Volume 7, Issue 11

07 TINSLEY

HITS HER STRIDE AS A SENIOR

scr覺mmageplay THE CENTRAL VIRGINIA SPORTS AUTHORITY

VOL 7. ISSUE 11 :: FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Region Bound After three different meetings, the Warriors and Patriots are off on respective playoff runs PAGE 13

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07 Tinsley

hiTs heR sTRide As A senioR

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x’s and o’s 21 07 13

07

BREAKING THE CODE STAB girls point guard has it all figured out

13

SEPARATE WAYS Patriots and Warriors are off and running

19

GAME TIME Madison boys win Region 2A East opener

23

STAYING PRESENT The importance of the small things for seniors

Region Bound VOL 7 . ISSUE 11 :: FEBRUARY 22, 2016

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POWER PATRIOTS Albemarle rallies around a group of students

vol 7. issue 11 :: February 21, 2016

After three different meetings, the Warriors and Patriots are off on respective playoff runs page 13

S TA F F Bart Isley, Creative Director Bob Isley, Infrastructure Director Ryan Yemen, Creative Editor O N T H E COV E R Albemarle’s Austin Katstra and Western’s Albemarle Chris McGahren M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T Local sports are the lifeblood of every community in America, and we’re here to reach beyond the basics and give compelling accounts about Central Virginia athletes to our readers.

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PREGAME

Kiss the rings For the Western Albemarle girls swim team, it’s getting a bit repetitive.

For the Warriors boys program, it’s a novel feeling. Both swim teams won the Group 3A swimming championships held in Richmond. While the girls hauled in their sixth straight title, the boys won for the first time in school history. On top of that, the boys 200 freestyle relay team set a state meet record with their time of 1:27.32. ✖ (Photo by Bart Isley)

03 :: @scrimmageplay

The William Monroe girls basketball team has come a long way in just one year.

After Jess Stafford, seen above, took over the program in 2014-2015, there was a massive rebuild. In her second season with the team, and with a 1-2 punch as good as any in the area between freshman Sam Brunelle and junior Dajour Strother, the Dragons walked away with their first ever Confernce 28 championship. Monroe heads to its first regional playoff since the 2008-2009 season this week. ✖ (Photo by Brian Mellott)

PREGAME

Coveted souvenir

First Quarter

Power Patriots take off

Albemarle’s CBIP members participate in uplifting event

By Bart Isley

I

The Power Patriots celebrate an incredible day at Albemarle High School. (Luke Nadkarni)

05 :: @scrimmageplay

t all started when Anne Mangino, a special education teacher at Albemarle High School, overheard some special needs students expressing their disappointment in not being selected for the school’s basketball team.

With the help of her husband and Charlottesville athletic director Larry Mangino, Albemarle athletic director Deb Tyson and a cast of AHS teachers, she gave those students an athletic experience they wouldn’t soon forget.

The kids, who named themselves the “Power Patriots,” took on the teachers in a basketball game after school on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Patriots football coach Brandon Isaiah and girls’ basketball coach Rachel Proudfoot served as officials, while Larry Mangino, a former college and NBA assistant, coached the kids as members of Albemarle’s girls’ and boys’ basketball teams watched from the crowd along with a sizable group of parents and fellow students.

Anne Mangino attempted to make the game as close to a true high school basketball atmosphere as possible, bringing in a public address announcer, national anthem singer and even the Patriots’ drumline.

“I know these kids very well, and a large group of them live and breathe basketball.

They just love it,” Mangino said. “It spoke to my heart when I heard they thought they could never be on a high school team, so I thought, ‘let’s just make a team.’”

The students are members of Albemarle’s Community Based Instructional Program, or CBIP. The program gives the students experience with various jobs around Charlottesville as well as regular classes to prepare them for the real world just like any other student.

“I thought at first it would just be me doing something small for these kids,” Mangino said. “But it grew and grew, the student body got involved, teachers got involved, and it all just started happening.”

One of the students, 10th-grader Teddy

Miller, got a thrill out of playing on an organized team.

“It’s been great,” Miller said. “I was looking forward to this for a while. I was a little nervous getting ready to play.”

12th-grader Josh Rocker also enjoyed the experience as the Power Patriots overwhelmed the teachers by a score of 51-10.

“I really liked our team and thought everyone did a really good job,” Rocker said.

Rocker’s father, David, is the head coach of the local Special Olympics team which features many of the members of the Power Patriots. He believes this event will go a long way in developing the kids as basketball players as well as human beings.

