End of sports & enrollment babble

Springs sports have come to an end for the Hogo teams. Congratulations if you made it to the playoffs! To the underclassmen, there is always next year. Work hard and get better so I can have something worth writing about and have a site for a district to be proud of. If you're a graduating senior, enjoy college, check back in with us here at HogoOnline and do your best to contribute to your alma-mater by sparing a few bucks and coming back for a few games. You're never too old for high school sports, just ask the 232 message board members who are thirty and older!

Some good and bad news in the Hogo as far as enrollment goes. Only five schools in Region C went up in enrollment since 2007, however four of those schools were in the Hogoheegee.

School, change, 2007 to 2009

Chilhowie +17, 420 to 437
Rural Retreat +8, 339 to 347
George Wythe +5, 468 to 473
Holston +1, 311 to 312

Unfortunately one of the biggest drops in the Region C occurred at Patrick Henry high school while Northwood suffered a mild loss as well.

Patrick Henry -41, 466 to 425
Northwood -12, 341 to 329

Other Region C schools:
Auburn -39, 413 to 384
E.Mont -44, 353 to 309
Floyd -27, 630 to 603
Giles -15, 521 to 506
Glenvar +3, 634 to 637
Radford -37, 476 to 439

Bland -24, 333 to 309
Fort Chiswell -4, 528 to 524
Galax +/-0, 363 to 363
Grayson -27, 657 to 630
Narrows -13, 260 to 247

Bath County -4, 260 to 256
Covington -25, 275 to 250
Craig County -13, 228 to 215
James River -24, 495 to 471
Parry McCluer -13, 341 to 328

Hopefully these numbers will pick back up in the next cycle and our enrollments can compete with the likes of Region B, whose smallest Division 1 school is bigger than all of Region C and D's division 1 schools.

Enjoy your weekend.

Regional Softball & Baseball

A prelude to this week's Region C tournaments!

Softball

Holston (16-4)
at Grayson County
Although not much is known about the Grayson County Lady Blue Devils team, they met no challengers in their own district tournament. Grayson breezed through both rounds with a 11-0 first round win over Fort Chiswell and a 10-1 second round win over Galax. The Blue Devils are certainly a force to be reckoned with and appear to know a few things about swinging a softball bat.

Holston has had quite a season. Led in pitching by freshman and HogoOnline athlete of the year nominee, Morgan Lowe, the Cavs have made it back to the Region C tournament for the first time in the last 7 years. Last season the Cavs only won 5 games; this season they are 16-4 and survived the Hogo, perhaps the toughest softball district in Southwest Virginia.

Common Opponents
Chilhowie
Grayson County 11, Chilhowie 6
Holston 11, Chilhowie 0
Holston 9, Chilhowie 0
Galax
Grayson County 11, Galax 0
Grayson County 10, Galax 1
Holston 15, Galax 0
Holston 12, Galax 0


Galax
at Northwood (16-3)
The Lady Panthers capped off a tremendous regular season with a possibly even more tremendous district tournament. Northwood got revenge over near-season spoiler George Wythe, dismantled an always promising Patrick Henry squad for the regular season championship, and edged the hot Holston Cavaliers to seal the tournament deal. Led on the mound by Chelsey Cardwell, anything is possible for the Panthers. Their first round game should be a given but the Panthers cannot overlook the Maroon Tide. They are, afterall, in the Region C tournament for a reason.

Common Opponents
Chilhowie
Chilhowie 7, Galax 1
Galax 7, Chilhowie 3
Northwood 20, Chilhowie 5
Northwood 8, Chilhowie 0

BASEBALL

Patrick Henry (11-10-1) at
Grayson County (12-7)
One thing is for certain. The Rebels' side of the bracket is a tough road. Anytime you're on the same side as Grayson County and Glenvar, the odds are immediately stacked against you. The Rebels are playing hot, however. They knocked off season runner-up and county rival Holston, 12-5, and managed an impressive win over Chilhowie, who had not lost to a district team all year. The recent play of Jon Whitesides, Will Copenhaver, and Ronnie Groves have given PH the spark it needed to advance to the Region C playoffs after what seemed to be a lost season due to inconsistency.
Grayson County, although with seven losses, is still one of the premiere programs in all of Southwest Virginia. For most of the season the Blue Devils struggled to put runs on the board but had enough talent to seal twelve victories and a MED season and tournament championship. This isn't one of the Grayson County teams of this past decade but is certainly one that can win on any given night.

Common Opponents
Chilhowie
Chilhowie 7, Grayson County 6
Chilhowie 11, Grayson County 8
Chilhowie 2, Patrick Henry 1
Chilhowie 5, Patrick Henry 3
Patrick Henry 9, Chilhowie 6


Fort Chiswell (14-6)
at Chilhowie (16-6)
Fort Chiswell's success was no surprise this year as key standouts Hody Viars and Mark Gallimore led the Pioneers to a 14-6 season, a season and tournament runner-up spot in the MED, and a Region C berth. The Pioneers could possibly be the toughest #2 seed in the entire tournament, much to the misfortune of the Warriors. Fort Chiswell has scored more than 10 runs in over nearly half of their games including scores of 17, 19, and 21. They can certainly create runs and will require a magnificant pitching performance to be subdued.
Chilhowie overcame several close calls this regular season to garner a fourth consecutive regular season title but lost in the district tournament championship to PH. Now is not a good time for the Warriors to hit a slump and they best not overlook the Pioneers or they'll be at home after the first round like they were last year against a Bath County team most thought the Warriors would top.

Common Opponents
George Wythe
Fort Chiswell 10, George Wythe 6
Fort Chiswell 16, George Wythe 1
Chilhowie 11, George Wythe 0
Chilhowie 5, George Wythe 3
Northwood
Fort Chiswell 6, Northwood 2
Fort Chiswell 12, Northwood 2
Chilhowie 12, Northwood 3
Chilhowie 13, Northwood 4
Rural Retreat
Fort Chiswell 19, Rural Retreat 0
Fort Chiswell 17, Rural Retreat 0
Chilhowie 17, Rural Retreat 7
Chilhowie 12, Rural Retreat 2
Chilhowie 15, Rural Retreat 1
Galax
Fort Chiswell 11, Galax 1
Fort Chiswell 12, Galax 3
Fort Chiswell 4, Galax 3
Galax 5, Chilhowie 4
Grayson County
Grayson County 1, Fort Chiswell 0
Grayson County 9, Fort Chiswell 3
Chilhowie 7, Grayson County 6
Chilhowie 11, Grayson County 8

Boys Regional Soccer Preview

Regional Soccer Preview provided by Hogoheegee.com correspondent HogoSoccer from the Message Boards.

Three Rivers #1 Radford vs Pioneer #2 Bath County

The defending state champion Bobcats look to knock out the Chargers for the second straight season. Radford is a dominant favorite to win the Region (not lost a Single A game all season), but a feisty Bath team will try to play spoiler.

#1 Mountain Empire Galax vs #2 Hogoheegee Rural Retreat

Galax lost to aforementioned Radford in the state finals last year. This years squad is not as good as lasts, but still a very talented team. Rural Retreat, coming off a heartbreaking loss to George Wythe, have talent as well. Hoping to prevent a repeat of the state championship, Rural Retreat will play its best game, however, Galax will not look past this challenging match.

