High Five: Grizzlies soccer players sign

Five Grassfield girls soccer players signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.

Caroline Casey (William and Mary), Sydnie Bligh (VMI), Haylea Witz (Longwood), Kelsey Wentworth (Frostburg State) and Courtney Kos (Salisbury State) all are headed to play on the next level.

For a complete list of non-football signings, click here.

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Football: VHSCA all-state teams

Here's a look at the Virginia High School Coaches Association all-state football teams. These players were selected by coaches; the Associated Press all-state team, voted upon by state media members, has not been released yet.

VHSCA ALL-STATE FOOTBALL

FIRST TEAM

Offense

Player of the Year - Jaylian "J.J." Williamson, Oscar Smith.

Center - Travis Pagans, Franklin County.

Guards - Rakheemis Jackson, Phoebus; Kevin Jennings, Hermitage.

Tackles - Cody Smith, South County; Oliver Wright, Hermitage.

Tight end - Melvin Vaughn, Oscar Smith.

Wide receivers - Zack Jones, Oscar Smith; Anthony Cooper, Bayside; Tyrus White, Brooke Point.

Running backs - J.C. Coleman, Oscar Smith; Jahkee Johnson, L.C. Bird; Derrick Green, Hermitage; Manny Smith, Centreville.

Quarterback - Jaylian "J.J." Williamson, Oscar Smith.

Kick returner - Kendall Anderson, Westfield.

Kicker - Chris Boteler, Osbourn.

Defense

Co-Players of the Year - Ken Ekanem, Centreville; Justin Lyles, Phoebus.

Defensive ends - Ken Keanem, Centreville; Jonathan Allen, Stone Bridge; Raynard Revels, Hermitage.

Defense tackles - Donte Wilkins, Potomac; Tyrell Chavis, Varina; Dallas Cogdell, Hampton; Mike Witcher, Hermitage.

Linebackers - E.J. Levenberry, C.D. Hylton; Salvador Acosta, Hermitage; Devin Van Dyke, South County; Justin Lyles, Phoebus; Deon Clark, L.C. Bird.

Defensive backs - Jeff Woods, Oscar Smith; Connor Coward, Centreville; Andrew Rector, South County; Trey Reed, Colonial Forge.

Punter - Mark Schedler, Chantilly.

Punt returner - Kendall Anderson, Westfield.

Division 6 Coach of the Year - Richard Morgan, Oscar Smith.

Division 5 Coach of the Year - Stan Sexton, Phoebus.

SECOND TEAM

Offense

Center - Tres Humphreys, Thomas Dale.

Guards - Donte Wilkins, Potomac; Jack Howerton, Langley.

Tackles - Shaun Greer, Franklin County; Brandon Dukeman, Battlefield.

Tight end - Omar Howard, Midlothian.

Wide receivers - Drakar Harvell, Dinwiddie; Sequan Gooding, Oscar Smith; Triston Wright, Hermitage.

Running backs - Divante Walker, Salem; Kendall Anderson, Westfield; Cedric Delaney, Osbourn.

Quarterbacks - Travon McMillan, C.D. Hylton; Joel Caleb, Clover Hill.

Kick returner - Anthony Cooper, Bayside.

Kicker - Heath Saunders, Indian River.

Defense

Defensive ends - Kanyia Anderson, Oscar Smith; Eli Harold, Ocean Lakes.

Defensive tackles - Josh Wilcher, C.D. Hylton; Demetri McGill, Ocean Lakes; Jerome Williams, Grassfield; Nile Liverpool, Hermitage; Jake Pinkston, Robinson; Brandon Dukeman, Battlefield.

Linebackers - Rhakeem Stallings, Oscar Smith; Kavon Bellamy, Hampton; Matt Vissides, Centreville.

Defensive backs - Maurice Canady, Varina; Brian Brown, Hermitage; Mike Tyson, Lake Taylor; Donnell Lewis, Woodside.

Punter - Heath Saunders, Indian River; Joe Pulisic, Atlee.

Punt returner - Deon Newsome, Hampton; Devin Woodley, Meadowbrook.

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VHSL releases re-alignment "model"

A host of South Hampton Roads schools could be competing for state championships in a lower classification, according to the Virginia High School League's initial proposal for a new six-classification alignment.

