Eastern Region track and field meet predictions

The Eastern Region track meet begins on Friday and end on Saturday.

Each year I try to make predictions. I stress the word try.

Here's who I think will win in each event.

Event – Winner (school) projected performance

Girls high jump – Chenera Lacey (Cox) 5-6

Boys high jump – Avion Jones (First Colonial) 6-7

Girls pole vault – Jacqueline Meeks (First Colonial) 10-0

Boys pole vault – Derek O’Connell (Ocean Lakes) 15-0

Girls long jump – Leah Lott (Landstown) 18-1

Boys long jump – Anaquan Peterson (Lakeland) 22-10 ½

Girls triple jump – Tiffany Elllick (Western Branch) 38-1

Boys triple jump – Anaquan Peterson (Lakeland) 47-4

Girls discus – Kiara Howell (Grassfield) 146-5

Boys discus – Taylor Frenia (Kempsville) 173-3

Girls shot put – Kiara Howell (Grassfield) 50-0 ¼

Boys shot put – Taylor Frenia (Kempsville) 59-3

Girls 3,200 relay – Kellam 9:48.20

Boys 3,200 relay – Churchland 8:03.40

Girls 100 hurdles – Tiffany Ellick (Western Branch) 14.3

Boys 110 hurdles – Trey Holloway (Grassfield) 14.02

Girls 100 – Carolyn Brown (Phoebus) 12.04

Boys 100 – Justin Burke (First Colonial) 10.73

Girls 400 – Kieaira Middleton (Nansemond River) 57.40

Boys 400 – Kenneth Williams (Wilson) 48.20

Girls 300 hurdles – Summer Walter (Bayside) 44.23

Boys 300 hurdles – Devon Booker (Churchland) 38.45

Girls 200 – Jessica Ewing (Tallwood) 24.54

Boys 200 – Justin Burke (First Colonial) 21.58

Girls 1600 – Nicole Park (Ocean Lakes) 5:09.34

Boys 1600 – Matthew Schwartzer (Princess Anne) 4:14.90

Girls 400 relay – Western Branch 47.80

Boys 400 relay – Western Branch 42.34

Girls 800 – Shannon Morton (Indian River) 2:14.23

Boys 800 – Marquis Worsley (Norview) 1:55.35

Girls 3200 – Nicole Park (Ocean Lakes) 10:53.21

Boys 3200 – Sean Helmke (Kellam) 9:35.89

Girls 1600 relay – Bethel 3:53.33

Boys 1600 relay – Oscar Smith 3:20.13  

Track: Look at Oscar Smith's Cherry, Olympian Merritt

Oscar Smith sprinter Michael Cherry got a chance to hang out with Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt last fall.

Cherry won tickets to the Old Dominion-Norfolk State football game and go to attend the game with Merritt.

“I guess he really didn’t know who I was but I knew who he was,” Cherry said. “After indoor season we started talking. I text him and I tell him how I doing. I saw him at Penn Relays. We hook up sometimes.”

Cherry said he looks up to Merritt, who starred at Wilson High School and won the 100, 200 and 400 at the 2004 Group AAA state meet.

“I think he’s one of the coolest guys,” Cherry said. “He autographed a jacket for me. I was going to wear out here (Southeastern District meet) but I left it in my closet.

“He tells me a couple of tips like practice hard, study hard and don’t do anything that’s stupid off track.”

Real Deal track coach Walt Green has coached both athletes. He said the biggest difference between Cherry and Merritt is Merritt had more leg turnover.

But Green beieves Cherry has a chance to be “one of the greats.”

“Yes he can with more hard work,” he said. “It’s a matter of how high wants to take it. I think can break 46 next year. It may not happen until his senior year but he can do it.”

You can read more about Cherry in The Virginian-Pilot on Friday.

More on Merritt

Speaking of Merritt, he’s been busy on an off the track this month.