#1 Pioneer James River vs #2 Three Rivers Giles

This might be the only game where the home side will not be favored. Giles has a talented team, and may very well be on their way to a state appearance. Usually the Pioneer teams play spoiler because they go under the radar. Giles is lead by Virginia Tech football signee Cody Journell, who looks to lead Giles past the home standing Knights.

#1 Hogoheegee George Wythe vs #2 Mountain Empire Fort Chiswell

This is by far the most interesting matchup of the first round. This cross county derby match might find a darkhorse in the region tourney. George Wythe beat FC 6-2, but tied them 1-1 the second time around. George Wythe is playing well, but is coming off a hard fought district game against Rural Retreat. Fort Chiswell, comes in on a sour note. A 9-0 loss to Galax may have hurt the Pioneers' morale, but they will certainly get hype for a long awaited regional appearance.

Men's Alumni Basketball Tournament in the works

What it is?

Ready for this title?

The First Annual HogoOnline Men's Hogoheegee Alumni Basketball Tournament of Tournaments.

Put that on a T-shirt!

When it is?

TBA.  Not between September and February.  Either August 2009 or March 2010.

Where it is?

Somewhere with two gyms.

What it cost?

TBD.  There will be a registration fee per team to pay for concessions, venue, officials, jerseys, and trophies.

Who can play?

Anyone who played in high school can play on their respective alumni team in their respective age groups which have yet to be determined.

How can I help organize?

Contact me.  hogo_sportz@yahoo.com

I want to organize my own team...

Contact me. hogo_sportz@yahoo.com

NOTE:  I want this to be a fairly organized event.  In my head, I see three age classifications by graduation date.  80's and up, 90's, 2000's.   You have to have played for the team you represent.  There can be multiple teams from the same school in one graduation bracket. If you want to play and no one has contacted you to be on a team, contact ME.  You will get to play.  I think....

Also, old guys, bring your own oxygen.  I will not withstand lawsuits for fainting in the lane and being trucked, breaking a femur from landing funny, or straining a groin from stretching before the game.  Each of you will sign a consent form saying that HogoOnline is not responsible for you being out of shape :).  

Start training, start finding some dudes.  I'll start finding a place and a date.

Deal?  Deal.

Baseball Musings

Baseball has taken full force and the standings are beginning to take shape. There have been a few surprises along the way but overall it has been a somewhat standard season on the diamond within the Hogo.

Lets go through each team and discuss the hype... in no particular order.

Rural Retreat (2-5, 0-3)
Good: Winning a few games.
Bad: Allowing way too many runs. The Indians need to step-up the defense big time if they want to dodge last place in the district.
Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda: The Indians need to get the rest of their kinks out when they take on Oak Hill and Narrows (home and away) in the coming weeks. They have a good opportunity to knock off some teams that are currently struggling like Northwood and George Wythe. But even then, they will need to improve their fundamentals and cut down on the errors.

Holston (5-4, 3-0)
Good: The Cavs have won five games and are currently undefeated in district play, tying them for first with district power, Chilhowie.
Bad: The teams they have beaten have no wins over teams with wins. In fact, between George Wythe, Rural Retreat, and Northwood, their only wins have been over Bland. Ervinton has no such thing as a win. Holston's record is deceiving.
Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda: The weak part of the schedule won't last for long, the Cavs will be tested soon as they take on country rival Patrick Henry, cross-border foe Johnson County, and another doubleheader against Oak Hill Academy. Four games in three days may show us who Holston really is and how deep they are.

George Wythe (2-6, 0-2)
Good: Well.. Those young guys are getting some valuable experience. Things can only go up for first year skipper, Jerad Ward.
Bad: Getting trounced by everyone. Not to mention, a near scare against a winless Bland County team.
Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda: It may be too early to throw this season away a consider it useless. The Maroons have eight district games left, a few wins here and there could land them in a decent spot come district tournament time. The Hogoheegee is weak top to bottom which is good news if you're a weak team.

Northwood (1-9, 0-3)
Good: Lebanon and Fort Chiswell are tough clubs. Although they were mercy-ruled once against each, they were also not mercy-ruled once. It may not seem like much of a positive, but any time your team can learn and adapt, it's a good sign. Besides, the less mercy-rules, the better.
Bad: They have been whacked a few times. Most notably, against Holston 14-2. Holston has five wins and appears to be playing decent baseball, but no one thought they were 12 runs better than Northwood. The Panthers need to rally fast if they want to dodge the cellar.
Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda: Games remaining against Rural Retreat, George Wythe, and Bland could get the Panthers on the right track and help build some confidence. Or, conversely, it could destroy any ounce of hope remaining. They will have to decide that for themselves.

Patrick Henry (3-6, 1-0)
Good: After starting off the year losing 52-14 in their first four losses, the Rebels bounced back and topped always talented Johnson County, TN.
Bad: When they lose... they lose. In their defense, they have played some stiff competition. Although JSB is in an off year, they would still cruise through a typical Hogoheegee schedule. Honaker is undefeated, Johnson County is good, Lebanon is good... so we can cut PH some slack.
Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda: They have a chance to show just how good that tough, early season schedule has made them in the coming week as they square off against Holston, GW, and Chilhowie. A win over all three would turn the district standings into a pretzel.

Chilhowie (6-2, 3-0)
Good: When John Battle left the Hogoheegee two years ago, they handed the torch to Chilhowie who has let it burn bright. The Warriors have outscored district opponents 40-10 in their three games. However, those three wins were over the same three teams who have done nothing this year except abuse Bland. Chilhowie also has two strong wins over MED perennial power, Grayson County.
Bad: Losing to Marion and Galax. These aren't bad clubs but for a team with Region C aspirations, it's not a good sign.
Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda: Upcoming games against Graham and Richlands will be good tests for Chilhowie before reentering district play. Unless the rest of the Hogoheegee finds better pitching, hitting, and defense, it appears to be Chilhowie's to lose.

Softball musings

So a few games have finally been played and while some teams are further along their schedule than others, I figure its time for some mid-season hype.

Lets start with softball and in no particular order:

Chilhowie (2-5, 0-2)

Good:  They kicked off the season with a couple of strong wins to get things rolling.

Bad:  They have lost five straight and are allowing lots of runs.  They have been outscored 59-19 in their losing streak

Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda: With games against Holston and Abingdon coming up, things certainly won't get any easier for the Warriors.  If they can take a couple over Rural Retreat and manage to get by George Wythe (their closest matched district competitor) things could turn around.  Otherwise, have a good summer.

George Wythe (6-2, 2-1)

Good: Six wins including avenging a 9 point loss to Pulaski with a 5-4 win at home.  Sitting right pretty at a tie for second place in the district with Holston.

Bad:  Holston has been a surprise this year but losing by 15 to any team in the district is humbling.  Especially considering the veterans for George Wythe and the freshmen Holston advertise.  Perhaps their is excuse is that they didn't expect Holston to be so durn good?

Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda:  Four straight district games coming up for the Maroons could dictate the rest of their season.  Three of those games include the current district powers; Patrick Henry, Northwood, and Holston.  Winning a couple of those could get the Lady Roons on the right track.

