Cape Henry Collegiate announced that Justyce Swango Melendez, an assistant coach for the last two seasons, will be the head coach for the Dolphins’ girls, succeeding Lance Hurdle.

Melendez played for two Princess Anne state championship teams before competing for Georgetown and Lenoir-Rhyne, where she served as a team captain and earned her bachelor’s degree in business marketing.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

JMU’s Dobbs nominated for Good Works Team

James Madison linebacker Jacob Dobbs was named a nominee for the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, as announced by Allstate and the Wuerffel Foundation.

Dobbs joined the Dukes in January after a stellar five-year career for Holy Cross, in which he started all 43 games and was a two-time FCS first-team All-American. His 432 tackles were the most in Holy Cross history.

BASEBALL

Pilots sweep doubleheader in regular-season home finale

The Peninsula Pilots closed their regular-season home schedule in fine fashion Friday night, pounding Tri-City 10-5, 14-2 in a doubleheader before 3,578 at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton.

The Pilots (34-12) will finish the regular season Saturday night at Morehead City before returning Sunday for Game 1 of a best-of-three Coastal Plain League Petitt Cup semifinal series against the Wilmington Sharks.

Peninsula won the East Division’s first-half title on the last possible day to clinch a playoff berth, then ran away with the second-half championship. The Sharks (26-18) have clinched the division’s second-best overall record and thus will face the Pilots.

In Game 1, Carlos Pena was 2 for 2 with a home run and four RBIs, Jevin Relaford was 2 for 4 and scored twice, Grayson Fitzwater scored three runs, and Henry Garcia was 2 for 4 with a run and three RBIs.

Seven Peninsula pitchers threw an inning apiece. Brian Ereu, Darrell Fletcher-Knight, Olvis Genao and Dylan Morrill shut out the Chili Peppers in their innings.

In Game 2, seven Pilots — Cole Koonce, Marcus Dux, Mitchell Wittkamp, Nate Varnier, Jacob Flicek, Gardner Meeks and Caden Plummer — combined to pitch a two-hitter and survived seven walks. Wittkamp, who struck out all three batters he faced, gained the victory.

The Chili Peppers (18-29) went ahead 1-0 in the first inning, but Peninsula went ahead to stay with a four-run second and took a 12-2 lead in the fifth.

The Pilots had 18 hits, including a home run by Fitzwater and a double by Trey Morgan, who was 3 for 5 with three runs and two RBIs. Relaford was 4 for 5 with three runs and two RBIs, Corbin Shaw was 4 for 5 with four RBIs and a run, Fitzwater and Jorsixt Jimenez each had two hits, two runs and two RBIs, and Luis Delacruz was 2 for 2 with a run.

COLLEGE TENNIS

ODU, NSU players gain academic honors

Six Old Dominion women’s players, four men’s players and both teams as a whole were recognized as 2023-24 Division I Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athletes.

Alexandra Viktorovitch, Allison Isaacs, Lidiia Rasskouskaia, Maury High graduate Mya Byrd, Sofia Johnson and Victoria Matasova all had grade-point averages of 3.5 or better on the women’s squad. Aryan Saleh, Jakob Cadonau, Maxime Mareschal-Hay and Thomas Nelson accomplished that on the men’s team.

The Norfolk State men’s and women’s squads also earned team academic honors.

Amber Fuller, Irina Iurea, Laura Ruiz and Sabina Iurea were the women’s ITA Scholar-Athletes, while Antoni Pankowski, Boris Lunin and Jakub Solarski earned the accolades on the men’s side.

COLLEGE WOMEN’S GOLF

ODU reveals schedule

Old Dominion announced its schedule, which will include four fall tournaments, beginning with Purdue’s Boilermaker Classic Sept.2-3.
ODU will host the fourth annual Evie Odom Invitational on Oct. 4-6 at Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia Beach.

The Monarchs will play five spring tournaments before the Sun Belt Championship at Lakewood Golf Club in Point Clear, Alabama, from April 14-17.

HOCKEY

Admirals bring back McLean, Iverson

The Norfolk Admirals re-signed defenseman Andrew McLean for the 2024-25 season. The 29-year-old Waterford, Michigan, native had eight goals, 25 assists and a plus-19 rating in 65 games last season.

Earlier this week, the Admirals re-signed forward Keegan Iverson for the 2024-25 season. The Minneapolis native had six goals, five assists and a career-high 169 penalty minutes for them last season. Coach Jeff Carr called Iverson “a major piece of our leadership group” in a team release.

BASKETBALL

7 Cities Pro-Am tourney bracket set

Six teams are in the bracket for the Hampton Roads 7 Cities Pro-Am Basketball League’s one-day championship tournament Sunday at Norview High in Norfolk.

The first round will feature NewRunz against ECG at 11 a.m., followed by Team Brown against Harvey Lindsay at 12:30.

In the semifinals, First Class Real Estate will meet Sunday’s first victor at 1:45 p.m., followed by the Tidewater Wildcats against Sunday’s second winner at 3. The championship game is planned for 4:15.

“The Olympic Village is like a college campus for the best athletes of the world,” said Crouse, a graduate of Cox High in Virginia Beach and a defender on the U.S. Olympic women’s field hockey team. “My teammates told me I walked by (seven-time swimming gold medalist) Katie Ledecky without noticing her.

“There’s so much happening in the village, you’ve got to keep a lookout.”

Crouse’s focus will turn to the field on Saturday at Yves du Manoir Stadium. It is one of the most famous of all athletic venues, known during the 1924 Olympics as the Stade Colombes.

It was there that British sprinters Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell won their gold medals at the Olympics, made famous by the 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire.” It is there that Crouse will realize her Olympic dream when Team USA opens against Argentina at 1:45 p.m. (Eastern) in pool play.

“Our field is where the opening ceremony was held 100 years ago (with the future King Edward VIII of England in attendance) and it is just beautiful,” Crouse said. “Being an Olympian is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid, so finally being here is an incredible feeling.”

The feeling is not hers alone.

Her cheering section of about a dozen in Paris will include parents Brad and Laurie Crouse, brother Grayson Crouse, Julie Swain, her first coach at Cox, and former club coach Sandy Szilassy. Taylor Rountree, her second coach at Cox, will watch on TV.

Each has shared in the Olympic dream Crouse has harbored since she was 10, riding with her dad past Cox High, where the field hockey practices captivated her. Swain recalls the many summer evenings she spotted Crouse and her dad working alone on her field hockey skills.

“Leah had a tremendous work ethic from a very young age,” Swain said. “The technical skills she possesses were the result of all that hard work.