“Certainly we teach them how to play the game and how to play as a team,” Rocker said.

“Beyond that, it’s also about friendship, how to treat other people, and how to show good sportsmanship. And the main thing is just to have fun with it.”

Making the experience even more memorable, according to Mangino, was the fact that she couldn’t find a more enjoyable group of kids to work with.

“Our kids are just wonderful. They happen to be a very caring, loving group of kids,” Mangino said. “A lot of them said it was the best day of their lives. I was so glad to do it because it makes you feel so good when you do something for somebody. I’m so blessed that we were able to put this together and couldn’t have done it without the whole school helping.” ✖

go online »

For more basketball coverage head to our website at: www.scrimmageplay.com.

College Update

We’ve gone digital But you can have it in print too!

OCHS’ Cooper slides back into crucial role for Hokies

By Ryan Yemen Raheim Cooper was a nightmare on the basepaths during his time at Orange County.

One of the toughest outs, he was AllCommonwealth District as a junior and senior.

He parlayed his athleticism on the diamond into a chance to play at Virginia Tech and has made the most of his opportunity.

Cooper red-shirted in 2013 before getting to play in a pair of games as a freshman, one of which he started. He earned his first career hit as a freshman before having a breakout campaign as a sophomore last year.

In 2015, Cooper started 27 games with 26 of them putting him in right field. Hitting .223 with three doubles, a triple, a home run and eight RBI, he had an on-base percentage of .299. Cooper drove in the game winning run in the 12th inning against Clemson and three days later, helped to record a triple play (the Hokies’ first as members of the ACC) that started with a diving catch.

The 6-foot 180 pound junior righty enters 2016 entrenched as a key outfielder for Tech.

And he’s not the only local on the Hokies’ roster.

As a true freshman, Western Albemarle graduate Stevie Mangrum looks to try and crack the lineup as an infielder.

In his senior year with the Warriors, Mangrum hit .459 and slugged .946. He led Western with seven home runs and nine doubles in 24 games. He was also walked 18 times and struck out just 15 times. His career average of .445 is third in Warriors history and his on-base percentage of .543 is second all-time. His name is all over the Western record book. He’s second in both career hits and runs scored. He’s first in career doubles and triples.

Mangrum was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 28th round of the MLB Draft, but opted to head to Blacksburg instead.

Virginia Tech opened up the year with a 3-game series with the Citadel in Charleston, and Mangrum had an RBI in the Hokies’ first victory, a 12-0 win over the Bulldogs. ✖

BELOW » Orange County graduate Raheim Cooper is one of two local talents playing at Virginia Tech with Western Albemarle’s Stevie Mangrum being the other. (VT Sports Information)

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06

Breaking

the code story by bart isley Âť photos by ashley thornton 07 :: @scrimmageplay

t

here’s that moment in The Matrix where everything suddenly becomes clear for Keanu Reeves’ character Neo. Where everything clicks into place and he can see beyond

the immediate illusions and see things nobody else can.

St. Anne’s-Belfield’s girls basketball’s Bri Tinsley is starting to see The Matrix.

“She has developed into a true point guard,” said STAB coach Phil Stinnie. “Her younger years, she was that kid who was so much stronger and had more talent than everybody else and every coach had told her just go, go, go. When she played with varsity I told her ‘You have to start being a point guard. If you want to be on the next level you have to learn to make your team better around you.’ It has clicked.”

www.scrimmageplay.com ::

08

“when she’s in her mode of being the general on the floor, that’s when it all works.”

— STINNIE 09 :: @scrimmageplay

Tinsley is seeing angles and windows that no other area point guard is, that no other area point guard can. Tinsley’s combination of talent and experience is finally starting to come together, and that’s saying something because for two years she’s already been terrific. A lighting quick, sure-handed, pass-first point guard, Tinsley, who committed to James Madison before the season, is a rarity.

But when you take all that talent and combine it with the savvy that only a three-year starter can bring to the table, you get what Tinsley is doing this season.

Her statistics line alone is incredible: 17.3 points per game, 5.5 assists per game, 4.2 steals per game, 3.8 rebounds per game and 1.9 turnovers per game.

“That’s huge for high school basketball,” Stinnie said.

But even those incredible numbers don’t do Tinsley’s impact on games justice.

