Down the Stretch: Players to Watch
0Richard Legree Senior Forward Meadowbrook Legree, a 6-foot-6 swing man is one of the more under recruited players in the area, but it’s not because he doesn’t have game. His exposure levels were down this summer because he was unable to play AAU. Long and athletic, the senior is a part of a balanced Meadowbrook attack. The senior has filled in the team’s sixth man, is a good defender and has a good jump shot both in and out of transition. He’s a key piece in Meadowbrook’s 9-4 record thus far in 2014-2015. Stat line: 9.3 points per game, 3…
Kenny Williams, a family guy
0Kenny Williams III, L.C. Bird’s senior swingman, is a skilled basketball player. Williams is the newest Virginia Commonwealth University Ram, fulfilling his dream of attending the school after meeting head coach Shaka Smart in his freshman year. The Skyhawk is, by definition, a basketball player. It consumes his life. “I really don’t do much else, or have any hobbies,” said Williams. “I hang out with my family and friends.” For Kenny Williams Jr., who’s retired from the Navy, and Sherrie Pounds, a nurse, first came son Danny. Then, came Danielle, Dominic, JaMaar, Kenee’, Kenny, Kris and Autumn. Kenny was the…
Taja Cole, fashion mogul in the making
0L.C. Bird point guard Taja Cole is signed to the University of Louisville and will be a Cardinal next season. The point guard liked the upbeat tempo of their offense and her play style fits like a glove in that type of system. Like all athletes, there’s much more to Cole than hoops; she’s a budding entrepreneur to boot. The senior is already chasing a second dream and getting prepared for a life after basketball. “I just wanted to be different,” Cole explained. “I wear a lot of Jordan and Nike, but I wanted to do something different.” That’s right.…
A pure shooter with court vision – Devin Morgan discusses future
0Devin Morgan is known as a star on the basketball court, but his humble attitude and personality is what unites Matoaca’s basketball team and interests colleges in his abilities. Morgan has been playing basketball for as long as he can remember, starting out on his Fisher-Price basketball hoop and moving up from there. He’s gained an impressive reputation as a shooter and point guard, with colleges taking notice of his skills. “I just want to make sure it’s [college] the right fit. I want to go somewhere where I’m needed and somewhere where I’m wanted. With that being said, I…
FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Meadowbrook
0According to linebacker Demond Bailey, one of Meadowbrook’s defensive leaders, there’s something different about this year’s version of the Monarchs. “There’s a big difference,” said Bailey. “The whole team is all in.” Bailey, who himself is a story of “being all-in,” comes back after a concussion knocked him out for the season in week three of last year. He will lead a defense that promises to be better to support an offense that will be filled with athletic weapons. Last year’s record of 6-4 left a bad taste in head coach Troy Taylor’s mouth. While not a bad year by…
Football Previews: L.C. Bird
0Expectations are high for the L.C. Bird Skyhawks, who have now won back-to-back state championships, solidifying themselves as a dynasty in the Central Region. Currently on a 29 game winning streak as a program, Skyhawk Nation is looking forward to another successful year. “It’s really back to business as usual,” said Bedwell. “When we came into practice we weren’t thinking about last year anymore.” Many faces of last year’s team moved to the next level, including Terrance Ervin who is competing for the starting job at Norfolk State and former running back Earl Hughes, who’s getting reps at wide receiver…
FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Thomas Dale
0In 2013, Thomas Dale lost nine starting players to season-ending injuries across both sides of the ball. Among the barrage of ailments were five torn ACLs, three torn labrums and a broken bone. According to head coach Kevin Tucker, the rise in injuries has caused the Knights to take notice and work hard on conditioning this off-season. Thus far on the practice field, the Knights are healthy and driving to improve last year’s record of 6-4 after a first round playoff loss to Colonial Forge. “This team is going to be a whole lot more aggressive,” observed Tucker. “Last year…
FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Matoaca
0In his 23rd season at Matoaca, head coach Pat Manuel is out to prove a point. A point that’s been proven time and time again – that a group of players that have truly come together as a team can win a lot of ballgames. “We ended last year on a positive note with our victory over Thomas Dale,” explained Manuel. “That really gave the kids a head of steam going into the offseason.” Despite the loss of offensive leaders – quarterback Blake Bowen and wide out Trevion Armstrong to Trinity Episcopal in Richmond – Manuel still feels he has…