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PATRICK HENRY

Roanoke City high schools will have in-person graduations this spring

ROANOKE, Va. – Families and graduates will have the chance to celebrate the Class of 2021 in a more traditional way this year. Both of Roanoke’s high schools, Patrick Henry and William Fleming, will hold in-person graduation events, the school board announced during its meeting on Tuesday. This announcement follows the new guidelines from the Northam administration that allow for up to 5,000 people, or 30% capacity, whichever is less at outdoor graduation venues. For indoor ceremonies, the maximum number of attendees drops to 500, while the building capacity remains at 30%.

Patrick Henry girls basketball coach Mike Hedrick resigns

ROANOKE, Va. – Patrick Henry girls basketball head coach Mike Hedrick announced Wednesday that he has resigned from his position with the Patriots. He has accepted a head coaching position in the Atlanta metro area. Our success the past 4 years will forever tie me to the Roanoke Community and I will be forever gratefulAs always,#BeBetter pic.twitter.com/1b9vuGGou1 — Mike Hedrick (@coachhedrickjr) March 3, 2021Since 2017, Hedrick has lead the Patriots to four consecutive state tournament appearances, two final fours′s, and this year, a state championship berth. In addition, his senior class has three River Ridge District titles and 2 Region 5D titles. Hedrick’s ability to shape talent is not lost either, he has sent multiple athletes to play at the collegiate level.

WATCH: State semifinals in the area, Pulaski County and Patrick Henry girls advance

ROANOKE, Va. – It was a busy night in Southwest Virginia with nearly a dozen area teams competing in the VHSL basketball state semifinals. Starting with Class 5 girls action, Patrick Henry dispatched visiting Potomac Falls 61-37 to advance to the program’s first state final. “Very blessed to have the players I have, very lucky to have Savannah Derey here for every game I’ve ever coached,” Hedrick explained. AdIn Pulaski County, the girls basketball Region D champions hosted Loudon Valley, who won the Region C title. In girls Class 2 action, Glenvar had a tall task in trying to topple defending Class 2 Champion Gate City.

Patrick Henry girls lead charge into State semifinals

Roanoke, Va. – The Patrick Henry girls basketball team is back to back--Region 5D champs under head coach Mike Hedrick. in the state semifinals. Coach Hedrick says the visiting Panthers will bring a lot of size to Roanoke. If you see a game that looks some like a snail can compete, it could be a long night for us,” Hedrick explains. The Patrick Henry boys will immediately follow the girls with a 6:30 p.m. start against Stone Bridge in the Class 5 boys state semifinals.

WATCH: Patrick Henry girls claim back-to-back Region 5D Titles

ROANOKE, Va. – Patrick Henry raced to a 20-5 advantage in the first quarter that was dominated by Savannah Derey. Though the shots didn’t fall at the rate that they would’ve liked, the Patriots remained tenacious at the defensive end. “We didn’t shoot the ball very well tonight but, we played really hard and refused to lose,” said Patrick Henry head coach Mike Hedrick. “[We] survived and advanced and now we have the opportunity to play for the final four, maybe the opportunity to maybe play for state title and that’s why we do this. The Patrick Henry boys will also host a Class 5 State Semifinal on Wednesday at 7pm when Stone Bridge comes to the Star City.

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: Fleming and LB boys among teams to advance in Region hoops

ROANOKE, Va. – The third time is typically the charm, but not for the William Fleming girls on Tuesday night. They faced off with cross-town rival Patrick Henry for the third time this season, this time in the Region 5D Semifinals. Back at the home of the Colonels, the William Fleming boys had no problems with Albemarle-- coming away with a 61-21 victory. Lord Botetourt defeated Carroll County 86-46, advancing to the Region 3D Semifinals. They will play at Northside, which defeated William Byrd Tuesday night.

Patrick Henry soccer star Erick Kilosho signs with UVA

ROANOKE, Va. – Patrick Henry’s Erick Kilosho committed to the University of Virginia on Tuesday afternoon in front of his head coach and family, becoming the fourth Patriot since 2010 to play soccer for the Cavaliers. The most recent player would be Irakoze Donasiyano, who was taken in the first round of the MLS Draft to Nashville. Kilosho said Tuesday that he’s thankful for the preparation that the Patrick Henry’s soccer program has provided for him to get to the next level and he’s excited to get started in Charlottesville. Coach Doughty helps me a lot. It matches my play.”Kilosho is also hopeful for a spring soccer season, which is expected to start in April.

WATCH: Region Tournament Hoops from Fleming, Byrd

ROANOKE, Va. – Magna Vista found itself in the Region 3D Tournament on Monday night against William Byrd. But William Byrd outscored Magna Vista 24-6 in the second quarter. William Byrd won 71-41, advancing to the Region 3D Quarterfinals to take on Northside on Tuesday at 6pm. On the ladies side, William Fleming notched a big 68-21 win over visiting Brooke Point in the Region 5D Quarterfinals. Next up for the Colonels is a Region 5D Semifinal matchup with cross-town rival Patrick Henry, Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

VMI welcomes 3 locals on signing day, Glenvar has 2 make commitments

LEXINGTON, Va. – On the first day of the February signing period, Scott Wachenheim and the Keydets announced nine signees to the 2021 recruiting class. “We are excited to add nine future cadet-athletes to our VMI Football 2021 signing class, said Wachenheim. They complement our December signees and give us the ability to compete for future SoCon championships,” said head coach Scott Wachenheim. AdHe joins other Patrick Henry football players Trace Pedigo, redshirt freshman Daniel Cox and Sophomore Leroy Thomas on the VMI roster. This is the first time the football team has signed two athletes in the same class to full-ride scholarships.

7-on-7 event honors late Kawuan Ray

ROANOKE, Va. – Athletes including brothers and friends of Kawuan Ray came together to play flag football on Martin Luther King Jr. Day-- one of many sports that the former Roanoke Catholic and Patrick Henry star excelled at. Monday’s game was about more than just the love of sport, but rather the love of each other. "Kawuan Ray Day" (WSLS)That prompted Monday’s flag football event, a way to give back to the community while also providing support through the grieving process. “I just know how great of a young man he was just by the effect he had on other young people in the community, his teammates, younger brothers and just his friends. So, it’s like we’re all going to carry the weight together, grieve together instead of doing it alone,” said Thomas.

Disputed redistricting reform on the ballot in Virginia

Now, Virginia voters are deciding whether to alter their state constitution to support redistricting reform that would take the once-every-10-year task of drawing maps out of legislators' hands, at least to an extent, and give it to a bipartisan panel. But even though the issue has become a hot-button one nationally, the Virginia referendum is the only redistricting question on the ballot in the U.S. this year, said reform advocate Brian Cannon. In Virginia, the proposal to amend the state constitution to create a bipartisan redistricting panel received support from both parties last year, at a time when Republicans controlled the state legislature but Democrats controlled the governor's mansion. Jason Miyares of Virginia Beach said the change of heart is purely an effort by Democrats to press their political advantage. She said the proposal does nothing to guarantee representation for persons of color on the redistricting commission.