott 68-71 — 139 Robert Streb 67-72 — 139 Stewart Cink 71-69 — 140 Cameron Smith 70-70 — 140 Sebastian Munoz 75-66 — 141 Michael Thompson 73-68 — 141 Abraham Ancer 70-71 — 141 Andrew Landry 70-71 — 141 Kevin Kisner 70-71 — 141 Tony Finau 74-68 — 142 Hudson Swafford 73-70 — 143 Mackenzie Hughes 73-71 — 144 Hideki Matsuyama 73-75 — 148

TENNIS ATP World Tour Delray Beach (Fla.) Open Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Round of 16: Gianluca Mager d. Sam Querrey (6) 7-6 (8), 6-1; Christian Harrison vs. Cristian Garin (1) 7-6 (3), 6-2

WTA Abu Dhabi Open Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Round of 16: (2) Elina Svitolina d. Vera Zvonareva, 6-4, 6-1; Anastasia Gasanova d. (2) Karolina Pliskova, 6-2, 6-4; (5) Garbine Muguruza d. Aliaksandra Sasnovich, 6-1, 6-4; (6) Elena Rybakina d. Xiyu Wang, 6-4, 6-4; (9) Maria Sakkari d. Cori Gauff, 7-5, 6-2; Daria Kasatkina d. (12) Karolina Muchova walkover; (17) Ekaterina Alexandrova d. Heather Watson 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-3; Marta Kostyuk d. Su-Wei Hsieh 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3

HIGH SCHOOLS Boys basketball

Boys swimming

Richmond Christian 79, Amelia Academy 62 Top performers: Richmond Christian — Maleek Richardson 19 pts., 9 rebs.; Adam Angle 16 pts., Carl Highsmith 12 pts., 8 rebs.; Khalil Ward 7 pts., 18 rebs., 8 ast. Records: Richmond Christian (1-0), Amelia Academy (1-1)

Monacan 122, James River 108 200 freestyle: Hufford (MON) 1:45.99; 200 IM: Counoupas (MON) 1:34.40; 50 freestyle: Macomson (MON) 22.59; 100 butterﬂy: Buell (MON) 1:00.74; 100 freestyle: Zimmer (JR) 50.90; 500 freestyle: Kryszon (JR) 5:14.28; 100 backstroke: Hufford (MON) 54.06; 100 breaststroke: McCann (JR) 1:01.98

Cosby 57, Powhatan 55 Top performers: Cosby — Xavier Harper 16 pts.; Michael Hatcher 14 pts.; Powhatan — L.J. Alston 14 pts.; Brylan Rather 22 pts. Records: Cosby (1-0), Powhatan (1-1) Hopewell 79, Petersburg 67 Top performers: Hopewell — Elvin Edmonds IV 21 pts., 6 reb., 4 ast., 4 steals; Lamonta Ellis 19, 3 3-pointers; Cartier Strickland 13 pts.; Petersburg — Tyheim Love 26 pts, 3 3-pointers; Christopher Fields 12 pts.; Jaden Walker 10 pts Grafton 51, New Kent 40 Top performers: Grafton — O.J. Jackson 19 pts.; Landon Shott 14 pts.; New Kent — Logan Frederick 18 pts.; Jack Swynford 10 pts. Records: New Kent (1-3), Grafton (2-0) Prince George 101, Dinwiddie 47 Top performers: Prince George — Curtis Allen 16 pts.; Keondre Ruff 12 pts. Records: Prince George (1-1), Dinwiddie (0-2)

