Tiger 2000

points 100 percent count from all of the regular season games . That is why the first Richlands/ Graham game was important.   This game would be as well......
 

Stu bean is correct...    No winners in this scenario but not a done deal.   . Richlands cant be blamed for looking at a meaningful game. They didn't cause this . Tazewell and Graham do not want to be punished for something out of their control at the last week of the season.   The Graham , Richlands game did count for points and pride but it was not a district contest . And we cant make it one now because its convenient. Graham would have been favored , however in no way was this game a done deal. .  In the past three weeks , The tazewell-richlands, tazewell-graham game have been decided by less than 4 points. ,      4 points ....    so im of the belief that all teams are getting screwed somewhat and anything is still on the table....

I was at the this game, and Richlands had a great game plan and came out from the opening tip and out hustled Central the whole first half, Now after the 1st half Central changed up its Defense and gave Richlands different looks. My opinion on when the momentum shifted was in the middle of the 3rd Quarter when Central got it inside to there Big man (Tre Mullins) and he scored 5 straight points, and Simmons got his 4th foul for Richlands and Central went on a run. Now Central bounced from a 2-3 zone to a 3-2 zone. which kept the Berry Kid in check in the 2nd half. I don't think he took a shot the whole 2nd half. Also when the Simmons kid posted up he was met my several players from Central, He saw Jordan Bishop, Brody Allison or Elijah Hayes when he went to make a post move. And if I'm correct I don't think he scored in the 2nd half either.  Now I've watched a lot of high school basketball over the years and I have to say that Richlands has one of the Classiest basketball staffs around, not sure of the head coach's name but he is a Class act.
 
 
 

I'm simply saying there was no foul in those last few seconds. Union player wasn't even close to Dean. I agree, officiating was terrible, period in that game. Union missed key foul shots but I stand by what I witnessed, a terrible call in the crucial last few seconds. 

it's nice to have an unbiased opinion so people can't just claim sour grapes.

I don't have a dog in the fight but I stayed after Graham's lackluster performance to watch the game. I can say unequivocally from an unbiased opinion Union got robbed. Hell, #14 for Gate City should have fouled out long before OT. Good luck to Gate City & Central but should have been Union. 

Tiller took over a Fort Chiswell program that had been decimated by Tom Hale!  Tiller went 0-10 in his first season while getting players committed to the work required to compete.  After his first season, he went 16-8 with wins over Galax, Chilhowie, George Wythe, Radford and Giles.

Richlands lead half way through the middle of 3rd quarter Central never lead until then Richlands played 6 player's until the last 2 minutes Central played 11 player's  Richlands run out of steam Richlands starter out played Central starters 

I’m not Blues’ fan obviously but I respect the program that was built and the coaching staff over the years. I would hope Webb stays put too. He’s going to get the offers regardless. I can’t see uprooting the whole family to play for Mance in Loris. Sports makes parents do peculiar things, though. Ronnie Davis, current defensive coordinator applied according to someone he told personally. Take that for what it’s worth. I can see him giving up softball after this year with his star pitcher that won them state graduating this spring and focusing completely on coaching football . Football is a different bear to head coach than girls’ softball though. For the players and parents, I hope they make a decision sooner rather than later. Then the rumor mill can quit churning, lol. 

Bluefield might be understandable, but would transferring to Loris really help any player that much? Outside of relocating to the beach area, how would that help him get to the next level, just asking.  IMO Webb would be the go to guy for Richlands, and let's face it, probably his best chance to get next level recognition.

There are parents delusional enough to do this, particularly there...

Don't be fooled, UVAW plays very high level teams. It's a huge leap from local SWVA HS football to.D2 football. You have to be an exceptional football player and athlete to sniff the field at Wise, much less dominate. I hope Polier has all the success in the world, but it won't be easy. There will be a few kids from their conference make NFL rosters and a couple will likely be drafted in the first four rounds. Lenoir-Rhyne has a S that could go in the top three rounds. 

Michael Calhoun signed a track scholarship with Charleston Southern, congrat to him and all the other signees! 

Spot on. 

