Foley, Brinkley have fun in VHSCA all-star games

HAMPTON - The last time Michelle Foley played in a basketball game was a Central Region tournament semifinal loss to Atlee. That was late February.

The last time Josh Brinkley played in a basketball game that counted was a Central Region tournament quarterfinal loss to Petersburg. That was late February.

Brinkley did play in the 804 All-Star game in April before a packed house at Matoaca High.

Last night, Foley, from Mills Godwin High, and Brinkley, from Douglas Freeman, participated in the Virginia High School Coaches Association all-star basketball games at the Hampton Coliseum. They played for the West (that's correct) before a small crowd.

The girls played 10-minute quarters. The West rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth stanza to win 78-75.

The boys game had not been completed at press time.

The games were typical of out-of-season all-star affairs: poor shooting, so-so passing, a lot of turnovers (called and uncalled). There were some good plays, too.

Foley and Brinkley were first-team All-Metro selections. Their basketball futures are taking divergent paths, though.

Foley is headed to the University of Virginia where she will major in engineering and plans to play club ball. She is following in the footsteps of older sister, Lauren, a past All-Metro performer from Douglas Freeman who played club ball at Virginia.

Brinkley, a 6-5 post player in high school, will continue his basketball career at the University of Delaware. He leaves Saturday for summer school.

"I can't wait to leave," he said.

Brinkley has been working out on his own at the YMCA, J.R. Tucker and Douglas Freeman and taking an online Spanish class. He talks with the Delaware coaches every week.

The all-star game appearance last night was "just to have fun," he said. "And I can see where I am compared to the other players."

One of his all-star teammates, 6-8 Jamelle Hagins of William Fleming (Roanoke), will be a Blue Hens teammate as well.

Richmonders usually play for the East, but the rosters were mixed last night. One girl from Buffalo Gap (Staunton) played for the East.

"I think the teams are uneven," Brinkley said. "We have a whole bunch of bigs, and they have no bigs."

Brinkley's Douglas Freeman teammate Jake Eastman was supposed to play last night, but he didn't come because of a shoulder injury. He had an MRI Monday.

Foley is the second member of her family to compete in the VHSCA all-star game. Brother Bobby played a couple years ago. She grabbed three rebounds and was whistled for three fouls.

She played "so I could keep up my skills for club ball. It was a good incentive to keep me in shape during the summer. It was fun. I liked all the girls. They were really nice. We had a good time."

Contact Arthur Utley at (804) 649-6559 or .