Singletary to enter NBA Draft
Source: Virginia junior point guard will not hire agent
By Whitelaw Reid / wreid@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
April 21, 2007

Sean Singletary still has eight days to decide if he wants to declare for the NBA Draft, but on Friday a source told The Daily Progress that the Virginia star has already made up his mind.

The source said Singletary will put his name in the draft, but not hire an agent. That would give the Philadelphia native the option of pulling out and returning to Virginia for his senior season.

Singletary, a first-team All-ACC guard the last two seasons, is currently rated as a second-round pick by most NBA draftniks.

The source said that Singletary - who is not granting interviews until after he announces his decision - will only stay in the draft if he can improve his stock at pre-draft camps and workouts.

In the NBA, only first-rounders receive guaranteed contracts. Singletary would likely need to blow NBA personnel away in his workouts to sneak into the first round.

This year’s draft - which is headlined by Ohio State’s Greg Oden and Texas’ Kevin Durant - is considered one of the deepest in recent history. There are a plethora of upper-echelon guards, including Ohio State’s Mike Conley Jr., Texas A&M’s Acie Law and Florida’s Taurean Green.

At just 6-feet tall, Singletary also has his height working against him, although players his size and even shorter - such as the Magic’s Jameer Nelson and the Knicks’ Nate Robinson - have been first-rounders in recent years.

In last year’s draft, Kyle Lowry, a 6-foot guard out of Villanova, was selected in the first round by the Grizzlies. That may be giving Singletary, who has played with Lowry in past offseasons, a certain level of confidence.

At the very least, going through the draft process provides Singletary with a dry run of sorts, and an idea of what he needs to work on if he winds up back in the draft again next summer.

The deadline to declare for the draft, which takes place on June 20 in New York City, is April 29.

Players who have college eligibility remaining and have not hired an agent have until June 18 to withdraw from the proceedings and return to school.

 

UVa steals opener against Clemson
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
April 21, 2007

CLEMSON, S.C. - Despite boasting tons of tradition and 11 trips to the College World Series, Clemson has had trouble recently topping Virginia.

Friday night was no exception.

Behind a strong start from Jacob Thompson and a gutsy finish by Casey Lambert, No. 6 Virginia escaped with a 5-3 win over the 14th-ranked Tigers at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in front of 5,192.

For Virginia (33-8, 12-6 ACC), it marked the seventh straight win in the lengthy series with Clemson (25-12, 10-6 ACC).

“There is something about Clemson that brings the best out of our team,” said Virginia coach Brian O’Connor.

It wasn’t as easy as the final margin might have indicated.

In fact, in the bottom of the ninth, Lambert gave up a single and a walk with two outs.

The left-handed throwing closer then did something that even he wouldn’t advise.

“I saw that they had a lefty on deck, and I probably shouldn’t look at the on-deck circle when there are two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but I was a little confused,” Lambert said. “I thought maybe [Clemson pinch-hitter Alex Lee] was going to come up there looking breaking ball.”

Virginia pitching coach Karl Kuhn promptly visited the mound.

“Coach K’s came out and told me that [Lee] didn’t have many at-bats on the season,” Lambert recounted. “He told me I needed to attack him early.”

Lambert’s first pitch bounced away from UVa catcher Beau Seabury.

“I let that first pitch get away from me and the runners moved up,” Lambert added, “but after that I stepped off and settled down a little bit.”

Lambert mowed down Lee with three straight strikes, notching his 40th career save and sealing the win for Thompson (9-0), who allowed six hits and three earned runs in eight innings.

Lambert and Thompson had help from Virginia’s hitters - the Cavaliers pounded out 11 hits off three different Clemson pitchers, including starter Daniel Moskos (3-3).

The biggest blow offensively came with two outs in the fourth inning and with the game tied at 1.

After Mike Mitchell reached on an error by Clemson second baseman David Bunnell and Greg Miclat walked, the duo executed a double steal and crossed the plate on a double by Brandon Marsh. A batter later, Sean Doolittle dropped in a single to left, giving the Cavaliers a 4-1 lead.

Clemson cut into the margin in the sixth - first baseman Andy D’Alessio drilled a two-out, two-run pitch from Thompson over the fence in right field.