Girls basketball Matoaca 50, Hopewell 37 Top performers: Matoaca — Lauryn George 16 pts., 3 3-pointers; Hannah Williams, 11 pts.; Maia Pettaway 11 pts., 3 3-pointers Hopewell — Bobbie White 22 pts., 10 reb.; Alexis Edmonds 6 pts., 11 reb., 6 ast.; Nevaeh Smyers 6 pts. Records: Matoaca (3-0) Saint Gertrude 77, Shooting Stars Academy 42 Top performers: Saint Gertrude — Nan Kerner 11 ast., 7 reb., 5 steals, 4 pts.; Erin Woodson 24 points, 6 reb., 3 steals, 2 blocks; Kate Samson 22 points, 6 reb.; Shooting Stars — Alary Bell 16 pts. Records: Saint Gertrude (6-0) Matoaca 51, Petersburg 45 Top performers: Petersburg — Ashantee Wright 18 pts, 15 reb., 4 ast., 2 steals; Mariah Jones, 8 pts., 2 reb., 2 ast., 1 block; Janai Houston 8 pts, 7 rebs, 5 assist, 1 steal; Matoaca — Allyson Booth 13 pts.; Lauryn George 11 pts.; Maia Pettaway 9 pts. Records: Petersburg (0-2), Matoaca (2-0) Richmond Christian 49, Amelia Academy 17 Top performers: Richmond Christian — Molly King 15 pts.; Elissa Johnson 12 pts.; Riley Koscinski 12 pts., 2 3-pointers; Amelia Academy — Madison Borum 12pts. Records: Richmond Christian (0-2), Amelia Academy (0-1)

Girls swimming James River 129, Midlothian 103 200 freestyle: Ritchie (MON) 1:57.59; 200 IM: G. Sheble (JR) 2:07.19; 50 freestyle: Burton (JR) 25.28; 100 butterﬂy: C. Sheble (JR) 58.07; 100 freestyle: Brown (MON) 57.80; 500 freestyle: Branch (JR) 5:17.01; 100 backstroke: Ritchie (MON) 59.88; 100 breaststroke: G. Sheble (JR) 1:08.43

Wrestling Cosby 54, Dinwiddie 30 106: Cramer (COS) for. 113: Williams (COS) p. Barnes 4:51 120: Akers (DIN) over Wilson, inj. 126: Lilovich (COS) for. 132: Burch (COS) p. Williams 2:56 138: Mankin (DIN) p. Higgins 4:53 145: Collins (COS) for. 152: Kadlec (COS) for. 160: Nunnally (DIN) p. Helmandolar 3:30 170: Cunningham (DIN) p. Keefe 1:21 182: Luevano (COS) p. James 0:45 195: Giegling (COS) p. Duch 4:32 220: Pfister (DIN) for. 285: Murphy (COS) p. Simmons 2:00 Spotsylvania 62, Dinwiddie 15 106: Ayo (SPO) for. 113: Derby (SPO) p. Barnes 1:48 120: Burrows (SPO) p. Akers 0:49 126: Wilson (SPO) for. 132: Csikari (SPO) p. Williams 1:45 138: Mankin (DIN) dec. Wahlquist 1-0 145: Taylor (SPO) for. 152: Cairns (SPO) for. 160: Gallimore (SPO) md. Nunnally 16-6 170: Christopher (SPO) md. Cunningham 12-4 182: James (DIN) for. 195: Stewart (SPO) p. Duch 2:16 220: Pfister (DIN) p. Yelton 1:52 285: Orris (SPO) p. Simmons 1:44 New Kent 70, Dinwiddie 12 106: Crooms (NK) for. 113: Colgin (NK) p. Barnes 2:54 120: Gibson (NK) p. Akers 0:41 126: Eberly (NK) for. 132: Ragland (NK) p. Williams 1:37 138: Holloway (NK) p. Mankin 0:44 145: Jordon (NK) for. 152: Ragland (NK) for. 160: Vafiadis (NK) tech. Nunnally 170: Hohman (NK) tech. Cunningham 182: Baker (NK) p. James 0:37 195: Fly (NK) p. Duch 1:41 220: Pfister (DIN) p. Wiles 4:24; 285: Simmons (DIN) p. Williamson 3:20

COLLEGE FOOTBALL Bowl glance COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIP Monday at Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama vs. Ohio State, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

LOCAL GOLF Hole-in-one ♦Chip Barnes, 180-yards 11th hole at Brandermill CC, 8 iron, playing with Jake Mathre, Mike Dean and Rob Wesley.

