Celtics are team for the ages
Along with being crowned the 2024 NBA champions, the Boston Celtics are now the all-time NBA kingpins.
Virginia is for Willie Mays
There have been many great baseball players and many who oozed with excitement. But perhaps no one man combined greatness and excitement like Willie Mays.
Black baseball and Birmingham remembered
When Wilie Mays broke into pro baseball in 1948 with the Birmingham Black Barons, his teammates at Rickwood Field included pitcher Bill Greason. Mays would go on to rank among the greatest and most scintillating players in the sports’ history as the slugging, base-stealing, fly shagging, power-armed centerfielder for the New York and San Francisco Giants. When Mays died last week at age 93, he was the oldest living Hall of Famer (inducted in 1979). But don’t forget Bill Greason, also known as Rev. Greason.
Rams add big man to roster
VCU basketball Coach Ryan Odom went searching for another big man and found what he was looking for in Arizona.
Kenyans can sprint, too
Track fans have grown accustomed to Kenyans excelling globally as long-distance runners, primarily 800 meters and up. Ferdinand Omanyala, 28, threatens to break that stereotype at the upcoming Paris Summer Games.
VUU ranked 14th in Lindy’s preseason Division II poll
Virginia Union University has earned a national football reputation. Looking ahead, it plans to polish that status this coming season.
CIAA shakes up football’s closing act, moves title game to Durham
Some changes are coming to CIAA football.
Fifth-year backcourt fuels VCU hoops hopes for new season
If an experienced backcourt is the key to success, VCU’s Rams have reason for optimism.
Falcons Finish Third
The Huguenot High School girls’ 4x100 relay team finished third at the State Class 4 Track and Field Championships June 1 in Lynchburg.
VMI Grad Walton named director
Virginia Military Institute has hired alumnus Jamaal Walton as director of intercollegiate athletics.
Boston hopes to add jewel to crown
At least unofficially, professional basketball’s high throne sits at 100 Legends Way in Boston, draped in green.
Freshman phenom Markus White claims CIAA title
An athlete doesn’t need to go to the beach to get sand in their shoes. Markus White is the “Sand Man” for Virginia State University’s track and field Trojans.
Panthers survive the portal
Virginia Union University seems to have weathered the worst of the portal storm this basketball offseason.
VUU keeps breaking records
Virginia Union University may have set a record for setting records this past school year. Coach Franck Charles’ male and female athletes seemed to take turns rewriting the Panthers’ record book for cross country and track and field.
Falcons add a feather to their cap
Aniah Ross missed her junior season of track and field with illness, but she’s making up for lost time as a senior. The Huguenot High sprinter has helped give the Falcons a re- gion title in the 4x100 relay, and the best may be yet to come. The State Class 4 meet will be May 31 and June 1 at Liberty University in Lynchburg. After taking sixth in the open 100 at the Class 4, Region B meet May 22 at King George, Ross saved some energy for a relay to remember. The fleet foursome of J’miaya Muse to Ross to Ama Cousins to Kanaan Banks took the baton to the bank, crossing the finish line in 49.74, just ahead of runner-up King George. The Falcons shook off 91-degree heat to get what they were after. “A lot of work went into this,’ said Falcons Coach Kyle Fuller. “I’m ecstatic. I’m excited. But I’m not surprised. These are great kids.” Ross enjoyed a strong sophomore season under Coach Fuller but was unable to compete a year ago. “It started with a seizure at a cross-country meet and a trip to the ER; then she was in and out of the hospital after that,” Coach Fuller said. “Coming back out as a senior is a testament to her character. She had not run for a year and a half starting this season.” Ross and Muse will continue running next school year at Richard Bland Junior College near Petersburg while Cousins will continue racing for Radford University. Banks is the lone junior among the region champs. Track and field is a hard sell at Huguenot and at many inner- city schools nowadays. Coach Fuller’s spring roster included about 20 girls and just five boys. In the case of the girls, it was quality over quantity this season and a state championship would be the crowning touch. “I have no doubt,” Fuller said, “we can handle anything in 4A.”
Washington draws ‘soft’ schedule
There are advantages to going 4-13, as the Washington Commanders did last NFL season.
Williams shines on diamond, gridiron
Jimmy Williams does double duty for Virginia State University, and he handles it quite well. The versatile freshman from Durham’s Hillside High wears two hats — or rather a helmet and ballcap — for the Trojans.
Rams’ roster a revolving door
Blink, and you might miss the next basketball player transferring from or into VCU.
Squirrels limp back to Richmond
The floundering Richmond Flying Squirrels are hopeful the friendly confines of The Diamond will help them snap out of their prolonged slump.
10.5
NSU sprinter qualifies for Olympic trials
HBCU’s will be represented at the upcoming Olympic Track and Field Trials.
