Saturday, November 29, 2008

Hampton Roads High School Football Crush NOVA High Schools, Franklin Broncos Win By One

Oscar Smith 10, Oakton 7
Phoebus 38, Stonebridge 8
Franklin 22, William Cambell 21

Those are the final scores. I just watched a news broadcast that showed a pumped up Bill Dee, head coach of Phoebus. The players were going crazy. Darling Stadium in Hampton just added some more positive history for the books.

But it wasn't just Phoebus that won. Oscar Smith out of Chesapeake finally got past the hump and earned its first ever state championship berth. They won 10-7 in what appeared to be a tough defensive battle.

And you can't forget about those Franklin Broncos. The small high school way in the middle of nowhere again plays great football, and they too will be representing Tidewater in a state championship game next week.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Phoebus Phantoms Rule the Eastern Region for D5 Teams

Yeah, that's right. Bill Dee's Phoebus Phantoms from the Peninsula District showed the entire Southside what type of ball the city of Hampton can play. In front of a large crowd at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia, Phoebus traveled across the water to prove their dominance with a 14-0 shutout of Lake Taylor from Norfolk.

Despite an early turnover, the Phantoms remained persistent on defense and shut down a very good squad from the Southside.

I'm a huge fan of Tidewater sports, but I have always had an unusal interest in comparing and contrasting the Peninsula and Southside. The Peninsula certainly produces awesome football and basketball talent. Consider Michael Vick or Allen Iverson (By the way, Vick will in the Surry Count courts this Tuesday, November 25 for yet another hearing.).

The Southside absuletly RULES for baseball. Hands down. Michael Cuddyer, David Wright, the Upton brothers, and Ryan Zimmerman are some big names worth mentioning. There also tons of young prospects, like the 2007 graduate of Kempsville High, Neil Ramirez.

Yeah, Landstown has one of college football's most exciting football players in Percy Harvin. Trust me, I've been following the guy since his junior year. I watched every playoff game his senior year, when QB Donny Kirby and Damien McDaniel (now with Hampton University) tore up the state with offense.

But I'm just talking about the major sports. If you really want to get technical, Tabb High's David Walters was swimming in the waters with guys like Michael Phelps. And Tabb is a AA school in the Bay Rivers District.

The argument has gone on for years, and it will likely continue to in the future. But for now, Phoebus owns bragging rights for the Peninsula.

Atlantic Coast Conference Preview Part 1 by Curtis Clontz

In ACC country it is the time where Tarheels, Terps, and Blue Devils begin to flourish. November is the time when the college basketball season starts and the teams make their final preparations for the upcoming season. At this point many of the ACC teams have their roster and lineups are set. It is time to fine tune and get ready for the first part of the season. TSR will be at the forefront of the conference for coverage throughout the year, especially the teams in NC and VA. This is the TSR ACC preview. If you agree or disagree let us know!

Boston College


BC opened practice on Oct 18th and will look to senior Tyrese Rice to lead them with his experience and floor leadership. Rice is considered to be one of the top guards in the ACC this season. The Eagles will look to improve on their 14-17 record of last year and make a surprising run to the top of the conference. Just like last season BC will be young outside of Rice. They are returning 4 tough sophomores and 3 freshmen that will all get minutes. Wining will rely on the back court and Rice will have this team on his shoulders. Coach Al Skinner thinks the front court isn't bad and that this team has the capability to make some sort of splash and be able to upset some teams this season. The most important person not named Rice will be freshman Dallas Elmore. Elmore is a 6-5 guard that is not afraid to get dirty and play defense. He may be called upon to be the second man in this young but talented team. However, eagle fans lets not get crazy yet, this team is very young and are not as talented as most of the ACC this season. They will beat some teams they aren't supposed too, but it may end their. BC could be a team to upset someone in the ACC tourney but don't expect them to e playing in late March.

Clemson

The purple and orange are fresh off an impressive season last year that ended with the Tigers doing some dancing of their own in the NCAA tournament. In terms of moving the right direction, Oliver Parnell has this team doing well. Last season they finished 3rd in the ACC and made it to the championship game in the ACC Tournament. Over the past 2 years they have won 49 wins alone. Some of that record is great wins, but some is also great scheduling. This season will be much of the same. The Tiger's out of conference schedule is far from impressive, and come March that could hurt them if they take a beating from the other ACC teams. Clemson will rely on 3 returning starting from last year to carry them throughout the season. Trevor Booker and K.C. Rivers will be the leading 2 as this team tries to breakout and surprise some teams in the ACC. Pack your suit case and be prepared to be on the bubble. This team should be in, but will rely on a few key wins or losses to have them dancing.

Duke

The Duke Blue Devils have their coach back from a very successful summer. He led Team USA back to the top of the medal podium, and he hopes to return the devils back to the final four. Unfortunately for Coach K Chris Bosh or anything close will not be stepping through the doors at Cameron anytime soon. The good news is that this will be one of the most senior Duke teams in recent memory. They are returning 4 starters and as always new talent walked in the door. They will have one of the best back courts in the league and may have a senior captain coming off the bench. It is official, Nolan Smith has stolen the job from Paulus. Expect this team to make a splash this season. They are going to be a team far different than the past few. They will have depth, leadership, but most of all they will be able to play like Duke. Expect this team to be 2nd in the ACC (but could steal if UNC falls asleep) and be in the talks for a #1 seed in the dance. This will be the year they break the latest poor showing in March.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Get Pumped for some Old Dominion Mixed Martial Arts!!!

If you have not bought tickets to the upcoming Cagefest show you arerunning out of time. This insane card is a first of its kind in Hampton Roads Virginia. Never have you been able to drive to the Ted and seethis kind of action. Fighters such as Antwain Britt, Tommy Speer, BeauBaker and more will be sharing their athletic talents for the largeviewing crowd. Britt and Speer have both been a part of the UFC's reality show The Ultimate Fighter and are huge talents in themselves.This is not an amateur fight card. This is all pro! No scrubs, theseguys are legit and will put on a show.

The event will take place November 15th at the ODU Ted Constant Center.Tickets can be purchased here. Get them early. There is a chance that this event will sell out. You don't want to bethe guy the next day that missed out!

More information on the fights can be found at http://www.cagefest.com/.