Under the proposal. released Monday morning, the following schools would be classified in Class 4: Churchland, Norcom, Lake Taylor, Norview, Booker T. Washington, Wilson, Deep Creek, King's Fork, Lakeland and Nansemond River. That would mean they would compete in state tournaments against other schools in their class, while many of their rivals would play in Class 5 and Class 6.

Currently, South Hampton Roads high school teams compete at the Group AAA level - for schools with the largest enrollments. Those schools are split only in football between Division 6 (largest schools) and Division 5.

The VHSL noted in a release that it's early in the process, and changes will be coming:

"The (Redistricting and Reclassification Committee) committee acknowledged that initial assignments have been made with the understanding that modifications will be forthcoming," the release said. "Schools seeking modification must file a written request (including rationale for the modification) with the VHSL office by Thursday, February 16. The committee will meet on Monday, February 27, to consider modifications."

For more, read Tuesday's Pilot. And to see the alignment plan, which would take effect in 2013, click here.

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Football: O. Smith's Williamson all-state POY

Quarterback J.J. Williamson was named player of the year and was part of a five-player contingent from Oscar Smith on the Virginia High School Coaches Association all-state first team.

The Tigers’ other first-team selections were running back J.C. Coleman, tight end Melvin Vaughn, wide receiver Zack Jones and defensive back Jeff Woods.

Bayside wide receiver Anthony Cooper and Phoebus linebacker Justin Lyles also were first teamers. Lyles was named co-defensive player of the year with Centreville’s Ken Ekanem.

Williamson, a senior who signed with Hampton, led Oscar Smith to the Group AAA Division 6 state title, throwing for 3,062 yards and 39 touchdowns. J.C. Coleman, who signed with Virginia Tech, rushed for 1,488 yards and 20 TDs despite missing three regular-season games with an ankle injury. Jones led the Tigers with 49 receptions for 993 yards and 16 TDs.

The second team included Oscar Smith receiver Sequan Gooding, linebacker Rhakeem Stallings and defensive end Kanyia Anderson, Indian River kicker and punter Heath Saunders, Salem running back Divante Walker, Ocean Lakes defensive end Eli Harold and defensive tackle Demetri McGill, Grassfield defensive tackle Jerome Williams, Lake Taylor defensive back Mike Tyson and Bayside’s Cooper at kick returner.

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Signing Day: Non-football commits

While football players got most of the attention on Wednesday - National Signing Day - a host of other athletes from South Hampton Roads inked National Letters of Intent too.

Which South Hampton Roads school is sending the most 2012 athletes to college? Cape Henry has 20.

Below is a look at all the area college commits in the Class of 2012. The list does not include football players, but includes walk-ons and players headed to junior colleges and Division III - who do not sign letters of intent.

Somebody missing? Email me at jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com.

CLASS OF 2012

BEACH DISTRICT

Bayside

Baseball: Joel Jenkins, Hartford College (MD)

Softball: Heather Dunning, Norfolk State; Megan Dunning, Chowan.

Girls soccer: Kaitlyn Clunan, Virginia Wesleyan; Meghan Magee, Longwood; Nicole Liette, North Carolina Wesleyan.

Girls volleyball: Kristin Sessoms, Virginia Wesleyan.

Cox

Field hockey: Cameron Daniels, Ball State; Casey DiNardo, North Carolina.

Boys soccer: David Ellis, George Mason; Tommy Whiteside, Louisburg College.

Girls soccer: Kim Harkins, Radford; Abby Johnson, Christopher Newport; Brittany Krause, Canisus.

Boys volleyball: Drew Grehan, St. Francis.

Wrestling: Cody Stageberg, Maryland.

Boys swimming: Ben Hanson, ODU.

First Colonial

Diving: Lauren Hadley, James Madison.

Field hockey: Emily Leonard, Longwood.

Golf: Megan McCracken, Flagler.

Softball: Alyssa Morris, Concord; Leah Rousch, Lynchburg.

Track and field: Justin Burke, Ohio State.

Kellam

Golf: Alex Lloyd, Virginia.

Girls soccer: Mikayla Plansker, UNC Wilmington.

