By Jessica A. Taylor
•
June 9, 2025

Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — As summer heats up along the Alabama Gulf Coast, the week ahead offers a full schedule of activities for locals and visitors alike. From aerial tours and live performances to educational programs, food festivals, and community clean-ups, there’s something happening every day across the region. Whether you’re seeking adventure, a learning opportunity, or a moment of quiet reflection by the water, the coast continues to deliver diverse experiences for all ages.

With donations to things like Dinwiddie County Youth Baseball, Prince George High School Athletics and the Highlands Swim Team, The Bank of Southside Virginia (BSV) is helping future generations learn their sports, develop good habits and figure out how to play as a team. 

Local youth sports teams are where we can begin to impact this community. BSV supports young people and their dreams, knowing these investments can inspire future leaders of Southside Virginia who value character. Strong leadership is essential as our communities evolve.

The Bank of Southside Virginia recently celebrated 120 years in banking, a pretty rare milestone in today’s age of digital finance and regular bank mergers. That longevity is admirable, and I’m proud of our ability to stay independent. 

At BSV, we’ve done something simple and powerful by remaining rooted in the communities we serve. We make our decisions locally. We lend to the people we might sit next to at ballgames, worship with on Sundays and see at the grocery store — all in the same weekend. We understand how important small-town businesses are to the people who live here. 

That’s the foundation of community banking: local relationships and local values. It’s why banks like ours still matter.

In fact, community banks like BSV are the impetus for the financial viability of our markets. In the most basic terms, we know our customers better. While our loan portfolios are quickly dwarfed by those of the big banks, we hold an impressive share in our niche markets of commercial real estate (30%), small business (36%) and agriculture (70%).

But the number of community banks has been dwindling over the past two decades. According to the FDIC, the number of small banks has fallen by nearly half from 7,500 to only 4,000 today, between mergers, which often occur among community banks, and fewer new banks opening. 

We’re the only community-owned bank left in Southside Virginia and one of only 57 anchored in our state. In many cases, a community bank might be the only financial institution within a county or even a more isolated region.

There’s something irreplaceable about that kind of proximity. Consider our example about the local sports teams. We’re seeing the individual players — and their parents. That context allows us to meet people where they are, with services tailored to the culture, economy and momentum of our local towns.

We see the impact of those relationships every day. If a branch associate calls in sick one day, one of their steady customers might walk in and decide to return when that individual is back behind the counter — a trust and bond develops over years of routine transactions and interactions. We’ve known that same customer to skip a weekly visit when a specific staff member is on vacation, because, after building a steady rapport, he knows the individual is spending that time visiting children and grandchildren. 

That’s the beauty of serving your neighbors.

In the last 10 years alone, we’ve invested more than $475,000 in 816 local initiatives, from fire departments and school programs to youth sports and historic preservation efforts. We’re not a distant donor; we’re on the ground, showing up, giving back and often rolling up our sleeves to help.

Being the only community-owned local bank left in Southside Virginia is both a privilege and a responsibility. We take it seriously. That’s why we’ve built one of the nation’s strongest-performing community banks through careful, smart decision-making. Stability isn’t just good for our shareholders. It’s essential for the customers who trust us with their homes, farms and businesses. And more than that: their futures.

Of course, we’re evolving. We’ve invested in digital tools, streamlined online services and reintroduced our brand with a message that says it all: Great bankers. Even better neighbors. Because while the way people bank might change, the why behind what we do hasn’t. We still believe in building long-term relationships. We still believe in being available when it matters most. We still believe banking should be personal.

Some say community banks are a throwback. I disagree. I think we’re exactly what the future needs: responsive, rooted and real. In a world that often feels too big and impersonal, we bring banking back to a human scale. And that’s something worth preserving for the next 120 years and beyond.

Will Clements is the chairman and CEO of The Bank of Southside Virginia. 

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Metro

AABA

Altoona Area Baseball Association

MAJOR LEAGUE W-L

Holsinger’s Plumbing 13-2

Sheetz 13-3

Park Home 12-4

Leonard S. Fiore 11-4

Masonic Lodges 8-8

John Sisto Law Office 6-7

Marana Electric 7-8

Locker Room 4-11

Drenning Delivery 4-13

ARC 0-16

MONDAY

Sheetz 14, Park Home 0: Multiple hits–Connolly 2, Carter Bridenbaugh 3, Carson Bridenbaugh 3 (S); WP–Carter Bridenbaugh, LP–M. Williams; SO–Carter Bridenbaugh 9 (S), M. Williams 3, Hescox 1 (PH)

Holsinger’s Plumbing 5, Marana Electric 2: Multiple hits–Farabaugh 2 (HP), Hileman 2 (ME); WP–Farabaugh, LP–Hileman; SO–Farabaugh 8 (HP), Hileman 8, Woodring 2 (ME)

