Sports

Matoaca’s Pencile breaks VHSL record

By Josh Mathews on April 3, 2018 Soccer, Sports

“If you don’t at first succeed, try, try again.” That adage is applicable to all aspects of life, but especially to Matoaca High School soccer forward Maiya Pencile in the Warriors’ 8-3 win over L.C. Bird last week. On her run to the goal, Pencile kicked the ball toward the back of the net and saw it deflect off the Skyhawks’ goalie. However, the 5-5 senior was able to control the rebound, kicking it over the goalie’s head for a goal. It was the 127th of her career, setting a Virginia High School League record for goals scored. “I knew…

A football championship poster gone bad?

By Caleb M Soptelean on April 3, 2018 Football, Schools, Sports

A misidentified player’s photo on the L.C. Bird High School 5A football state championship team poster from 2013 has resulted in a parent filing a civil lawsuit against school district officials. David Shurland sued the school’s principal, Laura Hebert, along with Chesterfield County Public Schools officials Joseph Tylus, James Lane and James Holland in General District Court in January and requested $25,000 in damages. The poster in question, which Shurland said was located on a wall in an office lobby at the school, misidentified his son Jayson Shurland as Isiah Alvarez. The plaintiff said that the poster was eventually corrected…

Teenager making noise on the short track

By Press release on April 3, 2018 Sports

By Leon George At Daybreak Farm in Chesterfield County, an unobtrusive sign informs everyone the one-lane wide, asphalt driveway, is for private use. The pastoral serenity of the 90-acre farm quickly makes you forget having to cope with the almost always rush-hour traffic jam of Route 360. It’s easy to think you’re in the heart of farm country. The man-made pond, Lake Howie, immediately catches your eye when you get out of your car. The chicken coop, solar panels, and immaculate landscape hint at a modern-day gentleman farmer operation. Once the garage door is opened you realize you’re at the…

Falling Creek 11-U basketball team wins championship

By Press release on March 20, 2018 Basketball, Community, Sports

The Falling Creek Blackhawks 11-U basketball team won the Chesterfield Basketball League championship in the Minor PAC 10 division on March 3 with a 38-25 win over Ettrick. The team was coached by Andrew Lewis, who played at Thomas Dale High School in 1977-78 and is in the school’s Hall of Fame. The assistant coach was John Matthews and the statistician was John Sulimay. Lewis also coached at L.C. Bird for a number of years. The Blackhawks finished the regular season with a 9-1 record losing only to a tough Ettrick team. In the playoffs, they defeated Gates and Wells…

LCB hires familiar face, Alabama makes offers to Beamon

By Josh Mathews on February 1, 2018 Football

When David Bedwell took the L.C. Bird athletic director’s seat last year, longtime assistant Tony Nicely was named interim coach for the 2017 season. Now, it appears that Skyhawks have found their replacement in a familiar face, former Meadowbrook coach Troy Taylor. “I’m excited to be going back to the school that I graduated from and played at,” Taylor said. Taylor began his career as an assistant under Bedwell back in 2000. From there, he was an assistant at Meadowbrook for seven years, winning a state title under then head coach Bill Bowles in 2004. When Bowles retired in 2008,…

Lani Mason (left) and Makenzy Johnson (right) pose for a photo before a Matoaca volleyball match

Matoaca volleyball sends two to highest collegiate level

By Josh Mathews on January 31, 2018 Community, Sports, Volleyball

Under coach Tiara Boyd, Matoaca volleyball made a historic postseason run this year to the 5A state tournament, a first in school history. Now, two players have reaped the benefits of their hard work and success in the classroom and on the court. Senior Mackenzy Johnson has committed to play Division I volleyball at Norfolk State, and junior Lani Mason has cone the same for Delaware. “When I stepped on campus, I fell in the love,” Johnson said. “I know people from both James River and Matoaca and I felt comfortable there and really related to the coaching staff.” “Delaware…

Matoaca girls volleyball breaks school’s drought

By Mark Fausz on November 30, 2017 Volleyball

Matoaca girls’ volleyball, led by coach Tiara Boyd, accomplished a school first last Thursday when they defeated Glen Allen 3-2. The Warriors became the first team of any sport in school history to advance to a state tournament. Matoaca will face Atlee Wednesday, Nov. 8 in the first round of the Region 5 State Tournament. The team is led by senior setter Makenzy Johnson, a sure-fire candidate for 5A state player of the year and two standout juniors in Lani Mason and Lindsey Temple. Senior Jordan Morris is a defensive-minded player and a strong blocker. Alexus Costello is yet another…

BASKETBALL PREVIEW

By Josh Mathews on November 29, 2017 Basketball, Sports

L.C. Bird Girls L.C. Bird finished last season 17-10, making the 5A state tournament with one of the youngest rosters in the state of Virginia. They fell to Edison 61-51 in the first round, but they have much to build upon, and have much excitement surrounding the program. Coach Chevette Waller returns to captain the ship yet again. Players departed: L.C. Bird lost two players to the college ranks, forward Brina Bentley (Pfeiffer) and point guard Madison Baum (Bridgewater). Baum missed her senior season with an ACL injury for the Skyhawks. Personnel: L.C. Bird played with a small roster last…

Basketball Preview

By Josh Mathews on November 29, 2017 Basketball, Sports

MEADOWBROOK BOYS So far in 2017, Meadowbrook has gotten to a 2-1 start, with victories over Prince George and Thomas Dale. Now in his sixth year as head coach, Jake Oliver will look to guide this team to dispel their playoff demons. Departed from the program are four seniors: Jordan Jeter, Johvanni Perkins, Tro’Man Pope, and Daequan Young. A talented guard, Jamon Battle, transferred to L.C. Bird. Despite the loss of talent, Meadowbrook has a talented and promising backcourt, led by junior Isaiah Richardson and senior Alphonso Mason. Richardson, though 5-7, is a spark plug and the team’s most consistent…

Thomas Dale got rolled: Football is done

By Josh Mathews on November 22, 2017 Football, Track & Field

By Harrison Louis and Josh Matthews Manchester 41, Thomas Dale 7 It was tabbed as the local showdown that football fans had been waiting for two 6A foes, the second-ranked Manchester Lancers and the third-ranked Thomas Dale Knights at Lloyd Swelnis Stadium, both teams fresh off blowout victories where they put up 50 points. Thomas Dale their game in the first half, drawing with Manchester tied 7-7 with the game in the first half. The Knights defense was able to hold a balanced and skilled Lancers offensive attack at bay. Thomas Dale’s equalizing first-half touchdown was scored on a three-yard…

Browsing: Sports