Brrrrrr…it’s really cold here at The Star sports desk.
The Chief says we’re like the post office. Neither snow, ice or frigid weather will keep us from our appointed rounds and giving the readers the best of news and sports.
Of course, no mail showed up in my box for a couple days this week and The Chief called that cliche in from in front of his fireplace. I guess that explains why he’s The Chief.
I’m proposing to The Chief that The Star follow the lead of local school jurisdictions. If Roanoke City schools are closed due to the weather, we are as well. That saves shoveling snow, walking on ice and trying to drive beside people who can’t navigate on dry pavement, much less snow-covered roads. Plus, high school sports come to a standstill, meaning I’ve got time to ride my sled.
Knowing The Chief, he’ll go along with my suggestion, then put out the notice: “Roanoke Star Closed- Staff Reports”. He gets more like Perry White every day.
No use crying over frozen milk. Let’s get to high school basketball where this week’s Conference playoffs had no losers through Thursday. Of course, nobody played. That being said, here’s the latest Wild Bill “Big-11” girls and boys Top-3 poll and tournament schedule:
GIRLS:
#1) William Fleming: The Lady Colonels are set to open 4A Conference 24 playoff action Monday night at home against E.C. Glass.
#2)Cave Spring: The Lady Knights, after their win over Hidden Valley, were seeded number-one in 3A Conference 32. After a first round bye, they will play the Patrick County-Christiansburg winner, hopefully on Monday night at the Cave Spring gym.
#3) Hidden Valley: The Titans’ loss to Cave Spring relegated them to a 3A Conference 32 first round game against Christiansburg, Friday night in the Titan gym with an estimated tipoff of 7:45.
BOYS:
#1) William Fleming: The Colonels take on Bassett Monday night in 4A Conference 24 action in the Fleming gym, following the Lady Colonel girls opener.
#2) Northside: If the Viking gym warms up, Northside hosts Rockbridge County Friday night at 5:30 in 3A Conference 31 first round action.
#3) William Byrd: The 3A Conference 31 #1-seed Terriers have a first round bye before taking on the Lord Botetourt-Staunton River winner Saturday at 2:00 in the Northside gym.
Here’s the latest schedule for the remainder of the “Big-11” teams:
GIRLS: Patrick Henry plays Monday at Thomas Dale; Salem plays Friday at Carroll County; Wm. Byrd at Lord Botetourt Friday at 5:00; Northside at Alleghany Sat. at 2:00; Glenvar vs Martinsville Tuesday 7:45 at James River HS
BOYS: Patrick Henry hosts Varina-Franklin Co. winner Wednesday; Salem at Pulaski Co. Mon. at 7:45;Staunton River at Lord Botetourt Friday 6:45; Hidden Valley hosts Abingdon Friday 6:00; Glenvar at James River Monday 7:45; Fishburne Military at North Cross Friday Time TBD; Cave Spring hosts Christiansburg-Patrick County winner Monday 7:45.
Note-All times are subject to change as the inclement weather dictates.
Last Monday’s postponement of the meeting of the Roanoke Valley Sports Club means we get to give you another last call for the new gathering date this Monday, February 23rd. The club’s 5:45 social is again followed by the 6:15 dinner meeting with guest speaker Phil Elmassian. Contact Maggie Drewry at 540-353-1103 to make reservations.
This is where we would typically highlight the unusual game of the week or point out a lopsided game that drew attention. With the snow not providing an unusual game, we’ll reminisce about one of the most unusual seasons ever for three teams seven years ago.
The date was February 25, 2008. That night, the girls teams from Covington, Holston and Pocahontas took to the court for first-round regional games in the VHSL playoffs. All three had completed their respective regular season schedules, played in their district tournaments and advanced to regional play.That night In those regional openers all three lost, ending their 2007-08 seasons. Not that unusual until it’s pointed out that the combined final records of those three were 0-67.
That’s not a typo. Pocahontas finished 0-23, with Holston and Covington ending their campaigns at 0-22 each. In a strange twist of fate, as they kept on losing, they kept on playing in that year’s playoff format.
Finally, we close it out with a scoring oddity in a recent college basketball game. Last Thursday night’s VMI contest against Furman in Lexington would appear at first glance to be bad news for the Keydets after VMI was outscored 46-16 in the paint by the Paladins. But, VMI more than made up for that shortfall by outscoring Furman 72-3 from behind-the-arc. Basic principal of basketball math here 3’s add up faster than 2’s.
Until next time, add up your questions and send them to info@The RoanokeStar.com
– Bill Turner
