The state championship is in the books and the 2022-23 sports school year comes to an end. This writer has had some great memories for the year. There are so many people to thank. I like to start with Matthew Hatfield of Virginia Preps.com. He lets me keep my website up and running. He lets me cover basically whomever I want to cover in football, basketball, and baseball.

I need to say thank you to Mike Williams for letting me cover some local sports for his paper, The Patriot. Matthew and Mike both for letting me do the things sometimes for both at the same time.

So many schools to thank for letting me watch and cover their games. Their hospitality and friendship over the years. Those schools include; Radford, Auburn, Narrows, Graham, Pulaski Co., George Wythe, Fort Chiswell, Grayson Co., Giles, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Carroll Co., Floyd Co., Salem, Glenvar, Rural Retreat, Patrick Henry, Hidden Valley, and so many more.

Thank You to all the head coaches, athletic directors, principals, and all the coaching staff of the schools. It’s been another fun ride and hopefully, this upcoming season will be an exciting year of sports, as well.  So people have asked me you don’t cover many girls’ basketball or softball games or post scores. I’m only one person. This is a love of sports for me. I can only cover so much. If people would send me scores I will post them.

Some changes have occurred at some schools for their upcoming year. Coaching changes at Fort Chiswell, Auburn, Pulaski Co just to name a few. As of this writing, Pulaski Co. still needs to name a new head boys’ basketball coach.

A couple of things that stand out for this past season. One, Graham football what a season they had. I got to cover just three of their games. It was a special group. Their head coach Tony Palmer and his dollar hidden in the dressing room from the year-ago to get back to Salem and win the title and get his dollar back! To see Patrick Co. baseball win their first state championship and their head coach almost in tears with happiness. Then there was Carroll Co. basketball head coach with tears in his eyes talking to his team after a hard-fought three-overtime loss to Radford.  Lebanon sophomore pitcher, Nathan “Tater’ Phillips throwing a no-hitter to win a state baseball championship, there were plenty of emotions this school year.

George Wythe and  Auburn basketball playing what six times in one season? Wythe head coach and former Pulaski Co. player Tony Dunford took a young squad to the state championship game. Radford head coach Rick Cormany for saying what lots of people were thinking after losing to John Marshall’s team.  Coach Tyler Cannoy of Pulaski Co. for all he endured this past basketball season. Injuries at the start of the season were the kiss of death. That and a young team with first-year varsity players off of the junior varsity team.  The Cougar coaches and their work didn’t go unnoticed. Good Luck to Tyler Cannoy in his future endeavors.

Coach Kelly Lowe of Narrows football for his kindness and his staff welcomed me with open arms at their home games.

Coach Brian Harman of Floyd for his kindness and for letting me cover, The Chance Harman Classic.  Got to keep the official scorebook for Combine School out of North Carolina to see now Louisville signee Trentyn Flowers at the Chance Harman Classic. Grant Smythers for letting me be the official scorekeeper for The Adam Ward Classic. Coach Michael Crist and his Radford football staff for letting me come by a lot to watch practice.  Radford baseball coach  Drew Cox I appreciate the swag, Doug Reed of Auburn thank you. Scott Grantham, Guenther Schlottman, Harriet Farris, and Scottie Scott I appreciate your work.

To all the officials, umpires, and referees for their hard work and their friendships over the past years. They have a hard job and a lot of people have no idea how tough it is to be one of those people.

Jeff Molinary, Scott Vest, Greg Wade,  Kelly Lowe, Matt Dixon, Patrick Buckner, Paul Dominy, and Mike Roop a BIG THANK YOU!

Best Wishes to Howard Mayo and Spider Thompson. Good Luck to Zane Quesenberry and Rupert Hill new coaches at Fort Chiswell. Matthew Saunders miss ya. Stephen James go get’em! Mitch Anders, Billy Rice, and Terry Bass if you all are buying tacos, I’M Eating. LOL

Thank you to all the sports writers that have helped me this past year you know who you are …

To the people that check out my website- THANK YOU and spread the word- I appreciate you all !!!!!

I’m sure I’m missing lots of people and I don’t mean to. I consider these people my friends!  A great year of sports and a new year is just around the corner. Football practice is just around the corner for two -a- days!!