The veteran coach cited the need to focus on his health as his primary for stepping down after 10 years at the helm.

The first ever Bob Johnson Classic was underway at Lord Botetourt Saturday, honoring the late “Coach J”, the winningest basketball coach at Emory & Henry. Lord Botetourt head coach Andrew Hart reached out to coaches all over Virginia who were Emory & Henry basketball alumni, encouraging them to bring their teams to Daleville for a bit of a reunion, and to remember the man who lead them to where they are today.

Grayson Overstreet rushed for 196 yards and a pair of scores as Emory & Henry beat Ferrum in the season opener for both teams. Hunter Taylor was 9-27 passing for 101 yards for the Wasps (1-0, 1-0 ODAC). Titus Jones was 16-39 passing for 199 yards for Ferrum (0-10, 0-1 ODAC), while Tmahdae Penn made five receptions for 104 yards. The shutout loss was Ferrum’s first in 20 years, since falling 10-0 to Emory & Henry September 9, 2000 in Ferrum.