This is a new section about the weekly happenings
around the LPD. It will depend entirely on news
reports from the local papers and things that I hear
from other fans or players.
August News & Notes Archive
September News & Notes Archive
October News & Notes Archive
Nov-Dec News & Notes Archive
*News & Notes of 1/23/1999*
The LPD basketball season is winding down & things aren't much
clearer now than at the start. Lets take a look at how the teams
stack up as of right now.
1.Kelly........Suprise leader of the LPD right now with a slight edge
over Pound. Tall, talented, but young, the Indians have
a guy on the bench in Dave Bentley who may be able to
steer them home. Key games left with Appy, PV, Pound
and Clintwood will tell the tale.
2.Pound.......Cats have struggled at times with their shooting this
year, but still are considered the team to beat. Zack
Moore has led the way as expected, but Cats miss Slade
Potter's presence inside. Key games left with Appy, PV,
Kelly & Clintwood, but already own two wins against the
Wave & one against PV & Kelly.
3.Clintwood...The Wave has played well this year, primarily riding the
LPD's best 1-2 punch in Green & Hamilton, and the steady
play of Rather Mullins. Clintwood has key games left with
Pound, Kelly, & Appy. They also have swept PV which was big.
The Wave has as much of a chance for the regular season
title as any of the above.
4.Appalachia..The Dawgs were my darkhorse to start the season & have not
let me down. A huge win over Pound showed what the Dawgs
are capable of. As of late though, the Dawgs have slumped
losing two in a row. The Dawgs have a dangerous team with
the inside game of Papst & Woodard along with the outside
play of Smith, Hardison, & Griffey. Key games left with PV,
Clintwood, Kelly, & Pound. The Dawgs won't take the LPD
regular season title, but the tournament could be another
story.
5.Coeburn.....The Blue Knights have been competitive at times this year,
and have also played poorly at times. Coach Atkins has got
quiet a bit of milage out of this team, but will be hard
pressed to make noise in the tournament.
6.PV..........The Vikings may be the LPD's biggest disappointment so far,
but can't be counted out as far as the LPD tournament goes.
Vikes have gotten consistant play from Josh Warren, but
little from the others every night. However this team can
beat anyone when they're clicking.
7.Burton......The Raiders are young with the exception of Sensabaugh, and
it's showed so far. The Raiders probably won't be a factor
in the LPD tournament.
*News & Notes of 1/24/1999*
Julius Jones visited UVA this weekend after a visit to Notre Dame last
week. He'll probably make a decision sometime this week.
No word yet on where Reggie Sensabaugh, Quinn Smith, Matt McCoy, or Keith
Davis may be headed. PV TE/DE Josh Warren verbaled to Wake Forest back
before Christmas.
***************Early LPD Football Predictions for 1999****************
Just to have a little fun & pass the time, I'm going to lay out my
early predictions for the upcoming season. Keep in mind that these things
are always subject to change.
1. Coeburn......The Blue Knights have one of the state's top backs returning
in Justin Nixon, along with probably the LPD's best QB in
Brandon Hale. To go along with that, You have WR/RB/DB Anthony
Gray who is one of the LPD's most versitle athletes. Most of
the linemen return on both sides of the ball, and have an
excellent defensive backfield as well. Big question mark for
Coeburn will be if they can avoid the inexplicable losses that
seem to plague them every year.If they can, this may be the
year for Coeburn to get thier 1st state title. All the pieces
are there.
2. Clintwood...The Region D runnerup will be a title contender again. The Wave
return most of a fne backfield with the top athlete in Group A
in Justin Hamilton. Jason Mullins will be back after his leg
injury as will FB BJ Davis. The big task will be to replace QB
Brandon Green who was a team leader as well as QB. The line
should be solid if not spectacular with the Honaker twins, along
with big Jon McGowan anchoring it. If the Greenwave can get past
Coeburn in week 4 & PV in week 5, they'll be in the driver's seat.
