Few athletes have generated as much community buzz as YaYa Anderson has the last year. After an incredible junior season in which he helped to lead Fluvanna County to a Jefferson District regular season title, Region II championship and a Group AA Division 3 semifinal showing he somehow saved his best work for later. In the state quarterfinals, Anderson set a Group AA tournament single game record for points with 47.
After a very busy summer on the recruiting trail, the Flucos’ leading scorer found the next school he’d like to play for. On Wednesday in front of a throng of his classmates at the school’s media center, Anderson signed a national letter of intent to play for Radford.
“It’s really exciting,” Anderson said. “I did it for my mom, everybody, my friends. I couldn’t have done it without them, so it’s a good thing.”
Wanting to make sure he landed the Fluvanna star, rather than putting any recruiting obligations on his assistants, first year Highlander’s head coach Mike Jones personally dealt with Anderson on all things Radford.
With so much talk around Fluvanna County following him around, Anderson was more than anxious to make the verbal commitment he made just a month ago official. Now he can focus on being the only returning starter for a Flucos team that is still hungry.
“It’s a relief of stress,” Anderson said. “I know I’ve still got to come out and work hard and get my teammates better. That’s the ultimate goal, making your teammates better. We’ve got a lot of younger players so I’ve got to mentor them.”
And when asked what separated Radford from a list of schools that also included Liberty, College of Charleston, Mount St. Mary’s and Duquesne. Anderson showed off his lighter side.
“They had a Papa John’s in their lunch room, that’s what it was,” Anderson said. “Everything else was nice. I loved the basketball gym. The scenery around there, it’s beautiful. But ultimately, it was the Papa John’s.”
STAB has four sign between lacrosse, soccer
With one of the state’s perennial top boys lacrosse teams, St. Anne’s-Belfield has talent signing up for the next rank seemingly every fall and this one is no different. A trio of Saints are moving on to play collegiately including Branford Rogers, Ian Robertson and Charles Sipe.
“We keep a strong tradition at STAB, it’s one of our sayings,” said Roberston who signed with Delaware.
Robertson and his counterparts are looking forward to having the recruiting process finished with and looking forward to both what rests ahead this spring for the Saints and then obviously what awaits in college.
“It’s relieving and it gives motivation to work harder in the weight room,” Robertson said. “Of course, you want to go out and work your hardest and support your teammates and see if we can get back to a state championship.”
The Saints won back-to-back VISAA Division 1 titles in 2008, 2009, and made it to the finals in 2010.
A three-sport athlete and a true standout in football and lacrosse Rogers first had to narrow down the sport, choosing lacrosse over football before narrowing down the college. In the end he’ll be heading up to Brunswick, New Jersey to play for Rutgers.
“It feels great to get your college (decision) out of the way early, but it feels even better to go to school for a sport that you love to play,” Rogers said.
Charles Sipe is a talented lacrosse player, but his knack for face offs garnered him a chance to play for Hobart College. Arguably the toughtest and most specific job in the sport, Sipe’s spent his time at STAB carving a name out for himself with his gritty bulldog-style of play and couldn’t be more relieved that he’ll get to continue what he does best in college.
“I’ve just got to thank all my coaches, coach Bo Perriello, coach Doug Tarring and coach Hunter Price, they’ pushed me everyday,” Sipe said. “A lot of hard work has gone into this and it’s paying off today.”
But it wasn’t all about one sport for the Saints on signing day. A 4-four starter at goalkeeper for STAB, Carl Carpenter wasn’t sure that playing college soccer was an option. Wednesday the Saints’ netminder fulfilled what he thought was unlikely, but what he’s always wanted.
“I was at a camp this summer and I guess I just played well, this offer came out of the blue for me,” Carpenter said. “Ever since I started playing soccer this was something I wanted and this, it’s something I’ve been dreaming about.”
Carpenter’s play at STAB set him apart from goaltenders at the private school level, but he aided himself with his effort for Premier’s u-19 team outside of his play in the fall.
“That’s been a big help,” Carpenter said. “Without travel soccer, it’d be really hard to just jump into college and start playing.”