Kempsville

Field hockey: Jennifer Burris, Longwood.

Softball: Emily Murphy, Longwood.

Boys soccer: Zachary Kaplan, VMI.

Girls soccer: Melanie McDermott, Alderson Broadus; Jessica Newman, Bluefield; Sara Wallace, Bowdoin.

Landstown

Boys Soccer: Collin Brent, Northern Kentucky.

Ocean Lakes

Cross country: Samantha Park, Mary Washington.

Field Hockey: Bre Mercado, American University.

Boys soccer: Hunter Lusk, Ferrum.

Girls volleyball: Jacquelyn Grigsby, Belmont-Abbey.

Princess Anne

Girls basketball: Galaisha Goodhope, Old Dominion; Aisha Foy Radford; Bria Powell, Richmond.

Field hockey: Kendall Farino, VCU; Kristen Reitano, James Madison; Meredith Savage, William and Mary.

Tallwood

Field hockey: Mackenzie Turner, Randolph-Macon.

EASTERN DISTRICT

Churchland

Track: Khadeja Kearney, Pittsburgh.

Granby

Softball: Clara Quinones, Norfolk State.

Maury

Basketball: Jamal Ferguson, Marquette.

Field hockey: Maddy Moore, William and Mary.

Boys soccer: Jeff Bombelles, William and Mary.

Swimming: Madison Hahn, Tennessee.

Norview

Track: Marquis Worsley, Norfolk State.

Softball: Janie Brothers, Mary Baldwin.

SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT

Grassfield

Baseball: Nykolai Ellis, Radford.

Girls soccer: Sydney Bligh, VMI; Caroline Casey, William and Mary; Courtney Kos, Salisbury State; Kelsey Wentworth, Frostburg State; Haylea Witz, Longwood.

Field hockey: Sydney Weeks, Washington College.

Great Bridge

Baseball: Brian Beard, Old Dominion.

Crew: Chelsea Adams, Virginia; Maggie Curran, Massachussets; Mary Kirby, Old Dominion.

Hickory

Baseball: Matt Campbell, North Carolina; Nykolai Ellis, Radford.

Indian River

Track and field: Shannon Morton, Virginia Tech.

King's Fork

Basketball: Zach Johnson, Army.

Western Branch

Baseball: Garrett Brooks, East Carolina; Shane Johnsonbaugh, Radford.

Field hockey: Elizabeth Steiner, Randolph-Macon.

Boys Soccer: David Noel, VMI.

Swimming: Chase Williams, West Virginia.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Cape Henry

Baseball: Michael Kroll, Randolph Macon; Brian Lee, William and Mary; Sean Poppen, Harvard; Jack Wynkoop, South Carolina.

Girls basketball: Khajae Hester, Randolph Macon.

Field hockey: Stephanie White, Ohio State.

Golf: Kayleigh Reid, Delaware.

Boys lacrosse: Nicholas Anderson, Roanoke; Weston Bradley, Sewanee; Austin Curran, Stevens Institute; John Everett, Vermont; John Jepson, Union; Matt Kennedy, Florida Tech.

Girls lacrosse: Alexis Decker, Christopher Newport.

Girls volleyball: Karen Campbell, Bucknell; Addie Cooper, Randolph Macon.

Wrestling: Will Mason, Virginia; Scott Cunningham, Davidson.

Tennis: Brittany Pilkington, George Mason; Tanner Baine, George Mason.

Greenbrier Christian

Golf: Ashton Newsome, Old Dominion.

Softball: Kathleen Kohm, University of Chicago.

Nansemond-Suffolk

Baseball: Taylor Edens, VMI.

Girls basketball: Morgan Lokie, Shenandoah.

Swimming: Gabrielle Bishop, Virginia Tech.

Girls volleyball: Tori Dail, Virginia Wesleyan.

Norfolk Academy

Boys lacrosse: David Best, Pennsylvania; Wyatt Devine, Washington & Lee; Michael Atkinson, Merchant Marine Academy.

Girls soccer: Dani Johnson, Davidson.

EXCALIBUR GYMNASTICS

Maria Cross (Virginia Beach), Ball State.

Amanda McGee (Virginia Beach), William and Mary.