LS Fiore 4, Masonic Lodges 3: Multiple hits–Myers 2, Matthews 2 (LSF), Moschella 3 (ML); WP–Hershey, LP–K. Replogle; SO–Hershey 1, Kraft 5 (LSF), K. Replogle 6, McGeary 2 (ML)

Drenning Delivery 18, ARC 8: Multiple hits–Sprouse 2, Carey 2, Dryburg 2 (DD), Berwager 3, Carter 2 (ARC); WP–Sprowls, LP–Berwager; SO–Sprowls 3, Sprouse 2 (DD), Berwager 1, Dukeman 3, Carter 1 (ARC)

WEDNESDAY

Sheetz 9, John Sisto 2: Multiple hits–Connolly 2, Carson Bridenbaugh 2 (S), Irvin 2 (JS); WP–Connolly, LP–Kustaborder; SO–Connolly 13, Beaver 1 (S), Kustaborder 5, Goodman 1 (JS)

Park Home 10, Marana Electric 0: Multiple hits–M Williams 3, Gamber 3, Miller 3 (PH); WP–Nedimyer, LP–Pincin; SO–Nedimyer 4 (PH), Pincin 3 (ME)

LS Fiore 10, Drenning Delivery 0: HR–Kraft (LSF) (inside the park); Multiple hits–B. Wolfe 2, Gibney 2, Matthews 2, McCaulley 2 (LSF); WP–B. Wolfe, LP–D. Pincherri; SO–Wolfe 4, Kraft 3 (LSF), Pincherri 3, Gority 1 (DD)

Masonic Lodges 13, ARC 3: Multiple hits–Muth 2, Hite 3 (ML); WP–Moschella, LP–Dukeman; SO–Moschella 3, Hite 1 (ML), Dukeman 2, Carter 4 (ARC)

FRIDAY

Masonic Lodges 6, Drenning Delivery 1: Multiple hits–K. Replogle 3 (ML); WP–Muth, LP–Boring; SO–Muth 9, K Replogle 1 (ML), Boring 4, Ehredt 2 (DD)

Park Home 9, John Sisto 5: Multiple hits–Williams 2, Muccitelli 2, Miller 2 (PH), Pyo 2, Irvin 2 (JS); WP–M Williams, LP–Pyo; SO–Pyo 2, Irvin 2 (PH), Pyo 2, Irvin 2 (JS)

Holsinger’s Plumbing 11, Locker Room 1: Multiple hits–Carter Klausman 2; WP–Peretta, LP–Lutz; SO–Peretta 3 (HP), Lutz 1, Stere 3 (LR)

SATURDAY

Marana Electric 13, Drenning Delivery 9: Multiple hits–Woodring 2, Gority 4, Hileman 3, Pincin 3, Ross 2 (ME), D. Pincherri 3, Sprowls 2 Mountain 2 (DD); SO–Woodring 3, Pincin 3 (ME), Sprowls 3 (DD)

LS Fiore 11, ARC 1: HR–Hershey (LSF) (inside the park); Multiple hits–Hershey 3, Myers 2 (LSF); WP–Myers, LP–Dingwall; SO–Myers 6 (LSF), Berwager 3 (ARC)

Holsinger’s Plumbing 3, Sheetz 1: Multiple hits–Johnston 2 (HP); WP–Carter Klausman, LP–Carson Bridenbaugh; SO–Carter Klausman 11 (HP), Carson Bridenbaugh 8, Carson Beaver 2 (S)

Masonic Lodges 16, Locker Room 6: Multiple hits–Moschella 2, Muth 3, K. Replogle 2, McGeary 2 (ML), Pyzowski 2, Lutz 2 (LR); WP–Hite, LP–Pyzowski; SO–Muth 2, Hite 4 (ML), Pyzowski 5 (LR)