“She had the speed and athleticism, so (with her technique) she made everything look effortless and was beautiful to watch on the field. She was tiny, but mighty, and had no problem evading (larger) opponents.

“From the very beginning, I thought she had tremendous potential.”

Crouse began to realize it in helping Cox win state championships in her freshman and junior seasons. Rountree succeeded Swain — who retired after 15 seasons and six state titles — in Crouse’s senior year.

“I remember coaching against her (with Cox’s rival, First Colonial) and we had to change our entire defense because of her,” Rountree said. “When I came to Cox, it felt like I had won the lottery with Leah.

“We were very young, but she put the team on her shoulders (with 46 goals and 31 assists) and we made it to the first round of states.”

Crouse said, “Cox field hockey has a tradition of success, and I feel like I developed my work ethic there. I was encouraged to work hard for my teammates and develop good habits to make me more resilient.”

The road from Cox led to four seasons at Duke, where she played in the Final Four once, and a graduate season at Maryland. Selected to the U.S. Women’s National Team 13 months ago, she followed Stefanie Fee (a 2016 Olympian) as the second Cox player named to an Olympic team.

“This has been a lifetime dream of hers since she was 10 and here we are,” said Brad Crouse, who hugged his daughter and screamed “Leah’s going to Paris!” when she got the call on June 10.

Although she’s played forward or center-midfielder much of her career, Crouse, like Fee, is a defender for the Olympic team. Swain guesses that is because her ball skills allow Crouse to lead the counterattack out of the back.

Regardless of her role, Crouse is ecstatic to realize her Olympic dream-come-true Saturday.

“I moved to defender last September and it was a lot to learn a new position,” she said, noting that Team USA is “a bit of an underdog” to win a medal in the 12-team field, but is determined to do just that. “I took it as a challenge and went for it.

“That mindset definitely helped me get where I am today. What started as a faraway hopeful dream is now a reality.”

Marty O’Brien, mjobrien@dailypress.com

One of those went to Grant Holloway, advising him how to hold the American flag.

“I told him to keep the stars on his right,” Nieter said recently. “Grant came up to me and said, ‘Coach, what are you talking about?’ I told him, ‘When they hand you the United States flag at the Olympics, I want to make sure you put your stars in your right hand. That way you won’t be holding the flag backwards.’ He laughed and said, ‘Whatever.'”

Holloway was in middle school at the time, and had no idea what the future would hold.

Nieter did.

Since, then Holloway has had plenty of practice holding the flag. He’s a three-time track and field world champion and an Olympic silver medalist in the 110-meter hurdles. Each time, he held the flag proudly.

When Holloway won silver three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics, Nieter texted him the day of the finals.

“I told him, ‘Stars on the right,'” Nieter said. “And he sent me a picture of himself after winning silver.”

Holloway, 26 and a graduate of Grassfield High, hopes again to hold the Stars and Stripes at the Paris Games. He’s a heavy favorite to be holding something else: a gold medal.

“Almost a decade ago, I was still at Grassfield High,” Holloway said in a telephone interview before leaving for Paris. “I wouldn’t call it an overnight success because you know how hard I worked at my craft. But for me, I think the biggest thing is just living in the moment.”

Holloway is arguably one of the greatest athletes to come out of Hampton Roads.

With Grassfield high, he finished with 17 state titles — including seven as a senior — and two national records (55- and 60-meter hurdles). He also was dynamic on the football field — accounting for 16 touchdowns by receiving, rushing, interception and kick returns. He was a two-time recipient of The Virginian-Pilot Male Athlete of the Year award.

He turned down numerous football scholarships to run track.

With the University of Florida, Holloway won eight NCAA titles, broke a 40-year-old record in the 110 hurdles and became the first man in collegiate history to win three straight indoor and outdoor high hurdles titles. He helped the Gators win three NCAA titles and finish second three times.

Holloway’s dominance continued when he turned pro and signed with Adidas. He owns the second-fastest time in 110 hurdles history at 12.81 seconds and is the world-record holder in the 60 meters at 7.27 seconds.

The last time Holloway lost an indoor hurdles race was March 2014, when he was 16 years old.

But for all his accomplishments, after winning silver in Tokyo, Holloway is motivated to add a gold medal to his résume.

He started fast and led for much of the gold-medal race in the 2021 Games, but couldn’t hold off fast-charging Hansle Parchment of Jamaica.

“I got a little bit excited towards the end of the race and my form kind of broke down,” Holloway told reporters.

Holloway has not forgotten, and while he’s the favorite in Paris, he won’t allow himself to think about the gold medal. The first round of the 110 hurdles is Aug. 4, followed by the semifinals Aug. 7 and the final Aug. 8.

“Right now, the main thing was just the preparation phase. So, my main thing is, I gotta take care of two rounds. And then on top of that, I gotta make the finals, and I gotta get to that finish line before everybody else,” he said. “I don’t know what it means to be an Olympic champion. I know what it feels like to be a silver medalist.

“I can talk about that every day. But Olympic gold is going be a tough one. But I think when that moment comes, I don’t think I’m going to let it slip through my hands this time.”

The Olympics also are a chance to get to know Holloway better. With his infectious smile and charisma, he could win over many fans.

Grant Holloway (@Flaamingoo_) is coming for the 110m hurdles Olympic crown. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/ccIulaeukN

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 13, 2024

Nieter noticed that about Holloway in middle school.

“When Grant came along, you could just see him walk around the hallway and see there was just something about him,” Nieter said. “There was a bounce in his step, and his personality was just magnetic. Everybody wanted to be around him.”

Holloway will be part of Xfinity’s “We all Win” campaign in Paris. Xfinity and Team Comcast will follow him during the Olympics to give fans an up-close and personal look at him.

“They’re catching not only my moments on the track, but even off the track,” Holloway said. “They’re going to find me on the field warm-up area. They’re even strapping heart-rate monitors to not only myself, but to my father, and they’re watching his heart spike when the gun goes off, in the middle of the race and through the race.

“They’re just doing so much to capture not only my story, but the stories around me. For them to choose me, that means they have faith in me.”

As Holloway prepared recently for his second Olympics, he credited his upbringing in Hampton Roads and parents Stan and Latasha. He said the 757 helped shape him as an athlete, while his parents molded him into a man.

“I tell everybody that when you come from an area that is so close-knitted and has great athletes that go off to college each and every year, that just speaks volume of our area,” he said. “We’re not California, we’re not Texas, but we’re a respectful state that every blue moon can have somebody be on the top.

