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INSIDER

CAVE SPRING KNIGHTS

“It can be taken away at any moment” Cave Spring competition cheer season underway, despite initial setback

ROANOKE, Va. – When you think of competition cheerleading in the Roanoke Valley, Cave Spring certainly comes to mind. But earlier this year, the Roanoke County school board voted that fall sports could only play within the county, eliminating a competition season for the Knights. “It really made us realize that every day, take advantage of it, because it can be taken away at any moment,” senior Lily Fox said. “Other Roanoke county cheer coaches joined in and we realized this could mean potentially no post season for us,” Koll said. “It’s definitely just perfecting the routine and working hard to clean it up, because there aren’t those difficult skills we can normally do,” Fox said.

WATCH: Patrick Henry boys wins region 5D championship, Cave Spring girls, Northside boys advance in 3D

Over at Patrick Henry, the Region 5D finals were underway, Patriots facing the William Fleming Colonels. Patrick Henry the victor, winning 66-65, and claiming back-to-back region titles. Patrick Henry will face the winner of Potomac Falls versus Stonebridge in the first round of the State Championship. On the hardwood at Cave Spring, the girls taking on 5 seed Lord Botetourt. Boys Basketball Scores:Patrick Henry 66, William Fleming 65Northside 80, Lord Botetourt 74Abingdon 60, Cave Spring 46Girls Basketball Scores:Cave Spring 53, Lord Botetourt 57Carroll County 65, Northside 40Honaker 68, Rural Retreat 30Thomas Walker 69, Chilhowie 45

WATCH: VHSL Region 3D wrestling tournament in Christiansburg

over Dameon Robinson (Carroll County) 4-7, Jr. (Fall 2:48)Xavier Williams (Lord Botetourt) 5-2, So. (NC)Bryan Taylor (Christiansburg) 4-0, Sr. over Will Quesenberry (Northside) 4-3, Sr. (Fall 2:09)Bryan Taylor (Christiansburg) 4-0, Sr. over Will Quesenberry (Northside) 4-3, Sr. (Fall 2:09)2nd Place - Will Quesenberry of Northside2nd Place - Will Quesenberry of NorthsideEvan Elliott (Northside) 1-3, So. over Sam Francis (Lord Botetourt) 5-2, Sr. (Dec 8-4)Jake Baier (Christiansburg) 3-0, So. over Sam Francis (Lord Botetourt) 5-2, Sr. (Dec 8-4)JJ Pociask (Christiansburg) 4-1, So. (Dec 5-4)WATCH: VHSL Region 3D wrestling tournament in Christiansburg Christiansburg takes home the team title, advances 9 to State TournamentsIf you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558.

Hardwood happenings spice up Roanoke sports scene

Roanoke, Va. – The Lord Botetourt Cavaliers opened their season Wednesday, hosting James River. Kyle Arnholt lead the way for Lord Botetourt with 25 points, and James River’s Patrick Clevenger had 24 for the Knights. Meanwhile, Roanoke County schools hit the practice courts Wednesday after being cleared to compete Tuesday afternoon. The biggest difference since Tuesday is Roanoke County schools have been cleared for competition, which means teams can integrate passing the ball at practice. “You practice every day like you’re going to play so that’s our attitude towards every practice, that you’re going to play.

Area stars sign on to the next level

At Cave Spring Suzanne Harris heads to JMU for swimming and Zada Porter will play hoops at Appy State. Porter said she always felt like Appalachian State would be home, ever since here first visit as an eighth grader. “Mostly App State was for the coaching staff. Of course every school tries to make you feel like family, but for App State I always had an idea they would be the place I called home next,” Porter says. “I don’t have to worry about my parents paying for college first and that I get to play basketball for another 4 years is something that’s another relief for me,” Anderson says.

Cave Spring head boys’ basketball coach awarded Coach of the Year in Virginia

ROANOKE, Va. – Cave Spring High School’s head boy’s basketball coach, Jacob Gruse, was recently named the 2019-2020 Boy’s Coach of the Year by the VHSL. It was really humbling, I feel blessed, there are so many great coaches everywhere, especially in Virginia,” Gruse said. “They are well deserving of this award.”Gruse was named the Class 3 Boy’s Basketball Coach of the Year in April. Doesn’t happen without Derrick Roth, my associate head coach, Tim Myers my assistant coach, and Ethan Humphries who was our JV coach last year. And I had unbelievable players too, really good players make a really good coach.”Cave Spring is scheduled to begin practice for the 2020-2021 season on December 7.

Cave Springs Jack Cowher awarded Don Holliday Memorial Scholarship

ROANOKE, Va. On Wednesday, the Don Holliday Memorial Scholarship Tournament Board of Directors presented Cave Springs Jack Cowher with their annual scholarship. Cowher becomes the 34th recipient of the $30,000 scholarship, which he plans to use to forward his education at Christopher Newport University. This money will really help my family for paying for my college. Ive been working awhile at two golf courses trying to save money, this scholarship means a lot. He also worked at Ballyhack and Hunting Hills and was a member of the golf team, swim team, outdoor track and football team.

VHSL canceling some state championship basketball games, naming co-champions

RICHMOND, Va. – This year, there will be a few more basketball state champions than normal. VHSL, Virginia’s governing body of high school sports, announced Thursday that Friday and Saturday’s state championship games are canceled due to coronavirus fears. “After continuing to assess the impact of COVID-19 and the recent cancellations throughout the sports world, we felt it was in the public interest to cancel our championship finals for Friday and Saturday," VHSL Executive Director Dr. John W. “Billy” Haun said. "“While we understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our teams, we feel this decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of, most importantly, our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, families, and fans.”

Cave Spring, Auburn boys, Lord Botetourt girls advance to State Championship games in Richmond

ROANOKE, Va. – Three area teams are moving onto the State Championship showdowns this week in Richmond. The Patriots ultimately fell 59-35, Highland Springs will play Princess Anne in the state championship. They will see Green Run in the state championship. In Class 3, The Lord Botetourt girls were back in the state semi-finals, this year taking on Booker T. Washington. “I told the three volleyball girls as we were walking in, the last time you guys were here it was a state championship,” head coach Renee Favaro said.

Area hoops squads move into VHSL Final 4

In the other Class 5 girls game, the William Fleming girls fell to Woodgrove 51-47. On the boys side, defending state champ GW Danville advanced to their third final 4 in four years with a 63-55 win over Loudon County. Halifax County fell to Millbrook 61-58. In Class 1, Grundy edges Parry McCluer 49-46, while Auburn vs Eastside scheduled for UVA-Wise was moved to Saturday because of snow. Honaker defeated George Wythe 65-59 and PH Glade Spring downs Galax 51-30.and in Class 1 Grundy beat Parry McCluer 49-46.