“D’Alessio is not having the year that I know he would want to, but he is still a great hitter,” O’Connor said. “He took a great swing on a 3-2 curveball right down the middle.”

Virginia added an insurance run in the seventh, which sent most of the crowd scrambling for the exits.

“Any time you can quiet their rowdy fans and come out of here with a win is awesome,” Doolittle said. “Playing in this atmosphere is so cool.”

The two teams will meet again tonight at 7 as Virginia sends left-handed starter Matt Packer (3-2, 3.75 ERA) to the mound. Clemson will counter with RHP David Kopp (4-2, 3.74).

 

Cavs hope to finish season with a flurry
By Whitelaw Reid / wreid@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
April 21, 2007

Last season, there weren’t too many times when Virginia coach Dom Starsia looked upset following games. That makes sense when you consider Starsia’s squad went undefeated en route to winning the school’s fourth national championship.

Then came this season’s first game against Drexel. Virginia was sloppy, blew a late lead and lost for the first time since the 2005 season.

“When we lost to Drexel, the guys who were trying to make me feel better were saying, ‘Oh Dom, it will be the best thing for you,’” Starsia recalled. “I’m gritting my teeth and saying, ‘Let’s wait a couple of weeks before we make that determination.’”

Well, “the guys” turned out to be right. Virginia reeled off 10 straight wins before losing in overtime at Duke last Saturday.

Now, Starsia wouldn’t mind if his team bounced back from the poor performance by going on another winning streak.

“Losing to Duke could help us get our attention back,” Starsia said, “if that’s what we needed.”

Today, No. 4 Virginia (10-2, 2-1 ACC) hosts Dartmouth (4-6, 1-3) in its regular-season finale. The ACC Tournament starts Friday in Durham, N.C., with the NCAA Tournament kicking off May 13.

In the loss to Duke, Virginia played one of its sloppiest games in recent history. UVa had trouble with simple tasks like passing and catching.

The Cavaliers were also, at times, out-hustled. They lost the ground-ball battle, 58-38.

“I think maybe if we had won that game, maybe we wouldn’t be paying the same attention to detail that we are now,” said Virginia senior co-captain Drew Thompson. “We had close games against [North Carolina] and Binghamton and just got by. I think now we’re aware of what we need to do. We need to be sharp.”

Dartmouth, who Virginia has not played since 1968, is no slouch. The Big Green are only 4-6, but have played a tough non-conference schedule, which included an 11-10 loss to Duke on Feb. 24.

“They are a team with an outstanding attack - probably as good of an attack as we’ll see all year,” Starsia said. “This is a team we probably want to push the tempo against. The onus will be on us to win the ground-ball and loose-ball battle.”

Dartmouth’s big three of Nick Bonacci, Ari Sussman and Brian Koch have combined for 94 points.

“Those three kids are dominating,” Starsia said. “You watch them on tape and can’t help but be impressed.”

Although Dartmouth is coming off a loss to Yale, and a shellacking at the hands of Cornell - the No. 1 team in the country - Thompson isn’t expecting a cakewalk.

“They played Duke tough,” he said. “They’re a good team and will be ready to play. “Obviously everyone is gonna have the effort at this time of the year, but I think it’s the team that is the most poised and sharpest that is going to win in the end.”

Added Starsia: “At this point in the season, it’s imperative we continue to improve and play better.”

Ground balls

Virginia is 4-1 all-time against Dartmouth. UVa has won the last four meetings. … Virginia will honor seven fourth-year players as part of Senior Day. They are Thompson, Ricky Smith, Kip Turner, Adam Fassnacht, Foster Gilbert, James King and Drew Jordan. … Today is Starsia’s birthday. He turns 54.

 

Cavaliers, Pearman receptive to return
Wideout will attend summer school; has two years of eligibilty
BY JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Apr 21, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Help may be on the way for the University of Virginia football team's depleted corps of wide receivers.

Andrew Pearman plans to return to U.Va. and enroll in summer school next month, his father said yesterday. Pearman, a 5-10, 170-pound wideout who has two seasons of eligibility left, withdrew from U.Va. in November for personal reasons. He has been home in Charlotte, N.C., this semester, working at a car dealership.