MINOR LEAGUE W-L-T

Gority Brothers 9-0-0

Altoona Honda 8-0-0

Altoona Mirror 5-3-1

ERA Sports 6-4-1

Reliance Bank 5-5-0

Altoona Kiwanis 4-5-0

Underground Sports 3-8-1

Cabinetree 3-8-1

Begin With Us 2-5-2

Redline Nutrition 2-9-0

MONDAY

Kiwanis 13, Underground Sports 2

Altoona Honda 16, Redline 2

TUESDAY

Cabintree 16, Altoona Mirror 6

Redline 7, Underground Sports 6

Cabinetree 6, Altoona Mirror 5

Altoona Honda 16, Reliance Bank 5

Begin with Us 5, ERA Sports 5

THURSDAY

Altoona Honda 17, Begin with Us 8

ERA Sports 8, Underground Sports 4

Gority Brothers 14, Reliance Bank 10

Altoona Mirror 7, Altoona Kiwanis 6

SATURDAY

Reliance Bank 4, Cabinetree 2

Altoona Mirror 7, Redline 4

AIYBL

ALTOONA INDEPENDENT YOUTH BASEBALL LEAGUE

MAJOR LEAGUE W-L

Sheetz 12-1

Sylvan Veterinary 8-4

Cumming Motors 5-6

Makdad 4-7

Fiore True Value 0-11

MONDAY

Cumming Motors 4, Fiore True Value 3: Multiple hits–Giger 3, Delasko 2, Noel 2, Novak 2 (CM). WP–Novak (CM). LP–Tomchick (FTV). SO–Giger 12, Delasko 1, Novak 2 (CM), Fiore 1, Tomchick 7 (FTV).

Sheetz 15, Makdad 0: Multiple hits–Luca Fanelli 3, Maddox Lingenfelter 3, Wilkins 3, Myers 3, Wasovich 2 (S). WP–Wasovich (S). LP–Baker (M). SO–Wasovich 5, Murphy Lingenfelter 1 (S), Baker 3 (M).

WEDNESDAY

Sylvan Veterinary 6, Cumming Motors 2: Multiple hits–Gunnett 3, H. Coble 2 (SV), Delasko 2, Giger 2 (CM). WP–Gunnett (SV). LP–Delasko (CM). SO–Gunnett 8 (SV), Delasko 4, Noel 6, Novak 1 (CM).

Sheetz 6, Fiore True Value 1: Multiple hits–Murphy Lingenfelter 3, Wilkins 2 (S), Fiore 2, Brawley 2 (FTV). WP–Luca Fanelli (S). LP–Fiore (FTV). SO–Luca Fanelli 8, Wasovich 3 (S), Fiore 3, Brawley 3 (FTV).

SATURDAY

Sheetz (AIYBL) 17, Parson’s (BAYB) 2: Multiple hits–Wasovich 3, Luca Fanelli 3 (S), RJ S. 2 (P). WP–Wasovich (S). LP–Saylor (P). SO–Wasovich 3, Myers 1 (S), Saylor 2, L. Hatfield 2 (P).

Eagles (BAYB) 10, Sylvan Veterinary (AIYBL) 9: HR–Claybaugh (E). Multiple hits–Cooper 3, Claybaugh 2 (E), A. Coble 3, Burlingame 2, A. George 2 (SV). WP–Peterman (E). LP–Schiappa (SV). SO–Claybaugh 4, McCoy 2, Peterman 3 (E), Clayton 3, H. Coble 5, Schiappa 1 (SV).

Caracciolo’s (BAYB) 11, Fiore True Value (AIYBL) 6: HR–N. Burroughs (C). Multiple hits–Gray 4, Showalter 3, M. Jones 3, N. Burroughs 2 (C), Fiore 2, Rentz 2, Wilt 2 (FTV). WP–B. Burroughs (C). LP–Fiore (FTV). SO–Gray 4, B. Burroughs 4, N. Burroughs 1 (C), Fiore 2, Tomchick 3, Brawley 3 (FTV).

MINOR LEAGUE (AAA) W-L-T

Makdad AAA 9-2-0

Altoona First Savings Bank 8-3-0

C&J Cabinets 6-5-1

Martin Oil 4-7-1

Cesare Battisti 1-11-0

RESULTS

Altoona First Savings Bank 12, Martin Oil 8

Makdad AAA 18, Cesare Battisti 8

Cesare Battisti 17, C&J Cabinets 12

MINOR LEAGUE (AA) W-L

Stone Cellar 10-0

First Frontier Blair County 9-3

ERA 8-4

Subway 4-7

Stuckey Subaru 3-10

Sweet Frog 1-11

RESULTS

Subway 6, Sweet Frog 3

Stone Cellar 9, First Frontier Blair County 8

ERA 5, Sweet Frog 4

Stone Cellar 11, First Frontier Blair County 10

ERA 6, Sweet Frog 3

BELLWOOD-ANTIS

Bellwood-Antis Youth League

MAJOR LEAGUE W-L

Martin Oil 12-4

Eagles 9-5

Caracciolo’s 10-6

Parson’s 5-9

Messner’s 3-12

MONDAY

Martin Oil 6, Caracciolo’s 5: Multiple hits–Smith, Schmitt (MO); Gray, Pullara, B. Burroughs (C). SO–Seiler 2, Smith 3, Schmitt 7 (MO); B Burroughs 7, B Burroughs 3

Parson’s 14, Eagles 2: SO–Saylor 6 (P); D Learn 3, Crist 5, Gates 1 (E)

