Another exciting year of Hampton Roads high school athletics is in the books, so it’s time to take a moment to look back at a few of the best performers. First off, let’s take a look at one of Virginia’s basketball and softball coaches in the Hampton Roads area. Mike Tallon had a huge Peninsula district and 6A coaching career in Virginia. He coached both girls varsity basketball and girls softball at Woodside High School and won state titles in both. Tallon had over 600 victories while coaching high school basketball. He is one of the few coaches in Hampton Roads that captured district championships in three sports: girls basketball, baseball, and softball. Before coming to Woodside as the Athletic Director, Tallon coached the Phoebus High School girls’ basketball team to the 1992 VHSL 3A state championship and later the 2001 VHSL 3A softball title with Woodside. But if you have spoken and look into his coaching eyes you would see one great coach still have coaching in his heart. Mike Tallon is retiring after a 35 year coaching career. Coach Leon Goolsby and players became the first boys’ basketball team in the Virginia High School League history to win four consecutive state championship in their victory over Northside High School in the Group 3A championship game in Richmond, Virginia on March 10, 2017. Princess Anne High School girls’ basketball has eight state titles. Princess Anne beat Highland Springs, 77-60 in the Group 5A State Championship on March 11, 2017, in Richmond, Va. Coach Claude Toukene of Western Branch High have directed Western Branch to 23 state titles, girls and boys combined. Western Branch girls’ shuttle hurdle relay team consisting of Jada Terrell, Shadajah Ballard, Adriana Shockley, and Jashella Jenkins set a national record with a time of 55.06 at the New Balance Nationals. The girls have won the event for five consecutive national titles for the Bruins nation. Football coach, Bill Dee who died after battling cancer will always be remembered as one of the greatest coaches in Hampton Roads. Dee coached Phoebus to four football state championships.