“You know, when I came up, I was watching LaShawn Merritt and Michael Cherry,” he added, referring to two other track legends from Hampton Roads. “It was just one of the things where I was like, ‘They’re doing what I want to do.’ So I want to follow in their footsteps, but I want to write my own story at the same time. Just to come from the 757 and Grassfield means a lot.”

Holloway said his parents keep him grounded as grand possibilities — a gold medal and stardom — loom.

“They’re part of the reasons why I am where I am now,” he said. “I’ve always leaned on both of them, not only physically, but more so on the emotional and mental standpoint. I could be the best person in the world, or I could be the worst person in the world, I know those two people will always be my No. 1 fan. Once it’s all said and done, I know they’ll still appreciate me, regardless of the outcome.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

“I always have like a goal list that motivates me,” said Gallop, who starred at Churchland High in Portsmouth. “I have some on my phone when I wake up. I have some in my locker. So it’s always there as motivation.”

Last season, Gallop accomplished everything on his wish list and more.

He was the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, just the fourth Bison player to receive the award since 1971. He also was the recipient of the Aeneas Williams Award, given to the nation’s best defensive back in HBCU Division I football.

Gallop made three All-America teams, and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the most outstanding defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

And this season has gotten off to a great start as he was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday at the league’s annual media day.

“It’s a great feeling, but I also know that preseason doesn’t mean much,” said Gallop, who also was named a first-team Preseason All-American by FCS Football Central. “It’s not how you start, but how you finish. It feels amazing to get recognized, but you know, I’m more of a guy who cares about accolades after the season.”

Coming home for media day was a big deal for Gallop. He got to show teammates and coaches where it all started for him, including the 15-minute drive to his high school.

“It feels good, you know, just being close to home,” he said. “You know, showing my teammates around the area I grew up in. It’s just always exciting to show guys my background and where I come from.”

Going back to Churchland also is a reminder to Gallop of how far he’s come. He wasn’t highly sought as a high school player. But he went to Howard University and worked hard to become one of the top defensive backs in the country.

“At one time in my life, I didn’t have any scholarships. I used to think I wasn’t going to go to college,” said Gallop, 6 feet and 215 pounds. “So I never get complacent and also always enjoy the moment. I’m excited about my accolades because I know the work I’ve put in. But I want some more, I’m still hungry.”

Last season, he helped lead Howard to its first Celebration Bowl appearance.

Teammate Darius Fox knows they’ll need another big season from Gallop to be successful.

“He will be extremely critical to our team’s success on defense. On defense, we’ll go as far as he goes,” he said. “With him on the field, the sky’s the limit. He’s a key part to our defense. He’s one of those field generals that takes control on the field.”

Howard coach Larry Scott called Gallop the “rock” of the team.

“He’s the epitome of what you want in your program. He’s a guy who does it right every day,” he said. “Hopefully, a lot of the other younger players can see through the example that he provides each and every day, how valuable just being consistent is.”

Gallop returned to Howard to pursue his graduate degree. It also gave him a chance to play alongside his brother, Kaleb, and improve his chances of getting drafted.

For the second time in three seasons, no HBCU football players were selected in this year’s NFL draft. Only Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden, who was drafted in 2023, has been selected in the past three years.

And the last Bison to be drafted was former Denbigh High star Antoine Bethea, who went in the sixth round to the Indianapolis Colts in 2006.

“It was definitely frustrating because there were a lot of talented guys,” he said. “I feel like the 2024 draft class was one of the most talented draft classes.”

Gallop, a two-time HBCU All-American, wants to change that. He has been selected to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000, which is a best-in-class all-star event that will take place Feb. 1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Players who are selected will be coached by NFL coaches in an NFL facility while having access to NFL-level resources, facilities, player-friendly schedules and opportunities at the highest level.

“That’s my main goal is to get drafted,” he said. “That was kind of like a big motivation thing for me. I want to show that I’m capable of going to the NFL from Howard University.”

On Tuesday evening, the program took a step in the right direction.

With an auditorium filled with prospective baseball players and their parents in attendance, Kempsville’s administration took the first step in healing when they introduced Luke Stice as the program’s new coach. He replaces John Penn, who is no longer with the school.

Kempsville student activities coordinator Zach Wolff, who got the job in June, knew changing coaches was going to be his first major decision.

“I knew this was something that we had to do,” he said. “We took our time with it because we knew we wanted to get the decision right. That was more important than anything else, is making sure we made the right decision. And the selection committee, we are very confident that we did. We’re real happy to have Coach Stice.”

What sold Wolff on Stice was how he addressed the issues head-on and didn’t waver, unlike others.

“I knew we had to find the right person to meet the moment,” Wolff said. “We needed a person to rebuild the culture to lead the program through a process of rebuilding trust with the community, the school and with each other.”

Stice, who was the Chiefs’ head junior-varsity coach the past two seasons, said he knew addressing the issue was the only way.

“Just being first-hand in the situation and seeing the impact that it had on the boys really drove me to say, ‘This is really screwed up,'” he said. “I just kept communicating with them the whole time, keeping that door of communication open with them and letting them know that I’m here for them.

“The players on the JV team also faced some challenges to deal with once the news came out. I knew from that moment, if anything changes (regarding a coaching opening), I will be the man for this job.”

Kempsville pitcher/outfielder TJ Davis was on hand for the introduction. Davis, who is Black, said he believes in Stice, who is white.

“I’m very excited to see what he brings to the team and how he creates bonds with all the players and brings us together,” said Davis, a rising senior. “I feel like he really wants for the program to do better.”

Kempsville principal Melissa George said the committee made the right decision with the hiring of Stice.

“It’s like a weight lifted off because I know there is someone I can trust that’s going to come in and have the best interest of this team,” she said. “He said he wants to heal the team and build culture. The wins will come after that.”

Stice is ready for the challenge, but he knows it will take time.

“I’m not going to put a timeline on it. It could be a year, it could be five years. I don’t know how long it will take,” he said. “But with (the administration’s) support, I know we’ll get the culture right.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

Here’s a look at some more athletes who stood out during the 2023-24 year in high school sports:

Star Power

Keylen Adams, Green Run football: The Virginia Tech signee set Virginia High School League career records for receiving yards (4,226) and touchdowns (63) and finished second in career receptions (203). He also broke the South Hampton Roads career receiving records in yards, touchdowns and receptions. His senior season stats: 59 receptions, 1,233 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Jordyn Anderson, Woodside wrestling: At 126 pounds, she gave Hampton Roads a VHSL girls championship.

Silas Barksdale, Woodside basketball: The junior was named All-Tidewater Player of the Year and Class 5 state Player of the Year after helping the Wolverines (27-1) beat L.C. Bird for the program’s second consecutive Class 5 championship.