3.PV...........Nobody in the LPD suffered the losses to graduation that the
Vikings did. However there's also nobody who had a deeper team than
PV. For that reason, it's hard to totally dismiss the Vikings chances
at another title, especially if they make it to the playoffs. In
spite of the loss of Jones, McCoy, Stepp, & Williams, PV still has
good replacements in Callahan, Yonce, Clark, Wells, & Maddox. The
Vikes also have two of the best linemen in OT's Doug Gibson & Kelvin
Davis.
4.Appalachia...The Dawgs chances ride mostly on the huge shoulders of FB Josh Fleenor
and whether or not he'll be there every Friday night to play. The Dawgs
also need to find a QB, but return some good linemen on both sides of the
ball. Jarmar Clark can be a huge addition on both sides of the ball if he
plays to his potential. Dawgs have another tough schedule with AAAA Daniel
Boone replacing Gate City on the schedule.
5.Burton......The Raiders will be missing a lot of key players off the 1998 state runnerup
team, but have QB Matt Ward, along with WR/RB's Jazz Coleman, Jon Hunter, &
Sammy Keys to take up the slack. What the Raiders need is an inside running game
though. If they can find that, they may overtake Appalachia again.
6.Pound.......Coach Rocky Baker did a fantastic job milking out 5 wins from a team that wasn't
expected to win more than 2. QB Brandon Cantrell is back & has a great WR corp in
Adam Delforge & Jeff Martin. Key for the Cats this year will be to find a running
game & to improve the defense.
7.Kelly.......The Indians coaching merry-go-round continues as I've heard that Steve Bates has
resigned & Dennis Vaught will take over. The Indians have good talent returning, but
it's still very young and only time and the offseason will tell if the new staff
can turn this once powerful program around.
*News & Notes of 1/26/1999*
Julius Jones gave a verbal commitment to play for Notre Dame today.
Here's a article in the Kingsport Times-News.
Steve Bates has resigned as head football coach at Kelly. Here's a
story in the Kingsport Times-News.
Don't be suprised if the well traveled Dennis Vaught is named coach. Stay tuned.
*News & Notes of 1/28/1999*
Not to beat a dead horse, but here's an article in the Bristol Herald-Courier
about the football coaching situation at Kelly that's a bit more in depth.
*News & Notes of 2/5/1999*
Here's a good story in the Kingsport Times-News about signing day
for three Powell Valley players. No word yet on other LPD players.
*News & Notes of 2/10/1999*
Great writeup here in the Kingsport Times-News about the
upcoming girls LPD volleyball tournament. If I could get this kind of info
every week, I'd have a girls vball section.
The LPD regular season crown (and automatic Region D bid) is at stake
Friday night at Deel Gym in Clintwood. Pound's loss to Powell Valley on
Tuesday put Clintwood in the driver's seat, but the Wave will have to
win the title outright by beating the Wildcats. Pound won the first meeting
of the two and would get the bid if they tie by virtue of winning both
games. It will be a madhouse on Friday as these two rivals hit the floor.
Pound will be without Justin Boggs who suffered a severe concussion in the
loss to Powell Valley.
*News & Notes of 2/11/1999*
A big thanks to the Kingsport Times-News for keeping up with the LPD
vball tournament. Here's the latest on the LPD Volleyball Tournament
Also it looks like Pound guard Justin Boggs will be ok & may even play in Friday night's
game for the LPD title at Clintwood. Better get there early & be prepared to get home
late. Should be a great game.
*News & Notes of 2/13/1999*
The Clintwood Greenwave capped a furious last week rally by downing
Pound for the LPD title last night at Clintwood. This earned the Wave
an automatic bid into the Region D tournament. The LPD tournament starts
Monday night at Coeburn. Should be one of the best tournaments in years.
The LPD girls volleyball tournament finals are tonight with PV and
Clintwood squaring off. Here's coverage from the Kingsport Times-News
*News & Notes of 2/14/1999*
The Powell Valley Vikings won the LPD volleyball tournament by defeating
Clintwood Saturday night. Here's the article from Kingsport Times-News
*News & Notes of 2/17/1999*
The LPD tournament got underway at Coeburn with some nail biter games.
Appalachia edged Powell Valley 51-50 as Earnie Smith canned a foul shot
with no time left on the clock. Pre season favorite Pound edged Coeburn
64-62 and had to survive a last second Coeburn shot for the win. Kelly had
a somewhat easier time as they ended Burton's season with a 57-46 win.
