Rev City Sports has launched its own website

JAMES CITY -- Rev City Sports, the first website dedicated to everything sports in greater Williamsburg has officially launched.

The website, www.revcitysports.com, will be the premiere site for all the latest information regarding high school, youth sports and the College of William and Mary.

The site will include stories, photo galleries, video highlights an much more a we cater to the needs of the community. Advertising will also be available on the site, so if you're interested in supporting us, please email jharvey@revcitysports or @RevCitySports on Twitter for more details.

Kelau Smith scores game-winner in Walsingham boys soccer debut

By John Harvey

jharvey@revcitysports.com

WILLIAMSBURG – Last spring, Kelau Smith served as a key defender for a Bruton team that reached the Conference 33 tournament semifinals.

Smith transferred to Walsingham Academy this fall and reclassified for a chance to play a more offensive role. The move worked out as he led the Trojans to a 3-2 victory over Vertias School of Richmond in Friday’s season opener in Williamsburg.

The sophomore center-midfielder converted a one-timer with five minutes as Walsingham erased a 2-1 halftime deficit.

“If feels amazing scoring that goal for Walsingham,” Smith said. “It was my first-ever, high school goal.”

Smith said the game-winner was just a matter of him being in the right place at the right time. “Our forward took the ball down the right side and took a shot that was deflected out by a defender,” he explained. “It rolled to me and while it was still rolling, I took a one-touch shot into the bottom left corner.”

The celebration was not as elaborate. “I was so excited, but I didn’t have any energy to run around and celebrate like most soccer players would do,” he said. “I looked up to the sky, thanked God and jogged back to our side of the field as my teammates congratulated me.”

Smith’s late-game heroics proved to be a perfect ending to a great season opener for both schools.

Walsingham senior Teddy Gutches scored on a header from a corner kick five minutes into the game for a 1-0 lead.

Vertias responded with two goals from Ian Ruzich, including one on a penalty kick.

The Trojans evened the score with 20 minutes left as Kian Lawlor found the back of the net off a nice through ball from Michael Farace for a 2-2 tie.

Alex Bolton made seven saves for Walsingham (1-0) to preserve the win.

Contact me at jharvey@revcitysports.com or @HarveySports757 via Twitter.

Warhill volleyball hungry for another title shot

Warhill's Alex Koon (12) was the Class 3A state player or the year in 2013.

 

By John Harvey

jharvey@revcitysports.com

JAMES CITY – Warhill High’s volleyball team came within one game of claiming the school’s first state championship in any sport.

With nine players back from last year’s squad, led by Class 3A State Player of the Year Alex Koon, coach Greg Koon believes this team has the talent to make another run at a state title.

The Lions return six players that played in the state finals.

“We expect to see the best from every team we play,” Koon said. “We are preparing for every scenario, at the highest level of competition.”

After missing most of her sophomore season with an injury, Alex Koon looked 100 percent healthy last year for the Lions. The 6-foot-4 senior outside hitter had more than 400 kills and led the team in blocks and digs. She has verbally committed to play at Wichita State University.

Colby Norris is another all-state player returning to the fold. The senior outside hitter had had a breakout sophomore season and carried that over into last season. She had nearly 100 kills and emerged as a solid all-around player with nearly 100 digs.

Megan Harrigan, Nicole Mulligan, Hanna Comier, Madi Braman, Cori Clifton, Jewel Walters and Bre Harrigan also return from last year’s squad.

Harrigan returns for her third season as the team’s setter. The senior finished last season with more than 400 assists and 100 digs last season. She has great knowledge of the offense and isn’t afraid to pound the ball at the net.

Mulligan and Clifton emerged as offensive options by the end of the year. Mulligan had nearly 100 kills and more than 50 blocks as the team’s top middle blocker. Clifton had nearly 90 kills during her first varsity campaign.

Walters saw extended playing time as the team’s libero. The sophomore defensive specialist ranked second on the team with nearly 150 digs.

Koon has always been pleased with the addition of sophomore Gabby Santana and freshman Elizabeth Glazener and Alis Ripchick and expect them to challenge for playing time.

“We are committed to improving our defense and speeding up our offense,” Koon said. “This season will differ from previous seasons because we have more depth on the bench than ever before.”

One of the new wrinkles this offseason for Warhill was attending Christopher Newport University’s volleyball team camp. He said the team formed a really tight bond early on, which should benefit them later in the season.

“The key to any success this season will be determined by our ability to keep our opponents out of system, serve receive well and side out,” he said.

Contact me at jharvey@revcitysports.com or @HarveySports757 via Twitter.