Rural Retreat (0-6, 0-2)

Good:  Runs.  Last season Rural Retreat, although winless, were winless without much to show for it.  This year they have shown that they can hang a bit.

Bad:  Still allowing too many runs.  In their 6 reported games, they have allowed 73 runs.

Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda:  With nothing but a slate of district games remaining, there is not much time left to make a mark on the season.  Chilhowie might be the Indians only chance at a W and even then it will be a tough task as the rest of the Hogo is laden with too much talent.

Patrick Henry (7-4, 1-1)

Good:  7 wins.  2 losses against two larger Tennessee schools and a split with always powerful Virginia.

Bad:  In a season where Patrick Henry was picked to rule the district, they choke to a hot Holston team and county rival.

Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda:  No reason to panic yet.  PH still has to play Northwood which will likely settle much of the dust around who is actually number one in the district.  As of right now, it is way too close to call.  But thats when its the best! Right?

Northwood (6-1, 2-0)

Good:  Undefeated in district play including wins over country rival, Chilhowie (20-5) and a monster win over fellow district frontrunner, Holston.

Bad:  There isn't much bad right now other than being shutout against Lebanon in spite of scoring a total of  86 runs in their 6 wins on the year.

Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda:  The Panthers still have to take on Patrick Henry twice which will decide who gets most of the marbles.  Northwood must also fight off the Cavs again when they roll into town next week.  Could be a good one, bring the kids.

Holston (7-1, 2-1)

Good:  A lot. Last season Holston only won 5 games.  Although a majority of them were close, this season the Lady Cavs have opened several eyes as they have stormed out open the year with 7 wins; including a huge win over last season's district champ and huge rival, PH.

Bad:  It is hard to say anything is bad about a program that has finally gotten back up on it's feet after a few cellar years.  Patience is a virtue, ask Coach Lisa Blackburn.

Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda:  Having played the three toughest teams they likely will face in the district, not including a double header with Abingdon coming up and a tour with Lebanon, it's safe to say that Holston can play with anyone they have on the calendar.  They have rematches against GW, PH, and NW as well.  If they keep playing like they have been, there is no doubt they may see some postseason play.  One chicken, two chicken... oh wait, lets not do that yet.

Spring Updates

Umm.. what month is it? January? On Neptune?

NO! It's April and this weather is killing sports!! I just drafted an email to Mother Nature that read,

"Dear Mother Nature,

ARE YOU SERIOUS!?

Best Wishes,

HogoOnline"

I don't expect to hear back but maybe it will inspire some good weather.

TRACK
And of course, Field.

Field cannot be left out with any mention of track.

Several folks have commented that VA.MileSplit.us does a shady job at covering track for the Hogoheegee and have suggested that I take over those duties. I'll be glad to take over anything with an adequate amount of information because frankly, I don't want to do any shady coverage either. So, in the coming weeks you will find a link off of the main page that will send you directly to an archived track message board full of (hopefully) good track info. Track coaches, email me your stuff if you get time.

Stuff = rosters, schedule, results

Also, over the summer I would like to compile a list of school track records and Hogoheegee records if those are available. Just something to be thinking about.

WRESTLING

No, not "wrasslin'". Wrestling. I'm looking for folks to help out with the Wrestling part of the site for next year. Wrestling is a tremendous sport and the Hogoheegee has more wrestling history than you could begin to imagine. Just as I previously mentioned for track, I don't want to have any shady coverage but I do know the Hogoheegee has some intense wrestling fans. So if you're computer saavy, know a lot about Hogoheegee wrestling and can post some results and schedules for me next year, let me know. Hogoheegee.com desperately needs you. Wrestling season is basketball season for me and that part of the year I become overloaded with rankings and results for those two sports. If I took on wrestling by myself, I would be doing the sport a tremendous disservice. It deserves someone's full attention. Again, please, be a part of the HogoOnline team.

HogoOnline Athletes of the Year

For those of you who were fans of the site last year, you remember we did a vote on the Male and Female athletes of the year. That will be happening again this year. Last year's winners were Kendra Nutter of Northwood and Tennis Simon of George Wythe. This year the format will be a little different. At the end of April I will post a survey for folks to nominate their favorite athletes. Last year I picked the nominees and a few commented that I left a few deserving folks out. This year you can only blame yourselves. Bahaha. I will take the top 4 males and females from each school and put that into a poll for everyone to vote on. The poll will likely run for about 60 days to ensure everyone gets in there and votes. So be thinking about the district's best athletes from fall through spring, males and females, and nominate them when the time comes. (I will post a link off of the already extremely cluttered main page).

Message Board Woes

If you have had any trouble accessing the message board in the last several days, please raise your hand.

Ok, hands down.

Sorry?? I don't know what the problem is. I can log on and several others have been able to log on. Yet, apparently, there is a few people who are asked to login after they already have. I looked into it and I don't think there is anything I can do. I recommend deleting some cookies, restarting your computer, or simply rechecking your password. If you have had this problem, please email me and let me know. Maybe we can see a pattern with particular accounts that will narrow down the source of this issue.

HogoOnline Rankings
and fans, thereof

Recently, I emailed a list of boys and girls basketball coaches throughout Region C along with a few AD's and what I would consider VIP's who are mainly noteworthy sports writers in our area. I was asked to get some feedback regarding the rankings system for basketball that I put out on the site each year to see if they could possibly be THE or A supporting variable in the decision of what teams advance to the playoffs and which ones do not.

While 16 coaches were contacted, only 8 responded.

7 were in favor of it. 1 was not. The 1 that was not in favor did not provide any justification as to why.

7 to 1 is good enough for me. I will take this to the next step and you may see our beloved rankings mean something major next year for both boys and I'll be introducing it for girls. But still yet, there are plenty others that I have to convince. Wish me luck.

Old Pictures - You've Gottem, I Wantem

Hello to all once again. Finally, the weather has taken a back seat and let the kids out to play some spring sports. So far, unless no one has reported a Rural Retreat softball game to me, all of our softball teams are currently undefeated. Way Cool!

HogoOnline wants photos. Any of them over the years that you have clipped from newspapers, taken yourself, or found in the high school yearbook will do. Scan and email!

History in the Hogoheegee is just as important as its future. Unfortunately, about all I can put on the site is scores from the good ole days but clearly there is more to it than that. To really capture the life of what the Hogoheegee is and was all about, please send in any old relics that you have. Even videos will do, but you won't be able to email those. If you have a video, contact me and we'll find a way to get that taken care of.

I'm looking for any picture ever of any currently standing Hogoheegee school. 1776 until now. For former Hogoheegee schools, lets keep it between 1970 and now (or the years in which they were active. Refer to the "History" tab on the site to determine these dates). It can be team photos, full yearbook pages (as Sammy Campbell has done before), or action stills. Please help out with this and your names will be creditted to the photos you submit (if you wish) and they will be posted on the Flick'r site. Be sure to try to include details such as who is in the picture as well as dates, if possible. Also, I'll even accept any old pics you have of Hogoheegee towns as well as pictures of the schools back in the old days. Things have really changed over the years, it would be really neat to see our towns and old school buildings 10, 20, 30, or 40 years ago.