The Region D volleyball tournament gets underway tonight at Honaker. Here's
a story from the Kingsport Times-News.
*News & Notes of 2/19/1999*
The LPD tournament finals are tonight as Clintwood will take on Pound
in a rematch of last week's regular season title game. Clintwood reached
the finals as Brandon Green took an inbounds pass & dribbled nearly the
length of the floor in the final 6 seconds to hit a shot at the buzzer as
the Greenwave edged Appalachia 49-48. Pound reached the finals as they
downed Kelly 67-60.
The Region D volleyball tournament opened at Honaker last night, but
the Clintwood Ladywave fell in opening round action. Here's the story
from Kingsport Times-News Powell Valley will play Rye Cove tonight in the semifinals.
*News & Notes of 2/20/1999*
The Powell Valley volleyball team fell to Rye Cove in Region D semifinal
action Saturday. castlewood went on to claim the title by defeating the
Lady Eagles.
*News & Notes of 2/23/1999*
The Region D basketball tournament opening round was snowed out. Action
will begin Thursday at Castlewood with Clintwood taking on Twin Springs
and Pound facing Honaker. Council and Castlewood have a bye into the semis.
J.I.Burton has a new girl's softball coach. Here's the article in the
Kingsport Times-News
*News & Notes of 2/27/1999*
After disposing of Twin Springs 57-36 and Honaker 48-35, the Clintwood
Greenwave & Pound Wildcats made it an all LPD final in Region D basketball
at Castlewood. The Greenwave stormed back from a 16 point 4th quarter
deficit to defeat Southwest VA's top ranked Council Cobras. Brandon Green
scored 27 & Justin Hamilton scored 10 of his 15 in the frantic 4th quarter
rally which saw the Wave outscore the Cobras 32-15. In the nightcap, the
Pound Wildcats used a dramatic appearance from leading scorer Zack Moore
who earlier in the evening was in a hospital getting an IV for a stomach
virus. Moore showed up at the half & had 13 2nd half points to spark the
Cats to a 65-59 win. Jerrid Large had abig game with 23 points as did Josh
Tompkins with 14 and Shane Bray with 10. Clintwood & pound will meet tomorrow
night in the finals, and win or lose, both teams will advance to sub-state
play next week at sites to be determined. Here's the article from the
Kingsport Times-News on the games.
*News & Notes of 2/28/1999*
The Pound Wildcats topped Clintwood 58-55 for the Region D title last night.
It was the 6th meeting between the two teams, who both advance on to state
tournament quarterfinal action. Pound trailed 27-17 at the half before
a strong 3rd quarter got the Cats over the top. Pound will now play Auburn
at Lebanon high school, while Clintwood will take on Region C champ Glenvar
at a site to be determined. Here's the story from the Kingsport Times-News
The Region D wrestling tournament was held at Powell Valley yesterday and
the Kelly Indians came out on top as they rode 1st place finishes by Scott
Sanders, Sam Wharton, & Jon Thompson to edge John Battle 201 1/2 to 190.
Coeburn finished 4th with 115 1/2 points. All winners & consolation winners
will advance to the VHSL state tournament at the Salem Civic center. Here's
the story from the Kingsport Times-News.
*News & Notes of 3/4/1999*
Pound will play Auburn at Lebanon HS on Saturday night in the VHSL State
Quarterfinals, while Clintwood will take on Glenvar at Roanoake Northside
HS on Friday night. The winners of these games will advance on to the Scope
at Norfolk for the VHSL Semifinals.
The All LPD Girls Volleyball Team was named by the LPD coaches. Here are
the results.