Schwarber joins Nats

Ex-Cubs slugger will get one-year, $10 million pact By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Now that they’re both with the Washington Nationals, Kyle Schwarber recalls joking around with Dave Martinez when both were with the Chicago Cubs — Schwarber a slugger, Martinez a bench coach. “He goes, ‘Whenever I get a manager’s job, you are going to come over, and you are going to play for me,’” Schwarber recounted. “And now it’s come to fruition.” The power-hitting outfielder who had a big 2019 and a disappointing 2020 signed a one-year contract with Washington for 2021 that guarantees him $10 million, and Schwarber said Saturday his relationship with current Nationals skipper Martinez was “a big factor.” “Davey was a huge influence on me in baseball,” Schwarber said, noting that Martinez helped him make the transition from catcher to outfielder in Chicago. “I love him. I’m so excited to be playing for this guy. I know he’s a baseball guy. He cares about his players,” Schwarber said. Schwarber will make $7 million this season and the contract includes a mutual option for 2022 that would be worth $11.5

million if exercised or guarantee a $3 million buyout if not. Schwarber was able to sign with any club after becoming a free agent last month when he was nontendered by the Cubs. He was a member of their drought-ending 2016 World Series championship team — and Martinez was on then-manager Joe Maddon’s staff at the time — hitting .412 in the Fall Classic after missing much of that season with an injured left knee. He was taken by Chicago with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2014 amateur draft. Schwarber, 27, struggled at the plate during the pandemic-truncated 2020 season, hitting .188. A year earlier, he produced 38 homers and 92 RBIs, and a .250 batting average, all career highs. Schwarber could take care of two needs that Washington general manager Mike Rizzo outlined heading into the offseason: a corner outfielder and a power hitter to help protect Juan Soto, the 22-year-old who was the NL batting champion last season, in the lineup. Unless the designated hitter rule is brought back to the NL in 2021, it seems likely that Schwarber would start in left field, with Soto sliding from that spot over to right field, where he saw a bit of time late last season. The Nats went 26-34 in

2020 and tied for last place in the NL East, a year after winning the franchise’s ﬁrst World Series title.

Phillies, Giants swap right-handers

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired right-hander Sam Coonrod from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for right-hander Carson Ragsdale. Coonrod, 28, went 0-2 with three saves and a 9.82 ERA in 18 appearances for the Giants last season. He is 5-3 with three saves and a 5.74 ERA in two seasons with the Giants. Ragsdale was selected by the Phillies in the fourth round of the June 2020 draft out of South Florida.

Blue Jays sign Cole

TORONTO — The Blue Jays signed right-hander A.J. Cole to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Cole appeared in 24 games as a reliever for the Blue Jays in 2020, going 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA. The team nontendered him Dec. 2 to open up roster spots but kept the door open for a return. Cole, 29, made his big league debut in 2015 with the Nationals and has had stints with the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians prior to joining Toronto in 2020. He is 14-10 with a 4.65 ERA in 103 career games.

SPORTS BRIEFS NHL

Goaltender Crawford retires Corey Crawford, who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win two Stanley Cups, has retired less than three months after signing with the New Jersey Devils and less than a week before the start of the NHL season. The 36-year-old goalie made the announcement Saturday after a week of speculation about his future. Devils coach Lindy Ruff said the decision was for personal reasons. Crawford said playing in the NHL was a childhood dream and he was proud to have been a part of winning two Stanley Cups. He played for 10 NHL seasons and 488 regular-season games. He signed a two-year, a $7.8 million contract as a free agent with the Devils in October. New Jersey opens its season at home Thursday against Boston. MacKenzie Blackwood returns as the Devils’ top goaltender.

Barzal, Islanders reach 3-year deal

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal agreed to a $21 million, three-year contract. It ended some anxious times for Islanders fans five days before the season opener against the rival Rangers, even though Barzal and team brass weren’t worried about the NHL’s most prominent unsigned restricted free agent. The 23-year-old star forward said there was “never any frustration” about negotiations. General manager Lou Lamoriello voiced confidence a deal would get done in time. Barzal led the Islanders with 60 points on 19 goals and 41 assists in 68 games last season. The 2015 first-round pick had 17 points in 22 playoff games during their run to the Eastern Conference final and has become New York’s best offensive player.

be active but not play. The players available are: Danny Green, Dwight Howard, Tyrese Maxey, Tony Bradley, Isaiah Joe, Dakota Mathias and Paul Reed. Embiid, Simmons, Curry and Tobias Harris are the missing starters in the lineup. Rivers said Simmons has a left knee injury and Embiid is nursing a sore back.