For one, those assists per game don’t come with a degree of difficulty rating and Tinsley hasn’t been feeding one monster post player to pile up assists. The Saints have one particularly strong rebounder in Sierra Smith, but most of their offense comes in unsettled situations from or when Tinsley breaks down a defense with a drive into the lane and either attacks the rim or kicks out. That requires Tinsley to find teammates in those small windows or on secondary breaks, to make tough passes that two years ago she might not have even seen.

“I used to go one speed in previous years but I’m starting to slow things down,” Tinsley said. “I’m growing up a little bit and maturing.”

She’s driving a lot more than she did in the past, and that’s a conscious decision. With Tinsley diving into the lane when it’s there, the Saints’ offense that’s designed to take advantage of the entire lineup’s strengths operates much more efficiently.

“They told me that I need to be a little bit more aggressive on the offensive end and I’ve been trying to do that,” Tinsley said.

Particularly in the second half of the season she’s been terrific at doing just that. Her scoring has jumped up and the Saints have been putting away teams in many cases before halftime even hits. She’s become the ideal dual threat point guard who’s as much of a threat to feed her teammates as she is to score, which makes sense since she loves watching footage of NBA players who were exactly like that in Allen Iverson and Kyrie Irving.

“She’s the catalyst that kicks it off,” Stinnie said.

“When’s she’s in her mode of being the general on the floor, that’s when it all works.”

That’s happened in part because Tinsley has a group of teammates who complement her well. The

See a photograph you like?

Defensive stand Warriors goalie has more than one trick | By Ryan Yemen

At Scrimmage Play we pride ourselves on offering the best possible graphics Two years ago the Western Albemarle boys to Shin, who doubles as a Junior National Judo soccer team get was fueled its underclassmen medalist, we can our byhands on, in both our but has developed into one of the with sophomores and freshman bearing the area’s most versatile goalkeepers. magazine as well as at our website at brunt of the work load.

The netminder has shown he’s capable of Now two years later, forwards Aaron Myers making big saves, particularly in the team’s www.scrimmageplay.com and Alex Nolet, as well as senior defender two ties. In the first game of the season, Tom Rogers are all in their senior seasons and looking to earn a Region II bid, something that Orange County snatched away from them in the Jefferson District semifinals last season.

After the first month of play, the Warriors seem to have the defensive side of the equation figured out and junior goalkeeper Kai Shin is a big part of that.

Before Western went on its spring break, none of its four opponents were able to score more than once, a testament to the team’s play in the middle of the field, but also a nod

Shin endured wave after wave of Albemarle attack, but stood tall and showed no rust in the 1-1- tie.

But while Shin’s on the field because he can make stops, his strong leg has also been of great use as he’s able to easily clear the zone but also spark fast breaks all by himself.

The Warriors averaged a little over two goals per contest before the break, but if that average starts to increase, don’t be surprised if it’s because of Shin’s ability to contribute to the transition game. ✖

We want to make sure that our readers have the same opportunity to have these photos. If something catches your eye in either the magazine or on the web, you can order the photograph for yourself.

Whether it’s a 4x6 glossy print or a 13x11 mounted photo, we’ve got a full range of possibilities for you to choose from.

Simply visit our smugmug website at

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Western Albemarle’s Kai Shin hauls in a shot during his team’s 1-1 tie with Albemarle that kicked off the soccer season for both squads. (Frank Crocker)

“i’ve been stressing before and it didn’t really help much so i’ve decided to relax.”

— TINSLEY 11 :: @scrimmageplay

Saints’ lineup has a deadly shooter in senior Ashley Taylor, one of the area’s most consistent rebounders in Smith, a versatile athlete in Mailynn Steppe and speed from Jayla Davis. This year they’ve also gotten a jolt from freshmen Jovia Winkey and Vanessa Woodfolk.

Most importantly with Tinsley running the show, they can all run and play hard. With a point guard who’s adept as pushing the pace, running mates are critical.

“We try to make our practices harder than the game,” Stinnie said. “That’s why when you come out here and it looks like a well-oiled machine it’s because they work so hard in practice.”

Tinsley is serving as a mentor to Winkey, a talented freshman guard who gives the Saints another option there and when they’re both in they make STAB extremely tough to cover as the other three players are largely running free.

“I’ve learned a lot from Bri, she’s a really good teammate,” Winkey said. “I actually do look up to her as a role model on and off the court, in the classroom she’s terrific. I try to imitate everything she does on and off the court.”

That’s a spot-on decision on Winkey’s part as Tinsley is a tremendous example to pattern your approach after. It’s also a turnabout for Tinsley who had her own mentor in Haley Kent a few years back.