Krystine Jacobsen (Norfolk), Boise State.

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Football: Updated commitment list

A few new college commitments so far today, most notably Norview QB Kwe'Shon Williams picking JMU and Oscar Smith WR Sequan Gooding picking Hampton after originally committing to Western Michigan. Both Oscar Smith coach Richard Morgan and Gooding said today that Western Michigan pulled the scholarhip offer last week.

Here's a look at who's going where.

DL Corey Barnes 6-3 275 Nansemond River Delaware State

DE/LB Jeffrey Branch 6-2 225 Landstown Virginia State

ATH Nigee Brehon 6-1 170 Booker T. Washington Concord

RB Lamont Brown 5-8 170 Nansemond River Morgan State

OL/DL Troy Butler 6-3 290 Hickory ODU

DB Garfield Christie 6-2 195 Atlantic Shores Hampton

RB J.C. Coleman 5-7 170 Oscar Smith Virginia Tech

LB Calvert Cook 5-11 220 Booker T. Washington ODU

WR Anthony Cooper 6-0 180 Bayside Virginia

DE Tyjuan Cowell 6-3 220 Landstown Hampton

ATH Kyle Dockins 6-3 205 Landstown Virginia

OL/DL Jerran Downing 6-3 270 Booker T. Washington Alderson-Broaddus

DB Jabari Evans 6-1 170 First Colonial N.C. Central

QB/DB Ben Epps 5-9 160 Isle of Wight Christopher Newport

DB Kimdrick Feaster 5-11 175 Salem Norfolk State

TE/DE Willie Gillus 6-3 240 Nansemond River Morgan State

WR Sequan Gooding 6-0 190 Oscar Smith Hampton

DB Der’Woun Greene 5-10 175 Wilson Virginia Tech

LB Mark Hall 6-3 220 Green Run Virginia

DE Eli Harold 6-4 215 Ocean Lakes Virginia

WR/DB K.J. Harris 5-10 160 Landstown Fort Scott JC

OL/DL    Jahmil Haley    6-2    250    Churchland    Hampton

OL/DL Marcus Haynes 6-4 310 Norcom Hampton

LB Roderick Holder 6-3 230 Indian River Coastal Carolina

OL Aaron Hutchins 6-2 275 Landstown Virginia State

RB Taquon Jackson 6-2 225 Indian River Morgan State

OL/DL Clifton Jones Jr. 6-3 260 Tallwood Towson

TE/LB Josh Lawson 6-2 210 Salem Alderson-Broaddus

LB Deontre McClee 5-10 195 Booker T. Washington Christopher Newport

WR Brandte McIntyre 6-1 190 Bishop Sullivan Alderson-Broadus

LB Anderson Miller 6-2 235 First Colonial ODU

LB Kwontie Moore 6-2 245 Norfolk Christian Virginia

DB Justin Motley 6-0 175 Landstown Western Michigan

OL/DL D’Andre Nicholson 6-3 220 Salem Alderson-Broaddus

WR Mario Nixon 6-4 220 Norfolk Christian Virginia

QB Brian Novak 6-0 195 Bishop Sullivan Catholic Concord

OL/DL Mike Phillips 6-2 280 Bayside Norfolk State

WR/DB Willie Ponder 6-0 180 Western Branch Towson

LB Chris Probst 6-2 220 Landstown Bluefield

WR Athon Reynoso 5-9 155 Ocean Lakes Alderson-Broaddus

WR/DB Rayshad Riddick 5-10 175 Wilson Hampton

RB    Jocorey Robbins    5-9    175    Norfolk Christian    Condord

OL/DL Dominique Roldan 6-5 325 Landstown Hampton

ATH Lafayette Smallwood 5-9 170 Booker T. Washington Concord

OL/DL Alston Smith 6-3 270 Cox Virginia Tech

FB/LB Conley Smith 6-1 230 Hickory Norfolk State

LB Rhakeem Stallings 6-0 215 Oscar Smith JMU

OL/DL Jeffrey Stephens 6-3 215 Salem Alderson-Broaddus

Derek Taitano 6-0 260 Bayside Concord

LB Avery Thompson 6-3 195 Grassfield Maryland

K Willem Van Reesma 6-0 185 Ocean Lakes Virginia

OL/DL Jordan Veal 6-5 295 Western Branch VMI

ATH Wilfred Wahee 5-11 185 Norfolk Christian Virginia

RB Divante Walker 5-9 165 Salem Virginia

FB/DL Corey Wells 6-3 280 Isle of Wight Iowa Central CC

WR Isaac White 6-2 170 Norcom ODU

DB D’Metrius Williams 5-11 185 Salem UMass

WR/DB D’Vonte Williams 6-6 200 Oscar Smith Concord

QB Kwe’Shon Williams 5-10 160 Norview JMU

QB J.J. Williamson 5-10 170 Oscar Smith Hampton

WR/DB Jeff Woods 6-0 170 Oscar Smith Concord

DE Courtnye Wynn 6-6 250 Norfolk Christian Virginia

 

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Football: A few more commitments

A few more football commitments have trickled in since I posted our complete list earlier this week:

