Five new members will be inducted into the James River High School Sports Hall of Fame on Friday evening, then honored at the home football game against Radford that night. The six new members are Michael Lee Albert–Class of 2016, Daniel Stephen Bowser–Coach, Lorrie Hill Breeding–Class of 1992, Don Derrell Turpin–Class of 1990 and Paul Eugene Burrell Jr.–Class of 1978.
Michael Lee Albert played four years of football at James River, one on jayvee and three years starting at center on the varsity. During his football career he was named to 2nd team All-District center in 2013 and 2014. In 2015, he was named to 1st team All- District and Conference as a center, as well as 2nd Team All-Region at center. He also was awarded 2nd team All-District at center.
Michael was a member of the indoor and outdoor track team where he excelled in throwing the shot put and discus. Michael was a three-time 2A state champion in 2016 winning indoor shot put, outdoor shot put and outdoor discus. He holds the school record for indoor shot put at 51’8” and also holds the record for outdoor shot put at 55’ 4.5”. Michael won the Conference 38 discus in 2016 as well as the 2A West Region in both shot put and discus in 2016. He was named 1st team All-Timesland in 2016 for throwing the discus.
While at James River, Michael held a GPA of 3.5 and was named to the A-B Honor Roll fall four years. After high school, Michael attended Appalachian State University, where he majored in Criminal Justice and participated in track and field for four years. Michael was a member of the Virginia State Police for three years and is now working for the federal government.
Daniel Stephen Bowser is being inducted as a coach. “Coach B” was a P.E. teacher for 33 years in Botetourt County and wore many hats, coaching three different sports at James River, girls basketball, boys basketball and football.
In girls basketball he had over 100 wins, won the Pioneer District regular season twice and won the Pioneer District tournament three times. Dan was also named Coach of the Year of the Pioneer District in 2012. He was the leader of the Fellowship Christian Athletes (FCA) for many years at James River.
Lorrie Hill Breeding was a three sport standout at James River. Lorrie played basketball, volleyball and softball all four years of high school and was a captain for all three sports.
Lorrie’s accolades include All-District, All-Region, All-State and All-Timesland Shortstop in softball. Lorrie was awarded the Red Sweater Award, which is now called the Scarlet Knight Award, her senior year. She was also awarded the 1992 JRHS Sportsmanship Award.
Lorrie has been involved with coaching the youth of Botetourt for over 20 plus years. She has coached in the recreational leagues, everywhere from flag football, softball and basketball. She has also coached in the AAU circuit (travel ball). Lorrie coached in the Botetourt Finest Basketball organization and softball with the Virginia Renegades and most recently as head coach for the Maroon Crush organization.
Lorrie is an assistant softball coach at James River and is currently an after-market manager at Maag Gala in Eagle Rock. She has spent 30 years working there.
Don Derrell Turpin played basketball for four years and also ran track and played soccer at James River. He was a three-year starter on the varsity basketball team, averaging 20 points per game, six assists and three steals.
Turpin was selected to the Pioneer All-District basketball team his sophomore and senior years, selected to All-Region C team and was a member of two state qualifying teams and one state runner-up team. Don was a member of the Region C championship team his junior and senior years.
Don went to Shenandoah University where he majored in business and played basketball for four years. In college Don averaged 20 points per game and in 1992 he was named to the All-Conference and All-Tournament teams. His freshman year the Shenandoah, the team made it to the D3 Sweet 16.
Paul Eugene Burrell Jr. played basketball for four years and ran track for four years. Paul is the only player with 1,000 points scored and 1,000 rebounds collected. He was a member of River’s first team to make it to the state tournament.
Paul still holds the school record in team relay and mile relay.