First Team
Sara Vanover Clintwood
Brook Zirkle Powell Valley
Erin Witt Powell Valley
Stephanie Mullins Pound
Leah Ison Clintwood
Kyra Smith J.I.Burton
Hanna Schuler Powell Valley
Tessa Sturgill Pound
Beth Helbert Coeburn
Sheri Flanary Powell Valley
Sara Stanley Clintwood
Lauren Potter Pound
Hitter of the Year
Erin Witt Powell Valley
Setter of the Year
Hanna Schuler Powell Valley
Player of the Year
Brook Zirkle Powell Valley
Coach of the Year
Alice Speer Powell Valley
Honorable Mention
Grace Coeburn Appalachia
Kristin Gooch Clintwood
Lauren Nickles Pound
Amy Mullins J.I.Burton
Amber Puckett Coeburn
Brittany Patton J.I.Burton
Jenni Blevins Clintwood
Jessica Witt Powell Valley
Rachel Yates J.J.Kelly
Jessica Barnette J.J.Kelly
*News & Notes of 3/6/1999*
Clintwood fell to Glenvar 65-51 last night at Roanoke Northside HS.
The Greenwave fell behind 14-0 to start the game before recovering to
eventually draw within, but could never get any closer. Brandon Green
led the way with 21 points. The Wave ends a fine season at 19-8.
Pound plays Region C runnerup Auburn tonight at Lebanon. Here's a preview
from the Bristol Hreald-Courier.
The J.J.Kelly wrestlers stand in 4th place in the Group A state wrestling
tournament at Salem. Finals action is Saturday.
*News of 3/7/1999*
The Pound Wildcats are headed to Norfolk! The Cats got 27 from Zack
Moore & 13 from Jerrid Large to defeat Auburn 54-49 at Lebanon HS to
advance on to the VHSL semifinals at the Scope in Norfolk. The Cats
will play Region B runnerup Strasburg who defeated Middlesex at 2:45
next Friday. The other half of the bracket will feature the state's
top ranked Group A team, Woodstock who will take on Region C champ
Glenvar. The Bristol Herald-Courier has the story.
The VHSL State Wrestling tournament came to a close on Saturday with
the Kelly Indians taking home 2nd place. The Indians got a 1st place
from Scott Sanders in the 135 lb. class along with 3rd place finishes
from Jon Thompson (171) and Sam Wharton (189) to finish with 110 points
while 1st place winner Brentsville District had 166 1/2. Coeburn finished
with 40 1/2 points behind a 3rd place finish by Allen Brooks (125), while
Powell Valley finished with 26 behind a 3rd place finish by Landry Boggs
in the 189 lb. class. Here's the whole story from Bristol Hearld-Courier.
*News & Notes of 3/12/1999*
The Pound Wildcats are in Norfolk to take on the Strasburg Rams in
the VHSL semifinals today at 2:45 PM. Here's a couple of great stories
from the Kingsport Times-News. #1#2
*News & Notes of 3/12/1999*
The Pound Wildcats are now one game away from wining a state title.
This afternoon at the Scope in Norfolk the Cats disposed of Region B
runnerup Strasburg 68-54. The Cats got off to a good start & led 18-8
after one quarter. Strasburg closed the gap to one, but could never get
the lead & Pound pulled away by dominating the boards 47-28 and nailing
FT's in the 4th quarter to finish with a VHSL tourney record of 36-47
from the stripe. Zack Moore led the Cats with 34 points while Shane Bray
& Josh Tompkins added 11 each along with Jerrid Large's 13 boards.
Pound will now face Region C champ Glenvar in the finals. The Highlanders
edged Region B champ Woodstock 72-70 in OT to set up tomorrow's game.
Here's the complete story from Kingsport Times-News.
*News & Notes of 3/14/1999*
The Pound Wildcats came up a little short in their quest for a state
title at the Scope in Norfolk. The Cats went into the 4th quarter with
Glenvar tied at 45, but went cold down the stretch as the Highlanders
won the title with a 63-54 win. Josh Tompkins led the Cats with 16, followed
by Jerrid Large with 14 & Zack Moore's 12. Pound finishes a great season at
22-7. Here's the complete story from Kingsport Times-News.
*News & Notes of 3/19/1999*
Coeburn head basketball coach Jeff Adkins has been diagnosed with
leukemia. We wish Coach Adkins the best and will keep him in our
thoughts and prayers. Here's the story from the Bristol Herald-Courier.