Shields leads Jamestown golf to another district win

Jamestown's Matthew Shield shot a 77 on Thursday at Colonial Heritage Golf Club.

By John Harvey

jharvey@revcitysports.com

JAMES CITY – Matthew Shield wasn’t too happy when he flubbed his tee shot off the first tee box Monday at Colonial Heritage Golf Club

But that seemed to be the lone problem the junior golfer experienced all day long, as he posted a 5-over-par 77 to edge New Kent’s Cole Baldwin (78) and Jamestown teammate William Bell for medalist honors.

“I just struck the ball well and hit the greens,” Shields said. “If I continue to strike the ball well, I’ll score well.”

With that round Shields also took over first place in the race for medalist honors in the Bay Rivers District with an average of 77.71. Bell (78.57) and New Kent’s Parker Wallace (78.57) are tied for second, followed by Baldwin (79.14) and Jamestown’s Emily Salamy (79.60).

The Eagles turned in their best outing of the season, posting a score of 317 to beat New Kent (342) by 25 strokes. Smithfield (351) was third, followed by Lafayette (357), Tabb (368) York (371), Warhill (373), Grafton (395), Poquoson (408) and Bruton (420).

Salamy carded a round of 80 for Jamestown, one stroke ahead of Dan Kelly C.J. Montero posted and 86 and Ryan Satira finished with a 98.

Wallace shot an 81 for New Kent. Jackson Gray finished with a 91, one stroke ahead of teammate Cole Hitchcock (92). Austin Pierce (97) and Bryce Paige (98) also represented the Trojans.

Jacob Smethurst posted his best round of the season (80) to lead Lafayette. Tawni Hatcher carded an 88, followed by Jordan Olsen (90), Conor Flannery (99), Harry Grimes (99) and Logan Smith (104)

Warhill had three golfers post personal best playing on its home golf course. Bryce Parker matched his season best with a score of 89 to lead the Lions. Peter Conway (91), Ryan Creecy (96) and Josh Broaddus (97) all shot their lowest rounds of the year. Evan Kerr (102) and Blake Sawyer (121) also participated for Warhill.

Zack Calloway registered his lowest round of the season for Bruton, finishing with a 99. Wyatt Baldasare finished with a 101, followed by Dylan Jenkins (109), Jacob Cook (111), Renard Wallace (134) and Tommy Betro (137).

The golf teams will be back in action on Monday, Aug. 25 when they play at Ford’s Colony Country Club.

Contact Harvey at jharvey@revcitysports.com or @HarveySports757 via Twitter.

Photo gallery: Lafayette vs. Chancellor

Check out RevCitySports Facebook page for more photos from Thursday's scrimmage..

Bruton volleyball on the rise

Senior middle blocker Shayla Hillian (1) led Bruton High School's volleyball team in kills and blocks in 2013.

 By John Harvey

jharvey@revcitysports.com

                       

YORK – Bruton High’s volleyball team flourished in the Virginia High School League’s six-classification format last season, reaching the semifinals of the Conference 33 tournament.

Coach Kevin Schoolfield’s team returns four seniors from last year’s club, including its top to hitters, which should make the Panthers a threat for some postseason gold this fall.

“Last season was one of the most successful volleyball seasons in a long while for Bruton High School, and we plan to see an even greater level of success this season,” Schoolfield said. “We have a hard working group of girls that play well together and are working every day to become more familiar and confident in the teammates standing next to them”

Middle blocker Shayla Hillian and outside hitter Sydney Jamison give Bruton a talented front line to build around.

Hillian was an all-conference selection last season and has the ability to change the game. The senior has great instincts and has a wealth of experience at the club volleyball level. Jamison is another talented player that continues to get better. She can hit the ball with power and has a knack for making the right play.

Hailey Bauer also returns for the Panthers. The senior setter led the team in assists last season and has great vision on the court.

Schoolfield has also been impressed with a talented freshman who is expected to play right away. Gabby Calloway has been a fixture on the club volleyball scene for years and has played in many big games. The outside hitter has great athleticism and gives Bauer options on the attack.

                                                                                                                             

The key to Bruton’s success this season will be on the defensive side of the ball. The team continues to work players into the rotation with hopes of finding the right chemistry on the floor.

“Our goal is to continue to improve on our rise in the Bay Rivers District and reach our conference finals,” he said. “Our goal is to continue to improve on our rise in the Bay Rivers District and reach our conference finals.”

Contact me at jharvey@revcitysports.com or @HarveySports757 via Twitter.