Brooke Bettencourt, Norfolk Academy field hockey: The senior, headed to Wake Forest, was the All-Tidewater Player of the Year after anchoring a state championship team with 28 goals and 23 assists.

Sam Braidwood, Cox boys soccer and football: The senior became the first goalkeeper to be named the All-Tidewater Boys Soccer Player of the Year after leading the Falcons to a second Class 5 state title in three seasons. In football, he made nine field goals, including a 48-yarder — the longest of the season in Hampton Roads and tied for fifth-longest in South Hampton Roads history.

Sofia Catlin, Kellam gymnastics: Catlin registered scores of 9.3 or higher in all four events to win the VHSL Individual Open all-around competition at Ocean Lakes High. Catlin also helped the Knights finish second in the team competition.

Armani Chance, Catholic track and field: The sophomore won the 100-meter hurdles (15.35 seconds), long jump (17 feet, 10 inches) and the triple jump (35-1½) at the VISAA Division I outdoor championships. She also finished fifth in the 100.

Rainer Christiansen, Grafton boys tennis: The senior made his fourth consecutive individual state tournament trip pay off, taking his first Class 3 singles crown and the doubles title with John Lee.

Peter Cook, Lafayette football: The son of legendary William & Mary quarterback Mike Cook, Peter Cook stars sacking quarterbacks and was named the state Class 3 Defensive Player of the Year in leading the Rams to the state championship game. He finished with 131 tackles — 27 for loss — and 25 sacks.

Kayleigh Duffy, First Colonial swimming: Duffy, a senior signed with Virginia, repeated as champion in the 50-yard freestyle and 100 freestyle events at the Class 5 championships.

Kayla Foley, First Colonial girls volleyball: The senior was the All-Tidewater Player of the Year after guiding the Patriots to the Class 5 championship. She led the charge from the back with 55 aces, 89 assists, 406 digs and a 96.3 serving percentage.

Jared Goodson, Poquoson wrestling: Goodson won the Class 2 state title at 126 pounds, leading Poquoson to second place in the tournament. With two titles in as many years, he remains on track to become the fourth Islander with four individual state titles.

Elena Granados, Cape Henry track and field: The senior won the long jump (17 feet, 5¼ inches) and triple jump (38-0¾), finished second in the 100 and 200, and placed eighth in the shot put and 11th in the discus at the VISAA Division II outdoor championships.

Keegan Haesler, First Colonial baseball: The junior outfielder/first baseman, the All-Tidewater Player of the Year, batted .486 with 47 hits, 34 runs, 24 stolen bases and 22 RBIs to help the Patriots win their first state title in 31 years.

Jeylah Hamrick, Walsingham Academy track and field: The senior won the girls 100 meters with a VISAA Division II outdoor championship meet record and also won the 200 and 300 hurdles, and finished runner-up in the long jump.

Destiny Harris, Granby softball: Harris showed why she is LSU-bound with a .703 batting average, five home runs, 43 runs and 48 RBIs.

Mika Hilburger, Tabb field hockey: A three-sport standout (she also plays basketball and softball), Hilburger, a junior who led Tabb to the Class 3 state title with 37 goals and 27 assists, was named the state Player of the Year.

Alexis Keeter, Grafton volleyball: A senior outside hitter who will play for Florida Gulf Coast, Keeter led the Clippers to a seventh consecutive state final and was named the Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year, Class 3 Player of the Year and Region A Player of the Year.

Maddie Leach, Jamestown girls basketball and soccer: Leach was first-team All-Class 4 in both sports and led Jamestown to a girls basketball state tournament for the first time in 18 years with averages of 21.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 5.9 steals. The Bay Rivers District Player of the Year in basketball, she repeated that honor in soccer, scoring more than 20 goals.

Sydney Miller and Skylar Miller, First Colonial girls soccer: The identical twins, both signed with Tennessee, scored 17 goals each and led the Patriots to the Class 5 state championship game. They are the first players to share All-Tidewater Girls Soccer Player of the Year honors.

Au’Tori Newkirk, Maury football: The junior was the 2023 Abe Goldblatt All-Tidewater Player of the Year after throwing for 3,670 yards — second on the all-time single-season South Hampton Roads list — and 44 touchdowns, with just five interceptions. He had 4,430 all-purpose yards and 57 total TDs, both second on the all-time South Hampton Roads list.

Dylan Olinger, Bruton golf: The senior shot a 1-under-par 71 at Great Oaks Country Club in Floyd to become the first golfer in VHSL history to win three consecutive state titles.

Matthew Onoff, Menchville tennis: The senior, given an opening because of an injury to the defending champion, won the state Class 5 singles title after repeating as the Class B champion.

Ryan Pecora, Kempsville boys volleyball: The 6-foot-7 senior middle blocker, the All-Tidewater Player of the Year, registered 592 kills in helping lead the Chiefs to their first state tournament appearance since the 1990s.

Kaliya Perry, Hampton girls basketball: Perry had 19 points and 17 rebounds in the Class 4 state final, but it wasn’t enough to give the Crabbers a third state championship in four seasons as they fell 68-58 to Woodgrove.

Jane Phillips, Kellam track and field: Phillips had never won an individual state title before her senior year, but she graduated with five. She won the state cross country title in the fall, the 1,000 and 1,600 at the Class 5 indoor championships and the 800 and 1,600 state outdoor titles.

Anthony Reddick, Phoebus football: The state Class 3 Defensive Player of the Year, Reddick, a defensive end, led the state champion Phantoms’ defense — which allowed only 44 points in 15 games — with 96 ½ tackles, including 27 for loss, and 26 sacks. He signed with Maryland.

Andrew Salvodon, Bayside: The junior ran the 500 meters in a blistering time of 1 minute, 2.9 seconds to win his first state title. His time was a Class 5 indoor meet record and the fourth-fastest recorded time in the nation this season. In outdoor, he won the 400 (47.19).

Gretchen Scott, Norfolk Academy: The senior, headed to Brown, was a first-team All-Tidewater defender for the state champion Bulldogs in field hockey, anchoring a defense that surrendered just 12 goals all season. In soccer, Scott was a first-team All-VISAA pick for a team that lost in the state semis.

Brianna Selby, Indian River track and field: Selby, a senior, broke her state record in the 55 meters (6.76 seconds) — the fourth-fastest recorded time in the nation this season. She also won the 300 state title in 39.66 seconds.

