BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
Everything is set for Keep It Positive Entertainment's Battlefield District "Where Are They Now?" basketball game.
Game organizers Andre Catlett and Ryland Jones have arranged for the game to be played at Courtland High School on March 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Catlett said not to expect slow-paced action from the former Fredericksburg-area hoops stars.
"They all still play," Catlett said. "It's going to be fast-paced and full of dunks and everything else."
Former James Monroe High School standout Harvey Thomas is the most prominent of the players that Jones and Catlett have signed up.
Thomas played at Georgetown and Baylor, and was a third-team all-Big 12 performer for the Bears.
The game will feature former James Monroe, Caroline, Louisa and Orange players against those from Spotsylvania, King George and Culpeper schools.
Admission is $5 in advance for students and $8 for adults. The price increases to $10 for everyone at the door.
District wrestlers shineRiverbend's Kevin Ciccone (135 pounds) captured the wrestling program's first-ever regional title when he defeated Poquoson's Cody Silva in the Region I championships this past weekend.
Bears head coach Josh Johnson said that's quite an accomplishment.
"When he looks at the wall, he'll be the first regional champ," Johnson said. "Nobody can take that away from him."
Courtland's John Balog picked up a regional title at 145 pounds, while teammate Ryan Sutherland won a title at 215 pounds.
Other standouts were: Chancellor's Chris Smith (second at 119), Sam MacGregor (third at 125) and Nader Elawar (fourth at 160); King George's David Cheramie (third at 140), Mike Smith (fourth at 145) and John Pierce (second in heavyweight); Courtland's Ray Balog (second at 152); and Spotsylvania's Anthony Evans (third at 112).
Those wrestlers will compete for state titles at the Group AA meet on Friday and Saturday in Roanoke.
Ellia to RM-CRiverbend High School senior Dan Ellia will play football for Division III Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Bears coach Drew Seaman said yesterday.
The speedy Ellia, who chose Randolph-Macon over Shepherd (W.Va.) University, was recruited as a wide receiver. He played wingback for the Bears and rushed for 896 yards, an average of 9.6 yards per carry.
"It's a great fit for him," Seaman said. "I think Randolph-Macon is getting a great deal."
Back on trackCaroline senior track and field standout Robert Coleman will rejoin the Cavaliers for the Group AA meet this weekend in Lynchburg.
Caroline coach Sansberry Harvey said Coleman walked away from the Battlefield District meet last Monday with two events left to perform because it was "too cold."
Harvey suspended Coleman, a standout jumper and sprinter, for last Wednesday's Region I meet.
Harvey said Coleman's punishment was fair.
"You have to let kids know that the world still keeps going with or without you," Harvey said. "You either want to be a part of it or you don't."
Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com