Please help and do your part in making Hogoheegee.com an historical reference as much as it is a source for news.

I've provided an example:

Uncle Sam, War of 1812

"I WANT YOU to send in pics"

Interview with Patrick Henry's Tami Counts

As far as softball coaches go, not only in the Hogoheegee, but in all of southwest Virginia, few do it as well or better than Patrick Henry's Tami Counts. Having just had a baby a mere few weeks ago, she's already prepared to lead her Rebels into another exciting softball season. Just last season PH won the Hogoheegee district and advanced to the Region C tournament before being edged by Glenvar 1-0 in a nail biter. Counts was selected as Coach of the Year and her dedication to her team is a clear reason why she was selected. Coach Counts gave us a few minutes of her time for an interview about herself and this up and coming season.

How long have you been coaching softball? Have you coached anywhere besides PH?

I have been coaching at Patrick Henry since 1997. I coached softball with Stacy Poston at Northwood High School from 1994-1996.

What is your high school & college background? What were your sports backgrounds there?

I went to Patrick Henry High School and Emory and Henry College. I played basketball, volleyball, and I ran track. They did not have a softball team when I went to school so I kept the scorebook for the baseball team.

Who are some people that inspired you to become a coach? What is your favorite part of coaching?

Some of the people who inspired me to coach were my dad and brother. I spent a lot of time playing in the backyard with them as I was growing up and it made me want to stay involved in athletics. Coaches who influenced me while I was in school were Susan Johnston and Eddie Pruitt.
My favorite part of coaching is the kids. I love spending time with kids who devote themselves to a sport and go above and beyond to develop their fundamental skills to become successful. I have been very blessed with the kids I have coached in the past. They are the reason I continue to stay and coach; they are my second family.

What is the most memorable moment of your high school sports days as a player?

I can't really pinpoint any particular time or moment from my high school career; I just enjoyed playing ball. The only thing I can think of, this really ages me, is that I made the first three point
shot at PH.

What are some accomplishments as a coach that you will never forget?

Winning the Hogo tournament against Holston in 1997. Nicole Poore and Kendall Rainey were freshmen. Every time we make it to the play-offs in the region and/or state is an accomplishment I will always remember for my girls. The game we went 13 innings with Angela Tincher was pretty exciting also. She beat us two years in a row by one run.

(By the way, Tincher has her own Wiki page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Tincher)

Congratulations on the new baby! This will obviously present some new challenges this year, is there anything you can add about that? The quick jump into coaching after having a baby is remarkable and requires lots of dedication to your team...

I did the exact same thing seven years ago when I had Lindsey. She was born in May and I only missed one week. I only missed a week with Kinsley as well. My husband and my mom are a great help and I couldn't continue coaching without their love and support. My teams' parents are also a great support.



Last year PH posted a 19-4-1 record and was edged in the Region C semi-finals by Glenvar 1-0. Do you feel like this year's team has what it takes to up the ante?

Definitely!! These girls are serious about their softball and they just want to add to their success from last season. Our goal is to work harder and go farther than the year before.

Last season you were the Hogoheegee's softball coach of the year. Looking back on that season, were there any games that you felt like you really earned it? Had to take a risk that turned out great?

I don't like to take credit; my players work very hard in practice. They listen, we work on skills and fundamentals, and they improve every day. These girls have been playing ball for years so I give credit to their parents for keeping them in the sport, and the athletes for giving their time and continuing to be dedicated to the sport of softball. They show a lot of respect for the game, myself, and the other coaches they play under.

Thank you for your time Coach Counts and best of luck this season to you and your Lady Rebels!

Interview with Chilhowie's Jeff Robinson

Since Jeff Robinson took over as head coach for the Warriors varsity baseball team in 2002 the program has taken an obvious shift upward. While Robinson would contribute the success to his talented players as any noble coach would, his knowledge and love for the game is the crucial cornerstone for Chilhowie's baseball success. Since 2002, Chilhowie has been on the upper crust of the district including consecutive Region C playoff appearances.



Jeff Robinson was gracious enough to lend some time to Hogoheegee.com for an interview about his career and this up and coming season. This interview may also be featured on VirginiaPreps.

(HogoOnline) What Coaches have been influential to you and your baseball career (playing/coaching)?

(Coach) First of all, it would have to be Sam McKinney. He was my baseball coach all the way through high school and taught me a lot about the game. Coach McKinney was also kind enough have me back on his coaching staff after I got out of college. When he resigned after coaching at Chilhowie for 11 years, I got the job. I still use some of the same philosophies I learned from him many years ago.The second coach that has been very influential to me in my baseball career as both a player and a coach is Danny Burnett. He recruited me out of high school and I was part of his first recruiting class at King College. He remained my coach during all four of my years at KC and we still keep in contact.


(HogoOnline) Thinking back on your high school playing days at Chilhowie, what was one (or what are some) memorable high school feat(s) that you or your team accomplished?

(Coach) There would have to be two:
First, my Junior year in 1993 when we beat Castlewood and ace pitcher Denny Wagner 2-1 at Chilhowie on a suicide squeeze in the bottom of the 7th. Wagner had a 94 mph fastball and was drafted by the Oakland A’s after a good career at VT. I think he spent several seasons in the minors and made it as high as AA. He only lost two or three games in his entire high school career and that was one of them.
Second, during my senior year in 1994 we beat PH at their old field below the pool 7-6. We were up 7-5 with the bases loaded and 2-outs in the bottom of the 7th when somebody singled to me in centerfield and I threw out the runner that was on second at the plate to end the game.

(HogoOnline) What has been your best moment as a coach?

(Coach) O.K. I’m going to have to give you top 5 on this one (in no particular order):
2003 Hogoheegee District Tournament Semi-finals at JSB. We rallied to beat Lebanon 6-4. It clinched our first regional tournament appearance.
May 22, 2006 – We went into the last day of the regular season in 3rd place and needed to beat both GW and JSB on the same day at Warrior Field to tie for the Regular Season Championship and force a one-game playoff for the automatic regional berth. We beat GW 2-1 on a suicide squeeze in the bottom of the 7th and followed that up with a 9-4 win over JSB in the second game that day.
May 18, 2007 – We again needed to beat John Battle on the last day of the regular season (this time at Battle) to tie for the regular season championship and force another one-game playoff. Keith Fenner had the gutsiest performance I’ve ever seen in a 1-0 win. He overcame a bases loaded, nobody out situation in the bottom of the 7th to secure the win.
May 21, 2007 – On the following Monday at Patrick Henry we beat John Battle 6-5 on a suicide squeeze in the bottom of the 8th to win the one-game playoff and secure our second regional berth.
Finally, 2007 Region C Quarterfinal game at Chilhowie. Following a 30-minute rain delay, we rallied from a 3-1 deficit by scoring 5 runs off of ace pitcher Abram Williams in the bottom of the 6th to beat Radford 6-3.


(HogoOnline) You've put Chilhowie baseball on the map. What do you do differently than what was done 8/9 years ago?