WEDNESDAY

Eagles 5, Martin Oil 2: Multiple hits–Smith (MO); Crist, Clabaugh (E); SO–Smith 3, Schmitt 3, Kelley 1 (MO); Clabaugh 6, Peterman 1 (E)

Caracciolo’s 9, Messner’s 8: HR–B Burroughs; Multiple hits–Wright (M); Pullara, B Burroughs (C). SO–Wright 3, Zendek 5 (M); Pullara 6, N Burroughs 3 (C)

SATURDAY

AIYBL Makdad 8, BAYB Messner’s 4: Multiple hits–Shock, Baker, (Md). SO–Thomas 1, Rhoa 7 (Md); McKight 4, Wright 9, Zendek 2 (Mn)

AIYBL Sheetz 17, BAYB Parson’s 2: Multiple hits–Fanelli, Wasovich, (S); Smith (P). SO–Wasovich 3, Myers, 1 (S); Saylor 2, Wiser 1, L Hatfield 2 (P)

BAYB Martin Oil 13, AIYBL Cumming Motors 12: Multiple hits–Delasko, Novak, Noel (CM); Smith, Seiler, Hartman, Gibbons (MO). SO–Delasko 3, Novak 4 (CM); Kelley 4, Smith 5 (MO)

BAYB Eagles 10, AIYBL Sylvan Vet 9: HR–Clabaugh; Multiple hits–McCahan, Clabaugh (E); George, Burlin, Coble (SV). SO–Clabaugh 4, Gates 2, Peterman 3 (E); Clayton 3, Coble 5, Schiappa 1 (SV)

BAYB Caracciolo’s 11, AIYBL Fiore 6: HR–N Burroughs. Multiple hits–Gray, N Burroughs, Showalter, M Jones (C). SO–Gray 4, B Burroughs 4, N Burroughs 1 (C); Fiore 2, Thomchick 3, Brawley 2 (F)

MINOR LEAGUE W-L-T

McClellan’s 16-1-0

Irvin’s 13-3-1

UVA 8-10-0

Ritchey’s 4-14-1

D Squared 2-15-0

TUESDAY

Ritchey’s 9, D Squared 8: Multiple hits–Lonesky, Detwiler, Rydbom, Manganello, Musselman (R); C. Sloey, Baker, Nagle, Hatfield (D)

THURSDAY

McClellan’s 6, Ritchey’s 3: Multiple hits–Dougherty, Tyler (M); Lonesky (R)

Irvin’s 7, UVA 2: Multiple hits–Williams, Coho, Kelley, Weaver (I); Kurtz, Smith (U)

FRIDAY

Irvin’s 8, UVA 4: Multiple hits–Miller, Carlson (I); Hess, Bridenbaugh, Smith (U). McClellan’s 12, Ritchey’s 1: Multiple hits–B. Cusick, McCartney, Ventuarto-Miller

EAST END

East End Youth LEAGUE

MAJOR LEAGUE W-L

Greenwood Meadows 17-0

Cumming Motors 13-3

Burgmeier Hauling 11-6

Kabello Contracting 9-7

Penn Med 7-9

Dean Patterson 5-10

Sheetz 2-15

Caporuscio’s Plumbing 1-15

RESULTS

Cumming Motors 13, Penn Med 1: HR–H. Holland (CM), Multiple hits–H. Holland 2, Bulow 2, (CM), WP–P. Holland, LP–Bongiorno, SO–P. Holland 5 (CM), Bongiorno 1, Riley 1 (PM)

Kabello Contracting 6, Sheetz 3: HR–L. Wolfe, (KC), Multiple hits–L. Wolfe 3, (KC), K. Havlin 2 (SH), WP–Bordack, LP–Ulrich, SO–Bordack 3, L.Wolfe 4 (KC), Levi Ulrich 4, Lincoln Ulrich 2 (SH)

Greenwood Meadows 14, Burgmeier Hauling 0: Multiple hits–Pike 2, McGinnis 2, Piccotti 2, Page 2 (GM), WP–Pike, LP–Ritchey, SO–Pike 5, McGinnis 3 (GM), Ritchey 2, Judy 2 (BH)

Kabello Contracting 16, Dean Patterson 13: HR–L. Wolfe 2, (KC), Multiple hits–L. Wolfe 3, (KC), Welch 2, Knarr 2, K. Pfahler 2, (DP), WP–Weitzel, LP–Wentz, SO–Weitzel 2, Bordack 2, L.Wolfe 3, (KC), Wentz 5, K.Pfahler 1, S. Pfahler 1, Knarr 2, (DP)

Caporuscio’s Plumbing 18, Sheetz 3: Multiple hits–Endress 3, Parshall 2 (CP), WP–Endress, LP–Didyk, SO–Endress 2 (CP), Didyk 2 (SH)