Kent, who now plays soccer for William & Mary, had a rare, highly advanced mental mastery of the game.

With Kent as her own example, Tinsley has been able to meld that coach-on-the-floor frame of mind with her own unique set of talents.

“Everybody sees the product of Brianna now, but she played behind a fantastic point guard in Haley Kent,” Stinnie said. “Now you’re seeing the Haley Kent effect with Brianna’s ability.”

With all that coming together and the game coming to Tinsley a little easier, it has been apparent that she’s having more fun and enjoying running the show a little more.

“I’ve been stressing before and it didn’t really help much so I’ve decided to relax and have fun and I’m doing well,” Tinsley said.

Her teammates have noticed the adjustment too, which is all part of the maturing process that Tinsley and all other high school students experience.

“Brianna is really quiet as a person, but this year she’s kind of opened up and we’ve seen more of her personality,” Taylor said. “She’s been really vocal on the court and helping us set up on offense and defense.”

That’s a lot of elements coming together at the right time for Tinsley -- her evolving leadership role, the incredible command of the offense, her speed and ball-handling in the open court and a tenacious, relentless approach on the defensive end. Even one of

those would make her a major asset to any team. As a group? It makes her nearly the perfect point guard.

“This is what coaches dream of,” Stinnie said.

“Every day you say ‘when that thing starts clicking for that kid, watch out’. Guess what? We’re watching now.”

We all are. ✖

there are others

hudgens

kiani hudgens » orange county, sr.

Orange County’s point guard Kiani Hudgens has been running the show for the Hornets since day one as a freshman, and she’s played a number of roles, from pure distributor to this year’s slash and score/ kick approach. She’s also steady down the stretch, a product of her experience and natural poise. With Hudgens handling the ball, Orange can rest easy. ✖ kiana scott » monticello, sr.

Kiana Scott has been a fixture at the point on some of the finest teams in Monticello girls basketball history. This year though she was asked to pilot a largely rebuilt roster with a number of inexperienced players that asked for more from her than defense and distribution like teams did in the past. She rose to the occasion, averaging 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Mustangs. ✖

ty skinner » louisa county, fr.

Louisa County’s Tyi Skinner has the potential to become a complete point guard, and she’s showing signs of it already. She averaged 10.7 points and 3.1 assists per game while also nabbing an average of two steals per contest. If Skinner can continue to improve on both ends of the floor she’ll be a force in the Jefferson District for years to come. ✖

scott

skinner

elizabeth coffman » western albemarle, fr.

Western Albemarle’s Elizabeth Coffman hasn’t scratched the surface of what she can be just yet, but the freshman point guard had an extremely productive season as a first-year starter for the Warriors. She averaged 7.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 2.3 assists while also flashing a fearlessness and creativity as a shooter that could make her one of the area’s most versatile scoring threats over the next few seasons. ✖ coffman www.scrimmageplay.com ::

12

Separate | Ways Story by Ryan Yemen | Photos by Ashley Thornton

13 :: @scrimmageplay

T

Three times they met. Albemarle and Western Albemarle split the regular season with the Warriors taking the rubber match in the Jefferson District title game. They were their own best competition over the last two months, a pair of teams coached by brothers. The Patriots’ strength rests behind its core duo of Austin Katstra and Jake Hahn. The Warriors have been led by Ryan Ingram the last two years. But that’s the short and simple version. These two teams are more than that. Now that they’ve branched off into their respective playoff brackets, they’re both looking to take the appropriate road that finds them playing in their own state tournaments.

WHEN YOUR STAR PLAYER IS AS FLUID AS Ryan Ingram is, somehow it gets lost in the mix. Western Albemarle’s junior guard is an excellent two-way player that plays solid defense, shoots well from outside, can penetrate and finish inside, draws a lot of contact and is deadly at the free-throw line. He also knows when a team is trying to take him out of the affair offensively. It’s easy to make the argument that Ingram’s play is finest in those moments as he distributes and creates looks for others on a team that is built just for that.

“I think that’s where he’s grown most,” said Warriors coach Darren Maynard. “There have been a lot of games where he rates out so well on my chart and then I see he might only have a few points. He’s really bought in and is such an unselfish player. I mean we’re not great if he doesn’t play well, but he’s so good that we don’t need him to score every night.”

Ingram averages 14.3 points per game and shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc. His 4.3 assists per contest are accompanied by 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals. Western is dependent on him, but not in any one department, particularly on offense because he’s surrounded by great shooters and a solid rotation of forwards in the paint.