TENNIS

Qualifier fells top-seeded Garin

Qualifier Christian Harrison upset top-seeded Cristian Garin 7-6 (3), 6-2 in the second round at the Delray Beach (Fla.) Open. Harrison, ranked No. 789, squandered three consecutive set points serving at 6-5 in the first set and lost serve, but regrouped to dominate the tiebreaker. He swept the final four games of the match to become the secondlowest-ranked quarterfinalist in tournament history.

Svitolinaadvances;Pliskovaousted Elina Svitolina reached the third round of the Abu Dhabi Open with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Vera Zvonareva as Karolina Pliskova was eliminated in straight sets by a qualiﬁer. Third-seeded Pliskova was beaten 6-2, 6-4 by Anastasia Gasanova, who was ranked 292nd in her ﬁrst tour main draw and had never before played anyone ranked in the top 100.

GOLF

English leads by two in Hawaii

Harris English finished with a 10foot birdie to cap an ideal Friday of low scores and whale watching at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii. His 6-under 67 gave him a twoshot lead over a quartet of players that includes defending champion Justin Thomas. NBA With virtually no wind, rare for the Plantation Course at Kapalua, scores Contact tracing sidelines Beal remained low and several players were For the ﬁrst time this season, the Washington Wizards on Saturday night stacked up behind him. Among them was Masters champion Dustin Johnwere missing a player because of the son, who hit it close enough all round to NBA’s health protocols. make a few putts in his round of 65. All-Star guard Bradley Beal did not English is among 16 players at the winplay against the visiting Miami Heat because of contact tracing, according to a ners-only event who didn’t win last year. source with knowledge of the situation. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic Beal has not tested positive for the coro- that wiped out three months on the tour schedule, anyone who reached the Tour navirus, and it is not yet known if Beal Championship qualiﬁed this year. will miss more than one game. English was at 14-under 132, two Beal had 41 points and eight rebounds shots ahead of Thomas, PGA champion in Friday night’s 116-107 loss to Boston. Collin Morikawa (65), Daniel Berger (65) 76ers play with league minimum and Ryan Palmer (67), another player The Philadelphia 76ers played against who didn’t win in 2020. Denver on Saturday without All-Stars COLLEGE FOOTBALL Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid and will have the NBA minimum eight players Avalos named Boise State’s coach active as the team deals with injuries Andy Avalos is taking over as football and COVID-19 concerns. coach at Boise State, returning to the Sixers guard Seth Curry learned of a school where he was a standout linepositive COVID-19 test while the team backer and defensive coordinator. Avalos played Thursday in Brooklyn, forcing was named Saturday as the replacement the team to spend an extra day in New for Bryan Harsin, who left Boise State to York for additional testing. take the head coaching position at AuCoach Doc Rivers said the Sixers will have seven players available and that in- burn just before Christmas. jured forward Mike Scott (Virginia) will — From wire reports

C10 SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 • • •

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Day building dynasty behind quarterbacks

Fields’ brilliance is latest in Buckeyes’ offensive evolution By The Associated Press

Much has been made of Alabama’s transformation from a dynasty built on Nick Saban’s calling card lock-down defense to one powered by a proliﬁc offense. No. 3 Ohio State, which faces the top-ranked Crimson Tide on Monday night in the national championship game, has undergone an offensive Ryan Day has evolution of its own transformed in recent Ohio State’s offense since years. Forjoining the program back mer Ohio State coach in 2017. Urban Meyer’s desire to rejuvenate an attack that was shut out in the 2016 playoff by Clemson led him to Ryan Day, who provided exactly what the Buckeyes needed to become more potent and — as a huge bonus — ended up being an ideal successor to his former boss. “When he got here, I had the opportunity just to see him coach. I knew we were going to be different,” Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said. “His football IQ overall is phenomenal, but offensively it’s at another level. He’s a creative thinker. His ability to analyze and dissect, you know, the chess game, so to speak, is really, really outstanding.” Day was hired as quarterbacks coach and cooffensive coordinator by Meyer in 2017, just days

ALABAMA VS. OHIO STATE CFP championship game Monday: 8 p.m. TV: ESPN Where: Miami Gardens, Fla.

