Soaring Skyhawks

Virginia Tech on Haskett’s trail

Excitement for Virginia Tech basketball is reaching levels it has not in years after Buzz Williams’ improvement of the program from a cellar-dweller to a bubble team for this year’s NCAA tournament. Excitement for the program may be at its highest; a high point this past weekend as the Hokies upset No. 7 Miami to finish the ACC regular season campaign with an exclamation point.

The gregarious Williams has been spotted in the area recently watching L.C. Bird guard Mario Haskett. Haskett’s recruiting exploded last summer and has continued a gradual climb into schools in high major conferences, such as the ACC. Haskett has said he may be interested in pursuing engineering for his college degree. The junior holds an offer from Virginia Tech along with more than a dozen other schools.

Skyhawks’ boys basketball two wins from title

Late last week, the L.C. Bird boys won their first region title since 2011 when they defeated Deep Run 51-42. After making it look easy against Potomac Falls in the 5A State Quarterfinals, the Skyhawks advanced to face Wakefield on Tuesday.

The effort was a balanced one for the Skyhawks that included five players in double-figures. Mario Haskett led the way with 19 points, Johquin Wiley had 17, Charles Falden added 16 points, Tahkey Williams chipped in with 14 points and Jyles Webster scored 12 points to go with ten rebounds. L.C. Bird shot 57 percent as a team from the floor and 50 percent (8-16) from beyond the three-point line.

Results of the Wakefield contest were available via twitter @RVAGameBreak. Due to press restrictions, we could not publish these results. With a victory, L.C. Bird would advance to play for the state championship on Wednesday at the Stuart C. Siegel Center at 3:45 p.m. against the winner of Potomac and Albemarle. Admission is $10.

Recruiting heats up for Caraballo, Williams

While the L.C. Bird girls fell to Thomas Edison 51-40 to end their season in the 5A State Quarterfinals, the basketball careers of guards Angela Caraballo and KeKe Williams will begin a new chapter this fall. Where is to be determined.

Williams has seen a recent flurry of college interest including three offers in the past week from Barton College, Ferrum and St. Augustine. Caraballo has also picked up offers from Barton College and Ferrum, Virginia State, Virginia Union and St. Augustine are also interested.

Caraballo led the Skyhawks in scoring with 17.6 points per game, connecting on 67 three-pointers. Williams averaged 13.6 points per game, adding five rebounds and hitting 50 three-pointers of her own.

The two players, good friends, have discussed going to the same school, but no decisions on the matter have been made.