On the track, Merritt posted the No. 1 and No. 3 fastest times in the world in the 400 meters.

He ran 44.73 seconds in Baie Mahault in Guadeloupe on May 1.

He followed that up with a world-best 44.17 in Doha, the capital city of the state of Qatar.

He prepares for the U.S. Trials which begin June 21.

Off the track, Merritt joined First Lady Michelle Obama in Dallas on May 14 to announce a nationwide commitment to get more than 1.7 million American children active as part of her Let’s Move! initiative to solve the problem of childhood obesity.

 

Ocean Lakes Football Camp

The Ocean Lakes Gridiron Camp is June 25-29.

The camp will run from 8:30-12:00, Monday-Friday, June 25th-29th and the preregistration cost is $90.

This is a non-contact camp which will provide an exciting environment where the campers will learn the fundamentals of football.

For more information contact Dolphins coach Chris Scott at 757-615-3571 or olfootballcoach@gmail.com.

Louisville, Ohio State come on late for Finney-Smith

Former Norcom basketball star Dorian Finney-Smith thought he had his list finalized.

Then Louisville and Ohio State came calling.

Now Finney-Smith has his "final" list with Florida, Texas, Louisville, Marquette, Iowa State and Ohio State.

Finney-Smith announced earlier this month that he planned to transfer from Virginia Tech. He was the Hokies' highest-ranked recruit in almost 30 years.

He averaged 6.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in his only season in Blacksburg. He also had 24 steals and 23 blocks.

A call from Louisville caught him and his mother, Desiree, by surprise.

"They came on late," Desiree said. "But I liked talking to coach (Rick) Pitino and look forward to talking to him again."

Finney-Smith, a 6-foot-9 forward, said there are several factors he's weighing before making a final decision.

"I have to see how I feel," he said. "I want to see what kind of feeling I get when I get on campus from the teammates to the coaching staff, and the people on campus.

"I hope to make a decision by late next month."

 

Ex-Landstown sprinter Wesh going to Olympics

Former Landstown standout Marlena Wesh is having quite a year at Clemson.

The junior won the 400 meters and placed second in the 200 meters to help the Tigers win the ACC Outdoor championships last month. Wesh also won Most Valuable Track Performer of the meet.

Her winning time in the 400 of 51.43 seconds was a meet record. It currently ranks third in college, ninth in the United States and 17th in the world.

Wesh hopes to challenge for a title in the 400 at the NCAA championships next month and hopefully lead the Tigers to a team title.

But it won’t stop there for Wesh.

Her former high school coach, Thomas Anderson, said Wesh also will run in the London Olympics this summer as a member of the Haitian Olympic team.

Read more about Wesh at

http://www.orangeandwhite.com/news/2012/may/06/spot-haitian-olympic-team-her-future-marlena-wesh  

 

Other area athletes also star at ACC meet

Wesh wasn’t the only athlete to have a good performance at the ACC championships.

Her brother, Darrell, finished third in the 100 and sixth in the 200 to help lead Virginia Tech to the team title.

Teammates Keith Ricks (King’s Fork) and Jeff Artis-Gray (Western Branch) also contributed.

Ricks finished third in the 200 and fourth in the 100. Artis-Gray was sixth in the 110 hurdles.

Wesh, Ricks and Artis-Gray also helped the Hokies finish second in the 400 relay.  

 

Area coaches talk about ODU move to C-USA

I ran into former Ocean Lakes football standout Shamarko Thomas on Wednesday at the Beach District track meet.

Thomas was an All-Tidewater defensive back who now stars at Syracuse University. He is expected to hear his name called next spring at the 2013 NFL Draft.

As we talked I asked him if he heard about the big news concerning Old Dominion University leaving the Colonial Athletic Association to join Conference USA.

“That’s definitely big because now they get to play teams like ECU and better competition,” he said. “You’ll now get a chance to see them on TV. I think it is a big thing now.

“If that happened when I was here, I would have been more interested in ODU.”

