Left to Right – Colton Gravley, Blake Reed,  Reggie Jackson Reece, and Ayden Dickerson taking in some volleyball 🏐 after football practice.

Blake Reed is finishing up his four year stay on The Hill, and the young man 👨 has done incredibly well in the spotlight that comes with having very visible parents. In his spare time, he enjoys being a Big Brother to Grant Reed, but spare time is in short supply these days.

Reed is just over two weeks away from doing his best to be one of many team leaders under the guidance of Head coach Seth Greer on the gridiron 🏈 and shortly after that, he will trade shoulder pads for sneakers 👟 and play his final season of Cavalier basketball 🏀.

When I asked Blake to describe his thoughts on his parents, it was a classic answer.

” People tell me that I look like my Mom but act like my Dad.”

If things had to break that way for the multi talented Cavalier, he should feel blessed 🙌 !

Colton chuckled a bit when I praised his Mother’s ability to put pen 🖊 to paper, knowing that I’m all about positivity. Rossie Gravley has serious chops !

Ayden, who I’m meeting for the first time is described by Nathan Jones as a man of few words. When asked about his relationship with Nathan Jones, he proved that very point.

” He’s my coach and my teacher….”

Good news is that young Mr Reece signed off on his Reece’s Pieces tag !

Four very likable young men who are a credit to their 👪 families !

Blake Reed gets the Big Picture 📸 and it begins with keeping his head up and respectful behavior. Personally, got to give that one to his Mother !

Isaiah Easter was also in the gymnasium, and it allowed me to ask what advice he would give Blake….

” Trust the process,” there is a reason why Isaiah Easter is another example of good parenting !

Two of our new assistant coaches !

Nikki Heflin and Kelly Holderfield are set ( Volleyball 🏐 term) to coach up our Junior Varsity Lady Cavaliers.

Fort Chiswell is running 🏃‍♀️ a little late, so the 5:00 start will be pushed back a touch.

Our officiating crew includes : Mike, Joshua, Justin, and Matt.

Fort is in the 🏠 now, and we are minutes away from getting started.

Sharp looking group !

Ms. Whitaker and Shelia Harris are at the table next to me, and Kevin DeHaven was involved in setting up the building.

This is the first of two scrimmages and like the old-time movies 🎬🎞🎥 it will be  silent…. yes, it’s a very odd feeling for me, but I was able to sneak in a thank you to the crowd !

The idea 💡 tonight is for all four coaches to have their players compete against another school 🏫 and the purpose of this story is to show support for our coaches and players !

8 coaches and 31 Lady Cavaliers…..

First Serve – 5:24

Mr Terry is now our fifth official…..

Thursday, August 20th is the date for the second and final scrimmage.

Great opening set for both schools 🏫 ! 23-22 Cavs right now.

5:52 – start of 2nd set…..

6th and 7th officials have arrived as they are getting ready for the season as well.

Brooke and Denise Webb are in the 🏠 as well…

Five former Lady Cavalier players are on the staff this season ! Kalee(2022), Laiken(2026), Kim(2009) , Nikki (2002), and  Kelly (2002)- great to see so many back to show support for their roots!

Brooke helped out with the effort by posing with two key 🔑 members of The Hill, Kevin DeHaven and SRO Chris Mabry.

Glenn Burnett is doing double duty this year as both of his daughters are involved – one as a Junior Varsity player and one as a Varsity assistant coach !

Austin Keith , proud Dad during the Junior Varsity matches, assistant coach on Varsity !

Ryan McCafferty of The Carroll News is now in the 🏠 as well !

Fort takes the third set, 15-6 [6:32]

6:59 – 1st Serve for Varsity !!

Leading 23 – 19, 25-19 victory……

Coach Edwards appears to be in mid-season form !

7:54 – Lady Cavaliers take second set, 25-21 !

Set #3, 10 – 10 at 8:12 pm

Fort leads 21 – 15 here in the third set…

8:23 – Fort 25 – 16, on to the fourth set now.

Lady Cavaliers leading 20-6 in the fourth set (8:40)

24 – 8, make that 25-8 Lady Cavaliers at 8:44…

Game #5, race 🏁 to 15….

The Ogle family, including Wyatt, are in the Gym to support Paige….

8:48 – 1st serve of 5th set…..

Fort, 9-2 lead in the close out set.

Raylee Goins with a laser kill to cut ✂️ the deficit to 12-8, now 12-9!

15-9, Fort at 8:59, and that’s a wrap ! Great crowd and both of our squads played with energy…

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Later today, it will be time to once again enter the halls of Carroll County High School 🏫 as legendary volleyball 🏐 coach Cindy Edwards is set to host her first scrimmage of the season. I like to use the old line about how Cindy and I grew up and went to different schools together, and if there is a way to assist her, I’m going to do it.

Unlike the time spent assisting Vickey Ritchie, where it’s nonstop across the calendar, it has been 10 months since I held a microphone 🎤 inside of the big gym. That thought process took me back to the early days when a person could count on Mrs Christina Petty being in the gym with her bag 🎒 of candy 🍬.

I’m sure that there will be a friendly face or two in the building, right ?

Have yourself a Blessed Day 🙌😇🙏