Ciara Byars, a 6-foot-2 forward from Kentucky, shortened her list to just 7 schools. Byars is the 44th best player in the 2025 class, according to ESPN’s HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. HoopGurlz also graded Byars at a 94, which is tied with Purdue’s Avery Gordon, Alabama’s Ace Austin, and Minnesota’s Makena Christian.

Virginia Tech has already landed two four-stars in the 2025 recruiting class, and Byars would be a huge addition. Virginia Tech’s two four-stars are point guard Katie Sears and 6-foot-2 forward Amani Jenkins. Sears, from Watauga High School, is graded as a 92 by ESPN’s HoopGurlz, and Jenkins is also graded as a 94, meaning that if Virginia Tech could land Byars, she would be the highest rated commitment in the 2025 recruiting cycle.

Byars suffered an ACL injury, but had put up very solid stats prior to that. In her junior year she recorded 14.1 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game in only 15 games. She led her team to a 14-1 record in that stretch, and her school finished with a 30-5 record on the season.

Ciara hasn’t always been a forward first player. Coming up through the ranks of junior high and youth basketball, Byars was looked at as a combo guard, and took the ball up the court more times than not. Byars discussed this in an interview with YourSportsEdge, “The shot is there. I just don’t showcase it as much in high school,” Byars said. “I have been working on my ball handling as well. Most people don’t know that in seventh and eighth grade I was the primary ball handler for GRC. I can do that better than most people know and we all do it in EYBL. If you get the rebound, you can push it. I like that.”

Byars would be a huge addition to the class, especially knowing that she has a history of playing all around the court, she could be a dynamic player for the Hokies.

A Manassas man faces charges including murder after he was arrested in Virginia Beach Friday, following a deadly hit-and-run in Dumfries, police said.

Prince William County police said Keith Anthony McBride, 41, of Manassas, was arrested by Virginia Beach City police for allegedly stealing a man’s car and fatally striking him with it before driving away on Aug. 20.

Jose Vasquez Galvan, 37, of Dumfries, was standing outside his gold 1999 Lexus RX 300 SUV in the parking lot of the Oasis at Montclair apartment complex on July 20 when police said McBride got inside the vehicle, drove into Galvan then sped off.

Galvan died from his injuries at a hospital two days later. Police said there’s no known connection between McBride and Galvan.

McBride was charged with felony murder, felony hit & run and grand larceny auto, Prince William County police said

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

A woman from D.C. is facing a felony charge related to the 2023 escape of a Virginia Department of Corrections prisoner who was from Dale City.

Sasha Castillo, of Washington, D.C., was indicted on a charge of aiding escape of a prisoner by a grand jury in Richmond on July 1.

The charge is tied to the Aug. 12, 2023, escape of Virginia Department of Corrections inmate Naseem Isaiah Roulack from Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in Henrico County.

Roulack, also known as “Lil Nas,” was captured at a Fairfax County hotel and returned to custody on Oct. 25, 2023.

Before escaping, Roulack was serving a 13-year sentence on charges of aggravated malicious wounding, grand larceny and hit and run.

“The Virginia Department of Corrections continues to pursue the prosecution of all involved in this escape,” said VADOC Director Chad Dotson.

He said inmates “who escape or attempt to escape state custody” and “and those who aid and abet them” must face justice for their actions.

A trial date for Castillo in Richmond City Circuit Court has not been set.

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.