Seventeen boys from Hampton Roads won VHSL state wrestling championships — Class 6: Landstown’s Michael Phoutasen (138) and Naasir Edmonds (285); Class 5: Cox’s Seth Pringle (106 pounds), Caleb Rafal (126) and Rudy Wagner (190); Great Bridge’s Myrin Nixon (138), Beau Lewis (144) and Caleb Neal (157); First Colonial’s Thomas Stofka (150), Leonard Ashley (165) and Schey Huff (215); Tallwood’s Josiah Irizarry (113); Kellam’s Brodie Altman (132) and Deep Creek’s Samuel Diggs (175); Class 2: Poquoson’s Jared Goodson (126), Bryan Latta (135) and Reed Booth (144).

— Compiled by Sonny Dearth, Jami Frankenberry, Marty O’Brien, Michael Sauls and Larry Rubama

State champs!

Twenty-four teams from Hampton Roads won VHSL state championships in 2023-24, but that was a marked decline. In 2022-23, the area won a whopping 35 team titles.

Among the milestones this time around:

• Princess Anne took home a girls basketball state championship for the 10th time in 11 seasons, and coach Darnell Dozier added his 14th overall VHSL trophy to the case.
• Woodside went back-to-back in boys basketball and gave coach Stefan Welsh a rare distinction: Welsh is the only basketball player from Hampton Roads to win back-to-back titles in high school and then win two straight as a coach. Welsh starred for the Wolverines.
• Phoebus has plenty of state championship moments in football during the past two decades, but one scintillating play (more on that later) might be the most memorable among the storied program’s 10 state championships over the past 22 years.
• Kellam outlasted First Colonial in the first matchup between Beach District schools in a girls soccer state championship game.

Power shift

A field hockey team from South Hampton Roads had brought home a VHSL state championship trophy every year from 2014-22, but that streak ended when First Colonial fell 1-0 to Independence in the Class 5 championship game. Tabb kept the 757 from being shut out completely in the VHSL by winning its fourth straight field hockey crown, and Norfolk Academy took the VISAA Division I championship.

Play of the Year: The Phoebus Fling

Phoebus’ game-winning 86-yard touchdown won pass per NFHS Network feed. Phantoms won 21-14 over Salem in Class 3 state championship game. pic.twitter.com/kmz6buYQVW

— 757Teamz (@757teamz) December 9, 2023

Phoebus’ chances of a third consecutive football state title looked bleak when senior starting quarterback Adonis Stowers was injured in a Class 4 Region A semifinal win over rival Hampton. Instead, freshman Maurikus “Rik” Banks emerged as a star of the future, and present, by guiding the Phantoms to three consecutive victories. He capped his run by throwing an 86-yard touchdown pass to senior Keyontae Gray with one second left in the Class 4 state championship game, giving the 15-0 Phantoms a 21-14 win over the Salem Spartans and a third consecutive state title.

Wrestling domination in Class 5

Not only did Cox win the Class 5 wrestling state championship, but Hampton Roads grapplers earned 12 of 14 individual titles. The winners: Cox’s Seth Pringle (106 pounds), Caleb Rafal (126) and Rudy Wagner (190); Great Bridge’s Myrin Nixon (138), Beau Lewis (144) and Caleb Neal (157); First Colonial’s Thomas Stofka (150), Leonard Ashley (165) and Schey Huff (215); Tallwood’s Josiah Irizarry (113); Kellam’s Brodie Altman (132); and Deep Creek’s Samuel Diggs (175). Diggs celebrated the Hornets’ first wrestling title in more than 30 years.

‘Racism, hate speech, and harassment’

Those haunting words came from Kempsville High principal Melissa George in a note to parents in announcing that the Chiefs’ baseball season was halted after an investigation.

“After our lengthy investigation after we received allegations of racism on the baseball team earlier in April, we have found that racism, hate speech, and harassment have been an ongoing issue for multiple years,” George wrote.

The Kempsville baseball season was canceled after the team went 5-11 in its first 16 games.

“We should be so far from this, but we’re not,” said Green Run coach Myron Campbell. “We’re still how it was before Jackie (Robinson), man. It’s 2024 and still feels like it’s 1944.”

NIL comes to the VHSL

The 2023-24 school year was the first in which the VHSL permitted athletes to profit from their Name, Image and Likeness.

The VHSL’s adoption in May 2023 of NIL legislation followed a similar ruling by the NCAA for college athletes and added Virginia to a growing list of states that allow high school athletes to profit from NIL deals.

NIL deals for high school athletes are rare, but Indian River High sprinter Brianna Selby became the first track athlete in Virginia to ink one when she signed with New Balance.

“When I first started running, they sent me a new pair of shoes,” said Selby, who signed to run track for Southern California. “But I’m very proud. I didn’t know how far I could go with this. This came really fast.”

Anything but lax

Kellam’s boys lacrosse team won 16 consecutive games late in the season on its way to becoming the first from Hampton Roads to advance to a VHSL state championship game.

Kellam topped Patrick Henry of Roanoke 9-4 in the Class 5 semifinals with two goals and three assists from Evan Djunaedi and three goals each from Colt Goodwin and Jacob Leonard. The Knights fell to perennial power Riverside in the title game.

Lacrosse moved from a club sport to VHSL-sanctioned varsity sport before the 2022-23 school year.

Phoebus football team scores 104 points

The Phantoms’ 104-0 win over Jamestown in the Class 4 Region A football playoffs garnered national attention, while generating numerous questions about blame for the debacle. Why was a No. 1 vs. No. 8 seed game played in a region with only nine teams in the first place? Why didn’t Jamestown coaches and administrators listen to those team parents who reportedly felt the Eagles should forfeit rather than play? Why wasn’t the game ended when it was 84-0 at halftime? Why did Phoebus throw a long pass on the final play to surpass 100 points?

In memoriam

Lefty Driesell, who guided Newport News High to an unbeaten season and Group 1-A boys basketball title in 1958 — then became a Hall of Fame coach in college with Maryland and three other schools — died in March.

Willard Hunt, Tabb’s longest-serving athletic director, died in May. He was the coach of the Tigers’ 1977 wrestling state champs and the offensive coordinator on three Tabb football state champions.

Churchland two-sport athlete Aveyon Jordan was shot and killed in March. He was second-team all-state, all-region and All-Eastern District in basketball. He also played wide receiver and defensive back in football.

Norm Snead, a former Warwick High quarterback who played 16 seasons at that position in the NFL and made four Pro Bowls, died in January.

Parker Topping, an inspiration for braving more than 150 chemotherapy treatments while serving as an assistant basketball coach at Poquoson and Grafton, died in March.

— Staff writers Marty O’Brien, Larry Rubama, Michael Sauls and Sonny Dearth contributed to this story.