QB/DB Ben Epps 5-9 160 Isle of Wight Christopher Newport

TE/LB Josh Lawson 6-2 210 Salem Alderson-Broaddus

OL/DL D’Andre Nicholson 6-3 220 Salem Alderson-Broaddus 

WR/DB Willie Ponder 6-0 180 Western Branch Towson

FB/DL Corey Wells 6-3 280 Isle of Wight Iowa Central CC

For the complete updated list, see a previous post, and see you tomorrow for National Signing Day.

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So what is a National Letter of Intent?

Dozens of high school athletes in South Hampton Roads – and thousands across the country – on Wednesday will sit down and pick up a pen for National Signing Day. They’re signing National Letters of Intent in sports from cross country to water polo. Here’s a primer on the letters.

History lesson

The National Letter of Intent program began in 1964 with seven conferences and eight independent colleges. Now, 620 Division I and Division II colleges participate, and 38,000 student-athletes sign each year.

What is it? The letter is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and college. The student agrees to attend the college full-time for one academic year. The college agrees to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year.

What colleges don’t offer National Letters of Intent? Ivy League schools, service academies, and Division III, NAIA and junior colleges and prep schools.

Stop calling already Once an athlete signs with a college, all other colleges are required to cease recruitment.

Can a National Letter of Intent be voided?  Yes, if the student-athlete: Is denied admission; does not meet NCAA, college or conference eligibility ; does not enroll for at least one year; or serves in the U.S. Armed Forces or on a church mission.

Coaching change  A student-athlete signs with a college, not a coach. So if a coach bolts, the player is still bound to the NLI.

Release me The student-athlete can request a release from an NLI, but it’s the college’s decision to grant it or not.

Not signing today? No problem. The signing period runs until April 1.

Source: national-letter.org.

More on National Signing Day

Join us at www.757teamz throughout the day Wednesday for live updates on who's going where. We'll post news and notes from area Signing Day ceremonies. You can also follow along on Twitter: www.twitter.com/757teamz.

 

 

 

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Football: 2012 college commits

We're less than a week from National Signing Day, and by my count more than 40 South Hampton Roads high school senior football players have committed to play in college.

The local list is highlighted by eight players who picked the University of Virginia, including Ocean Lakes star Eli Harold. He's regarded as the top local player in the Class of 2012.

Below is the latest list of commitments, including Division III and junior college players - who do not sign National Letters of Intent. Signing Day is Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Somebody missing? Email me at jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com.

Position/Name/Height/Weight/High School/College

DE/LB Jeffrey Branch 6-2 225 Landstown Virginia State

ATH Nigee Brehon 6-1 170 Booker T. Washington Concord

RB Lamont Brown 5-8 170 Nansemond River Morgan State

OL/DL Troy Butler 6-3 290 Hickory ODU

DB Garfield Christie 6-2 195 Atlantic Shores Hampton

RB J.C. Coleman 5-7 170 Oscar Smith Virginia Tech

LB Calvert Cook 5-11 220 Booker T. Washington ODU

WR Anthony Cooper 6-0 180 Bayside Virginia

DE Tyjuan Cowell 6-3 220 Landstown Hampton

ATH Kyle Dockins 6-3 205 Landstown Virginia

OL/DL Jerran Downing 6-3 270 Booker T. Washington Alderson Broadus

DB Jabari Evans 6-1 170 First Colonial N.C. Central

QB/DB Ben Epps 5-9 160 Isle of Wight Christopher Newport

DB Der’Woun Greene 5-10 175 Wilson Virginia Tech

 

