Matt Case

3 days ago | richmond.com | Matt Case

Tristan Lange gave up a leadoff single to open Thursday’s game against Smith Mountain Lake Christian, with the runner advancing to second on an errant throw. How did the North Cross pitcher respond? By retiring the next three batters he faced, one on a strikeout looking. He proceeded to fan 13 more batters as part of a shutout, finishing off his gem by striking out the side. He’s been pitching more relaxed of late. Committing to a Division I school certainly helped.

1 week ago | roanoke.com | Matt Case

During a football game at Merrill Gainer Field last September, Patrick Henry senior Sam Dowdy set up behind the line of scrimmage and kicked a remarkable 46-yard field goal on a rainy night against perennial powerhouse Salem. That feat, along with a high efficiency splitting the uprights throughout the season, caught the attention of ODAC schools, along with several Division II programs.

1 month ago | roanoke.com | Matt Case

RICHMOND — Five years ago, Renee Favaro was denied a chance to cement herself as the next great coach of the Lord Botetourt High School girls basketball team. In the wake of longtime coach Chuck Pound’s resignation, she led the Cavaliers to the state championship in her first season, only for the game to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the two finalists reluctantly declared co-champions. The Cavaliers hadn’t returned to the final since.

1 month ago | roanoke.com | Matt Case

RICHMOND — 1989. George Wythe’s version. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center was where the Maroons girls basketball team turned back four decades of absences from the top of the podium and once again reigned atop the state, capturing the VHSL Class 1 championship Friday afternoon. George Wythe shot its way from distance to beat Buffalo Gap 50-44 and claim the program’s first state title in 36 years.

1 month ago | roanoke.com | Matt Case

DUBLIN — The eight seniors of the Northside High School boys basketball team, many of whom the invaluable pieces of the Vikings’ two straight state championship teams, and possibly a third, will get a final game at Bill Pope Gymnasium. After staving off a comeback bid from No. 2 Carroll County, top-seeded Northside pulled away for a 65-51 win in the Region 3D championship Saturday at Pulaski County High School, clinching home-court advantage in the Class 3 state quarterfinals.