Burgmeier Hauling 11, Dean Patterson 8: Multiple hits–Ritchey 3, (BH), WP–Koehle, LP–Wentz, SO–Koehle 6, Farabaugh 3, (BH), Wentz 2, Ronan 2, Welch 3, K. Pfahler 2, (DP)

Cumming Motors 9, Sheetz 5: WP–Nedimyer, LP–Billotte, SO–Nedimyer 3, McMullin 2, (CM), Billotte 7, R. Havlin 1 (SH)

Penn Med 13, Caporuscio’s Plumbing 2: HR–Bongiorno 1 (PM), Multiple hits–Romine 3, McFarland 2, Bongiorno 2 (PM), WP–McDowell, LP–Endress, SO–McDowell 5, Romine 1, Nagle 2 (PM), Parshall 1, Endress 3 (CP)

Greenwood Meadows 6, Cumming Motors 5: HR–McGinnis 1 (GM), H. Holland 1 (CM), Multiple hits–McGinnis 2 (GM), Coury 2, H. Holland 2 (CM), WP–McGinnis, LP–Porta, SO–McGinnis 9, Pike 3 (GM), Porta 1, Coyry 1, H. Holland 4 (CM)

MINOR LEAGUE W-L

Barton Plumbing 14-0

Furrer Beverage 10-4

Penn Crest 8-4

First Stop Shop 8-5

Mattas Motorsports 5-9

Kettle Inn 2-10

Reliable Tire 4-8

Grace Builders 1-13

RESULTS

First Stop Shop 5, Mattas Motorsports 0

Furrer Beverage 8, Reliable Tire 3

Penn Crest 11, Kettle Inn 6

Barton Plumbing 5, Grace Builders 0

Penn Crest 4, Furrer Beverage 2

Barton Plumbing 10, Kettle Inn 5

Barton Plumbing 3, Furrer Beverage 0

First Stop Shop 6, Grace Builders 1

Reliable Tire 5, Grace Builders 4

First Stop Shop 7, Mattas Motorsports 2

Penn Crest 9, Kettle Inn 4

HASBL

HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SUMMER BASEBALL LEAGUE

50/70 DIVISION W-L

Highland Closing Company 8-1

Locker Room 7-2

JK Electrical Services 7-2

Gieg & Jancula 5-4

LB Water 4-5

LHM Physical Therapy 2-7

Spokes and Skis 2-7

Sheetz 1-8

RESULTS

Highland Closing Company 15, Spokes and Skis 0: WP–Matthew Bonin; HR–Matthew Bonin, Gunner Smith, Holden Schneider (HC); Multiple hits–Matthew Bonin 3, Jaxon Nordick 3, Holden Schneider (HC)

JK Electrical 12, LB Water 0: WP–Max Piper; Multiple hits–Christian Moyer 3, Max Piper, Brayden Sapko, Tucker Detwiler (JK)

Gieg & Jancula 10, Sheetz 5: WP–Luca DiCiurcio; Multiple hits–Owen Jancula 3 (GJ), Trey Muth (SH)

Locker Room 7, LHM Physical Therapy 4: WP–Callan Mills; Multiple hits–Max Manning 3 (LR)

LITTLE LEAGUE FINAL STANDINGS

1. Imler’s Poultry

2. RT Contracting

3. Lakemont Veterinary Clinic

4. JCAC

5. ServPro

6. Davison Snacks

7. Peppetti Law

8. O’Neill Hotel

9. Blair Therapies

RESULTS

Imler’s Poultry 6, RT Contracting 4: WP–Christian Moyer; Multiple hits–Christian Moyer (IP), Brayden Sapko (RT)

Davison Snacks 6, Blair Therapies 2: WP–Blake Chamberlain; Multiple hits–Blake Chamberlain, Brayden Kaack (DS)

ServPro 15, JCAC 5: WP–Micah Layton; Multiple hits–Micah Layton, Thomas Burke (SP)

Lakemont Veterinary Clinic 13, O’Neill Hotel 1: WP–David Redline; Multiple hits–Callan Baker, Collin Hooper, Max Piper (LVC), Owen Jancula (OH)

Imler’s Poultry 12, O’Neill Hotel 7: WP–Evan Hite; Multiple hits–Cullan Yost, Trey Saltzburg, Lucas Novak, Christian Moyer (IP), Owen Jancula (OH)

ServPro 3, Blair Therapies 0: WP–Thomas Burke; Multiple hits–Roman Shubik (SP)

ServPro 7, Peppetti Law 4: WP–Thomas Burke; Multiple hits–Thomas Burke, Roman Shubik (SP), Aiden Anderson (PL)