The story of this team isn’t about Ingram, it’s about how Ingram and two shifts worth of players have found a way

to mesh. Western’s season, one that’s propelled them to a Jefferson District championship, and a Region 3A West showing after the Conference 29 playoffs, is about its bench and how well shared the minutes have been.

“We figured out early this year that we had such great depth,” Maynard said. “We knew after a few scrimmages that we’d be best off playing a lot of different players and the good teams that you lose to in a season have that.

You don’t have to worry about playing in spurts. It was a challenge doling out the minutes when you’re 10 to 11 deep with kids that would start on a lot of other teams.”

With just one ball to share, that’s a true problem offensively speaking, but depth rears its head most fiercely on the defensive end. When a team like Western finds cohesion on offense with all the moving parts, the benefits become two-fold as the Warriors play basketball like it’s ice hockey — working in shifts.

“They bought into it all after we talked about it, handed out a sheet that pointed out the benefits of depth,” Maynard said. “We talked about going at it as hard as you could for three to four minutes and then coming out and letting someone else do the same job.

We’ve used that to our advantage. And when you think about it, when it comes to foul trouble, that’s really played a big role in helping out.”

www.scrimmageplay.com :: 14

“

Finding out you’ve got two point guards, bonafide varsity point guards, it’s awfully nice — Darren Maynard

15 :: @scrimmageplay

That it has worked out so well defensively is of little surprise as Western’s always been strong in that department under Maynard. Offensively, you have to tip your hat to the players on the court for making the most of their minutes. Mike Vale has averaged 12.5 points per game in the last 14 games after a slow start due to the Warriors’ postseason in football. He leads a rotation in the front court with his seven rebounds per game and his field goal percentage of 54. Carrington Murhpy chips in seven points and 7.2 rebounds and shoots 57 percent from the field.

Along with Jared Carter, Will Cress and Austin Cress, the Warriors have plenty of options on both ends of the floor down low.

“I think we have the ability to wear people down,” Maynard said. “We’re rotating four and five guys in the post. (Vale and Murphy) have given us a lot of leadership there. It’s been a luxury.”

It wouldn’t be a Western team without some snipers. In Josh Coffman and Chris McGahren, the Warriors have exactly that, a pair of lengthy forwards who are deadly from outside but also tall enough to finish inside. Coffman has also been a big part of the Warriors playing a more aggressive style of defense.

“Josh is so long and moves really well that he’s been a big part of our press,” Maynard said. “I’d say we’re more aggressive defensively this year. We’ve played a lot of different style teams, teams that are big and physical and others that are more athletic.

We have a lot of versatility defensively because of our depth.”

And Maynard’s point isn’t about depth having a number of playmakers. It’s that he has a number of playmakers at each and every position. While the back court and small forward position has arguably the most fluidity to it, with Nick Yancey’s play at guard this year, it’s allowed Ingram to become the all-around player and not have to be a pure scorer or pure distributor.

“Finding out that you’ve got two point guards, bonafide varsity point guards, it’s is awfully nice.” Maynard said. “That’s been huge for us all year and he comes off the bench and plays like a starter.”

On the roster you have 13 players and all of them have put in quality minutes. The Warriors have a core that centers around Ingram and rotates out. It’s not meant as an insult to say that this isn’t a flashy team — in fact, given their record, this Western team fits all the molds of the previous Maynard led squads that have gone deep into the playoffs. They are fundamental on every level. They are patient offensively and their shot selection and field goal percentage show it. The Warriors thrive in lowscoring games which is code for saying it’s solid defensively. And year-after-year-after-year, it’s the talk of every close game this program wins — Western hits their free throws, from the first quarter to the fourth and for some reason it gets lost in basketball talk that each one all counts the same regardless of the time on the clock.

Getting to the Region 3A West playoffs after beating Broadway in the Conference 29 semifinals is a big deal for a team that was really young last year and saw success, but has walked into a window of maturation, and thus, urgency.

“This group has been through a lot even when they were younger and they understand pressure,” Maynard said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to use our depth and stick to the plan and keep going.” ✖

ACADEMIC EDGE

S P O N S O R E D

B Y

H A R G R AV E

M I L I TA R Y

A C A D E M Y

C H A R L O T T E S V I L L E ’ S D A E J A WA D E

Charlottesville’s Daeja Wade has emerged as a consistent threat in the post this season, helping power a region tournament run by the black Knights this season. She’s averaging 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals on the defensive end and throughout the Knights’ postseason run she’s picked up her scoring as the competition gets tougher.