after the Buckeyes lost 31-0 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal to Clemson. Since then, Ohio State’s offense has taken off. Not only have the Buckeyes become more productive, but the way they play has helped make the program a more desirable destination for blue-chip quarterbacks. “We had a pretty prolific offense with that we were doing, but we needed to recognize what was happening around us,” Smith said. The last time Ohio State won a national championship was 2014, the first year of the playoff. Meyer’s spread offense leaned heavily on the read-option and quarterback running game. J.T. Barrett played most of that season at quarterback, and Cardale Jones stepped in late after Barrett’s injury and led the Buckeyes to the title. While Ohio State continued to pile up numbers and wins the next two seasons, the low point came against Clemson. The Buckeyes had nine first downs and 215 total yards. “I’m not used to it. We’re not used it. It’s not going to happen again,” Meyer said then. Meyer cleaned house and hired Day, who was coming off a two-year stint in the NFL. Day said his discussions with Meyer were mostly about how best to utilize talent. “Each year it’s changed, tweaked here and there,

but at the end of the day I think the basis of (the offense) has pretty much stayed the same,” Day said this week. In 2018, with Dwayne Haskins at quarterback and Day now promoted to sole offensive coordinator, the Ohio State offense moved closer to what it is today. Day also took over as acting coach for three games while Meyer was serving a suspension related to his handling of domestic violence allegations involving a former assistant coach. The Buckeyes won all three games without Meyer, and Haskins went on to become a Heisman Trophy finalist and the first Ohio State quarterback drafted in the first round in more than 30 years. When Meyer stepped down after 2018, Day was Smith’s choice to take over. His first big win? Persuading quarterback Justin Fields, a former fivestar recruit, to transfer from Georgia. Last season with Fields, Ohio State averaged 6.94 yards per play, its best output since the 2014 season (6.98). This season, the Buckeyes are at 7.51 after going for 8.87 against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl semifinal. And while Fields will likely be high first-round pick in the next NFL draft, the Buckeyes quarterback room is looking good for the future after signing two four-star recruits in 2020 (C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller). Ohio State also has a commitment from 2022 five-star Quinn Ewers. Meyer went 83-9 in seven seasons at Ohio State. Remarkably, the Buckeyes still appear to be trending up with Day.

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SAVE ON HOME SECURITY GREAT

LOW PRICE

MONITORING

20% OFF

Monitored by ADT ® the #1 home security company in the U.S.

PER MONTH

Clog-free Gutter Systems

850

VALUE

ADT® 24/7 Monitored Home Security

SECURITY SYSTEM FREE HOME 24/7 monitoring provides New customers only. Early termination fee applies. Installation starts at peace of mind $99 with 36 month monitoring agreement. Yard sign and window decals See all offer details below. $850 VALUE! help deter crime WIRELESS DOOR/WINDOW Quickly connect to ﬁre and FREE 7SENSORS emergency response ad 101168670-01 —enough to help protect virtually every entrance to your home. May qualify for a homeowners $695 VALUE! insurance discount

FREE

$100 VISA® REWARD CARD from Protect Your Home!

THIS OFFER IS ONLY AVAILABLE WHEN YOU

CALL:

1-855-893-4890

FREE

Ask about same-day installation! Reply By January 30, 2021

WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL with panic button. $139 VALUE!

20% OFF

ALL SIDING

FREE

HD OUTDOOR CAMERA When you upgrade to ADT Video Lite $299 VALUE! See all offer details below.