Peppetti Law 6, JCAC 2: WP–Aiden Anderson; Multiple hits–Aiden Anderson (PL)

Lakemont Veterinary Clinic 3, Imler’s Poultry 2: WP–Callan Baker (LVC)

Davison Snacks 17, O’Neill Hotel 5: WP–Kylar Rabold; Multiple hits–Kyler Rabold, Blake Chamberlain, Jack Lingafelt, Brayden Kaack (DS)

PEE WEE MAJOR W-L-T

Howsare’s Logging 12-2-0

Cunningham Media 11-4-0

Mountain View Eye 8-5-1

Dean Accounting 7-7-1

Adams Electric 7-8-0

Mid Atlantic Sports 6-8-0

Servello Orthodontics 6-8-0

McQuaide Blasko 6-9-0

Curry Supply 1-13-0

RESULTS

Howsare’s 9, McQuaide Blasko 1: WP–Wyatt Royer; Multiple hits–Wyatt Royer, Dexter Delozier, Jack Meintel

Dean Accounting 10, Servello Orthodontics 6: WP–Gabe Albright; Multiple hits–Grant Hall, Travis Dodson, Bowden Meintel, Lucas Pavlik, Ruger Burns

McQuaide Blasko 19, Adams Electric 10: WP–Liam Merritts; Multiple hits–Liam Merritts, Jack Meintel, Colton Barr, Nina Piper

Howsare’s 14, Mid Atlantic Sports 0: WP–Cam Musselman; Multiple hits–Cam Musselman, Korbin Rabold, Wyatt Royer, Joe Howsare

Cunningham Media 8, Mountain View Eye 2: WP–Parker Albright; Multiple hits–Parker Albright, Colton Costanza, Brantley Rhine, Zeke Reasy, Ellis Rettig, Mason Beard

Mountain View Eye 11, Dean Accounting 5: WP–Ellis Rettig; Multiple hits–Caelen Reilly, Mason Beard, Tyler Dean

Servello Orthodontics 7, Dean Accounting 3: WP–Levis Trimarco; Multiple hits–Mason Hasson, Adam Goddard

Adams Electric 13, McQuaide Blasko 1: WP–Logan Robley; Multiple hits–Logan Robley, Theo Piper, Talan Arnold

Cunningham Media 11, Mountain View Eye 5: WP–Asher Cunningham; Multiple hits–Asher Cunnigham, Liam Glunt, Noah Krider

Mid Atlantic Sports 8, Howsare’s 2: WP–Dom Dandrea; Multiple hits–Dom Dandrea, Alex Gillie, Landon Marshall

PEE WEE MINOR W-L

Imler’s Poultry 5-0

NPC, Inc 6-1

Curry Fluid Power 4-2

G3 Physical Therapy 4-3

Hite’s Garage 3-4

Snare & Associates 2-4

Altoona Center for Oral and Maxiofacial Surgery 2-5

Ritchey’s Dairy 0-7

RESULTS

Imler’s Poultry 7, NPC, Inc 5

Snare & Associates 24, Curry Fluid Power 23

Hite’s Garage 20, Ritchey’s Dairy 13

Imler’s Poultry 17, Hite’s Garage 11: HR–Connor Hite, Liam Wagner

Altoona Center for Oral and Maxiofacial Surgery 19, Ritchey’s Dairy 12: HR–Brody Alberter, Henry Lilienthal