The NPI Media baseball tournament gets underway this weekend weather
providing. I'm still hoping to have a baseball page up soon, but I've had
trouble getting rundowns on all the teams. Until I do, I'll keep posting
scores & info here until I get the rundowns complete.
*News & Notes of 3/22/1999*
The 1999 LPD baseball season started off this weekend with the NPI Media
tournament. In a round robin affair at different schools the Burton Raiders
got off to a fast start by downing Rye Cove 13-4 and easing by Council 5-4.
The Appalachia Bulldogs also go tout of the gate fast by drubbing Ervinton
15-0 and Hurley 16-1. The Coeburn Blue Knights also had their way with Hurley
by a 22-1 count. Powell Valley started off the weekend by dropping Rye Cove
13-1. Clintwood was the only LPD team to suffer a setback as they lost to
Council 5-4, but evened their record at 1-1 with a 13-1 whipping of Rye Cove.
I'm going to keep the standings & scores on an LPD Baseball until I can get some things added.
*News of 3/23/1999*
Powell Valley's Will Campbell smacked a 3 run homer with one out in the
bottom of the 7th to give the Vikings a 7-5 win over Lee. PV moves to 2-0
with the win.
At Grundy, Clintwood took advantage of 11 walks by Grundy pitching along
with 4 errors to win 10-3 & move to 2-1 on the year. Clintwood played
errorless baseball in the rout.
At Pound, Melissa Large scattered 6 hits as the Lady Wildcats dropped
Fleming-Neon, KY. 9-6. Cristen Bowman had 3 RBI & Andrea Cantrell had 2
hits on the day.
Congrats to Powell Valley's Erin Witt who was honorable mention all state
in volleyball.
Congrats to Powell Valley's Brooke Zirkle who was selected to play in the
VHSL All Star volleyball game in July.
In LPD tennis, the Kelly girls routed Pound 9-0, while the Coeburn girls
eased past Burton 6-3. The Burton boys turned the tables on Coeburn as they
blanked the Blue Knights 9-0.
*News & Notes of 3/24/1999*
The Kelly Indians opened defense of their state title by crushing
Gate City 14-3. Chad Longworth homered & Indian pitching limited
Gate City to 4 hits. Kelly will travel to Pound Friday in a key LPD
contest.
The Kelly girls didn't fare as well, as the Lady Indians lost 15-5 to
Rye Cove. Laramie Wilson had two hits for Kelly as they fall to 0-1.
The Lady Indians will host Lee on Thursday.
The Pound Lady Wildcats split a twinbill with Lee, winning 14-3, and
dropping a 22-7 decision in the last game. Andrea Cantrell went 3-4
with a 3 run homer & 6 RBI to lead the Lady Cats in thr 1st game.
The Coeburn Lady Blue Knights downed Appalachia 8-1 in girls tennis.
Nikki Ringley moved to 3-0 on the year in singles play.
The Burton Lady Raiders downed Pound 7-2 as Kyra Smith downed Kincey
Burnham 8-4 in singles play to lead the way.
*News & Notes of 4/15/1999*
Kevin Saunders has been named the new head football coach at
J.J.Kelly. Here's the story from the Bristol Herald-Courier
The head basketball coaching job at Powell Valley is reportedly down to seven applicants who are unnamed at this time.
*News & Notes of 4/28/1999*
Appalachia has been forced to forfit several games from this past basketball season due to a technicality that made a player ineligible.
Here's the complete story from Kingsport Times-News.
The article also throws out a few names for the head basketball
coaching job at Powell Valley. A few being bantered around are
current PV assistant Randy Fleenor, current Lee head coach & former
PV great Jerry Meyers, & perhaps the most interesting in Pat Paye,
who is the son of former PV coach Burrall Paye, who coached PV to
a state title in 1974 before moving on to William Fleming HS.
We'd also like to pass on congratulations to former LPD greats
Thomas Jones (Powell Valley) who was named a capitan of the UVA
football team for the 1999 season. Thomas was 1st team All ACC last
year at RB.
Congrats as well to former Burton Raider Boo Sensabaugh who
was a recipient of the Iron Man award at WVU this spring. Boo
will compete for a starting job at safety this fall & is a
superb special teams player for the Mountaineers.