VUU has 4 QB candidates
With four quality athletes to choose from, who will Coach Alvin Parker pick to be Virginia Union University’s starting quarterback?
VUU, VSU left mark on NFL
HBCU grads sidelined at NFL Draft
Nowadays, the NFL seems to have overlooked HBCU athletes. None were selected in the most recent draft and just one was called in the past three years. Current NFL rosters only average about one HBCU player per team.
VSU’s Darrington Player of the Year
Virginia State University softball center fielder Hailey Darrington has been named CIAA Player of the Year.
New coaches join Hampton football
The coaching carousel continues at Hampton University. Trent Boykin has been named interim head football coach at HU, succeeding Robert Prunty.
Like NBA father, like NBA son
‘Brunson Burner’ ignites Knicks
Many fathers and sons have made their way to NBA rosters, including these with area/state ties.
Banner Christian’s Burke travels in the fast lane
Davian Burke specializes in takeoffs and landings and is almost always right on time. He ranks with the state’s top hurdlers even though he attends a high school – Banner Christian in Chesterfield – far removed from local sports’ neon lights.
Smith boards Pirates’ ship
Putting together a winning basketball program is like solving a puzzle. With that thought, newly named Hampton University coach Ivan Thomas is adding two new pieces — sophomore transfers Trevor Smith and Etienne Strothers.
Washington’s Heisman winner history continues with Daniels
The Washington Commanders are now two deep in Heisman Trophy winners at the quarterback position. With the second selection of the April 25 NFL Draft, the Commanders chose Heisman winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU.
French star Alexandre Saar on NBA teams’ radar
Last year it was Frenchman Victor Wembanyama who burst onto the NBA scene. This time it’s Alexandre Saar, a 7-foot-1 native of Bordeaux, who has the pro scouts buzzing.
VSU’s Darrington ignites lineup with precision hitting
Bringing attitude and energy
Hailey Darrington proves an athlete doesn’t have to be a high school star to become one in college. After skipping varsity softball at Manchester High, she’s blossomed into one of the CIAA’s top performers for Virginia State University.
U.S. Soccer boasts diverse roster
After some struggles, the United States Women’s National Team is showing signs of returning to its past glory. The team representing the stars and stripes in Paris includes eight women of color, including Trinity Rodman, daughter of former basketball star Dennis Rodman.
Price is right for HBCUs
Morgan Price has made gymnastics history – just like her coach did decades earlier.
Chicago is feeling Sky high
With the third and seventh picks of the WNBA draft, the skies brightened over Chicago.
VUU Golfers win CIAA tourney
The Virginia Union University golf team has earned the right to point to the sky and shout: “We’re No. 1.”
Embiid raises Uncle Sam’s hopes
Joel Embiid sports the colors red, white and blue for his NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers. So it’s fitting he’ll wear red, white and blue for the United States for the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
Who will be D.C.’s next QB?
Watch your step. Few revolving doors have spun as fast as the door leading to the Washington Commanders’ quarterback room.
Lots of baseball talent used to flow through HBCUs
Fans don’t often see them now in Major League baseball, but HBCU players have left a star-shaped mark on the sport. The illustrious list of long-ago standouts includes numerous Major League Hall of Famers and several others with local connections.
Journette stands out at NSU
Only one college offered Justin Journette a baseball scholarship while he was in high school. As it turned out, that one was enough.
More baseball players are foreign-born, says Forbes
Baseball, “The National Pastime,” is getting more and more international.
Robinson Day means so much to many
Jackie Robinson Day honors the courageous and wondrously talented man who broke baseball’s color barrier.
UConn beats Purdue to score 6th NCAA championship
For decades, UCLA represented the gold standard of college basketball. But now, the Bruins have become yesterday’s news. Connecticut has taken their place. The balance of power has shifted from Los Angeles to Storrs, Conn.
Undefeated, unforgettable
Dawn Staley’s South Carolina dynasty rolls and repeats as NCAA champions
The University of South Carolina women’s basketball ended its season with the same number of losses it started with – zero.
Top rookie: Is it Wemby or Holmgren?
Much was expected of Victor Wembanyama in his NBA rookie season and the 7-foot-4 Frenchman hasn’t disappointed.
Wyche signs with VUU
Kennard “KJ” Wyche Jr., among the most successful high school guards in Richmond-area history, will be continuing his education and basketball at Virginian Union University.
LeBron James shows support for Duquesne’s new coach
When Virginia Commnwealth University plays Duquesne next season, it’s likely LeBron James will be paying close attention.
Devin George races with ambition, talent
While he’s far, far from the finish line, Devin George has high hopes of following in the tire tracks of Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace.
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