It was a back and forth game.  Union definitely had their chances to put the game away but didn’t.  I’ll chalk that up to their youth although that was the first time I had seen them play this season.  I think I remember their coach after the GC game they lost at home saying they need to be better at finishing games.  I’ll give them credit, there were a few times I thought Central would pull away but Union hung around.  #5 for Union hit a three to tie and was fouled and hit the go ahead foul shot.  Central scored on the following possession with about 5-6 seconds left.  Union got the ball up ahead and had it knocked away but, I believe #5, got it and had the open layup but rushed it because of time and it didn’t go in.  Great game though.

SWD boys’ games tonight at Graham were pitiful. Graham had a respectable showing but man, it was really painful watching Richlands come within 2 with a couple minutes left only to let VA High win by about a dozen. I don’t want to beat a dead horse but overall SWD is mediocre at best with exception of Graham. I will say Webb for Richlands is a go getter though & has speed to spare. 

Rumors are probably flying around like TVs off the shelves on Black Friday. I heard Wells was interested too. I believe Snake was let go by Mance and you could ask him if Ronnie Davis is interested. They're brothers. Davis is already HC of girls' softball. That's a lot to take on, HC of two varsity programs but I guess others do it at other places. The seasons are different technically  but really football is year round anymore with the off-season weightlifting, 7 on 7s in June, etc. I'd say we'll know shortly. Is there a set number of days positions have to be posted? 

I agree with you there. What has made Richlands so hard to beat over the years the the elite level of defense they play. Mance was very good at taking away your best player or play and making you win with option number 2. Just about everyone is the area has gone to at least some version of the spread because its all a numbers game and it gives you a chance to win in places if you have lesser athletes and a qb that can distribute the ball and run a little. I would say any coach under the age of 40 is going to run some sort of spread concept. Richlands is going to run what ever the new coach knows and what ever fits the players they have. If the Webb kid is there in the spring leaving him solo while you try to run the power I or split back veer would be the biggest waste of talent I have ever seen. 

Great job on this Brady.  Good to show all the history and the fact that coach Mance made such an impact on our area.  The next HC will have some gigantic shoes to fill.  Mance will forever be remembered as the coach that brought "Friday Night Lights" to Richlands.  GO BLUES!!!

great read here by Brady Hess 
check it out here - http://coalfieldsports.com/2020/02/20/the-end-of-an-era-richlands-greg-mance-to-coach-at-loris-sc/

Awesome read and story Brady, thank you.  This is bittersweet for me because of personal connections.  Sitting in the stands, seeing the Blues come out for warmups, Coach Mance with his visor on during warm weather.  Can remember a game with Falcons, I believe 2006, it was a monsoon that night.  Sheltered up near the press box, but still was soaked by end of game.  Remembering the game with Bulldogs for region title in 2008, so cold, but so exciting.  Came away with a "W" next to the lighting R.  Close, but a win none-the-less.  Remembering 2006, Austin's scamper on a 4th and 19th in the championship game.  The INT he picked to end the game and seal the championship!!!  Was so nervous that 4th qtr had to get up from bleachers and go stand at the top, praying all the while.  The 2010 championship game with Poquoson that should have been a win for the Blues.  Zebras had other plans.  Coach Mance always so gracious to the opposing teams and coaches.  They say behind every good man "there is a good woman", well, Ann is surely that.  She worked countless hours along side and behind the scenes,  helping make the program the success it became.  An era has ended, but memories, what memories.  Knowing Coach Mance's work ethic, I expect good things for the Loris Lions.  
Blessings to you Coach Mance and Ann

Thad and whomever he wants to bring would be welcomed by the Richlands community and the players. 

I don’t think Richlands has that kind of $$$$$ floating around like in the past.  It’s going to be a huge pay cut if Wells comes and from what another member posted, giving up state of the art facilities. Money isn’t everything but it’s a lot, lol! Family is too though. I’d say he’s going to have to decide pretty quickly. You know the folks in NC have heard same rumors we have. 

Sometimes the money is not everything.  I was away from this area after college for about seven years and always had the yearning to be back home.  Moved back and took a rather large cut in yearly salary, but haven't given it the second thought.  Thad and his wife just may want to come back to family.  I'm sure his children would like to see more of grandparents.  IMO he would be a good hire, but in the end, if he's been offered, then it's a tough decision, but one that only him and his family can make.

Best of luck to Coach Mance.  Very interested to see who takes over.