Jami Frankenberry is the sports editor of The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press. Reach him at jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com

Elijah Washington, Lake Taylor

Washington was a two-way standout in football, and he was just getting warmed up for his senior year. After snatching 50 receptions for 947 yards on offense and collecting 106 tackles and 12 ½ sacks on defense, Washington starred for a Titans basketball team that won the Class 3 Region A title and reached the state championship game. He averaged 15 points and 4.5 blocks, and he propelled Lake Taylor into the state title game with a 28-point, 19-rebound performance in the semifinals. Washington — first-team All-Tidewater and first-team all-state in basketball and second-team All-Tidewater and second-team all-state in football — has signed with Syracuse to play football.

Runner-up

Poquoson’s Baker Green starred in three sports: rushing for 1,177 yards in football; winning state track titles indoor in the 300-meter run and outdoor in the 100 and 200; and batting .321 with 27 steals for a Class 2 state champion in baseball.

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Female Athlete of the Year

Sophie Rambo, Grassfield

Rambo blazed a trail for the up-and-coming Grizzlies track program as a sophomore. She started in the winter season, defending her indoor track state championships in the 300- and 500-meter runs. Her 500 time of 1 minute, 11.76 seconds was the season’s fastest indoor time in the country. Then in the spring, Rambo won three events to help Grassfield claim the Class 6 team championship. Rambo won the 100 (11.8 seconds), 200 (24.06) and 400 (53.58). Her 400 time was the season’s sixth-fastest in the nation.

Runner-up

Princess Anne’s Micah Ojo, rated among the top 25 freshman girls basketball players in the country by ESPNw, led the Cavaliers to a 14th state title in 22 years with 31 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four blocks in a win over James River in the Class 5 title game. Her final season averages: 18.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.4 steals, 4.2 blocks and 3.6 assists.

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Coach of the Year

Stefan Welsh, Woodside boys basketball

Welsh was already in rare air after last year becoming one of just three former Hampton Roads boys basketball players who won state titles as a player and coach, joining Darren Sanderlin and Brandon Plummer. This year, Welsh became the first from the area to win back-to-back state championships as both a player and coach. Welsh guided Woodside (27-1) to a second straight Class 5 title, with the Wolverines dominating L.C. Bird 53-33 in the title game and becoming the first Hampton Roads boys team to win back-to-back crowns since Norcom won four straight from 2014-17.

Runner-up

Tabb’s Wendy Wilson guided her team to a 22-0 record and the Class 3 field hockey state title as the Tigers beat Meridian 6-0. Tabb has won 10 state championships and has been to 13 state finals in Wilson’s past 14 seasons as coach.

Big plays

Quarterback Lonnie Andrews heaved a 36-yard touchdown pass to Travis Johnson — who made a leaping grab between two defenders — as time expired to give Oscar Smith a 27-21 regular-season victory over Indian River.

Oscar Smith wins on last play of the game. Travis Johnson with incredible catch. OSCAR SMITH 27, INDIAN RIVER 21 pic.twitter.com/os5WajMtdm

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) October 7, 2023

Lake Taylor earned its first state tournament berth in five years when Avanni McDaniel made a 3-pointer from 23 feet at the final buzzer to give the Titans a 53-51 win over Grafton in the Class 3 Region A semifinals.

Jacobi Harper corralled a rebound and sank the game-winning shot with 1.4 seconds left to give Oscar Smith a thrilling 65-64 regular-season victory over King’s Fork in a battle of top-10 teams.

A thriller at Oscar Smith as the seventh-ranked Tigers upset No. 3 King’s Fork on Jacobi Harper's game-winning shot with 1.4 seconds left. Harper finished with 15 points. Ulysses Young finished with 19 points, Cam Walters added 12 points and Anthony Lewis had 12 points. pic.twitter.com/5zQ5tfFLwO

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) February 2, 2024

The bases were loaded with one out and the score tied 1-1 in the eighth inning when Menchville’s Chance Jones crushed a pitch over the left-field wall for a walk-off grand slam in a Class 5 Region A semifinal victory over Granby.

Chance Jones with the game-winning hit. Menchville headed to state with win over Granby pic.twitter.com/02mChfNib7

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) May 29, 2024

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State champs

Fall

Maury football (Class 5): Au’Tori Newkirk threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 54 yards and two more scores as the Commodores capped a 15-0 season by racing to a big early lead, then holding off Stone Bridge 45-34 in the title game.

Phoebus football (Class 4): After starter Adonis Stowers was injured in the region semifinals, freshman Maurikus “Rik” Banks guided the Phantoms (15-0) to three straight victories and threw an 86-yard touchdown pass to Keyontae Gray with one second left in the Class 4 state championship game for a 21-14 win over the Salem Spartans and a third consecutive state title.

Tabb field hockey (Class 3): Sophomore midfielder Kira Trader scored four goals as the Tigers completed a dominant run to a fourth consecutive title with a convincing 6-0 victory over Meridian. Tabb outscored its state tournament opponents 17-0.

First Colonial girls volleyball (Class 5): Jules Dooren recorded 10 digs and Kayla Foley registered 23 digs as the Patriots won 3-1 over Riverside to win the program’s first state championship since 2014.

Ocean Lakes girls cross country (Class 5): The Dolphins won their third state championship in four seasons under coach Mike Nestor. They were led by depth: Khadija Sissoko (ninth), Grace Thompson (10th), Riley Gomez (20th), Lauren Rakov (30th) and Lindsay Meadows (45th).

Jamestown girls cross country (Class 4): The Eagles won the program’s first state crown, led by runner-up Kylie Brooks, Raini Mayo (11th), Emily Dahl (13th), Claire Bauer (19th) and Hailey Shearer (34th).

Winter

Woodside boys basketball (Class 5):  Silas Barksdale, a junior named All-Tidewater Player of the Year and Class 5 Player of the Year, scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds — including 10 offensive boards — as the Wolverines (27-1) beat L.C. Bird 53-33 to win their second consecutive title under Stefan Welsh.

Hampton boys basketball (Class 4): Abraham Taft, Gavin Kay, Kahron Clarke and Malik Johnson — the Class 4 Player of the Year — led a balanced effort as the Crabbers held off Tuscarora 66-63 to win the program’s sixth state title and first since 2012.

Princess Anne girls basketball (Class 5): The Cavaliers (25-2) made it 14 state titles, and 10 of the past 11, with an 80-70 win over James River. Freshman Micah Ojo scored 31 points and seemingly made every key pass, basket or steal in the closing minutes of a showdown with North Carolina-bound Lanie Grant (35 points).

Ocean Lakes gymnastics (Class 5): The Dolphins, competing on their home floor, won their first crown since 2020 as Julia Lee turned in the day’s best score in three events: bars (9.7) vault (9.375) and floor exercise (9.45).