Off the court she was already an established presence before this year, as the junior sports a 3.67 GPA while taking on a fiveAP class course load. Wade is a member of the marching band and with three years of basketball under her belt, plans to give lacrosse a shot this spring.

Her favorite course is Psychology and she plans to apply to UNC-Chapel Hill, James Madison and Virginia Commonwealth in the coming months.

“Daeja is one of the most dedicated and hard-working students I’ve known,” said Charlottesville head coach James Daly. “She’s a competitor, on and off the court, and she pushes herself to get better each day.”

ABOUT HARGRAVE MILITARY ACADEMY Hargrave believes individual achievement is a gamechanger for all students, both on and off the field. With a college acceptance rate of 100% and a heavy emphasis on academics, your son will have competitive advantages ahead of his peers including leadership and character development.

The Academic athlete of the issue is selected by Scrimmage Play’s staff with the consultation of coaches and athletic directors. To nominate an athlete email info@scrimmageplay.com

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www.scrimmageplay.com :: 16

“

He works his tail off every night. He’s my number one asset on defense.

— Greg Maynard

17 :: @scrimmageplay

ALBEMARLE’S SEASON HAS BEEN compartmentalized in a peculiar way. First, the Patriots had to learn how play and win without their most productive player, Austin Katstra. Then the team had to learn how to play with a hobbled Katstra. It’s only in the last few weeks that the junior has found his form again.

And so now Albemarle, with a Region 5A North bid already in its hands, heads to the next round of the playoffs as a team with a much greater understanding of themselves. Coming into the year, it looked like the Patriots would again be a two-man show between Katstra and Jake Hahn. Not the case anymore.

Sometimes an injury like this has a silver lining.

“We had to learn a lot when Austin was hurt, get guys to step up,” said Albemarle coach Greg Maynard. “Jake did a great job of taking control of the offense but we also needed some other options.”

As it turns out, the Patriots found out that their top-defender, Myles Adams-Yates is a lot more than just that. For the last two seasons, Adams-Yates has been assigned to guard the opposition’s top player. It’s a statistically thankless job, but a badge of honor if you’re a player, a show of respect from your coach.

“He works his tail off every night,” Maynard said. “He’s my number one asset on defense. You have to keep moving, keep the penetrator in front of you, get a hand in the face on any shot. It’s a knack that players have to have for that role.”

The Patriots looked to Adams-Yates to help fill out the scoring sheet and he responded in kind. A solid player in transition, the senior attacked the basket and helped his team get up the floor and moving. His ability to penetrate created looks outside for Hahn and chances inside for himself if the defense overreacted.

And just to round out his game a little more, he developed a nice outside shot of his own.

“He’s primarily a penetrator but he’s worked hard on his shooting and it’s really improved,” Maynard said.

By averaging 8.3 points per game and 3.6 assists, AdamsYates became a legitimate offensive weapon, and he wasn’t the only one to rise to the occasion.

When the season began, Grant Kersey was supposed to be the Patriots’ sixth man. The injury to Katstra opened the door for Kersey to start and he’s been there since. When you shoot 54 percent from the field, it’s hard to put you back on the bench.

“He’s shot the ball extremely well, doesn’t turn the ball over, picks up rebounds and steals — there wasn’t a lot I could do,” Maynard said.

Kersey’s game has changed almost overnight. He’s also averaging 8.3 points per game and has become clutch at delivering 3-point daggers. It’s been a massive improvement for the senior, much to Maynard’s delight.

“He’s so much more confident this year than he was last year,” Maynard said. “He’s relaxed and really stepped up his game each year since eighth grade. He does a lot of the little things that don’t get noticed, sets back screens, reads defenses correctly. He’s very bright.”

The good news for Albemarle is that Kersey has competition for most improved player as point guard Kennedy Brown has put together a solid year at point guard. The Patriots lean on Brown

“

He’s done just a tremendous job of running the team.

— Greg Maynard

to distribute and run the offense, get the ball to their finishers and he’s improved greatly in that department.

“He’s done just a tremendous job of running the team and he’s not taking bad shots,” Maynard said. “There were times he struggled last year and he’s improved a lot. His assist to turnover ratio is much better. He’s made a big difference.”

