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High school notebook Date published: 9/11/2008
BY TAFT COGHILL JR. The University of Virginia men's basketball program thought it was going to get the first crack at wooing Josh Hairston early in his junior year. But Tropical Storm Hanna had other ideas. The 6-foot-8 Courtland High School star power forward postponed his unofficial visit to Charlottesville this past Saturday because of the rainy weather. This weekend, he'll take a trip to Durham, N.C., and perennial power Duke. Hairston's father, Keith, said his son will likely visit Virginia for its next home football game, Oct. 4 against Maryland, if he doesn't orally commit to the Blue Devils this weekend. At a minimum, Keith Hairston said he hopes Josh leaves Durham with his final two choices in mind. One school not likely to be in that final two is Ohio State. The Buckeyes have courted Josh Hairston from the beginning, but his father said Columbus, Ohio, may be too far for his family members who live in Martinsville to travel. He said the only request he and his wife, Natalie, have made of Josh during the recruiting process is that he considers his grandparents, aunts and uncles, who want to attend as many games as possible. That leaves Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgetown and Duke as options. "He probably, in my opinion, will consider those four schools, with Georgetown being on the extreme end for my family down south," The Hairston family has visited UVa. several times for games and Josh is comfortable with the coaching staff, but Keith Hairston said on the next trip, his son wants to tour the school to get "exposed" to campus life. Keith Hairston said Josh's timetable for a decision is late October or early November but didn't rule out an oral commitment coming sooner. Ascending Wolverines North Stafford has just four returning starters from a football team that went 3-7 last year. Gar-Field has several returners from a squad that reached the Northwest Region championship game. That's why the Wolverines' 16-12 victory over the Indians last Friday was more than just a mild surprise, even to North Stafford head coach Joe Mangano Jr., the same man who coached the Indians the previous four seasons. "I think most people would call that an upset," Mangano said with a laugh. The Wolverines (1-0) will find out just how far they've come when they visit Liberty (1-0) tomorrow night. Coming of age The Chancellor offensive line was the only serious question mark the Chargers had entering the season. They lost just five starters from last year's 6-4 team, but four were from that unit. Through two games, the line has allowed Chancellor to compile 643 rushing yards as it has outscored opponents 68-6. It's actually been a good sign that right guard Dennis Wagner, a Division I prospect and the lone returning starter, has yet to be named lineman of the week by the coaching staff. Those honors have gone to sophomore guard Curtis Dodd and senior tackle Steven Connor. Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
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