varsity.roanoke.com

Mickey McGuigan is returning the favor.

When McGuigan took over the Blacksburg girls basketball program from Warren Murphy in 1989, his predecessor did not leave the cupboard bare.

McGuigan's memory is long.

His extended coaching tenure at Blacksburg is over, however. McGuigan said Wednesday he has resigned as the Bruins' head coach, ending a 21-year tenure during which the program won three VHSL Group AA championships and finished as the state runner-up once.

"When Warren stepped down, one thing he said was he wanted to have a good, solid program in place when he left," McGuigan said. "I've always kept that in mind."

Blacksburg was 19-9 and reached the Group AA Division 4 quarterfinals this winter in McGuigan's final season. The core of the team -- post players Mallory Jones and Katy Kipps, and guard Lacey McMahan -- all have at least one more year of eligibility.

Jones was the Region IV player of the year.

"It's possible all three could reach 1,000 points for their career this year," McGuigan said.

McGuigan, 54, experienced his share of high points as well.

Blacksburg finished 27-0 in 1992 and followed that with a 26-2 record and a second straight state title the following season.

His 2002 team finished 29-1, losing only in the Blue Ridge District tournament to a William Fleming team led by Khadijah Whittington.

That was the sisters Britney and Leslie Anderson transferred from Richmond to join an already strong team. Britney Anderson, who led Blacksburg to the Group AA title, was named the Timesland player of the year and signed with Virginia Tech.

McGuigan had just six losing seasons in his 21 years as head coach including three in a row from 1994-96.

"There were those years in there that were tough," he said. "At times, playing time became an issue. In the old days it was always, 'The coach knows best.' It really wasn't that bad though.

"The year I felt the most pressure was probably 2002. We knew we were getting the transfers in April and people were already saying we were going to win the state."

McGuigan, a Virginia Tech graduate, said he told Blacksburg AD Jack Hencke at the end of April that he wanted to resign. He plans to retain his job as a mathematics and science teacher at Blacksburg Middle School.

"My big thing was I wanted to make sure everything was in line for next season like our schedule and our Christmas tournament before I stepped aside," McGuigan said.

Cave Spring's Bosche to walk on at Liberty

Lauren Bosche, a member of two Group AA volleyball championship teams at Cave Spring, will be an invited walk-on at Liberty University.

Cave Spring coach Tamalyn Tanis said Bosche, a 5-foot-9 setter, picked Liberty over an offer to walk on at James Madison and a scholarship offer from Division I Loyola (Md.). Bosche was the starting setter on the Knights' 2006 championship team and also played on the 2005 title team. She was the River Ridge player of the year and a first-team All-Timesland selection in 2007.

Bosche finished her career with 2,264 assists, one of the highest totals in VHSL history.

Bosche is also ranked in the top 10 in Timesland in five individual track and field events.

Botetourt players commit

Lord Botetourt offensive lineman Patrick McNichols has committed to join the new football program at Old Dominion.

McNichols is expected to play offensive guard for the Division I-AA program, which eventually will join the CAA.

Two other Cavaliers-- tight end Rodney Cooper and kicker Troy McNeill -- will sign with Shepherd (W.Va.) College. Cooper was a two-time All-Blue Ridge District selection at tight end and defensive end. McNeill was named a second-team All-Group AA punter by the AP.

Botetourt linebacker Zack Santolla has committed to Emory & Henry. Santolla, who was third in Group AA wrestling at 189 pounds, turned down an offer to play football and wrestle at VMI, Botetourt coach Tater Benson said.