Where Hahn and Katstra were the core of the team and still are, what’s happened over the last few months is the Patriots’ appendages have all amped up their play. Albemarle can still count on its big two to put up double-double numbers and dominate in the paint — Katstra is averaging 12.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game while Hahn averages 16.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. But with Adams-Yates and Kersey as added weapons and Brown doing a fine job as executioner of the offense, this team is in a much better spot than it was before the season began.

“We’ve faced a lot of different adversity,” Maynard said. “We won 16 straight there and built up a lot of confidence. We wanted to do well enough to get some home games and so now it’s just a matter of getting the job done.”

With a 74-52 win over Atlee in the Conference 16 semifinals, the Patriots got the first part of that job done, locking up a Region 5A north berth. Then they knocked off Halifax in the chamionship to set up the best road possible for the next round, one that will start in their own gym next week.

Now as a team whose sum is now greater than the parts, Albemarle has made the transition from being the young-developing program two years ago to a veteran group with big playoff aspirations. Windows only last so long in basketball and the Patriots have done themselves a great service by developing their overall team depth and versatility. ✖ www.scrimmageplay.com :: 18

Game Time Madison 76, East Rockingham 63

By Luke Nadkarni

Isiah Smith poured in 20 points to put his team one win away from making the state tourney.

(John Berry)

19 :: @scrimmageplay

Isiah Smith led four Madison County players in double figures with 20 points and the Mountaineers used a 9-0 run in the late stages of the first half to knock off visiting East Rockingham 76-63 in the quarterfinals of the Region 2A tournament Friday night.

The Mountaineers also got 16 points each from Dalton Taylor and Dylan Breeden while Dre Twyman had 10. Madison actually trailed 18-13 after one quarter before taking the lead for good on a three-pointer by Gaines Swink one minute into the second, then traded baskets with the Eagles before stepping on the gas in the final two minutes.

Taylor got the run started with a layup, then sank two free throws for a five-point lead. Elijah Lewis drilled a long three on Madison’s next possession, then Smith got a steal in the backcourt and took it all the way to give Madison its largest lead of the half.

Javon Butler sank a jumper at the buzzer to trim East Rockingham’s deficit to 35-27 at the break.

“I think we were a little passive on defense in the first quarter, so we had to step it up,” Madison coach Ben Breeden said.

“Once we came out and started to press a little bit, we got some easy buckets.”

The Mountaineers continued to pull away after halftime, closing the third quarter on a 15-4 run highlighted by six points apiece from Breeden and Smith. After leading 52-36 after three, Madison’s lead got as large as 20 points midway through the final

quarter on a putback by Coby Alexander. The Eagles followed with a 7-0 spurt, including two triples from Jaylen McNair, but the Mountaineers did not allow them to get back within single digits for the rest of the game.

“We preach sharing the ball on this team. We’ve always felt that if we do that effectively, we’re tough to beat,” Breeden said. “It leads to good shots and plus, everyone’s going to feel better about being out there if we’re all contributing.”

East Rockingham also had four players score in double figures, led by Butler’s 18 points. McNair had 15 while Chris Rogers and Logan Comer each had 14 for the Eagles.

East Rock shot 5-for-18 from beyond the arc, compared to 5-for-16 for Madison. The Mountaineers forced 12 Eagle turnovers.

“I thought we were solid contesting their threes,” Breeden said. “That’s the type of energy we need on defense.”

Madison will return to action Tuesday night when they face either Bluestone or Washington and Lee in the regional quarterfinals. ✖

This is the Mountaineers first trip to the Region 2A East playoffs since reallignment.

Madison last qualified for regional play in the ‘09-’10 season where they won the Group A Division 1 championship. It was their third straight trip the region playoffs that year, and their second straight to the state final four.

TEAM SPOTLIGHT BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL School wide, athletes from the football to basketball to lacrosse volunteer for a food pantry offered to those in need in Greene County. It’s a weekly endeavor for the Barons and one that gives right back to community in Blue Ridge’s back yard. Great job, Barons! Keep up the good work and good luck with the rest of your basketball season.

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Best of luck to our 2015 student athletes as they embark on their college careers.

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e can’t teach our students everything, but we can prepare them for anything.

Our dedication to excellence rooted in spiritual formation assures that every day, whether on the field, in the classroom, or in the community, Covenant students are ready for the future ahead.

Overtime

Staying present Take it from me, you’re going to miss this game

B

eing a senior in high school comes with a lot of responsibility and decision-making that is paired with a wide-variety of emotions regarding the future. Tough choices regarding post-high school plans and feelings of excitement and nervousness tend to leave seniors feeling as though their last year of high school is over before it really even begins.

