Marty Gordon
Coach Sherry Millirons led Auburn High School this past month to another state volleyball title, and Friday, she was recognized as the Region C Class 1 coach of the year.
Millirons was joined by Auburn players, Gretchen Surface, Meghan Earnest, Leah Wimmer and Briel Underwood, all first team.
Eastern Montgomery’s Olivia Boone, Macie Akers and Lyla Jo Sutphin were named to the Region C second-team.
Eagles named all-MED
Four players from Auburn were named to the first-team All-Mt. Empire District volleyball squad announced last week. Gretchen Surface was joined by teammates, Meghan Earnest, Leah Wimmer and Brial Underwood. Auburn’s Jayci Morrill was named to the second-team.
Kaylee Ramratten and Johnnie Gaynor were named honorable mention.
Sophie Taylor of Giles was named the MED player of year, and her coach, Mandy Havens, was the coach of the year.
Radford posts all-stater
The Virginia High School League has released the 2024 Class 2 volleyball, and Radford’s Mattox Adams was named to the second-team.
Central (Wise) senior middle blocker Emmah McAmis is the Class 2 Player of the Year, and Ridgeview head coach Holly Fleming is the Class 2 Coach of the Year.
Bruin all-region volleyball
Blacksburg’s Emma Castle was named to the Region 4D volleyball second-team, while teammate Josie Rhoads was honorable mention.
Kennedy Spaid of James Wood High School was named the 4D player of the year, and her coach, Adrienne Patrick was the coach of the year.
Big South tourney
Tickets for the 2025 Hercules Tires Big South Basketball Championships at Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tenn., are now on sale online at www.BigSouthSports.com/Tickets. Full ticket booklets covering all 16 games over nine sessions feature courtside seating ($650) and general seating ($250) for the March 5-9 tournament. Separate men’s and women’s booklets for the respective eight games and five sessions cost $350 (courtside) and $150 (general).
For additional details, visit the official Hercules Tires Big South Basketball Championship home page at http://www.bigsouthsports.com/HoopsChamps25.
Starting Feb. 3, single-session tickets and group sales will begin, and feature courtside seats for $75, general admission seats for $35, and groups of 15+ for $25. Student tickets will cost $10 with a valid student ID.
A single-session will be comprised of two games, while the March 9 Championship games will be individual sessions.
Hokie honored
Virginia Tech wide receiver, Jaylin Lane has been named the 2024 winner of the State of Virginia College Football Humanitarian Award, presented by the Touchdown Club of Richmond and sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors. The accolade annually recognizes a football player from a program in the Commonwealth of Virginia who has gone above and beyond to make a positive impact on campus and in his community.
Lane (5-10, 196) has a team-leading 38 receptions through 12 games this season for 466 yards and two touchdowns. The redshirt senior from Clover, South Carolina has also rushed for two scores and returned 24 punts, including a 58-yard touchdown return against Marshall. One of the Hokies’ most versatile playmakers, Lane is one of four ACC players in the last 20 years to have scored a touchdown rushing, passing, receiving, and by return in the same season.
Lane will be honored during the broadcast of the Dudley and Lanier Awards presentation, scheduled for Saturday, December 13. This awards broadcast will air on WTVR-TV6, the local CBS affiliate in Richmond.
Lane’s philanthropy and charitable spirit have been recognized nationally this year. He was named to the watch list for both the Wuerffel Trophy and Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award recognizing his off the field efforts to serve the New River Valley community. He was also Tech’s nominee for the Allstate Good Works Team.
Hokies recognized
Virginia Tech quarterback William “Pop” Watson III and kicker John Love have earned ACC Player of the Week honors for their efforts in a 37-17 win over Virginia Saturday.
Love (5-11, 180) connected on all three of his field goal attempts from 44, 31 and 28 yards. The Spartanburg, South Carolina product was also a perfect 4-for-4 on PATs for a total of 13 points.
Watson (5-11, 190) has been named the conference Rookie of the Week after making his first career start and accounting for 302 yards of offense and two touchdowns. The redshirt freshman completed 14 of his 21 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 48 yards and another score. His 66-yard scoring strike to Jaylin Lane was Tech’s longest pass play of the season.