Sports for Nelson County Times

Shannon set to lead Nelson County track team in Dogwood District Meet

Wed, 14 May 2008 14:05:00 EDT

“I was in first place for the first half of the race, and then I started dying. On the very last hurdle, I tried to jump it and my foot catches it and I just fall. I lay there for about a minute, then I get up and stagger across the line,” Shannon said.

First Person: Nelson soccer player Megan Campbell

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:36:00 EDT

First person Nelson County track athlete Harold Mears

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:32:00 EDT

“I went out there and fell in love with it. It was Jack Farley (who talked me into it). He played football then. He was telling me that it’s fun … you get to hit people,” Mears said.

Updated 4/17: Boys soccer wins

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:21:00 EDT

“Progress for us is getting 11 healthy guys on the field,” coach Pete Hauschner said. “They’ve got a little momentum now (with the wins). That’s good. They were hanging their heads there for a while.”

Column Piney River Mini Triathlon full of surprises

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:45:00 EDT

As I helped Segars unload his 16-foot down-river kayak, he asked me twice if I was in shape. I must have looked like I just rolled out of bed in my t-shirt and baggy sweatpants. As I cheerfully assured him I’d been training for half-marathon run I began to worry a bit.
Could this guy be more competitive than me, who can’t stand to lose even a game of Battleship?

Nelson girls soccer loses to Brookville

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:38:00 EDT

“Despite the outcome of this game, they really are coming together,” Kerl said. “We’re getting better each week. Right now we’re just overmatched.”

First person interview with Nelson County catcher Arielle Giles

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:00 EDT

“On the softball field it’s kind of like you’re the quarterback because you see everything, and let everybody else be aware of what’s going on,” Giles said.

First Person Nelson County soccer player Luke Longanecker

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:36:00 EDT

“Probably my teammates, specifically Jack Farley and Koda Kerl. We have this tradition of getting in a little circle and doing a little pump-up tribal dance thing,” Longanecker said of what gets him ready for a game.

Nelson County baseball loses district opener to Altavista

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:27:00 EDT

“This loss doesn’t go to the defense, and it doesn’t go to the pitching staff,” Gov coach Scott McGarry said. “We didn’t produce offensively.”

Gov softball team preview

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:56:00 EDT

Head coach Toni Donigan: The group we have, they’re young and inexperienced, but they’re willing to learn. So what we’ve been doing is a lot of the basic things. Basic drills: how to field, how to catch, how to cover bags. They’re just young. They’ve never played at this level. I keep telling them, “We really have a JV team playing on a varsity level.”

Nelson tennis team has several new faces

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:53:00 EDT

Tennis coach Weston Mathews dishes on the team as the season begins.

Nelson girls basketball coach Lloyd Gray resigns

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:45:00 EDT

As the outgoing coach, Lloyd Gray has some advice for the best replacement.
After 17 years of coaching within the Nelson County High School girls basketball program, Lloyd Gray resigned at the conclusion of the Gov varsity 2007-2008 season for personal and health reasons.
Gray was an assistant coach for nine years and head varsity coach for eight years. He leaves with a 90-70 overall record. He led the Govs to the regional tournament three times between 2001 and 2007.

Nelson caps 30-win season with state championship

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:05:00 EDT

RICHMOND — Nelson County’s boys basketball team ended the season the way it started it — on a 15-game winning streak.

Nelson County chasing the championship dream

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:58:00 EDT

“We’ve had the most wins in school history,” Nelson County senior point guard Thomas Brown said. “We were Dogwood District regular-season champions, tournament champs and Region B champs … so there’s only one championship left.

Seniors find their roles, stay loose heading into state semis

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:55:00 EDT

Building a 28-1 record and heading to the state semifinal round is serious business for any basketball team. But don’t let the Govs fool you. If the game’s not on the line they are a comedy troupe, regularly terrorizing each other as only those so very close can.

Seniors find their roles, stay loose heading into state semis

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:03:07 EDT

If the game's not on the line they are a comedy troupe, regularly terrorizing each other as only those so very close can.

Girls soccer preview: team returns key positions

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:03:10 EDT

"But I decided if I want this thing to grow, I need the girls out here that want to be out here, will work hard and are in shape," Kerl said.

Govs top Eagles; bound for Richmond

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:03:00 EDT

"I cannot wait to go to Richmond. It feels great," Thomas Brown said. "I figure if we go with our game plan we can beat anybody considering we beat these guys, and they were a great team."

Govs prepare for state quarterfinals

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:03:05 EDT

Tickets for the game are on sale for $7 in the Nelson County High School main office.

Govs squeak by Luray in overtime

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:02:45 EDT

"Our lack of defense, we gave them the edge," Gov Mike Jones said. "We just got lucky."

Boys soccer season preview

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:02:52 EDT

Boys open season with scrimmages, games against AA teams

Govs win Dogwood District Tournament

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:02:37 EDT

"It feels like we're the same team, so it's about who plays smarter, who makes better decisions. Down the stretch we made better decisions," said Gov Thomas Brown.