$100 VISA® Reward Debit Card: $100 Visa® reward debit card requires service activation. You will receive a claim voucher via email within 24 hours and the voucher must be returned within 60 days. Your $100 Visa® reward debit card will arrive in approximately 6-8 weeks. Card is issued by MetaBank®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for up to 6 months; unused funds will forfeit after the valid thru date. Card terms and conditions apply. BASIC SYSTEM: $99 Installation. 36-Month Monitoring Agreement required at $27.99 per month ($1,007.64). 24-Month Monitoring Agreement required at $27.99 per month ($671.76) for California. Offer applies to homeowners only. Offer valid for new ADT Authorized Premier Provider customers only and not on purchases from ADT LLC. Cannot be combined with any other offer. The $27.99 Offer does not include Quality Service Plan (QSP), ADT’s Extended Limited Warranty. ADT Command: ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions Services (“ADT Pulse”), which help you manage your home environment and family lifestyle, require the purchase and/or activation of an ADT alarm system with monitored burglary service and a compatible computer, cell phone or PDA with Internet and email access. These ADT Pulse services do not cover the operation or maintenance of any household equipment/systems that are connected to the ADT Pulse equipment. All ADT Pulse services are not available with the various levels of ADT Pulse. All ADT Pulse services may not be available in all geographic areas. You may be required to pay additional charges to purchase equipment required to utilize the ADT Pulse features you desire. ADT VIDEO LITE: ADT Video Lite installation is an additional $299. 36-month monitoring contract required from ADT Video Lite: $59.99 per month, ($2,159.64), including Quality Service Plan (QSP). Indoor camera may not be available in all areas. GENERAL: For all offers, the form of payment must be by credit card or electronic charge to your checking or savings account, satisfactory credit history is required and termination fee applies. Certain packages require approved landline phone. Local permit fees may be required. Certain restrictions may apply. Additional monitoring fees required for some services. For example, Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Emergency Alert monitoring requires purchase and/or activation of an ADT security system with monitored Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Emergency Alert devices and are an additional charge. Additional equipment may be purchased for an additional charge. Additional charges may apply in areas that require guard response service for municipal alarm verification. Prices subject to change. Prices may vary by market. Some insurance companies offer discounts on Homeowner’s Insurance. Please consult your insurance company. Photos are for illustrative purposes only and may not reflect the exact product/service actually provided. Licenses: AL-21-001104, AR-CMPY.0001725, AZ-ROC217517, CAACO6320, CT-ELC.0193944-L5, DC-EMS902653, DC-602516000016, DE-07-212, FL-EC13003427, GA-LVA205395, IA-AS-0206, ID-ELE-SJ-39131, IL-127.001042, IN-C.P.D. Reg. No. – 19-08088, City of Indianapolis: LAC-000156, KY-City of Louisville: 483, LA-F1914, LA-F1915, LA-F1082, MA-1355C, MD-107-1626, ME-LM50017382, MI-3601205773, MN-TS01807, MO-City of St. Louis: CC#354, St. Louis County: 100194, MS-15007958, MT-PSP-ELS-LIC-247, NC-25310-SP-FA/LV, NC-1622-CSA, NE-14451, NJ Burglar Alarm Lic. # -NJ-34BF00021800, NM-353366, NV-0068518, City of Las Vegas: 3000008296, NY-Licensed by the N.Y.S. Department of State UID#12000317691, NYS #12000286451, OH-53891446, City of Cincinnati: AC86, OK-AC1048, OR-170997, Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration Number: PA022999, RI-3582, RI-7508, SC-BAC5630, SD- 1025-7001-ET, TN-1520, TX-B13734, ACR-3492, UT-6422596-6501, VA-115120, VT-ES-2382(7C), WA-602588694/ECPROTEYH934RS, WI-City of Milwaukee: PAS-0002966, WV-WV042433, WY-LV-G-21499. 3750 Priority Way South Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46240 ©2020 DEFENDERS, Inc. dba Protect Your Home DF-CD-NP-Q420

OFF

Thompson Creek is neither either a broker nor or a lender lender. Financin Financing is provided bby Greensky, Greensk LLC under der terms and conditions arran arranged ed directl directly bet between een the customer and Greensk Greensky, LLC LLC, all subject to credit subjec edi requirements equir andd satisfactory s isf completion of finance fin doc documents. Th Thompson Creek does not assis assist with, wi h, counsel el or negotiate iate financing. fin in *Subject *Subjec to credit edi approval. val. Minimum monthly payments required during the promotional period. Making minimum monthly payments during the promotional period will not pay off the entire principal balance. Interest is billed during the promotional period, but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid in full before the expiration of the promotional period. Financing for GreenSky® consumer loan programs is provided by federally insured, federal and state chartered financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or familial status. Discount applied at time of contract execution. All purchase prices to be calculated prior to application of discount. Excludes previous orders and installations. All products include professional installation. Buy one window at retail price and get 40% off the second window. 40% off discount applied to the lowest price window of the wo windows being ordered. Offer is not valid with any other advertised or unadvertised discounts or promotions. Limit of one discount per purchase contract. Void where prohibited by law or regulation. Offer expires 1/31/21. Offer may be cancelled without prior notice. Offer has no cash value and is open to new customers only. MHIC #125294, VA # 2705-117858-A, DC Permanent # 8246