Senior year turns into a system of goodbyes; goodbyes to old friends, teachers, clubs, and to many, it is a goodbye to the sports that they have dedicated a significant amount of their lives to. As basketball season comes to an end, many athletes will end their careers as basketball players. Regardless of the outcome of your season, it is important that seniors take some time to soak in every last minute spent on the court, because you won’t experience anything quite like it in the future.

Sure, there are all kinds of opportunities to play basketball in college. Between club sports, intramurals, and pick-up games at the gym, by no means will you never touch a ball again. But it’s not the same.

There isn’t the same dedication; the endless hours spent in the gym or on the computer watching film. The true dedication of an entire season to focusing on that one thing that you love, the dedication of your time, body, focus, and energy. This dedication stems from the passion and desire to go all the way to states. To beat that one “unbeatable” team, to make a statement in your district, to meet personal goals, and to be the absolute best that there is.

There isn’t the same community, either. The community of supportive family attending games both home and hours away. The community of coaches, that give it their all to help you to become better at that thing that you love. But for many, that community with your teammates may never be the same. While you might work with a team in tons of other aspects of your life, there is nothing quite like the community that is fostered within your basketball team.

I don’t mean to say all of these things to make you sad or resentful of the future. I actually mean to do quite the opposite. I mean to help you understand how important these last few games of your season really are. I mean to inspire you — inspire you to give these last few games and practices everything that you have and ultimately enjoy them.

So, as you prepare for these final games, go to practice and really be there. Yes, you’re probably exhausted, busy with school, and distracted by so many other things. But leave that in the locker room and do more than just attend practice. Go hard during drills, even the ones that you hate, especially the ones that you hate. Concentrate on your freethrows, because they really do count in the end. During games, play defense like you never have before. Get on the floor for loose balls.

But more importantly, enjoy it all. Enjoy the energy, team chemistry, fast-paced defense, and all around pleasure that comes with this game that we love. Spend time with teammates and enjoy it all with them. Be truly present for all of this because you’ll rarely find anything quite like it again. So, take advantage of these practices, time spent

22 :: @scrimmageplay

“Sure, there are all kinds of opportunities to play basketball in college... by no means will you never touch a ball again. But it’s not the same.” with your team, bus rides, film sessions, weight room adventures, team huddles, and minutes spent on the court. Because whether you realize it or not, you love this game and in a few months you’ll be longing to have it back. ✖ Leah Coleman played basketball at Monticello before graduating in 2014. Now at the University of Virginia, Coleman is double majoring in speech pathology and audiology as well as in English.

Leah Coleman,

GUEST COLUMNIST

back talk »

Tell us what you think of Leah’s message to seniors at: info@scrimmageplay.com

Success stories begin here.

Success Story: Kevin Laue Kevin Laue’s journey is the stuff movies are made of — quite literally.

Born with just one arm, Laue became one of the top stories in the country back in 2007 when Sports Illustrated labeled him as “the most exciting player in basketball.” However, in a both a sad and ironic twist, a broken leg dashed his recruiting prospects as a high school senior.

So Laue did what so many in the country do, they come to Fork Union.

In 2008 the San Jose, California native switched coasts and suited up for legendary coach Fletcher Arritt. Laue’s efforts as a post graduate player did not go unnoticed. His goal the entire time was to draw interest from Division 1 collegiate programs. After intially garnering Division 3 offers, Laue worked his way to a change to realize him dream and play at the highest level.

When Laue was offered a scholarship to play for Manhattan College, he

became the first player ever with one arm to acquire a Division 1 offer.

In 59 games over three years with the Jaspers, Laue was able to contribute off the bench, playing his best as a sophomore.

During his travels from a high school standout in California to a promising recruit at Fork Union and finally a Division 1 athlete at Manhattan, a film crew followed Laue around, chronicling his journey.

In 2013 Franklin Martin, the man who documented Laue’s story, released the film “Long Shot: The Kevin Laue Story.” New York Times critic Daniel Gold called the film “a memorable account of an inspiring struggle to finish on top.” NBA legend Bill Walton said, “Kevin’s remarkable and perfectly told story will make you laugh, cry and think.”

It’s an amazing tale and one that unfolded here at Fork Union.

Fork Union Military Academy is the leading Christian military boarding school for boys in grades 6 - 12 and PG. www.forkunion.com — 1-800-GO-2-FUMA