Nelson rebounds in second half to defeat Dan River

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:02:48 EDT

Nelson wins semifinal game 62-52, will play Altavista for district tournament title Saturday

Nelson defeats Altavista for season title

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:02:10 EDT

The Dogwood District games have moved to Amherst County High School. Thursday's game begins at 7 p.m.

Girls fall to William Campbell; still have regional shot

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:02:59 EDT

"My only regret is that I probably should have called a time out after that last basket to set up something," Gov coach Lloyd Gray said.

First person: top track athlete Briana Ross

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:02:36 EDT

"When I'm on the ground, about to pass out, that's when I know I've given it my all," Ross said.

Govs prepare for district tournament

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:02:59 EDT

Before the boys basketball team begins the Dogwood District tournament on Monday, Nelson will play Altavista for season championship rights.

First person: basketball player Jasmine Humbles

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:02:16 EDT

"I still have a lot more to bring to the court. If I could just figure out what that is, I'd be great out there," Humbles said.

For Brown, it just gets better

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:02:21 EDT

The team's record this season, 19-1, compared to a 9-12 finish in 2007, is the biggest indicator of both Brown and the team's development during the spring and summer.

First person: Senior guard T.J. Martin

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:02:48 EDT

"On the court, say Chris Jones, he has a little temper, and when the referee calls a foul, I've got to go over there and calm him down. I joke with him about it, probably call him "hacker-shack" or something. And he'll start laughing and forget about it," Martin said.

Column: Forget resolutions, find a habit

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:02:27 EDT

The concept is what's important: you can start over, set a goal, fail and start over again. Do this enough and you might just break the cycle and end up with a healthy habit.

Runner rebounds from injury, sprints to top

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:02:50 EDT

A thumbprint size abrasion above her right knee reminds her not to put too much pressure on herself.

First person: Dressage rider Emily Cochran

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:01:53 EDT

"Some days I'll get off the bus, and she'll be standing there waiting for me," Cochran on her horse Mia.

First person: basketball player Sarah Buckley

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:01:07 EDT

"I feel like you can get a lot of anger out on the court," Buckley said.

Boys top Group A poll with win against Altavista

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:01:51 EDT

Altavista chose not to start a race with the equally small and fast Nelson team. Instead, coach Mike Cartolaro slowed the tempo to a crawl and had his players swinging the ball around the perimeter, trying to catch Nelson off-guard with back-door cuts.

Top, Bottom, Middle: Senior Kaile Gannon hits highs and rebounds from lows on, off court

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:01:14 EDT

Then Gannon climbs over the precipice of Humpback Rocks, her favorite climbing spot, and back into the reality that she will never give birth to a child.

Girls basketball team falls to William Campbell

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:01:37 EDT

"We're going to have to go back to fundamentals and not be concerned with plays," Lloyd Gray said.

First person: skateboarder, snowboarder Elliott Fox

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:01:03 EDT

"I think there's a stereotype of skateboarders where they're all just aggressive, raggedy-type teenagers. They're really just average people," Fox said.

Assistant coach challenges 12-0 boys’ basketball team

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:01:01 EDT

Rogers and Garrett share many coaching philosophies, including kids winning off the court, through good grades and good behavior. The two only butt coaching heads on one thing: subbing.

Jones brothers spark 10-0 Gov team

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:01:41 EDT

Senior varsity basketball guards Mike and Chris Jones say they are brothers first, teammates second.

Juggling it all: basketball coach, teacher, father goes miles for his kids

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:12:36 EDT

"He has a laid-back coaching style, but he's real serious at the same time," Brown said. "If we're late for practice, he won't yell at us, he'll just say, 'You guys are going to run,' and that's the end of the conversation. He wants guys that are focused."

First person: shot putter Carmen Thomas

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:12:31 EDT

"We don't throw it, we put it. It's not a ball; it's a shot, so shot putters," Thomas said.

Column: Wrestling program closer to reality

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:12:20 EDT

Wrestling could be the winter sport for kids who weren't interested in basketball or track. They may have thought that at 100 pounds, they could not compete at the high school level. Or at 285 pounds, they never thought they could be more than a linebacker.

Indoor track season preview

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 09:12:30 EDT

"The invitationals are important as single championships, so to speak. In all sports, your season is geared toward some level of championship, whether its district, region or state. Not having that opportunity for a championship at a district level is disappointing," Dunnick said.

First person: point guard Markita Martin

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 09:12:11 EDT

"I'm not the only person on the team. You all have to step up and do your job. You can't just depend on one person," Martin said.

Kate Collins vaults to new heights

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:12:55 EDT

Her improvement in the year and a half he's known her prompts Matheny to use phrases like "Olympic material" and "the real deal."

Column: Keep the sports coverage real

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:12:41 EDT

Hearing the reasons for why and how women's sports are covered is like watching someone air ball a free throw. It's embarrassing.

First person: wrestler Forrest Lipscomb

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:12:07 EDT

"You've got to have a lot of mental strength, too. You've got to stay calm," Lipscomb said.

Busy offseason prepared boys’ team for tougher district

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:12:37 EDT

"I think in total we played about 50 games, and we maybe lost five. And all of (the losses) were against bigger schools," head coach Brandon Garrett said.