Energy. Excitement. Memories of city basketball glory. The atmosphere generated by last night’s boys basketball game between John Marshall and Huguenot has been missing for a decade. Not since Thomas Jefferson and George Wythe played for the Central Region title in 1999 has the electricity for a city game been so palpable. Spectators filled every inch of seating space and then some at John Marshall. New bleachers have cut the seating capacity to 800. JM activities director Kevin Adams turned people away.

Figure this one. One quarter into the Highland Springs-Deep Run game in the first round of the Times-Dispatch Invitational Tournament last night, the host Deep Run Wildcats were shooting lights out and had the Springers fighting for their collective lives. The game swung the other way, however, and with just over four minutes to go in the contest, the visiting Springers, thanks to a perfect storm of speed, quickness, and defensive intensity, had a commanding 17-point lead. Many in the home crowd were heading for the exits.

PRINCE GEORGE—Dominique Berrios scored 21 points, and Calvin Ruiz contributed 14, including four 3-pointers, as Hopewell surprised No. 10 Prince George 80-74 last night. Milton Gholson added 15 points and David Rose had 13 for the Blue Devils. Treon Claiborne led the Royals with 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Joseph Phillips had eight assists to go along with eight points.

Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond renew their basketball rivalry Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Robins Center. The coaches, VCU’s Anthony Grant and Richmond’s Chris Mooney, sat down to talk about subjects ranging from their substitution patterns to recruiting: Q: Before a game, what do you always do? Grant: I like to work out before a game. There’s a window for me to do it [about 2-3 hours before a game].

Former basketball guard Kelvin Johnson and former running back Erwin Matthews highlight the University of Richmond’s Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2009.

CLEMSON, S.C.—Clemson men’s basketball coach Oliver Purnell is having his high school jersey retired. Purnell is a 1971 graduate of Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin, Md. Clemson said today that Purnell would be presented a framed No. 22 jersey during halftime at the high school’s Friday home football game. Purnell helped the school to a state championship in 1970. He also was part of Old Dominion University’s Division II national championship in 1975.

Highest leaper? Toughest rebounder? Quickest first step? Finest shooter? Best defender? Among Richmond Spiders, Jarhon Giddings is none of the above. Giddings, however, does elicit a superlative from his coach.