Now that ODU is moving up the Monarchs must keep talented players like Thomas from leaving if they’re going to compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Just think of the names of past players who got away like Thomas, Ocean Lakes wide receiver Justin Hunter (Tennessee), Bayside quarterback E.J. Manuel (Florida State), Oscar Smith quarterback Phillip Sims (transferred from Alabama to Virginia), Oscar Smith lineman Evan Hailes (Penn State) and Kempsville linebacker Travis Hughes (North Carolina) to name a few.

I decided to ask area football and basketball coaches their thoughts about the move.

Here’s what they had to say:

Norfolk Christian boys basketball coach Michael Allen:

“I’m looking at it from a basketball standpoint and I think it’s a good thing especially with VCU leaving. They are pumping up their level of play and their perception. And I could really see ODU making some noise on the recruiting trail and getting some kids like a Dorian Finney-Smith who normally wouldn’t give them a look because they want to go to a higher major program but now they’re going to be at a high major level. I think bumping up to a BCS conference will give some kids an incentive to stay home and give Old Dominion a harder a look instead of going out of the area. I’m excited to see what happens and how this thing plays out.”

Maury boys basketball coach Jack Baker

“I think it’s going to help in football because they are going up a step to play with the big boys. And the travel part of it of getting to see larger part of the country may be enticing to some of the local players. I think it could help in the football part. As a basketball coach it doesn’t excite me. I think it will be hard for people to get excited about playing (teams from Texas). I think (local basketball players) are more likely to say I’m going to VCU because they play in the Atlantic 10. It’s just a better basketball conference. So I don’t think it’s going to help ODU so much in basketball, in fact it might hurt them. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Lake Taylor football coach Hank Sawyer

“A lot of kids in this area want to play Division-I and in bigger conferences, so this will definitely help ODU in recruiting. They will have more appeal to the blue-chip players and they will give them more consideration especially when so many from our area are transferring back to get closer to home.”

Nansemond River boys basketball coach Ed Young

“I don’t believe it helps any more than before area-wise in recruiting. It helps in the areas they will play in as kids in those areas will hear more about ODU. Personally, I don’t like the move. It was a football decision. The Atlantic 10 would have been better hoops wise. I’d rather they stayed in the CAA.”

Great Bridge football coach Pete Gale

“It could open up more opportunities for kids around here because now they won’t have to go away. It’s going to be nice to have a Division I-A school in our backyard. The kids who are going to go to Virginia Tech or UVA are still going to go there. But now they’re going to get those other kids.”

Ocean Lakes football coach Chris Scott

“It’s going to turn Hampton Roads into a college town which is pretty neat and exciting. I think it helps in recruiting because now you can tell them that they can stay here and play the best football in the country right here at home. It’s not far from home and you can still go home to eat brownies and do laundry. I say that jokingly but obviously that’s the pros of this.

First Colonial football coach Sam Scarborough

“One of my guys who is getting serious consideration from Connecticut likes the chances of being recruited (by ODU) now that they have moved up. Overall the kids I’ve spoken with like the move. They also like the big name teams that will be coming to town.”

Cape Henry boys basketball Mark Hall

“I kind of thought ODU should have stayed where they were because there’s camaraderie and rivalries with the in-state school like James Madison and William and Mary. It could be a double-edged sword. It’s a thing where everyone says, ‘We’re in a bigger conference now,’ and now we can get the big-time recruits but you have to look at Conference USA as a whole. It’s not the same conference that it used to be. This move was definitely football driven.’

Churchland football coach Alonzo Ricks

“It’s a great move for recruiting purposes. You can stay close to home and play big time Division I-A football.”

Oscar Smith boys basketball coach LaVar Griffin

“I think more student-athletes will go there because they are in a higher conference and have a better chance to make it to the NCAA tournament in basketball and bowl games in football. Also the teams they will be playing against are much better.”