Bruton swimming and diving (Class 2): Alyssa White and Izzie Check each won two individual events and were part of two winning relays as Bruton turned in a dominating performance.

Cox wrestling (Class 5): The Falcons became the first Beach District team to win a state wrestling title since 2010, finishing well ahead of Independence and perennial state power Great Bridge. Seth Pringle (106 pounds), Caleb Rafal (126) and Rudy Wagner (190) each won individual state crowns for the Falcons.

Kecoughtan boys indoor track and field (Class 5): Jaymes Saunders won the high jump and finished third in the 55-meter hurdles and long jump to pace the Warriors.

Bruton boys and girls track and field (Class 2): Jayden Curry placed in three individual events as the boys edged Glenvar by one point. The Panthers’ girls outlasted Lee High of Jonesville by 2.25 points, paced by Alecia Kissoon’s victory in the 300 and second-place finish in the 55.

Spring

First Colonial baseball (Class 5): Brady Gavin’s two-run triple in the second inning helped stake the Patriots to a big early lead in a 10-3 victory over Mills Godwin — the program’s first state championship since 1993.

York baseball (Class 3): Casey Cheaney launched a sixth-inning grand slam as the surprising Falcons (19-9) knocked off previously unbeaten Liberty Christian Academy 10-5 to win their first state baseball title since 1989.

Poquoson baseball (Class 2): Eli Tyndall struck out 13 over 7 2/3 innings before reaching his pitch limit, and TJ Check provided a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning as the Islanders defeated Lebanon 2-1 for their fourth state crown.

Cox boys soccer (Class 5): Dax Booth booted in the game-winning penalty kick and keeper Sam Braidwood held Albemarle scoreless in the second half and deflected two PKs, and the Falcons hoisted their second state title in three seasons. They won 5-3 in PKs after a 1-1 standoff.

Lafayette boys soccer (Class 3): The Rams recovered from a 1-5 start to the season, capping the program’s first state championship run with a 1-0 victory — Jack Troy scored — over previously unbeaten Western Albemarle.

Kellam girls soccer (Class 5): Ava Chuderewicz knocked in the game-clinching penalty kick — after a scoreless regulation and four overtimes — as the Knights outlasted Beach District rival First Colonial to win their first state title since 2005.

Bruton boys tennis (Class 2): After recent near-misses, the Panthers claimed their first boys tennis team title while freshman Christoph Schweitzer, the individual singles runner-up, and Max de Winter took the doubles crown.

Bruton boys track and field (Class 2): Jayden Curry won the 1,600 meters (4:16.97) and was runner-up in both the 800 and high jump to help the Panthers win the title.

Kecoughtan boys track and field (Class 5): The Warriors repeated as outdoor champs by scoring 41 points in the jumping events, and Chazden Wilson (first), Kellen LaRoche (tied for second) and Jaymes Saunders (fifth) dominated the high jump.

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VISAA state champs

Fall

Norfolk Academy field hockey (Division I)

Cape Henry girls tennis (Division II)

Nansemond-Suffolk girls volleyball (Division II)

StoneBridge girls volleyball (Division III)

Winter

Cape Henry girls swimming (Division II)

Spring

Greenbrier Christian baseball (Division II)

Walsingham baseball (Division III)

Nansemond-Suffolk softball (Division II)

Nansemond-Suffolk boys lacrosse (Division II)

— Compiled by Jami Frankenberry, Sonny Dearth, Marty O’Brien, Larry Rubama, Michael Sauls

Anderson, a University of Virginia catcher, was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the second round (61st overall).

In four seasons with UVA, Anderson finished among the top 10 in program history in doubles (third with 58), home runs (tied for seventh with 28) and total bases (10th with 373).

During his senior season, Anderson was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection at utility, starting at catcher, first base and designated hitter. He started all 63 games and batted .331 with 67 runs, 20 doubles, eight home runs and 40 RBIs.

Anderson also set the UVA single-season record for doubles with 26 as a sophomore.

MLB.com valued Anderson’s pick at $1.42 million.

Anderson’s path to the major leagues could lead him close to home — the Norfolk Tides are the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate.

Anderson was the second UVA player to be selected Sunday by Baltimore, which picked shortstop Griff O’Ferrall 32nd overall.

O’Ferrall, of Richmond, started every game at shortstop during his three seasons and is second in UVA history in runs (196), fourth in career hits (270) and ninth with a .344 career batting average. As a senior, he won the Brooks Wallace Award as the country’s best shortstop and won a Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

O’Ferrall was a Prospect Promotion Incentive pick after the first round. MLB.com valued O’Ferrall’s pick at $2.84 million.

Griffin Burkholder, an outfielder out of Freedom High in Woodbridge, was taken 63rd overall by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Australian second baseman Travis Bazzana was taken by the Cleveland Guardians with the No. 1 pick, and three players from Wake Forest were selected in the top 10.

A former cricket, rugby and soccer player who came to the United States to play baseball for Oregon State, the 21-year-old Bazzana hit .407 with 28 homers and 66 RBIs this season. He became the first Australian and first second baseman taken No. 1.

Wake Forest right-handed pitcher Chase Burns went second to Cincinnati, while Demon Deacons first baseman Nick Kurtz was the fourth pick for Oakland and Wake third baseman/outfielder Seaver King 10th for Washington.

Area picks go early on second day

Monday’s drafting began with the third round, but the fourth round was particularly notable for area fans.

The Miami Marlins took James Madison star outfielder Fenwick Trimble, a Cox High graduate, with the 122nd pick. Virginia Tech infielder Carson DeMartini, from Ocean Lakes High, went to the Philadelphia Phillies with the 130th selection.

Also in that round, UVA outfielder Casey Saucke went to the Chicago White Sox with pick 107, and the Tampa Bay Rays selected William & Mary pitcher Nate Knowles with the 124th pick.

The first Old Dominion player chosen was pitcher John Holobetz, whom the Milwaukee Brewers grabbed in the fifth round with the 156th pick.

The Tribe added two more picks late in Monday’s action, with the Arizona Diamondbacks selecting left-hander Travis Garnett with pick 254, in the eighth round, and the New York Yankees choosing W&M outfielder Joe Delossantos in the 10th round with the 301st choice.