LB Mark Hall 6-3 220 Green Run Virginia

DE Eli Harold 6-4 215 Ocean Lakes Virginia

WR/DB K.J. Harris 5-10 160 Landstown Fort Scott JC

OL/DL Marcus Haynes 6-4 310 Norcom Hampton

OL/DL Clifton Jones Jr. Tallwood 6-3 260 Towson

ATH Darrius Jones 5-11 180 Norview Richmond

TE/LB Josh Lawson 6-2 210 Salem Alderson-Broaddus

LB Deontre McClee 5-10 195 Booker T. Washington Christopher Newport

WR Brandte McIntyre 6-1 190 Bishop Sullivan Alderson-Broadus

LB Anderson Miller 6-2 235 First Colonial ODU

LB Kwontie Moore 6-2 245 Norfolk Christian Virginia

DB Justin Motley 6-0 175 Landstown Western Michigan

OL/DL D’Andre Nicholson 6-3 220 Salem Alderson-Broaddus 

WR Mario Nixon 6-4 220 Norfolk Christian Virginia

QB Brian Novak 6-0 195 Bishop Catholic Sullivan Concord

OL/DL Mike Phillips 6-2 280 Bayside Norfolk State

LB Chris Probst 6-2 220 Landstown Bluefield

WR/DB Willie Ponder 6-0 180 Western Branch Towson

WR/DB Rayshad Riddick 5-10 175 Wilson Hampton

OL/DL Dominique Roldan 6-5 325 Landstown Hampton

ATH Lafayette Smallwood 5-9 170 Booker T. Washington Concord

OL/DL Alston Smith 6-3, 270 Cox Virginia Tech

FB/LB Conley Smith 6-1 230 Hickory Norfolk State

LB Rhakeem Stallings 6-0 215 Oscar Smith JMU

Derek Taitano 6-0 260 Bayside Concord

LB Avery Thompson 6-3 195 Grassfield Maryland

K Willem Van Reesma 6-0 185 Ocean Lakes Virginia

 

OL/DL Jordan Veal 6-5 295 Western Branch VMI

 

ATH Wilfred Wahee 5-11 185 Norfolk Christian Virginia

RB Divante Walker 5-9 165 Salem Virginia

FB/DL Corey Wells 6-3 280 Isle of Wight Iowa Central CC

WR Isaac White 6-2 170 Norcom ODU

DB D’Metrius Williams 5-11 185 Salem UMass

QB J.J. Williamson 5-10 170 Oscar Smith Hampton

DE Courtnye Wynn 6-6 250 Norfolk Christian Virginia

 

 

 

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Girls hoops: Salem chasing history

Staff writer Lee Tolliver wrote an eloquent profile of Salem girls basketball coach Tim Carr in Tuesday's Pilot, and on Tuesday night the SunDevils took a big step toward ending a long district championship drought.

Salem defeated Bayside 82-46 to improve to 18-0 overall and 6-0 in the Beach District, and with Landstown's loss to Princess Anne became the only district unbeaten. Salem has victories over each of the teams in the top half of the district: Princess Anne, Landstown, First Colonial, Kellam, Bayside and Ocean Lakes. Aside from the victory over PA, the games have been lopsided.

Barring a catastrophe, the SunDevils are headed toward the program's first Beach District regular-season title since the 1993-94 season. Salem hasn't won a Beach tournament championship since 1997-98.

Princess Anne, meanwhile, may have to settle for second place for the first time in a long time. The Cavaliers have won seven consecutive Beach regular-season crowns.

But ...

Could second place be a blessing in disguise? The way the Eastern Region pairings look, the Beach regular-season champion and Peninsula champ could meet in the region semifinals. Woodside is dominating the Peninsula District and is the likely region favorite after reaching last year's semis. The Beach's second seed would be on the other half of the bracket. The bad news? The Southeastern and Eastern champs will be there too.

 

 

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