BallinVA Podcast

The Man Behind River City Rain & Team Iverson in Richmond | Mario "Big Rio" Haskett Sr.

Shout out to our sponsors!-Rick Stockel - Your Source for Buying and Selling Homes in Richmond and Central Virginiahttps://rickstockel.com- Dr. O Sports Medicine - http://kwadwoowusuakyawmd.comDr. O Instagram - https://instagram.com/dr.o_forthe804#ballinva We sit down with Big Rio for a powerful conversation about Richmond basketball, AAU basketball in Virginia, River City Rain, Team Iverson, and the mission to help young athletes earn college scholarships and build better lives.Big Rio shares the real story behind the rise of River City Rain, his connection to Team Iverson, and how he helped create life-changing opportunities for players across the 804. We talk about the Richmond basketball scene, the relationships that helped shape an era of local hoops, and the sacrifices made behind the scenes to support kids and families.This episode also dives into stories involving Lil Mario, Pinky, Harvard basketball, Delaware State, Hampton, St. Paul’s, AAU recruiting, and what it really took to get players seen by college coaches. If you care about Virginia high school basketball, Richmond AAU history, or the people who helped change the game for local athletes, this is an episode you do not want to miss.BallinVA Host:Larry MerritteCheck out our Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/ballinvaBallinVA Social Mediahttps://facebook.com/ballinvahttps://tiktok.com/@ballinvahttps://www.instagram.com/ballinva_podcast_804/For business inquiries - ballinvapodcast@gmail.com

Route 5 Pride: Inside Varina’s Championship Football Culture

Shout out to our sponsors! -Rick Stockel - Your Source for Buying and Selling Homes in Richmond and Central Virginia https://rickstockel.com - Dr. O Sports Medicine - http://kwadwoowusuakyawmd.com Dr. O Instagram - https://instagram.com/dr.o_forthe804 In this episode of Ballin’ in VA, we sit down with Varina High School Principal Cherita Sears and Athletic Director Lamont Folsom to talk about the leadership, culture, and community that powers one of the strongest athletic programs in the 804. From state championships to signing day celebrations, Varina High School continues to build a legacy of excellence both on and off the field. We discuss: • The leadership vision behind Varina athletics • How Route 5 community pride fuels the program • Developing scholar-athletes for college and life • The rise of girls flag football • Building opportunities across every sport • Why culture and mentorship matter in high school athletics Varina isn’t just winning games — they’re building future leaders. #ballinva BallinVA Host: Larry Merritte Check out our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ballinva Shop our Merch! https://bit.ly/3uNsNgz BallinVA Social Media https://facebook.com/ballinva https://tiktok.com/@ballinva https://www.instagram.com/ballinva_podcast_804/ For business inquiries - ballinvapodcast@gmail.com

Four-Time Golden Gloves Champ Who Refused to Quit - Keith "Showtime" Shelton

Shout out to our sponsors! -Rick Stockel - Your Source for Buying and Selling Homes in Richmond and Central Virginia https://rickstockel.com - Dr. O Sports Medicine - http://kwadwoowusuakyawmd.com Dr. O Instagram - https://instagram.com/dr.o_forthe804 Keith “Showtime” Shelton’s journey is one of the toughest stories we’ve ever had on Ballin in VA. He grew up in Southside Richmond, started boxing young, chased basketball dreams through surgeries, setbacks, scholarships, and nonstop work… then got hit with Type 1 diabetes, chronic hives, more injuries, and burnout. Instead of quitting, he went back to the boxing gym during COVID—and turned into a monster: 🥊 4x State Golden Gloves Champion 🥊 3x Regional Golden Gloves Champion 🥊 Top 10 in the nation (2024) On top of that, he built The One Lawn Care LLC into a growing business while training like a professional fighter. This episode is about discipline, survival mode, faith, mental toughness, and what it really looks like to keep going when your body is fighting you. 📍Follow Keith: https://instagram.com/showtime_Shelton 🌿 Business: The One Lawn Care LLC — https://theonelawncare.com #ballinva BallinVA Host: Larry Merritte Check out our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ballinva Shop our Merch! https://bit.ly/3uNsNgz BallinVA Social Media https://facebook.com/ballinva https://tiktok.com/@ballinva https://www.instagram.com/ballinva_podcast_804/ For business inquiries - ballinvapodcast@gmail.com

They Said He Wasn’t Enough — Now He’s a Pro - Keshon Tabb

Shout out to our sponsors! -Rick Stockel - Your Source for Buying and Selling Homes in Richmond and Central Virginia https://rickstockel.com - Dr. O Sports Medicine - http://kwadwoowusuakyawmd.com Dr. O Instagram - https://instagram.com/dr.o_forthe804 This episode of BallinVA isn’t about hype — it’s about the long road. From getting cut, doubted, and overlooked… to grinding through setbacks, politics, injuries, and life challenges — this is the real story of what it takes to make it as a basketball player when nothing is handed to you. No favors. No shortcuts. Just faith, work ethic, and refusing to quit. If you’ve ever been told “no,” sat on the bench, or felt written off — this one’s for you. #ballinva BallinVA Host: Larry Merritte Check out our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ballinva Shop our Merch! https://bit.ly/3uNsNgz BallinVA Social Media https://facebook.com/ballinva https://tiktok.com/@ballinva https://www.instagram.com/ballinva_podcast_804/ For business inquiries - ballinvapodcast@gmail.com

He Turned Down College Coaching Jobs… to Serve the 804 - Duron Carter

Shout out to our sponsors! -Rick Stockel - Your Source for Buying and Selling Homes in Richmond and Central Virginia https://rickstockel.com - Dr. O Sports Medicine - http://kwadwoowusuakyawmd.com Dr. O Instagram - https://instagram.com/dr.o_forthe804 In this episode of BallinVa, we sit down with Duron Carter, the founder of Assist Student Athletes, a man who’s spent 25+ years helping kids in the 804 get exposure, get recruited, and get placed. It started with helping his own brother… and turned into open gyms, unsigned showcases, real mentorship, and now a new facility built to be a safe haven for young athletes. Duron also breaks down what made old-school Richmond basketball different — the gyms, the pressure, the atmosphere — and what today’s game needs to get back to that standard. This one is for anybody who loves the 804, loves hoops, and loves seeing kids win. #ballinva BallinVA Host: Larry Merritte Check out our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ballinva Shop our Merch! https://bit.ly/3uNsNgz BallinVA Social Media https://facebook.com/ballinva https://tiktok.com/@ballinva https://www.instagram.com/ballinva_podcast_804/ For business inquiries - ballinvapodcast@gmail.com