(Coach) Chilhowie has, in my lifetime, always been known as a football and basketball school (probably in that order). When I first took the job at Chilhowie prior to the 2002 season, baseball was just something to do between basketball and football seasons. I had been involved in the Little League program at Chilhowie as an umpire since I was in high school. I knew we had some really good baseball talent coming, and to tell you the truth really good baseball talent there when I took over. But I knew if we were ever going to be able to consistently compete with the John Battles (who was coming off back to back Group A State Championships) and Lebanon’s, we would have to change the attitude toward the sport and make it mean something special to play baseball at Chilhowie. We modeled ourselves after the most successful programs in our area (VA High, John Battle, Abingdon, etc.) and set our goals high…and made our players believe we could reach them. Add some of the winners and great assistant coaches I have had over the last 7 years and it’s not hard to see why we have had so much success.


(HogoOnline) If you could play one team that you've not been able to schedule, who would it be?

(Coach) I have always believed in playing as tough a non-district schedule as possible. In the past, we have played such non-district teams as Abingdon, Sullivan East, Johnson County (TN), & Honaker. Last year we finally got into the Coppinger Tournament in Bluefield and got an opportunity to play such teams as Tazewell and Oak Hill, WV (I think they finished the season with a 32-4 record). This year we will once again play in the Coppinger and have regular season games with such teams as Grayson County and Richlands. My philosophy is that to be the best you have to play the best.


(HogoOnline) At what point did you decide you wanted to become a teacher and a coach?

(Coach) After we were eliminated from the State Basketball Tournament my Senior year, Mike Sturgill (who was my football coach and also served as our assistant basketball coach) told me to go to college and get my degree, then come back to Chilhowie and help him coach. I had never really thought much about teaching and coaching until then. While I was at King I briefly thought about going to law school, but in the end I could not bear the thought of giving up athletics and the sports that had been such a big part of my life.


(HogoOnline) You've been at Chilhowie for a while; do you see yourself retiring there?

(Coach) Put it this way…My son is 15 months old and I would like to coach him one day.



(HogoOnline) Many baseball professionals at all levels have superstitions and pregame rituals they perform prior to a game. Do you have any worth noting?

(Coach) Unfortunately I do. Sometimes they become hard to keep up with. For example, I refuse to wash my socks during a winning streak. My assistant coaches hate that one. Also, last year my son was only a few months old during baseball season. At one point in the year, we were 4-4 and he had only been to a few games due to the cold weather. He came to this particular game and I walked with him out onto the field while our players were stretching and they all rubbed his head for good luck. We won that game and ended up winning 14 of the next 15. In all those wins but one (you guessed it, the loss) we rubbed his head. Poor fellow…one Saturday morning on the way to Bluefield we stopped the bus at my house just to rub his head.


(HogoOnline) The R&R committee recently postponed consideration of a 5 division realignment. What are your thoughts on that realignment? In favor of it or no?

(Coach) I’m in favor of anything to make it more fair for the smaller schools. Our enrollment is not as small as some schools (even in the Hogo), but trying to compete in Region C is very tough…especially with all the former AA schools that have moved down over the past couple of decades. Our enrollment at CHS hovers around 400, give or take. When you look at schools like Grayson County, Floyd County, Giles, Fort Chiswell, and Glenvar all with enrollments over or near 600, it makes a difference. Large schools like VA High, Gate City, and JJ Kelly in Region D generally dominate. Go on up the road to Region A and B and the gap only widens. For example, Goochland, who won the 2006 Group A State Championship has an enrollment of nearly 800.


(HogoOnline) Besides your home-field, what other field is one of your favorites to play on? Why?

(Coach) I have always liked Patrick Henry’s new field. There’s something about the atmosphere of playing a night game with the crowd right on top of you. Lots of fun and we have had many great battles there under the lights.
Former Hogoheegee schools Lebanon and Honaker have awesome facilities. I have always enjoyed going there. Both have classy programs and coaches that really care about their fields…and it shows.

(HogoOnline) How excited are you about this season? Anything you can add about this upcoming season?

(Coach) The prospect of the challenge of a new season always excites me. This season looks to be very challenging for a number of reasons, but our kids have a great attitude and work ethic. We have a combination of experienced position players and hitters and young but talented players moving up from the JV team. We do not have the pitching depth we have had over the past several years, but hopefully we can develop pitching as the season progresses. With any luck, when its all said and done we will be able to play past the district tournament.


(HogoOnline) With Jerad Ward, one of your former players, taking over the head coaching job at George Wythe, does this add a new twist to the rivalry?

(Coach) I think the GW-Chilhowie baseball rivalry was already pretty good to start with, but this definitely adds a little more to it considering the fact that Jerad was one of my former players. Joey Russell (another CHS Alumni) did a great job with the GW baseball program during his stint as head coach and made them a consistent winner. So I think Jerad finds himself in a situation similar to the one I was in eight years ago, and that is a good situation to build something without starting from scratch.
Jerad remains to this day the best all-around baseball player that I have ever coached. I was an assistant coach at Chilhowie his Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years, but I was Jerad's head coach for his Senior year, and what a year it was. He basically rewrote the record book at Chilhowie that year and still holds some records that I think will never be broken. He brings a lot of fire and enthusiasm to the game and I look forward to facing him in the future.

Two sides of the "watered down" regionals

Robert Anderson's article today in the Roanoke Times made me think. The article, linked here: http://www.roanoke.com/sports/highschool/wb/195653 makes some good points. His argument that the playoffs have become cheapened and that the field is all watered down are pretty accurate. Robert Anderson is a very good sportswriter and actually used to write for the Bristol Herald some time ago. But I tend to disagree with some of these claims.

IS THE REGION C BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS WATERED DOWN?
Absolutely. There are four win teams in the PLAYOFFS!

But.

The whole reason it is like this is because the VHSL and much of Charlottesville doesn't understand the concept of geography and numbers. Numbers are more important for schools of less than 500 than for schools with more. Yet for years we've seen Gate City and Pound in the same district, 600 vs 200 students fighting for the same trophy. Something had to be done. Thankfully they split up basketball like they did for football. It was a good move. Our Region C isn't what it used to be. Small schools are only getting smaller. Its only fair to some of those athletes that they get a chance to fight for a championship of their own size. Clearly, problems still lie in other areas of the state where Division 1 takes on a whole new meaning. Division 1 in C & D mean roughly 350 and below while Division 1 in A & B mean about 520 and below. Not a big difference in Charlottesville. But a sizeable difference for those of us acquainted with high school sports.

Two divisions are necessary. Virginia needs more than three classifications, this is a good way to achieve that and maintain districts.

Are Championships Cheapened???
How could they be? The best teams from each division that win the state or regional championships are still the best teams out of those regions or state. They had to beat the rest of the teams to get there. Should a 4-18 Narrows make the playoffs over a 9 or 10 win divison 2 team? Maybe that part isn't fair. But 4-18 Narrows probably won't win their region and if they did, do they deserve it any less? 9 and 10 win D2 teams probably won't win the region either but if they did, then they had to earn it against the best. The regular season means more than ever, and while the district tournament may mean less, it still factors in large part to how teams will be seeded in regional play, both on my ratings system and to the ADs who actually select these teams. Arguments that regular seasons are meainingless when most every team makes the playoffs is a bad assessment too. Previously, you could have a knock out regular season and screw up once in your district tournament and your season is over. Now, if anything, every good team gets in. Also some poor teams, there is a tradeoff with every system. I much prefer every worthy team make it with a few duds than having talented teams sit at home while Cinderella prances her way to a sure disappointment.

