With a 61-16 victory over Petersburg last Wednesday, the Matoaca girls’ basketball program improved to a perfect 8-0 on the year. While that’s impressive in its own right, three variables that could have made it more difficult hasn’t been problems. First off, the Warriors are yet to have missed a game due to COVID-19. That’s enabled them to build rhythm and continue to work together in game situations. Secondly, four seniors who started last year graduated. While that’s a lot of leadership and production, Matoaca has had much of the offensive load carried by Allyson Booth, Kylie Booth, and Lauryn…
Browsing: Basketball
L.C. Bird basketball is used to success, but Troy Manns has furthered that success more than some have imagined during his time at the school. With a 73-39 victory over Cosby Jan.+ 11, he reached a personal milestone of 200 victories at Bird, at the time trailing the legendary Chuck Tester by 13 wins for the all-time lead in the boys’ program. “It’s a humbling accomplishment that I know I wouldn’t be able to [reach] without my outstanding coaching staff, supportive administration, and a great group of student athletes,” Manns said. “I had no idea about reaching 200 wins so…
Jaden Daughtry
Skyhawks, Lady Warriors start 3-0 After a layoff and delayed start from COVID-19. Currently, about 70 percent of the teams in the state are playing high school basketball, with more to start later. The regional tournaments will begin around Feb. 8. Some teams in the area and state have had positive tests. In such a case, the team must have a 14-day quarantine, but is allowed to reschedule their games (up to 4 per week for CCPS schools) before the start of regional tournaments. Both the L.C. Bird boys and Matoaca girls started their seasons with a flourish, going 3-0.…
Nick Burd
The journey is the reward. For Nick Burd, the newly appointed coach of Matoaca’s boys’ basketball program, getting the job was a goal he had long worked toward. “It means everything, it’s most of the reason why I started coaching,” Burd said. “To coach at Matoaca High School.” Coaching became a passion for Burd after a scholarship to the Naval Academy didn’t come to fruition. With plans to transfer to Virginia Military Institute, he was back home driving in Dinwiddie County when tragedy struck. While attending Southside Community College, he fell asleep at the wheel, drove off the road, and…
A star on the court for Thomas Dale, guard Kylon Lewis registered his second college offer this past week when Concord University extended it. At 6-4 and 170 pounds, Lewis was phenomenal for the Knights during the 2019-20 season. His talent helped the team to its first regional title in 19 years and a state tournament appearance. Lewis averaged 15.9 points and 3.1 assists per game. Lewis was also on the 2018-19 Knights team that won just five games. His play and development on the court helped drive Dale to 20 wins in 2019-20. During the team’s run to the…
Brycen Blaine
Brycen Blaine is a guard for L.C. Bird boys basketball. Moreso, Blaine is yet another Skyhawk that seemed destined to play college basketball. This past week, he was offered by Livingstone College. “The sky’s the limit for Bryce,” said L.C. Bird coach Troy Manns. “He’s a fun young man to be around because of his competitive nature. He works hard and should have a really good season this year.” Blaine was a force for L.C. Bird all season long in what was a balanced attack of youthful players. With just one senior on the roster in Tyler Henderson, Blaine was…
Keyontae Lewis – along with his teammate Aubriel Wingfield – recently picked up offers from Bryant College. Now, he’s picked up two more offers of his own. The 6-8 center was given offers by Division II Shaw and Tusculum over the past few weeks. Tusculum offered June 18, while Shaw extended its scholarship offer exactly a month later on July 18. Tusculum is a solid program winning 19 games during the 2019-20 season. The school is located in Greeneville, Tenn., and the Pioneers play in the East Coast Conference. Shaw is a Division II program in the CIAA, as are…
L.C. Bird basketball player Promyse Ferguson.
Three L.C. Bird boys’ basketball players, along with coach Troy Manns and his staff, celebrated three new scholarship offers this past week Center Keyontae Lewis and forward Arbriel Winfield were given offers by Division I Bryant University, while guard Promyse Ferguson was extended a scholarship by Bluefield State. Lewis, a 6-8 junior, represents what could be the Skyhawks’ best true big man in some time. At 250 pounds, he provides both a big body and strength, along with athleticism. His game is quickly growing into his giant frame. Here’s an excerpt from a scouting report on Phenom Hoop Report (www.phenomhoopreport.com):…
By Walter Scott Jr. Warriors standouts Troy Lewis and Jacob Coleman have gotten ink these days. They’ve seen a sharp uptick in their social media followings. Part of that social media is fans of the various colleges that have given them offers, stating their cases as to why each recruit should pick one school over the others.. Soon, we’ll find out which fan bases will be left out of the consideration both athletes have gotten over the past months. Lewis, a wide receiver and defensive back, reached 27 offers this week when Liberty University came calling. That’s 27 full scholarship…
By Walter Scott Jr. In basketball today, one of many things used to measure the success of a high school player is college offers. Now, Kylon Lewis added one to an already impressive load of honors. This past week, he received his first scholarship offer from Division II Lemoyne-Owen College in Tennessee. His improvement through his junior season, which led the Thomas Dale boys’ team to the 6A state quarterfinals just a year removed from the Knights just winning five games, was noted. “As the season progressed, he became a more confident player, believing in himself and his abilities,” said…