Pearman traveled to Charlottesville for last weekend's spring game, and he met with U.Va. officials while he was in town.

"He's excited about getting back," Al Pearman said by phone. "Maybe this time away from school has been helpful for him. It's a little tough when you've got to work an hourly job."

Virginia's best wide receiver, Kevin Ogletree, had knee surgery last month and is likely to miss the coming season. In Ogletree's absence, walk-ons Staton Jobe and Cary Koch have assumed prominent roles.

Pearman's brother, Alvin, starred at U.Va. and now plays in the NFL.

Andrew Pearman began his college career at the University of Hawaii, where he redshirted as a freshman in 2004. Pearman transferred to U.Va. in '05 and sat out the season under NCAA rules. He's yet to show the game-breaking ability for which he was renowned at Providence High in Charlotte.

In 2006, Pearman appeared in four games before suffering a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery. He returned to practice in October but didn't play again before withdrawing from school. His statistics for '06 were modest: seven receptions for 34 yards; 10 punt returns for 60 yards with a long of 18.

"I think he's excited about the new year," Al Pearman said of his younger son. "It looks like he's in a real good shape."

 

Cavaliers lose backup kicker
Unable to beat out Chris Gould for a starting job, Noah Greenbaum likely will not be back this fall.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

Virginia football coach Al Groh said Friday he does not foresee place-kicker Noah Greenbaum returning this fall for a fifth season of eligibility.

Greenbaum was unable to wrest the place-kicking job from Chris Gould, the Cavaliers' principal place-kicker last season.

"He could see that he hadn't done enough [this spring] to unseat the other guy," Groh said.

Greenbaum, a walk-on who was awarded a scholarship before last season, twice took over for Gould last season and was 1-for-2 on field-goal attempts. The only field goal of his career gave Virginia a late cushion in a 17-7 victory over Miami.

Greenbaum missed a 42-yard attempt in the Cavaliers' spring game last weekend. Gould only punted in that game.

"Everybody knew what the plan was coming in," Groh said. "Somebody was going to come out of this deal as the person who will compete with the incoming kicker to see who we will use."

The Cavaliers signed Chris Hinkebein, a place-kicker from Charlotte, N.C., in February.

For most of last season, Gould handled extra points, kickoffs and extra points.

For the first half of the season, he also served as the Cavaliers' punter.

Even when Ryan Weigand assumed some of those latter duties, Gould continued to punt from inside the 50-yard line, and 29 of his punts were downed inside the 20.

Gould was 11-of-19 on field goals and 21 of his 42 kickoffs resulted in touchbacks.

"When you look at teams with successful seasons, unless they just knock everybody to the ground, every one of those teams has a kicker who's had an excellent year," Groh said. "For three years, we won games and the other team lost because Connor Hughes was on our team."

Hughes hit 66 of 79 field goals for UVa from 2002-05.

Groh said he does not know of any other members of UVa's spring roster who do not intend to return.
 

After spring-game cancellation Hokies’ staff points toward June
Glennon vs. Glennon would be a first?
By Doug Doughty

Events at Virginia Tech this week have trivialized anything else facing us here in the sports department, but I had reasons of my own to contemplate the effect that Monday’s shooting would have on recruiting.

Notice, I say recruiting and not football recruiting.

The older of my two sons virtually had made up his mind to go to Tech before the shootings. On Monday night, when his mother asked if he still wanted to go to Tech, his answer was, “I’ll have to think about it.”

By Wednesday, he was firmly in the Tech fold. That will give us two Hokies to go with their older sister, a 2005 Virginia graduate. We already had the “House Divided” bumper sticker on the back of the Jeep.

But, while classes at Tech have been suspended and students have the option of having their current grades count for the semester, the admissions process cannot be put on the hold.

While many student-athletes already have committed or signed by this point, this is an important time for those prospects – particularly football prospects – in the entering class of 2008.

Tech assistant athletic director for football operations John Ballein said Friday that the number of prospects and parents expected for the spring game this weekend was close to 200.

As opposed to UVa, where football prospects visit spring practice on a weekly basis, the Hokies acknowledge that Blacksburg is a longer commute for most recruits. The springtime focus has been getting players to campus for the spring game.