Winning state does not mean you're the best in your classification anymore.
Why doesn't it? George Wythe was 2008's Division 2 State Champion. They didn't win Division 1. The argument that this means that you're the best team out of a fewer number of schools is an accurate assessment. Does George Wythe care? No, they were STATE champions! There were only 4 crowned! Does anyone care? No, you're one of 4 teams out of hundreds in Virginia who are crowned. Even if you cut the field in half, it is no less cheapened. You're better than all the schools "feasibly" your size (Again there are some issues with region B enrollments being huge), but that is all you're asked to do anyway. Council should not have to be the best team of every team from 700 students and fewer. Only 350 or less. You're asking a lot of smaller schools when you put them head to head with schools two or three times their size and advertise them as being in the same classification.

Loving the new system
I love the new system we've adopted. I love seeing schools in our region who don't normally play, actually play each other. Region D is so tight nit and so close to the Hogoheegee, we are more familiar with a different Region than our own. At least this way, we get some exposure up I81 to teams that we're competing against to make the playoffs each year. That part is amazing. It results in a lot of long drives, but like I said: VHSL + Geography = Purple Dinosaur.

Is there a better way?
Sure. But I don't have the answer and apparently the R&R Committee doesn't yet either. I have proposed several reclassifications to the VHSL over the years. I have an inbox full of "Thank you for your interest, your recommendations will be considered". Over the summer I will be drafting up another 5A version and sending it to Tom Dolan. He will look over it and consider it like he always says he does and he'll toss it out. But at least I tried.

Robert Anderson & Eastern Montgomery:
EM is 19-3 and shouldn't care what Mr. Anderson says about whining and trying. EM has achieved a rare feat for a school their size having to face schools in the rest of the TRD. What Robert Anderson may not understand is the concept of "rebuilding" and "reloading". Off the top of your head, rattle off perennial football programs in Region C... GO!
George Wythe, Giles, Radford, Floyd, Chilhowie, Grayson., Rural Retreat, and Bath County.

What do 3/4ths of those teams have in common?

They're BIGGER! Bigger schools don't rebuild. They reload. They have waves of talent come through every single year.

Smaller schools rebuild. They have to mix and match younger guys in there, give them a few years and build up a good team. Have a good year. And start over again. It is very rare that a small school can produce year in and year out. Bath County, Rural Retreat, and JI Burton are rare exceptions. You could argue Clintwood, but they were D2 not long ago and are on the bigger end of D1. But even they have had some stinker seasons in recent years.

In other words, EM's fantastic season this year could mean a mediocre season next year and a terrible season the next. They are not given a fair opportunity year in and year out. The Hogoheegee is very well put together. Our enrollment range is only about 150 kids. People within the Hogo whine all the time that GW is too big and should leave. In reality, PH has been bigger for years and up until this year was considerably bigger. EM has roughly 300 students while Radford, Giles, Floyd, and Glenvar have 5-600. A 300 student gap is a big deal to small schools, Robert.

Pocahontas, before it shut down, had less than 100. Grayson County has over 600. A 500 student gap is a big deal to small schools, Robert.

Highland has about 100 students, James River has close to 450. 350 students is a big gap to small schools, Robert.

Get my point?

These smaller schools deserve the right to play for their own championship. This doesn't mean that they can't occassionally compete with the big boys and in fact should compete, its fun for them and its good for the communities. The nature of high school sports is its unpredictability but the gaps have widened in both numbers and talent. 24 teams with a losing record might make the playoffs, only one team will win the state championship for each division. Losing record or not, they proved they were better when they had to be. That is what its all about. But realize, the smaller schools are becoming smaller - bigger schools are becoming bigger.

Region C Basketball Tournament Eve

Another regular season of basketball has come to an end here in the Hogoheegee, and now a few fortunate teams make their ways around the region to schools they had no idea existed. Fun! Lets go through and have a gander at each team and who they're facing. By the way, the Hogoheegee got A LOT of love in the selections. If you pass your Athletic Director in the hallway, high five them. While some teams are probably not excited about who they'll be playing first round (I'm talking to you Patrick Henry boys and girls), the Hogo had 5 boys teams and 4 girls teams make it. A total of 9, which is more than any of the other districts are sending. Go Hogo!

Alright enough of that.

GIRLS
#8 Patrick Henry (12-12) at #1 Floyd County (22-2)
The Lady Rebels have improved tremendously throughout the course of the season and couldn't have done it at a better time. Unfortunately, they play the defending Group A Division 2 state champ who is led by one of the best players in all of Virginia in Brittany Avancini. Should they pull off the upset of the century over the Buffs, they will have to take on Auburn or George Wythe. The Buffs aren't invincible and in fact lost in their tournament final against Radford.

Common Opponents: none

#7 Chilhowie (16-7) at #2 Fort Chiswell (19-4)
After graduating nine seniors from last season's final four team, the Warriors may be surprised to find themselves at 16-7. Their record isn't much different than that of #2 Fort Chiswell, but the wins and losses certainly were. Krystal Patton and Heather Hash have their work cut out for them if they want to lead the Warriors to another state appearance. Fortunately for them, just like last year, they won't have to worry about Floyd County until the finals if each team survives that far.

Common opponents:
NORTHWOOD
Fort Chiswell 81-54 W
Fort Chiswell 62-50 W
Chilhowie 45-50 L
Chilhowie 35-39 L

GEORGE WYTHE
Fort Chiswell 51-58 L
Fort Chiswell 78-72 W
Chilhowie 37-50 L
Chilhowie 52-50 W
Chilhowie 31-55 L

RURAL RETREAT
Fort Chiswell 72-40 W
Fort Chiswell 76-45 W
Chilhowie 51-42 W
Chilhowie 38-28 W

PATRICK HENRY
Fort Chiswell 68-34 W
Fort Chiswell 60-45 W
Chilhowie 40-39 W
Chilhowie 48-30 W

BLAND
Fort Chiswell 77-79 L
Fort Chiswell 76-65 W
Chilhowie 56-43 W

GALAX
Fort Chiswell 60-40 W
Fort Chiswell 58-35 W
Fort Chiswell 82-45 W
Chilhowie 59-31 W

GRAYSON Co
Fort Chiswell 82-48 W
Fort Chiswell 59-35 W
Chilhowie 41-22 W
Chilhowie 37-27 W

#5 Auburn (16-6) at #4 George Wythe (14-10)
George Wythe reclaimed the tournament title with their second convincing win over Northwood. These two teams met twice within the regular season and split the results. Auburn and GW are very similar and should make for a good matchup in The Dungeon. The bad news is that GW is in the same bracket as Floyd County, instead of a much preferred Radford, a team that they lost to twice but are at least familiar with.

