SPORTS WRAP

The Week in Review:

Lowest Point: Just after the UVA men's basketball team (10-8, 1-7) raised a glimmer of hope with their first conference victory of the season, the team stumbled through another brutal week unable to escape the tortures of the damned. A second half comeback fell short in a bitter 79-73 loss on the road against the despised Virginia Tech Hokies (11-7, 4-3) Thursday, January 27. Just 36 hours later, the Wahoos returned home to suffer the most embarrassing loss Charlottesville has witnessed since the Great Depression as the third-ranked UNC Tar Heels (17-2, 6-1) jump all over UVA en route to a whopping 50-point lead which translates into a 110-76 catastrophe. "This is one game," UVA coach Pete Gillen noted for the AP's benefit. "It was a terrible game and we played poorly, but we have to play with courage. We're a lot better than the way we played tonight. Hopefully we'll do better."

Fastest Way to Make a Grand: She may not even have her driver's license, but she's quickly establishing herself as one of Central Virginia's best basketball players in history. Yes there's no 'I' in "Team," bit it's nearly impossible to mention the dominant Charlottesville High School girl's basketball team without paying tribute to sophomore Andrea Barbour. After leading CHS (14-1, 7-0) to a hard-fought 43-34 road victory over arch-rival Albemarle Patriots (12-6, 6-2 ) Wednesday, January 26, Barbour showed no signs of fatigue in reaching a major milestone the following night. In front of her home crowd, Barbour notched her 1,000th career point as CHS rolled past the Monticello Mustangs 57-29. "She's a gift," Knight's coach Harry Terrell told The Daily Progress. "I don't know of any player who's scored 1,000 points in two years."

Best Clutch Performers: Debbie Ryan's UVA women's basketball (16-5, 5-2) team continues to find ways to win as the Hoos rally from a seven-point second-half deficit to defeat Virginia Tech (12-6, 2-4) at U-Hall Friday, January 28. The Lady Cavs then travel to Tallahassee to upset the 18th ranked Florida State Seminoles (18-4, 5-3) in convincing fashion, 77-62 on Monday, January 31.

Best C-ville Landing: The 14th best high school running back in the nation (according to national scouting reports) commits to Al Groh's Virginia football squad Tuesday, January 25. Mikell Sampson, who can blaze the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, chooses UVA over the likes of the legendary Alabama program. "I would wake up every day for a while, and one day I would want to play for Virginia, the next day Alabama, then Virginia," Sampson told the Daily Progress. "Last week Virginia was on my mind. I felt like in my heart Virginia is where I wanted to be."

Worst Black Magic: The Washington Wizards (26-17) suddenly run into weekend problems against the Orlando Magic (24-20), who pull out two tight victories with the help of the Wizards' poor free-throw shooting. Washington has its four-game winning streak snapped as the Magic win 108-101 in Orlando Friday, and then 103-97 at the MCI Center Saturday. "We just got a real good butt-kicking for two days," Wiz coach Eddie Jordan told the Washington Post. "Maybe we will fall under the radar a little bit. It was humble pie."

The Week Ahead:

Wizards' Basketball

vs. INDIANA (20-22)

Monday, February 7 @ 7pm

vs. SAN ANTONIO

Wednesday, February 9 @ 7pm (36-10)

 Last Wizards home stand before the All Star break. Tickets still available.

UVA MEN'S BASKETBALL

vs. FLORIDA STATE (11-9, 3-4)

Wednesday, February 9 @ 7:30pm

 Plenty of Cavalier pride on the line as Wahoos continue to fill U-Hall.

UVA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

vs. MIAMI (9-10, 2-4)

Thursday, February 10 @ 7pm

 If you're frustrated with the men, give the ladies a try. It may be the best deal in town. $6 adult, $4 youth.

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