NPC, Inc 17, Ritchey’s Dairy 9: HR–Noah Geist

G3 Physical Therapy 15, Altoona Center for Oral and Maxiofacial Surgery 8

Imler’s Poultry 16, G3 Physical Therapy 9

NPC, Inc 16, Snare & Associates 7

Curry Fluid Power 14, Ritchey’s Dairy 11

Hite’s Garage 12, Altoona Center for Oral and Maxiofacial Surgery 11

By Bruce Sayler
A lingering memory from the passing of the recent school sports year centered on Sam Henderson basking in the aftermath of a personal-best in the high jump.
The Butte High senior had just cleared the bar at 6 feet, 10 inches and did it on his first attempt at the height. He said it was the only time he attempted the height outdoors after having missed it twice indoors.
He was smiling and packing up his warmup clothes, thoughtful in conversation. Henderson was better known in the triple jump and Montana’s track fandom was anxious to await his crack at the state record to be held the following weekend. He bounded 48 feet, 7 ½ inches at the divisional a day after the 6-10 high jump and had placed fifth at the internationally prestigious Penn Relays a couple weeks previous, marking 46-8.
So, his thoughts turned warmly to Philadelphia.
“It was fun,” he said and smiled about the Penn Relays experience. “It was cool to see kids a lot better than me.”
The winning triple jump was 52-4, one of three place marks longer than 50 feet, a distance thought impossible for high school kids half a century ago.
The laugh from this perspective, though, was Henderson saying “kids a lot better than me.”
I wasn’t there on Franklin Field, but this day at the Charlie Merrifield Track of Bulldog Memorial Stadium, Gene Fogarty Sports Complex, East Middle School grounds of familiarity testified “a lot better than” him didn’t exist – not in these parts.
So, it was a foreign language and Henderson spoke it with humility. He competed with a wide smile on is face and laughed after landings. He was 4 years old again and rolling in the triple jump pit sand or bouncing off the high jump pit cushion.
Before his winning and record attempts, Henderson would acknowledge the crowd, wave, grin broadly and begin the slow clap, pounding down the runway once he had the whole stadium smacking hands in uniform.
He’s needed in sports. I hope he’s in them a long time.
Henderson’s divisional record in the triple jump was a Herculean effort that saw him splash into the sand and contort awkwardly as he milked every quarter inch he could wring out of the leap. Where he was going to get another 2 ½ inches for a state record was a mystery.
Well, he’ll solve it someday. It didn’t happen at state as the record remains 48-9 ½ and in the possession of Flathead High grad Mathew Tokarz, set in 2013. Henderson won the event, landing a sensational jump of 47-1 ½ at Legends Stadium in Kalispell, site of the state meet.
He also took third place in the high jump as one of three athletes to clear 6-4. On the basis of fewer overall misses, Jaxan Lieberg of Helena High won the event and Porter Gibbs of Missoula Big Sky got second place, all getting over 6-4. Henderson also pocketed a sixth place in the 110-meter high hurdles with a time of 15.12 seconds.
The divisional meet, though was a personal bookmark for 2024-25. No state championship meets or tournaments for spring sports were held in Butte this year, so our season as general onlookers ended early.
As a sports reporter, it was my 52nd Montana school sports year and one of only a couple I didn’t find myself on a sideline with a notebook on the last weekend.
I hope a 53rd looms, though there were some annoying health issues over the last 12 months and, dammit, it is getting a little harder, physically. They’re only reminders, though, not stoppers. And, not all is getting worse, some actually feel better.
Those state track meets did see some state records fall. The Class AA saw Flathead junior William Hollensteiner burn a 47.22 400-meter dash into the boys’ books and Wilson Schmidt of Belgrade blaze a 1:50.21 time in the boys’ 800-meter run. Also, Alivia Rhinehart of Flathead put up a new girls’ 100-meter hurdles record of 14.06 and Rae Smart of Billings Skyview chuck the javelin 162-11, a colossal distance and a record that will likely hold up a good while.
Smart’s throw was about 30 feet beyond the winning mark of last year, launched by Butte High’s Brityn Stewart. Stewart threw 127-2 this year at the state AA and placed third. She and Henderson were among the Butte kids who earned place-winnings.
Jaeger Hansen of Butte High was the runner-up in the boy’s javelin, sticking a career-best 172-1, and Butte Central sophomore Danny McCarthy got a fourth place in the Class A boys’ 100-meter dash. He clocked a personal-best 11.39. Maroon senior Keefer McGree closed his prep career with a 40.47 time while placing fourth in the boys’ 300-meter hurdles.
Neither school got to state in softball, though both gave fans plenty to cheer. Butte High lost on a tense playoff game at Missoula Sentinel that went extra innings and included a play at the plate in championship-level competition. The Bulldogs were competitive, finished fifth in the Western AA standings and seemed capable of slotting in anywhere between No. 2 and No. 6 in the league seedings and that was just about how it came out of the last regular-season weekend.
Butte High didn’t fill any first-team spots on the all-conference team, but held down four on the second team with senior pitcher Ashlinn Mullaney, senior first baseman Madisyn Swanson, junior right fielder Mattie Stepan and sophomore designated player Kendallyn Schad all earning accolades. Senior catcher Gracie Ferriter, sophomore second baseman Reese Johnson and junior center fielder Gracie Jonart were accorded honorable mention.
With no divisionals in Class AA anymore, a 12-team bracket for the State AA tourney should maybe be considered. Softball seems to be made for the 12-teamer and a small postseason could be available to all with the top four seeds in each division earning berths and the bottom four in each playing in play-ins (5 vs. 8 and 6 vs. 7) for the other spots at State.
A Butte 15-and-under team won five of its last eight games playing in a 19-and-under league through the spring. Actually, it was a Butte Central squad that started six or seven freshmen every game and had no seniors on the roster. The Maroons just missed getting a play-in game chance for state and closed strong after going winless the first five weeks of the year. Freshman first baseman Kodee Badovinac won a spot on the Southwestern A All-Conference team. She and sophomore third baseman Marly Mansanti missed the last couple of weeks of the season with injuries. Expect Badovinac to be joined by several Maroons on next year’s honors teams.
Butte Central senior Owen McPartland advanced to the state Class A tournament and came up a win short of playing for a placing. Uncooperative weather and no good indoor availability of courts greatly hinder the Butte tennis endeavors each spring.
Butte High and Butte Central teams missed State in baseball as more teams fielded teams and competition improved. The Bulldogs and Maroons will focus on next year with the state tourney coming to town next year.
Individually, this spring saw Butte High junior shotstop/pitcher Cayde Stajcar and senior second baseman Tocher Lee both gain All-Conference first-team honors, as did Butte Central sophomore pitcher/shortstop Gunnar O’Brien. The second team included Butte High senior center fielder Will Stepan, senior third baseman Matthew Donaldson and Butte Central junior right fielder Trapper Stajcar.
Promise rests in the number of good-quality athletic returnees likely to return to the gyms and fields in Butte next fall. Could be fun.
Hmmmm, year 53 …