Common Opponents:
Each Other
Auburn 53-50 W
GW 61-54 W

RADFORD
Auburn 53-49 W
Auburn 46-56 L
Auburn 43-55 L
GW 52-78 L
GW 67-68 L

FORT CHISWELL
Auburn 65-63 W
GW 58-51 W
GW 72-78 L

CHRISTIANSBURG
Auburn 42-36 W
Auburn 40-39 W
GW 53-51 W

#8 Craig County (5-17) at #1 Northwood (17-7)
Northwood shouldn't have any problems in their first round match against Craig County. Tami Gillespie's bunch have their eyes on a consecutive Region C Championship, but things get a little tougher after Craig County. Northwood would then have to take on the likes of Narrows or Bath County, not great teams but certainly teams with upset potential. Should Northwood take it one game at a time, they may have the opportunity to avenge their two regular season losses to Bland County.

Common Opponents:

GALAX
Craig County 27-61 L
Craig County 27-74 L
Northwood 47-38 W

BOYS
(#) = HogoOnline Ranking
#8 (10) Patrick Henry (12-12) at #1 (1) Radford (22-3)
The Rebels really have their work cut out for them. Radford exploited their athleticism and very top-notch shooting in their previous meeting with PH in a 81-39 whacking at the Wythe County Christmas Tournament. While the Rebels have shown signs of light throughout the season, its hard to imagine they have improved 42 points. However, anything is possible in basketball and regional appearances have been few and far between for PH, so make the most of it.

Common Opponents:
Each Other
Radford 81-39 W

GEORGE WYTHE
PH 76-93 L
PH 48-58 L
Radford 89-42 W

#7 (16) Northwood (8-15) at #2 (4) Eastern Montgomery (19-3)
Some would argue that East Mont is the second best team in the region among either division. While that may never be proven one way or the other, its safe to say no one is excited about playing them. Northwood enters the tournament as a seven seed but has beaten the number five and six seeds throughout the season. It is certainly going to be an uphill climb for the Panthers.

Common Opponents:
BLAND
EM 66-37 W
EM 89-62 W
NW 58-68 L
NW 60-47 W

#5 (17) Holston (8-12) at #4 (14) Bath County (10-12)
The Cavs have fallen off the radar in the last couple of weeks suffering losses to PH, GW, Chilhowie, and being knocked out of the tournament early by NW. The Cavaliers have a solid chance at advancing to the next round by playing Bath County in the first round; however, the drive to Hot Springs is a long and grueling one. If the Cavs play like the have in certain parts of the season, a win over Bath County is more than just a possibility.

Common Opponents:
None

#5 (9) Chilhowie (11-12) at #4 (7) Grayson County (15-8)
This is a third rematch of the two regular season games held between these two teams which were split one win apiece. Chilhowie's season opener against Grayson County was a dud but the Warriors kicked it up a notch a few weeks later and toppled the Blue Devils in the Hot Box. Chilhowie has shown signs of a very good team and a very bad team this year. Depending on which one shows up will be the deciding factor of this game. Neither will surprise Grayson, they've seen both. Winner of this game takes on Radford/PH winner.

Common Opponents:
Each Other
Grayson 71-55 W
Chilhowie 56-46 W

FORT CHISWELL
Grayson 88-91 L
Grayson 68-86 L
Grayson 83-89 L
Chilhowie 68-70 L

GALAX
Grayson 59-66 L
Grayson 74-67 W
Chilhowie 48-56 L

NORTHWOOD
Grayson 78-69 W
Grayson 71-54 W
Chilhowie 49-48 W
Chilhowie 66-53 W

#6 (6) Giles (12-12) at #3 (3) George Wythe (18-5)
These two teams had some interesting meetings earlier in the year, both very close, each with a different result. George Wythe reigned dominant in the Hogoheegee while Giles had to fight with the likes of Auburn, East Mont, and of course Radford in the Three Rivers. Giles may be more battle tested at this point but the Maroons have stepped up their defensive game ten-fold. This may be one of the most interesting first round games in the region.

Common Opponents:
Each Other
George Wythe 84-82 W
Giles 74-68 W

FLOYD COUNTY
GW 81-65 W
Giles 71-60 W
Giles 62-64 L
Giles 76-59 W

RADFORD
GW 42-89 L
Giles 56-92 L
Giles 64-89 L

Huddle up, more about the all-time coaches endeavor

Thanks to those who emailed in suggestions for coaches to be placed on the all-time Hogo coaching countdown. This is now a very reachable possibility but first thing is first. We need to ascend the list.

For any coach (former or current), principal, assistant principal, or athletic director who would like to have a hand in ordering the list, please email me. (hogo_sportz@yahoo.com or hogosportz@hogoheegee.com). I'm limiting the "council" to these authorities because this list will be the real deal and is not a matter of public opinion, but the opinions of those involved in high school sports at ground level and likely know some of the individuals on the list personally. Coaching is not just about X's and O's or W's and L's, but how you carry yourself and earn the respect of your players - school authorities better recognize this.

Now, what I need is some school cooperation and some Tim Hayes cooperation (c'mon Timmy). In order for this to be done right, I need career stats on all these coaches. If anyone thinks they can help out with that (Tim!), again, please email me (hogo_sportz@yahoo.com or hogosportz@hogoheegee.com) and I will tell you who I need. I also need pictures (doesn't have to be current) of them as well (Tim!) and can be scanned from yearbooks. You all have them, no excuses from any of you.

I thought you said something about a video documentary, didn't you?
Darn right I did! And that too will happen (hopefully) with the cooperation of several SEVERAL individuals. Trust me, you want this to happen. And no matter who you are, you can help. If you want a hand in making this possible please email me, I have stuff you can do.

I realize it seems like I'm asking a lot but the site itself is no easy task for one guy and this task is much more intense and requires some collaboration.

If you help out, the end-credits on the documentary will read:

Written, Scripted, & Directed by HogoOnline

Being awesome, Tim Hayes

Also Awesome, ==your name here==

Alright team, we can do this. Lets get a "Pride!" on 3 and go make a documentary!

A Decade of High School Sports

It was about ten years ago. A good time for high school sports. I was about to finish up middle school and enjoy the summer just before high school football. I even remember the top ten videos on TRL which consisted of Aerosmith's "Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" and some lame Will Smith video about his kid. I remember hot summers of football camp and weight rooms, stuff I never took as seriously as I wish I had. Ten years ago was then. Now, I find myself trying to be as involved in high school sports as I possibly can. I didn't seek a high school teaching career or a coaching career, aspects of which I might one day regret, but for now all I have to contribute is this website.

What about those last ten years of high school sports beckoned me to devote so much time and energy to the website? To me, back then, while not so long ago, was different.

As a scared freshman claiming his football locker, his "home base" from the trenches of the practice field, the scorn of angry coaches, and the mockery of massive upperclassmen, I remember thinking... "..so this is it."

Lets take a step back first.

Prior to high school or even middle school, I cared much more about video games and even major league sports more so than high school sports. Although my older sister was in the band and my Dad would drag me out to football games as a kid, I don't remember anything about them other than playing touch football elsewhere in the stadium. As I got older, that somehow transformed into macking on girls behind or on the bleachers as a middle schooler. But every glance toward the field or toward the court made me wish I were out there. Everyone in the community looks up to and praises high school athletes in small town, Virginia. Who wouldn't want to be those guys?

