Several years of the love and dedication that one special person gave to the youth of Bland County was paid a fitting tribute on April 29 as the Bland County Bears officially dedicated the Skip Dillow Memorial Baseball Field to his family and all of Bland County.

Bland County avenged a loss from earlier in the season as it scored a thrilling 9-8 victory over George Wythe’s Maroons in Bastian on May 6

Bland County’s eighth softball win of the season came with a cost. The Bears scored a 4-1 win over Narrows on April 24 but lost pitcher/third baseman Morgan Brizendine in the process

The Bears won one for ‘The Skipper.” On the day when the Skip Dillow Memorial Field was officially dedicated, Bland County’s Bears reached deep into their hearts and talents to put forth an effort that would have made Edgar Eugene Dillow proud.

Laurel Hankins smacked three hits and drove in four runs as Bland County outslugged Galax 16-10 in MED softball action in Galax on April 14. Her 3-run double in the fourth inning highlighted Bland County’s 8-run scoring burst that blew apart a 4-4 tie between the MED foes.

Bland County opened its 2008 softball season by scoring a pair of 10-6 wins in a doubleheader sweep of visiting Rural Retreat in Bastian on March 31. 

It may have been April 1 but Fort Chiswell didn’t fool around when it came to playing Bland County’s Bears on their home turf for their MED baseball opener for 2008.

Bland County opened up its 2008 softball season last week with guarded optimism. After losing several talented players to graduation following last year’s best ever 12-4 campaign, the Bears’ Rich Hankins still feels he possesses enough individual talent to compete against the MED elite.

The George Wythe boys’ tennis team competed in two matches last week.
On Monday, March 31, the Maroons defeated Bland County 9-0. On Tuesday, April 1, GW defeated Oak Hill Academy 8-1.
George Wythe 8, Oak Hill 1

Improving on last year’s 4-9 boys’ tennis record may come as a tall order for Andy Sarver’s 2008 Bland County Bears.