DENVER, Colo — Last weekend, a 15-year-old girl was shot and killed, with the suspect identified as a 14-year-old boy from Colorado Springs. One of the many organizations trying to find a solution to youth violence in the state is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado (BBBS CO).

Denver7 was able to sit down with BBBS CO to learn how a new bill that was recently signed into law can help the organization further combat youth violence.

While the investigation into that shooting continues, amendments to an existing law could help keep our young people safe during both the school year and the summer.

“It helps us to maintain our school-based program, which right now makes up about 45% of how we serve youth, and that’s so important because we’re able to meet kids where they are inside of the classroom,” said Lakeasha Smith, vice president of marketing and communications with BBBS CO.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Colorado on how a new law will help combat youth violence

Smith said Senate Bill 25-197, titled Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program, now opens up other programs to receive funding. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed it into law in late May.

“Our Big Futures Program, which services kids from ages 13 to 18 — these are really critical times in a young person’s life, and so through this type of programming, we’re able to do some of these career exploration activities,” Smith said.

Funds will also support the youth mentoring program, student dropout prevention and intervention program, and additional initiatives for organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“What we have found is that when we connect a young person with a caring adult, they just have better outcomes overall,” Smith said.

While the work continues in the community, BBBS CO is focused on unlocking the potential of all youth.

MITCHELL — 40 youth softball teams made the trip to the Cadwell Sports Complex for the Lowell Rang Memorial fastpitch tournament over the weekend.

Teams were split across three age divisions — 10-and-under, 12-and-under and 14-and-under — and played two days of pool play games before being seeded into a single-elimination bracket. Teams in each division were placed into either the gold bracket or silver bracket depending on their pool-play performance.

The South Dakota Players programs claimed two of the three gold bracket titles for the tournament in the 10-and-under and 12-and-under divisions, while the Dakota Dynamite under-13 team was the gold champion in the 14-and-under division.

Here’s how the action unfolded across each division:

Blake Durham / Mitchell Republic

Scoring 34 runs across its three pool games, the South Dakota Players under-10 black squad won a close gold semifinal contest against the 712 Stars under-10 team out of Sioux City, Iowa, 8-7 before holding the Yankton Fury Storm under-10 offense to one run en route to the title by a final of 4-1.

Keeping up the momentum of its final pool-play game, the Brandon Valley Blitz under-10 Halling squad scored a combined 39 runs over its last three games, cruising to the silver bracket championship with an 11-1 victory over the Brookings Outlaws under-10 team.

After giving up a combined two runs across its pool-play competition, the South Dakota Players under-11 Red’s offense did more than enough to hold off a charge from the Dakota Dynamite under-11 squad, which only allowed one run in pool competition, to take home the gold bracket championship 11-6.

The South Dakota Players also finished with the silver bracket championship in the division courtesy of their under-12 White team. The program scored 35 runs in bracket play, including a 16-1 dispatch of the Brandon Valley Blitz Skibsted under-11 program in the title game.

Blake Durham / Mitchell Republic

The Dakota Dynamite under-13 team allowed more than four runs in a game once en route to the gold bracket championship. Scoring a total of 37 runs in the single-elimination bracket, the Dynamite took down the Brandon Valley Venom under-14 team 12-4 in the title game.

In the silver bracket, the Sioux Falls Panthers under-14 squad allowed a combined five runs to score from their opponents, winning the title following a 6-1 victory over the Fusion Heat under-14 team out of Brandon.

The Mitchell Renegades under-14 team qualified for the silver bracket, falling to the Sioux Falls Strikers under-14 team 10-9 in the bracket quarterfinals.

Blake Durham is a Sports Reporter for the Mitchell Republic, having joined in October of 2023. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in December of 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Durham can be found covering a variety of prep and collegiate sports in the area.