In my freshman football locker, I remember thinking, "So this is it? This is what its like to be one of the big boys?" At the time, I guess finally getting there made it seem like less of a deal. But that would soon change. Rigorous practices, hot sun, water breaks with not so tastey-warm water, and dusty mouthpieces was enough to re-convince me that high school football is an honor. High school sports are an honor. And I remember thinking of those upperclassmen and how ginormous and unforgiving they were, that to this day when I see high school football players, I think back and say, "Nah, they were definitely bigger in my day."

Maybe we all do that? There is really no way of comparing but I think every player will think back on his successes of high school sports and truly believe his playing days were the best playing days. And maybe they're right.

Thinking back on the last ten years that I've been a player and observer of high school sports, I can't help but remember the big stories over the years. I remember seeing Brad Nuckles at the Virginia High Tip Off Classic. I remember watching him play and mull up and down the court like a bewildered neanderthal. I actually mumbled to myself, "This is Brad Nuckles? He might be the most awkward human being I've ever seen, and not to mention slow" but before I finished that thought, he took a step into the lane and teammate Benji Jackson dished a behind the back pass to Nuckles who slammed it effortlessly over two defenders with such ferocity it jolted the nearly sellout audience. Sorry Brad, the rumors were true. I meant no disrespect.

Plus, when was the last time you've seen nearly all the seats of the Bearcat Den with butts in them? Ten years ago?

I remember seeing Heath Miller play quarterback. Quite possibly the most broad man I've seen line up behind center in all of my days. Heath Miller didn't become an adolescent at 13, he went straight to man.

I remember hearing of schools like Whitewood and Garden. I remember seeing Johnny Wood and PJ Brown talk about Whitewood and Garden on the news and showing me feeds from their gyms and shots of their crowds and fans; only for those schools to be consolidated shortly thereafter into what we now know as Twin Valley.

I remember Radford had a tandem of brothers named Nichols who dominated the Three Rivers and most of the Region C with what seemed to be minimal effort.

I remember John Battle making it to the state finals in boys basketball.

I remember Chilhowie's older bleachers. The scary ones that ate small children and creaked loudly over the passing train.

I remember when Rural Retreat didn't have a Shillig.

I remember athletes with memorable names like Lance Goff, Matt Williams, Jesse "Smoke" Blevins, Jimmy Gobble, Jason Matlock, Bo Buchanan, Tommy Bishop, Todd Morris, Timmy King, and Grizzly Parks (plus plenty others).

I remember after 30 years of being an AA powerhouse, Gate City dropped down to single A to wreck the hopes and dreams of every little school within the LPD and the state of Virginia for that matter.

I remember when Northwood had a quarterback.

The days back then were good. Not to say the ones now are bad. In fact, they may very well be better. The Hogoheegee is still bringing home regional championships, state championships, producing collegiate athletes, reaching career milestones, and now it even has its own website. But in a way, the ever evolving Hogoheegee was much different 10 years ago. And if you're a freshman or a senior now in high school, in six-to-ten years, you'll probably say the same thing. "Ten years ago, the players were bigger, the games were bigger, the schools were bigger." That's because to you, it was, and always will be.

Boys Pre-Tournament Assessment

You woke up this morning and you said, "Wha..who..what time is it?" and a little voice in your head said, "DISTRICT TOURNAMENT TIME BABY!" and that little voice was me running rampant through your house. Now that you're slightly creeped out, lets move on to some very unnecessary hype into the district tournament. Shall we?

Bottom of the bracket..

RURAL RETREAT (3-15, 2-8)

GOOD: Winning over Holston. Also, keeping their games close. It really shows the resiliency of the team to not give up despite their record.
BAD: Losing close games. They had it in them to win almost every game they played the season, but only came out with three. "We're better than last year!" is not a good enough excuse, you're better than this year too.
COULD: Heck, win the tournament. GW might not like the idea, but the Indians already beat the #2 team in the tournament, why not the #1?
SHOULD: Any hopes of a region C appearance is ditched unless they seriously win this tournament. They should focus on PH (whom they took to the wire in their last meeting) and then beat Chilhowie again. The rule is very similar to others you have heard throughout your life, take baseball for instance, "If you get a glove on it, you should catch it!" and "If you beat them once, well you should beat them twice."

PATRICK HENRY (11-11, 6-4)

GOOD: Closing out the season with three straight wins. I love it when teams play non-district games late in the year, especially before the tournament. Its a good way to get the last few kinks out and instill some confidence prior to the postseason.
BAD: Not much is bad, the Rebels are playing really good basketball right now. Maybe even one of the hottest teams in the district, except for the champs, who the Rebels had in their sights despite a 58-48 defeat.
COULD: Win the tournament. They have beaten RR twice (including ousting them at home on January 9) and have played the Warriors to the wire both times. A few good wins in this thing, and PH can grip a 7 or 8 seed in the regionals.
SHOULD: With two of the better athletes in the district on the court at any given time for the Rebels, PH should be able to handle RR and Chilhowie. PH may be the only team with what it takes to challenge GW at this point..

CHILHOWIE (10-11, 6-4)

GOOD: Winning two very important late season games over RR and Holston after losing to both teams previously
BAD: Losing to those teams previously.
COULD: Sigh.. win the tournament. They've already beaten PH twice and played well in their recent game with RR. Yet another district tournament championship between GW and Chilhowie could be on tap.
SHOULD: Be weary of PH and RR. An early exit from this tournament could mean no consideration for the regionals. D2 is pretty stout this year.


Top of the bracket...

NORTHWOOD (7-14, 2-8)

GOOD: Finally ending that gross eleven game losing streak and capping off the season by winning three of their last four. The three wins did wonders on their confidence too, ask Joey Russell about the Maroons' halftime against the Panthers on Feb 11.
BAD: Having an eleven game losing streak to start with. It is sometimes almost better to just lose than to lose as close as these kids have. Losing a lot of close games can destroy confidence in a teenage athlete faster than him forgetting to wear deodorant on a hot date.
COULD: Knock off Holston in the first round and score some brownie points with AD's across the land. In a perfect world, AD's would use HogoOnline's rankings to decide where to place teams in the regionals.. Oh, and like everyone else, NW could win the district tournament.
SHOULD: Knock off Holston in the first round and score some brownie points with AD's across the land.

HOLSTON (8-11, 4-6)

GOOD: Uh, well. You didn't finish last!
BAD: And.. you also didn't finish the season very well..at all. Losing six of the last eight is no way to end a season when you have a legit shot at making some noise in regionals. Tisk tisk.
COULD: Get it all together, beat NW and jump some spots in the regional seeding. Need I say it? Holston could win the tournament. Catching the theme here?
SHOULD: Watch film of their last three games and make notes of how not to play their next three.

GEORGE WYTHE (16-5, 10-0)

GOOD: It's all good in Wythetown once basketball season wraps up. The second week of Februrary in quaint little Wytheville means boys basketball players from neighborhoods far and wide get to bask in the glory of another district championship. Yes, district champs yet again.
BAD: Its hard to say many bad things about the Maroons, but their is definitely concern with how the offense and defense will matchup should the Maroons have a rematch with Radford.
COULD: Win the district tournament and get a #2 or #3 seed in the regionals.
SHOULD: Not worry about a rematch with Radford. It may not happen. Auburn, Giles, James River, and even PH or Chilhowie will have a lot of say over whether or not that his remotely possible.