Choices with state ties

Player Promotion Incentive round

32. Baltimore, Griff O’Ferrall, SS, UVA (St. Christopher’s).

Second round

61. Baltimore, Ethan Anderson, C, UVA (Cox High).

Fourth round

107. Chicago White Sox, Casey Saucke, OF, UVA.

122. Miami, Fenwick Trimble, OF, James Madison (Cox HS).

124. Tampa Bay, Nate Knowles, RHP, William & Mary.

130. Philadelphia, Carson DeMartini, SS, Virginia Tech (Ocean Lakes HS).

Fifth round

156. Milwaukee, John Holobetz, RHP, Old Dominion.

163. Houston, Cole Hertzler, RHP, Liberty.

Sixth round

180. Colorado, Konner Eaton, LHP, George Mason.

195. Texas, Garrett Horn, LHP, Liberty.

Seventh round

211. N.Y. Yankees, Wyatt Parliament, RHP, Virginia Tech.

Eighth round

243. Seattle, Will Riley, RHP, VMI.

247. Toronto, Eddie Micheletti Jr., OF, Virginia Tech.

254. Arizona, Travis Garnett, LHP, William & Mary.

10th round

301. N.Y. Yankees, Joe Delossantos, OF, William & Mary.

11th round

343. Houston, Jason Schiavone, C, James Madison.

12th round

371. Atlanta, Cayman Goode, RHP, Douglas Freeman HS.

13th round

389. Cincinnati, Anthony Stephan, OF, UVA.

393. Seattle, Brandon Eike, 3B, VCU (Powhatan HS).

14th round

425. Milwaukee, James Nunnallee, C, Lightridge HS.

15th round

449. Cincinnati, Jordan Little, RHP, Virginia Tech.

16th round

474. Pittsburgh, Brian Curley, RHP, VCU (Trinity Episcopal).

482. Chicago Cubs, Christian Gordon, LHP, VCU (Liberty Christian Academy and Liberty University).

18th round

531. St. Louis, Christian Martin, SS, Virginia Tech (Amherst County HS).

547. Toronto, Holden Wilkerson, RHP, VMI (Cave Spring HS).

552. Philadelphia, Kevin Warunek, LHP, Longwood (Patriot HS).

19th round

564. Pittsburgh, Joe Vogatsky, RHP, James Madison (Kettle Run HS).

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

The team did well as it reached the finals of the Triple Crown World Series.

But when the team returned to Hampton Roads, DeMartini decided to take his players to another coach.

For many coaches, they would never do this. DeMartini didn’t let his ego get in the way.

He contacted Lee Banks, who has been a prominent figure in elite showcase baseball in Hampton Roads for more than 25 years.

He’s coached many of the elite baseball players who have come through Hampton Roads and helped produce many college and Major League Baseball draft picks, including Michael Cuddyer, Jason Dubois, David Wright, BJ Upton, Justin Upton, Ryan Zimmerman and Mark Reynolds.

“I knew I had a special group on my hands, and that’s why I took them to Lee,” DeMartini said about Banks, who also is an assistant baseball coach at Grassfield High. “I trusted Lee. I knew the group of guys that I was bringing to Lee, that he was going to have their best interest at heart.”

DeMartini was right as that team enjoyed much success, including finishing runner-up at the 2020 PBR World Series.

Many of those players, including DeMartini’s son, Carson, went on to play Division I baseball.

And this weekend, some of those same players, including Carson, could hear their name called when the Major League Baseball draft begins Sunday night and ends Tuesday.

“That three-year run of that Tidewater Orioles team had 15 Division I players, and a slew of Division III players,” Tommy DeMartini said. “I think off that team, you’re going to probably have five players get drafted.”

DeMartini remembers that special group of players with Cuddyer (ninth overall pick in 1997, two-time All-Star), Wright (first round in 2001, seven-time All-Star), BJ Upton (second overall pick in 2002), Reynolds (16th round in 2004), Justin Upton (first overall pick in 2005, four-time All-Star) and Zimmerman (fourth overall pick in 2005, two-time All-Star)

“I was fairly new in the coaching scene with coach (Pete) Zell at Salem High School during those years,” he said. “We coached against David and the Uptons, and Zimmerman, and all of those guys. It was a very impressive group of ballplayers back in that time. And it was fun to watch and to follow their careers.”

He thinks this year’s group could be special, too.

“I feel like this is a similar-looking group,” he said. “And it’s going to be interesting to see how these guys pan out as opposed to that group, who were major league All-Stars and had incredible careers. You have a very talented group coming through again.”

Carson DeMartini is rated the No. 93 prospect by MLB.com. The former Ocean Lakes star went to Virginia Tech, and scouts like his power as a “compact and strong left-handed hitter.”

He showed his power during one week this season, when he blasted seven home runs with 11 RBIs and 10 runs. He was named ACC Player of the Week and National Player of the Week by D1Baseball.

For the season, he batted .269 with 21 homers, 57 RBIs and 62 runs.

Tommy DeMartini has prepared his son for this moment, both on the field and off.

“I’ve been heavily involved in his development and watching him grow throughout the years. It’s getting to the point where reality is setting in,” he said. “But I’ve told him now it’s out of his control. The hay is in the barn, as they might say. Regardless of where he lands in the draft, the next big thing is how he performs. It’s about to be a lifetime achievement of his, to become a professional baseball player.”

Ethan Anderson, who starred at Cox High and Virginia, is rated the No. 78 prospect by MLB.com. A switch-hitting catcher and first baseman, he hit .331 this season for the Cavaliers with eight home runs, 40 RBIs and 67 runs.

Outfielder Harrison Didawick is rated the No. 125 prospect by MLB.com. The former Western Branch High star tied Virginia’s single-season record for home runs with 23. He also batted .292 with 68 RBIs and 78 runs.

Other locals who could hear their name called are infielder/outfielder Fenwick Trimble (Cox/James Madison), outfielder Kennedy Jones (Maury/UNC Greensboro/South Carolina), outfielder Cameron Pittman (Nansemond River/Radford/Virginia Tech), pitcher Ethan Firoved (First Colonial/Pittsburgh), pitcher Nathan Hawley (Cox/Virginia Military Institute) and pitcher Dawson Newman (Great Bridge/Coastal Carolina).

Another player from that Tidewater Orioles team who already got drafted was pitcher Blake Dickerson. The former Ocean Lakes standout was a 12th-round selection of the San Diego Padres last year. Earlier this year, the Padres traded him to the Detroit Tigers. He is currently pitching with the Florida Complex League Tigers, who are a rookie-level affiliate for Detroit.

The DeMartinis anxiously await Carson’s fate, hoping he will be drafted on the first day.

“It’s a little bit nostalgic and a little bit emotional just knowing that all of his hard work is about to pay off,” his father said. “He and his mother and I will be watching the draft Sunday night. Hopefully, we don’t have to watch it on Monday.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com