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johnshifflett.bsky.social
Sports Editor at The Daily Progress in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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The #UVa men's basketball team learns who it will play in this upcoming season's Greenbrier Tip-Off in West Virginia.

Josiah Teasley’s dominant showing during a 7-on-7 tournament at #UVa earlier this month captured the attention of the Cavaliers. “That kind of got all the eyes on me.” The 6-foot-5 receiver from Maryland ultimately earned an offer, and committed on Monday.

Coming in Tuesday's Daily Progress print edition, coverage of Western Albemarle winning VHSL state championships in girls lacrosse and girls soccer.

This weekend's VHSL spring state state championship jubilees offered a nice reminder that, from one end of the commonwealth to the other, Virginia is blessed with some talented, hard-working high school sports reporters. It's not like that everywhere, but I'm glad it is here.

“I’m so proud of these guys. They never gave up. They never quit.” The Western Albemarle boys soccer team nearly erased a 2-0 halftime deficit against Meridian on Saturday, but the Warriors could not find the equalizer in the VHSL Class 3 state title game.

“They did not want to come away with that feeling again.” After suffering heartbreak in the state title game each of the past two seasons, the Western Albemarle girls soccer team enjoyed triumph on Saturday as it won the VHSL Class 3 state title.

"When we got going, we really got going." The Western Albemarle girls lacrosse team uses a dominant second quarter to pull away from Rockbridge County and win its third straight VHSL Class 4 state championship. tinyurl.com/47u2a827

Photos from Friday's VHSL Class 3 boys soccer state semifinal between Western Albemarle and William Monroe: tinyurl.com/44fv2tht

The Western Albemarle boys soccer team defeats William Monroe to reach the VHSL Class 3 state championship game for the second straight season.

Inside today's Daily Progress, state championship pages for the Western Albemarle (Class 3) and Charlottesville (Class 4) boys tennis teams.

This week's Augusta Health Athlete Spotlight is on Sean Frank, who has helped the Charlottesville boys tennis team win back-to-back VHSL Class 4 state championships. “He is a hard out, because he doesn’t beat himself, and he’s very creative on the court.”

“[I will remember] just how we fight, how the seniors were just such great leaders for the younger guys.” The William Monroe baseball team's memorable season ends with a loss to Abingdon in the VHSL Class 3 state semifinals.

"Even when we end on a loss, I’m just so appreciative of all the love and support, and how we push each other and how we’re helping each other grow every day.” The Western Albemarle girls tennis team falls to Maggie Walker in the VHSL Class 3 title game.

“The way he preps you off the field translates on the field.” Those who’ve played for Chris Pollard at Duke share exactly what Virginia is getting in its new skipper. From his lessons on gratitude and mental preparation to the relationships he builds.

"These boys work so hard and they love the game so much. They are an absolute joy to coach." The Charlottesville boys tennis team caps a memorable season by winning its second straight VHSL Class 4 state championship.

Two of Duke's best players are following Chris Pollard to Virginia.

“They’re solid winners. They’re winners in school, they’re winners on the court, and they’re winners in life.” The Western Albemarle boys tennis team wins its eighth straight VHSL state championship.

Heading into the final weekend of the spring sports season, nine Central Virginia teams are still in contention for VHSL state championships. Here are the schedules for the upcoming state semifinals and championships that include local teams.

UVa's third-party collective, Cav Futures, was built for the new post-House Settlement era of college sports, according to executive director Lo Davis. “Instead of going to donors, I’ll reach out and go to businesses.”

“That was probably one of the worst games we’ve played all year. But that’s the way baseball is sometimes. It’s tough.” The Fluvanna baseball team sees its memorable season come to an end with a loss to Abingdon in the VHSL Class 3 state quarterfinals.

Photos from Thursday's VHSL Class 3 girls soccer state quarterfinal between Western Albemarle and William Byrd.

The Western Albemarle girls soccer team used a three-goal flurry in the final minutes of the first half to knock off William Byrd and advance to the state semifinals for the third consecutive season.

Photos from Thursday's VHSL Class 3 boys soccer state quarterfinal between Western Albemarle and Magna Vista.

“Luckily, we didn’t really need to rebuild, we just reloaded.” Despite losing 5 All-State players from last season, the Western Albemarle boys soccer team is back in the state semifinals for the fourth straight season after Thursday's 4-0 win over Magna Vista.