“Our spring game is what many people now call a ‘junior weekend,’ ” Ballein said Friday. “That’s what we’ve always done because of the number of people we get at the game. The weather’s better. It’s just a good atmosphere.

“We want it to be a good time. We want to make sure that our students are here and our players are here because that’s the important thing about Virginia Tech.”

Recruits already had set aside this Saturday to tour Tech, so, even when the spring game was canceled, it might have been the best opportunity for some of the would-be players to fit an unofficial visit into their schedule.

“That wasn’t even a thought,” Ballein said. “Our only focus right now is on our players and the families [of the shooting victims].”

Where Tech hopes to make up for lost recruiting time is with one-day, Monday camps in June and July. An overwhelming majority of Tech’s commitments last year followed a one-day camp in July, which is why the Hokies added a June one-day camp this year.

Gone are the team camps that have been a staple at Tech and at other programs.

“We’ve had a team camp every year since I’ve been here,” said Ballein, who is closing in on 20 years with the Tech program. “Last year, our numbers were down because we required a minimum number of players to be here with the team.

“We had such a good experience with our one-day camp last year that we decided we would give prospects two opportunities to come to Virginia Tech.”

Head coach Frank Beamer said on an ACC coaches’ teleconference Thursday that the mother of one of Tech’s players works with a woman who had a tie to one of the shooting victims, but that was the only concern personally expressed to him by the family of a player or a recruit.

It’s impossible to know how many 2008 recruits or their families watched coverage of the shootings – or to what degree – but Ballein said the football office had heard from people all over the country commending the Tech students interviewed in the media.

“I wish I had saved the message I got from Nike,” Ballein said. “My mother in Pittsburgh is far removed from Virginia Tech, but she called and told me, ‘I couldn’t be more proud to have you working there.’ “

COMMITMENTS ARE COMING at a much slower pace this year for both of the state’s I-A football programs. Virginia has two commitments, the latest from Cincinnati offensive lineman Aaron Van Kuiken on Feb. 26.

The third of three commitments to Virginia Tech was from Richlands wide receiver Austin Fuller on March 7 – six days after the Hokies had received a commitment from Amherst wide receiver Derrick McCoy. Myrtle Beach, S.C., linebacker Bruce Taylor had committed to Tech during the fall.

Virginia actually had a third commitment, from Menasha, Wis., tight end and outside linebacker Tyler Westphal, but Westphal subsequently took an unofficial visit to Minnesota before committing to Wisconsin.

From all indications, the Cavaliers no longer are pursuing Westphal and are looking at a Washington, D.C., metro player with similar attributes, 6-6, 230-pound Georgetown Prep tight end and defensive end Colter Phillips.

There was an interesting tidbit in a story written for the sabre.com by Chris Horne, who also covers recruiting for techsideline.com. It was a piece on Conner Kempe, a 6-4, 215 pound quarterback from the Benjamin School in Tequesta, Fla.

Kempe has written scholarship offers from the likes of Auburn and Purdue but said he has only an oral offer so far from Virginia. Kempe said his impression is that Virginia is waiting to see what happens with in-state quarterback prospect Mike Glennon before going out on a limb for another quarterback.

It seems as if Kempe sees Glennon as the No. 1 quarterback on Virginia’s list. If that is the case, then the Cavaliers obviously think they have a legitimate shot at Glennon, whose older brother, Sean, is the starting quarterback at Virginia Tech.

The last time I can remember brothers on different sides of the Tech-Virginia rivalry is was deep snappers Tyrus Gardner at Virginia and Jacob Gardner at Tech, but the younger Gardner never played in a game for the Hokies.

If the Glennons wind up on different sides of the Tech-UVa rivalry, unless I stand corrected, it would be a first for players of that stature.
 

Error, struggling offense dooms Tigers in series opener
By PAUL STRELOW - pstrelow@thestate.com

CLEMSON — Ill-equipped to play catch-up, Clemson was lucky not to get run out of its home stadium.

Although the Tigers allowed No. 6 Virginia to record a program-record nine stolen bases, it was Clemson’s own offensive ineptitude that kept running on and on.