King’s Fork boys basketball coach Josh Worrell

“I don’t know if it will help local recruiting. Probably will help them recruit outside our area better since they will be traveling to different areas."

Granby boys basketball coach Mike Donovan

“I believe it will help a great deal because of the greater TV exposure and because Conference USA is a larger bid to the NCAA Tournament.”

Landstown boys basketball caoch Dwight Robinson

“Recruiting will increase and give football players another Division I-A option in the state. But as far as basketball it will help them broaden their recruiting base here.”

Green Run boys basketball coach Kenneth Harris

“They will have to be more selective in players they recruit. But their staff is very detailed in how they go about recruiting. So they should be fine. They will certainly have to adjust the type of players they go after and level . . . We have great athletes in this area.”

Great Bridge boys basketball coach Gary Obenour

“Obviously it was a football-driven decision. ODU basketball wins that is the main attraction, recruiting kids who want success locally should be easier. Kids love exposure.”

Lake Taylor boys basketball coach Kenny Brown

“Especially with the departure of VCU it will help ODU tremendously. Our local stars will start to stay home. This is very big for area college basketball and football. I commend ODU athletics for their decision. Look across the nation. The bigger name schools are doing the same thing. Why not mid-majors?”

Salem boys basketball coach Justin Parrish

“I think it will help with the fact that they will travel to more places and they will play on TV more nationally.”

Booker T. Washington boys basketball coach Darren Sanderlin

“All athletes desire to play on the highest level . . . This gives ODU a chance to recruit high profile athletes because they know they will be competing against some of the best in the country.”

Indian River football coach Cadillac Harris

“If ODU continues to perform at the level they have been, they will become bowl eligible and will have access to blue-chip players up and down the East Coast and beyond.”

King’s Fork football coach Joe Jones

“I think it will help them in recruiting the Division I athletes that may not have considered if they were a D-I prospect. I think Virginia Tech and Virginia will still get their guys.”

Churchland boys basketball coach Pat Dulin

“Conference USA definitely makes ODU more attractive to kids outside the 757. ODU is always going to keep local talent. By joining Conference USA it will make ODU a bigger down the East Coast and all the way to Texas. It will be very interesting to sit back and watch the whole process unfold."

Indian River boys basketball coach Chavez Mabry

“Well this is considered a more competitive conference when it comes to money and getting top recruits but I’m not sold. CAA teams have competed and showed better in the NCAA tournament. I think it hurts big ticket games such as JMU and VCU. Recruits loved playing teams closer to their demographics. I’m going to support ODU but not happy with the change but football rules.”

Deep Creek boys basketball coach Leroy Ricks

“Being an ODU alum I am very excited to see them make the move to Conference USA. This will put the ODU brand on a much bigger stage. Therefore it will expand their recruiting base further across the country. This will create a greater level of familiarity with our school and all that it has to offer.”

Kellam boys basketball coach Norman Hassell

“I think it’s a great football move for ODU but I’m not real sure if it will have the same affect for basketball. With Memphis and SMU both going to the Big East that takes the two best teams away. Plus away games will now be further away. Maybe staying in a watered down CAA will get them in the NCAA tournament on a yearly basis. Seems shaky at best in my opinion. But I don’t have information on what it means to them financially. Of course that changes recruiting in our area will have local players playing a little further away from home for away games. Not sure it will have a drastic affect in any other way.

Norcom football coach Larry Archie

“It may be some growing pains initially . . . but I think it’s a plus. I wish them nothing but the best. This is an area that sells itself. They have a great campus and a great location. Now the enrollment is going to grow because now you have TV time where you’re going to be on TV not only locally but people across the country will be able to see what you have to offer.”

 

Cutler first of many D-I players for Dolphins

Ocean Lakes quarterback Corwin “Turtle” Cutler has committed to Virginia.

"I feel relieved to have this off my chest," he said. "Now I can be loose for the season. I think I’m going to go into the season feeling great.”

