Area briefs: Tech’s Green finalist for Cousy Award

BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech guard Erick Green has been named a finalist for the 2013 Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the top point guard in the nation. Green is on the list of 20 finalists, as selected by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Green, a former standout at Millbrook High School, leads the Atlantic Coast Conference and the nation in scoring this season, averaging 24.6 points per game. He also leads the Hokies in assists (71) and steals (23) and is one of the nation’s top free throw shooters, shooting 84.7 percent from the line.

Green has scored 20-or-more points in an ACC-best 14 games this season. He has scored in double figures in 18 consecutive games, tops among ACC players this season. In terms of points per game, he is the most improved player in the ACC, raising his scoring average from 15.6 to his current mark of 24.6 points per game.

The current listing of 20 finalists for the 2013 Bob Cousy Award will be narrowed down to 10 players in early February and then down five players by early March. The final five players in contention for the award will be presented to Mr. Cousy and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Hall of Fame committee is made up of top college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, Sports Information Directors and Hall of Famers. The winner of the 2013 Bob Cousy Award will be presented at the Hall of Fame’s Class Announcement on Championship Monday in Atlanta as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.

Green is one of three ACC players listed. He joins Quinn Cook of Duke and Lorenzo Brown of N.C. State on the list. The 2012 recipient was Kendall Marshall of North Carolina.

Moore gets triple-double for Shepherd

INSTITUTE, W.Va. — Senior forward Chad Moore, a Handley graduate, posted a triple-double with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 steals while junior guard Brantley Osborne added 22 points, but West Virginia State held on for a 90-89 win over Shepherd University in WVIAC men’s basketball action at West Virginia State on Thursday night.

Jalen Walker hit a layup with three seconds left to lift the Yellow Jackets to victory after Osborne drained a three with nine seconds left to give the Rams (8-5, 5-3 WVIAC) the lead.

Moore also added five assists and three blocked shots.

Moore’s triple-double is only the second in program history. He joins Bobby Chuey who had 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists against Salem on Jan. 11, 1988. Moore’s 10 steals tie the single game mark set by Jim Carnes against Baltimore on Feb. 20, 1970.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Conquerors 76, Patriots 72 (OT)

WINCHESTER — Senior Brandon Pressley scored the 1,000th point of his career to help Mountain View Christian Academy to a victory over Loudoun County Home School Thursday.

Pressley finished with 30 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks and two assists for the Conquerors (13-5).

MVCA outscored Loudoun 10-6 in overtime, and it was two free throws from Isaac Foltz with nine seconds left that sent the game into overtime. Foltz had 11 points, going 9 for 11 from the free-throw line, and had three assists, steals and rebounds each.

Jonathan Cornwell added 11 points for the Conquerors.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Patriots 60, Tartans 22

STEPHENS CITY — Shenandoah Valley Christian Academy outscored Highland View Christian (Md.) 23-4 in the first quarter en route to victory Thursday.

The Patriots (10-1) were led by Amanda Barlow (24 points, nine rebounds, three steals), Mackenzie Yarnall (eight points, nine rebounds, four steals), Emma Culler (six points, three steals) and Samantha Yarnall (six points, three assists).

Conquerors 46, Pirates 36

WINCHESTER — Amber Grimes had 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead Mountain View Christian Academy to a victory over Paw Paw (W.Va.) Thursday.

The Conquerors (4-7) were also led by Sarah Fahey (seven points, 10 rebounds) and Caitlyn Manual (eight points, six rebounds).

COLLEGE ATHLETICS

SU SAAC announce spirit initiatives

WINCHESTER — The Shenandoah University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee announced a pair of spirit initiatives Thursday morning.

SAAC, which has been collecting Box Tops for Virginia Avenue Charlotte Dehart Elementary School, since the beginning of August will continue this outreach by selecting two students from the school to be the honorary ball boy and ball girl for the men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader on Jan. 19.

The two students will be selected from a group of 300 who participated in an ongoing reading initiative.

The SU women host Washington & Lee at 2 p.m.. with the men taking on Lynchburg at 4 p.m. in a pair of ODAC contests.

This day is also Alumni Appreciation Day for the basketball programs.

The next Saturday, Jan. 26, SAAC will host its second-ever Winter Wipeout.

The 2013 Winter Wipeout is being run in conjunction with Student Government Association and Buzzin’ Dozen Pep Band.

That Saturday is again an ODAC doubleheader with the women hosting Lynchburg at 2 p.m. and the men taking on Randolph at 4 p.m.

SAAC is holding a “Red Out” for this doubleheader and will hand out rally towels to the first 500 fans in attendance.

The towels were purchased through a partnership with Student Engagement.

As part of the Division III initiative, the SAAC has also invited the Winchester/Frederick County Special Olympians as its guests to the games.

“SAAC representatives have worked hard to make these event as successful as possible,” SAAC President Brittany Butcher said. “We look forward to welcoming back all the students, employees, and faculty to campus and to these two events.”