A misplayed two-out grounder in the fourth inning opened the door for the Cavaliers’ 5-3 victory Friday night in the series opener. And it fittingly ended with No. 14 Clemson (25-12, 10-6 ACC) stranding the potential game-tying runners in scoring position in the ninth, as the Tigers started the second half of the league schedule with a finish that epitomized their first-half struggles.

“You can’t press,” senior first baseman Andy D’Alessio said. “If you apply too much pressure, you’re not going to do well.

“We’re going to hit. We’ve just got to bear with it. But when you run into tough pitching, there’s not much you can do.”

That helpless feeling has grown familiar against Virginia (33-8, 12-6), which beat Clemson for the seventh consecutive time.

Considering the matchup problems the Cavaliers presented, the Tigers’ confidence is in for a test.

Already beset by awful clutch hitting, Clemson has to deal with the nation’s second-ranked pitching staff (in terms of ERA) for another two days.

And based on Friday night’s contest, Virginia appears determined to apply pressure to the Tigers’ sputtering offense by generating gobs of its own.

The Cavaliers’ nine stolen bases were the most against Clemson since California notched 10 in 1997.

With the game tied at 1-all in the fourth inning, Clemson walk-on second baseman David Bunnell failed to handle a routine grounder, allowing the Cavaliers to keep the inning alive.

A steal, a walk and a double steal put runners on second and third for right fielder Brandon Marsh, who smacked a liner beyond the glove of a diving Addison Johnson to give Virginia a 3-1 lead.

The next batter, reigning ACC player of the year Sean Doolittle (3-for-4, two RBIs), singled to left for a 4-1 lead.

Doolittle’s hit marked the end of the first rough start for closer-turned-starter Daniel Moskos, who left after 3rd innings despite allowing one earned run.

“Whatever mistakes we’re making pitching, defensively, offensively ... come back to haunt us,” Leggett said. “We’ve got to be able to get that fourth out.”

Virginia’s starter, ace Jacob Thompson, had little trouble netting the standard three.

Thompson, a 6-foot-6 sophomore who entered the game with an 8-0 record and 1.32 ERA, surrendered an RBI sacrifice fly in the second and settled in after that.

Clemson twice made things interesting, closing to 4-3 in the sixth inning on a two-run homer by D’Alessio, who appears to have broken out of his power slump with his second home run in as many games.

Thompson lasted eight innings before giving way to senior closer Casey Lambert who entered in pursuit of his 40th career save, one shy of the ACC record.

After collecting two outs, Clemson had runners on second and third for pinch-hitter Alex Lee.

Lee, a freshman outfielder who was 3-for-9 on the season, struck out swinging, the latest Clemson batter to strand key runners in scoring position.

It marked the 10th time this season Clemson finished with three or fewer runs — the Tigers are 1-9 in those games.

“We didn’t do enough to get things going,” Leggett said.

 

Loss to Blue Devils lights fire under Cavs
After losing to Duke last weekend, the Cavaliers take on Dartmouth with resurgent energy and confidence to win
Megan McDonald, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor

It probably would have been in Dartmouth's best interest for the Virginia men's lacrosse team to have beaten Duke last weekend.

Indeed, Virginia's heartbreaking 7-6 overtime loss to the Blue Devils (10-2, 3-0 ACC) has lit a fire under the Cavaliers, who are ready and eager to play their best lacrosse this weekend.

"We feel like in the last couple of weeks our play has flattened out a little bit," Virginia coach Dom Starsia said. "We want to finish the regular season on the right note -- we want to get back to playing well."

With the Duke loss reminding Virginia (10-2, 2-1 ACC) that the team must play well in addition to consistently playing hard, players and coaches alike say they have noticed an increased sharpness and an increased intensity in this week's practices.

"We are getting into the heart of the season where it's win or go home, so this was definitely a heads up call," senior close defender Ricky Smith said. "We have been able to concentrate this week and are having good practices where we've worked on the basic stuff again."

Although Dartmouth (4-6) has lost its last three games against Yale, Cornell and Penn, Starsia says he has been impressed with the Big Green on tape. He is preparing his squad to face a quality team with an outstanding attack similar to the Cavaliers' own.