Ocean Lakes coach Chris Scott said he’s happy for his quarterback.

“It’s a chance to stay close to home," he said. "Now he knows where he’s going so he can get himself ready to be the best football player he can be and do what he needs to do for this upcoming year and the best quarterback at the University of Virginia.”

Shortly after making this decision Cutler’s father, Carson, had an interesting phone conversation with Temuchin Hodges, whose is the father of Salem star quarterback Bucky Hodges.

They talked about the big game next season when Ocean Lakes, led by a future Virginia quarterback, faces Salem, led by a future Virginia Tech quarterback.

“It’s going to be packed for that one,” Carson Cutler said. “But it feels really good to see him going to Virginia. A lot of hard work and a lot of dedication went into this. We're excited about the opportunity."

Cutler is the first of what may be a long list of Division I players for Ocean Lakes.

The Dolphins’ top prospect may be Demetri McGill, a 6-foot-2, 290-pound defensive tackle.

“He can dunk a basketball,” Scott said.

He’s getting interest from East Carolina, Old Dominion, James Madison, Ohio, Cincinnati, South Florida and Wake Forest.

The Dolphins also have others in linebacker Mike Dunston, wide receiver Andre Dessenburg and defensive back Myke Knox.

"(Cutler) is the first of what I think is going to be many more,” Scott said. “When it’s all said and done this year we’re probably going to have seven to eight guys signing.”  

 

Ex-Cox pitcher Mattes earns Big South honor

Former Cox right-handed pitcher Ryan Mattes was named Big South Pitcher of the Week.

Mattes set a single-season record for saves with three last week in a series sweep of Radford.

He now has nine saves for the season.

In the first game, he allowed one hit while striking out three batters.

On Saturday, he entered the game with two on and one out in the ninth inning and recorded the final two outs to preserve a 6-4 win. 

In game two, Mattes was called upon in the ninth inning again with one out and the bases loaded.  He got a chopper back to the mound which he fielded and tossed home for the forceout, then struck out the next batter to save Campbell's 1-0 victory.

Mattes' line last week:  3 appearances with 0.00 ERA, 1 hit, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.

Here are some other stories about Mattes.

http://www.gocamels.com/sports/bsb/2011-12/releases/20120515myfb2b

http://www.gocamels.com/sports/bsb/2011-12/releases/20120512p2c4w0

http://www.gocamels.com/sports/bsb/2011-12/releases/20120514my3jqj

 

 

Former Ocean Lakes QB Thourogood leaving Vandy

Former Ocean Lakes star football player Lafonte Thourogood is leaving Vanderbilt.

Thourogood, who was expected to see time at running back for the Commodores this season, has decided to return to home to deal with some family issues.

Ocean Lakes coach Chris Scott said where Thourogood will end up is still being discussed.

Read more in The Virginian-Pilot on Wednesday.  

Ex-Norcom hoops star Finney-Smith narrows list to 7

Former Norcom basketball star Finney-Smith has heard from more than 20 schools since he announced that he was leaving Virginia Tech last week.

The 6-foot-9 forward has narrowed his list to seven: Iowa State, Florida, Marquette, Texas, Georgetown, Alabama and Villanova.

He hopes to make a decision by next month.

Finney-Smith, a 6-foot-9 forward, was one of the nation's top prospects in the Class of 2011. He led Norcom to back-to-back Group AAA, Eastern Region and Eastern District titles, and was a two-time Group AAA, All-Tidewater, Eastern Region and Eastern District Player of the Year.

He chose the Hokies over Florida and Old Dominion, and was Tech's highest-ranked recruit in almost 30 years. But he was unhappy at Virginia Tech, which prompted the transfer.

Last season, Finney-Smith averaged 6.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 29 minutes in his only season in Blacksburg. He also had 24 steals and 23 blocks.

Read more about Finney-Smith in The Virginian-Pilot on Wednesday.