Photos from Monday's VHSL Class 4 boys tennis state semifinal between Charlottesville and Jamestown.

Last season, everything was new for the Charlottesville boys tennis team as it made a run to the VHSL Class 4 state title. This season, the Black Knights have better perspective and more experience, which has helped the team get back to the state championship match for the second straight year.

Photos from the William Monroe baseball team's thrilling comeback win over New Kent in the VHSL Class 3 state quarterfinals.

“We just never give up. This team never dies" Behind home runs from Demetri Martin and Parker Hildebrand, the William Monroe baseball team rallies from a 2-0 seventh-inning deficit to knock off New Kent and reach the VHSL Class 3 state semifinals.

Former William Monroe High School standout and UVa team captain Sam Brunelle is joining Tim Taylor's staff at Navy as an assistant women's basketball coach.

#UVa's search for a new baseball coach has the Cavaliers zeroing in on a pair of veteran and established skippers. The latest:

Eight swimmers with UVa ties qualify to compete in the upcoming World Championships in Singapore.

Athletes and relay teams from five different Central Virginia schools (Albemarle, Western Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna County and Orange County) won state titles at the VHSL outdoor track and field state championships.

“This was a great experience.” Former #UVa baseball star Kyle Teel's promotion to the MLB included a brand-new collared shirt.

Former #UVa baseball coach Brian O'Connor pens a thank you letter to " one of the best baseball communities in the ACC."

Photos from Friday's VHSL Class 3 state quarterfinal tennis doubleheader at Western Albemarle High School.

Photos from Friday's VHSL Class 3 state quarterfinal tennis doubleheader at Western Albemarle High School.

With a new head coach, the Western Albemarle girls tennis team has continued to have success on the court. The Warriors won the Region 3C title earlier this week and punched their ticket to the state semifinals with a win over Lord Botetourt on Friday.

The Western Albemarle boys tennis team returned all of its starters from last season's state championship team. The players didn't rest on their laurels and got better during the offseason. Now the Warriors are two wins away from capturing another title. “Everybody got a lot better.”

This week's Augusta Health Athlete Spotlight is on Western Albemarle's Jean-Nika and Marchelle van der Westhuizen, who recently played for the South African national women's lacrosse team in its first-ever international competition in Scotland.

At least three players from this season's Virginia baseball team are following Brian O'Connor to Mississippi State, with potentially more to come.

Photos from Thursday's Region 3C girls soccer championship game between Western Albemarle and Waynesboro.

“We want to see how far we can go.” The Western Albemarle girls soccer team holds off Waynesboro to win its third straight Region 3C championship.

Highlights from the Brian O'Connor interview with Greg Madia below: -"I thank all the Virginia baseball fans from the bottom of my heart." -"The resources at the University of Virginia are really, really excellent. So, this was never ever about competing resources."

"I hope they see that as time passes, with what was done there and what it took to get it done there." In an exclusive interview with The Daily Progress, Brian O'Connor reflects on his 22 years with Virginia baseball and why he decided to depart for Mississippi State.

How did Walker Wallace go from being an All-Ivy League midfielder for the national champion Cornell men's lacrosse team to a tight end for the UVa football team? The Richmond native explains how he landed with the Hoos and the challenges that lie ahead.

#UVa pitching coach Drew Dickinson is not following Brian O’Connor to Mississippi State. “I felt blindsided by it all,” Dickinson said. But he is pushing ahead and aiming for the Cavaliers’ head-coaching job. He’s already talked to AD Carla Williams about the job.

Photos from the Western Albemarle girls lacrosse team's win over Kettle Run in the Region 1-4B championship game.

The Fluvanna County baseball team knocks off top-seeded Liberty Christian Academy to advance to the Region 3C championship game and clinch a berth in the VHSL Class 3 state tournament.

After navigating a challenging regular season filled with high-level opponents, the Western Albemarle girls lacrosse team is playing well in the postseason. The Warriors rolled to a regional title on Tuesday. Now they are setting their sights on a third straight state title.

Last week, Walker Wallace, a first-team All-Ivy League midfielder, helped the Cornell men's lacrosse team win the national title. Now, the Richmond native is transferring to #UVa to play football. He will play tight end for the Cavaliers.