Like Virginia, the Big Green's three attackmen are by far the team's leading scorers. Senior goalkeeper Kip Turner remembers facing Dartmouth senior attack Nick Bonacci in high school and expects him to pose a considerable threat to the Cavalier goal. It will be Smith's responsibility to limit the Tewaaraton trophy finalist's chances.

The Tewaaraton honor is awarded each year to the top American college lacrosse player -- Virginia 2006 University graduate Matt Ward received it last year.

"This is another chance to get better," Smith said. "They have a great attack -- real senior-oriented on the offensive side, so it will be another challenge for our defense."

Unlike the Cavalier defense, Dartmouth's defense is rather young, lacking the experience that seniors Turner and Smith bring to the Cavaliers' defensive line.

"We are going into this game thinking we need to win face-offs and dominate the possessions so we can push the tempo of the game," Starsia said. "We want to move the ball quickly from defense to offense, create unsettled opportunities and keep the pressure on them so they can't slow the ball down."

During Saturday's matchup, the last home game of the regular season, Virginia will recognize this year's senior class, including Smith, Turner, attack Adam Fassnacht, midfielder Foster Gilbert, defenseman Drew Jordan, midfielder and Drew Thompson..

"I know this is cliché, but I wouldn't change anything that's happened all four years," Smith said. "It is definitely a special moment for me and the other seniors."

With the ACC and NCAA tournaments on the horizon, the coaches and seniors realize their season is far from over. Nevertheless, the day will be somewhat bittersweet.

"I am certain that for them the reality of this all ending is probably a little harsh," Starsia said. "But for me, this is just the end of this part of our relationship and the beginning of the next part. For guys like [Turner], [Smith] and [Thompson} and guys like that that we have been very close to over the years, we are going to stay in touch forever."

 

Cavs take on playoff foe
Cavaliers travel to Boston College after coming off victory last week
Sam Dreiman, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor

It is do-or-die for the No. 6 Virginia women's lacrosse team. As the Cavaliers make the long trip to Chestnut Hill, Mass. to face No. 36 Boston College, the only word that will be on their minds has six letters and is something the Cavaliers (12-3, 2-2 ACC) have experienced much of this season: winning.

After coming off a 12-6 victory against George Mason last week, Virginia will take the field against Boston College (5-8, 1-3 ACC) with momentum that will only increase exponentially if the Cavaliers can take down the Eagles. This is not only the last game of the regular season but also a significant in-conference game for the Cavaliers.

"I think we're confident going into the game, but we do need to come out with a win," said junior goalkeeper Kendall McBrearty, who has an 8.1 goals-against average.

The team should be confident as the Cavaliers lead the all-time series against the Eagles with a record of 4-0. The last time the two faced off Virginia destroyed Boston College, winning 18-3 last year.

This game is an important matchupbecause of the current ACC standings. Virginia is in fourth place and Boston College is in fifth, while North Carolina (13-2, 3-1 ACC) and Duke (11-2, 3-1 ACC) still wait to fight it out to see who will take the second and third seeds.

Because Virginia lost to both Duke and North Carolina, even if the Cavaliers beat the Eagles and have a tied conference record with either the Tar Heels or Blue Devils, they will not move up in seed. Therefore, Virginia is set on playing Boston College in the first round of the ACC Tournament. This game is a preview for both teams, allowing each side to view the other's strengths and weaknesses to prepare further for the first-round tournament matchup.

"It's important to play well against them so we can go into the game in the ACC Tournament with a win under our belts and with confidence," McBrearty said.

To defeat the Eagles, though, Virginia must play its A-game, making sure there are no mental errors and being patient with each possession.

"I think a big thing is just coming out in the first half and playing to our best ability" said sophomore attacker Blair Weymouth, who currently ranks second on the team in goals (35) and third in assists (19). "I think that's been a huge thing -- coming out strong, executing, getting ground balls, getting draws, playing together as a team. That will definitely be a big part of beating Boston College right off the bat."

Most importantly, the Cavaliers must approach this game with awareness, yet with a vicious intensity to spark fear in the Eagles and make them worry about playing Virginia again in the first round of the ACC Tournament. Game time is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.