King’s Fork, Green Run stand out in unique season
757Teamz Fab 15
1. King’s Fork
The Bulldogs, who won a share of the Class 4 state title last season, are loaded. How good are the Bulldogs? One opposing coach said they will not only win another state title but also will go undefeated. They also have a chance to be ranked nationally. They are led by guard Jayden Epps, who is one of the nation’s top juniors. But that’s not it. They also have 6-5 senior forward Quentin Livingston, who was second-team all-state and second-team All-Tidewater as he averaged 13 points and 12 rebounds. He hit the winning shot to send the Bulldogs to the state tournament. Also, watch for 6-4 junior wing George Beale (11 ppg), 6-2 sophomore guard Ryan Hite (7 ppg) and Nansemond-Suffolk transfer Kaleb Brown, who was named second-team All-VISAA last season as a freshman.
2. Green Run
The Stallions won a share of the Class 5 title last season and won the outright Class 5 Region A championship. Green Run coach Kenneth Harris thinks this team has what it takes to return for another title run. The Stallions are led by 5-10 lightning-quick senior guard Jacob Cooper. Last season, he was the Class 5 state Player of the Year, the Beach District Player of the Year and first-team All-Tidewater. He averaged 19 points, 6.3 assists and 2.6 steals. The Stallions also have 6-4 senior guard Elijah Kennedy (13.3 ppg) and 5-10 senior guard Jaiden McIntosh (26 3-pointers). Inside, they’ll count on 6-5 power forward George Wilson, who recently signed to play football at Florida State. He averaged 9.1 points and 7.7 rebounds and was a force to be reckoned with down low.
3. Western Branch
The Bruins have made the state tournament the past three seasons, including a runner-up finish in 2018. Could this be the year Western Branch wins it all? Bruins coach Paul Hall thinks so. They are led by 6-2 senior guard Cam Edmonds (16.8 ppg), 6-4 junior guard Efrem Johnson (19 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4 apg) and Bobby Johnson (14 ppg, 6 rpg). Last season, they helped the Bruins finish 20-5, including 9-0 in the Southeastern District to win the regular-season title. Others to watch include 6-4 junior forward Quinton Dowell, 6-3 junior forward Jason Vaughn, 6-6 forward Jahzari Preister and 6-1 guard Kylin Mann. Preister and Mann both played on the Bruins’ junior varsity, which went 22-0.
4. Menchville
The Monarchs won’t forget how last season ended as they saw their state tournament hopes end on a King’s Fork 3-pointer with just 1.7 seconds left. You can bet they will use that as motivation this season. They are led by 6-1 senior guard Allen Strothers (14 ppg, 6 rpg, 6 apg, 3 steals per game). They also have 6-4 senior guard Marcus NeSmith, 6-7 senior forward Jayson Harris, 6-6 senior forward Mike Watlington and 6-0 sophomore guard Etienne Strothers.
5. Cape Henry
This should be another exciting season for Dolphins coach Mark Hall, who has 209 career wins. They are led by 6-2 senior guard Christian Moore, 6-10 senior forward Bryson Spell and 6-6 junior forward Greg Melvin. Moore (17.5 ppg, 6 apg, 5 rpg) was second-team All-Tidewater and first-team All-VISAA. Spell can cause damage inside or outside, averaging 11 points, nine rebounds and five blocks last season. Melvin averaged 14.6 points and 12 rebounds to earn first-team All-Tidewater Conference honors.
6. Landstown
The Beach District’s Eagles once again will be one of the top teams to watch, led by junior guard Donald Hand Jr., who averaged 19.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, four assists and 1.3 steals. They also have 5-10 senior guard Oluwafemi Adebiyi (4 ppg, 2 spg), 6-6 sophomore forward Ethan Ward, 6-4 junior Jackson Tellefson, 6-4 senior forward Iosefa Tanoai (4 ppg, 5 rpg, 1 bpg), Xavier Glass and Elijah Rambert.
7. Norview
The Pilots won a share of the Class 5 state title last season, but they must find a way to replace seniors Jamaal Madison and Jahn Hines, who are playing at Christopher Newport University. They will be led by 6-4 senior guard Jaylani Darden, the reigning Eastern District Player of the Year. But he will have to carry a young team that includes Collin Hines, Jaamel Johnson, Dakwon Robinson and California transfers Kyree Salvant and Jalen Milt.
8. Kecoughtan
The Warriors are led by 6-2 junior guard DJ Campbell. Last season, he led the Peninsula District in scoring at 24 points a game and earned thirdteam All-Tidewater honors. Kecoughtan also has plenty of size with 6-8 Amarion Wilson (12 ppg) and 6-7 Vince Cousins (11.2). The Warriors will also look for contributions from sophomores Jadon Pace (10.5 ppg), Gustin Bass (10.1 ppg) and Kamari Vinson, and Indiana transfer Kenny Page.
9. Oscar Smith
The Tigers are led by 5-10 junior guard Kenyon Giles. Last season, he averaged 20 points and 4.2 assists to earn first-team All-Southeastern District honors. They also have 6-0 junior guard Leroy Hamilton (5 ppg), 6-6 junior William Woodard and 6-2 Trayeon Brown.
10. Woodside
Many believed the Wolverines were going to be contenders in the Peninsula District even before they added Quadir Pettaway, a transfer from the Miller School in Charlottesville. With him, they should be one of the top teams in Hampton Roads.
11. Wilson
Gerald Andrews did an amazing job in his first year as coach, as he led the Presidents to their first winning season in more than 20 years and to their first state title since 1965. They will miss graduating senior Khaliyl Davis, who was second-team All-Tidewater, but return plenty of talent. It’s led by sophomore Michael “MJ” Smith. He led the team in scoring (15 ppg) and was first-team All-Eastern District. The Presidents also have 6-4 senior Nasir Cross (12 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 spg), who was second-team All-Eastern District, 6-3 senior guard Jamarcus Wray-Finney (12 ppg, 4 rpg), 6-6 sophomore forward Keydel Painter and 6-1 junior guard Amarion Collins.
12. Bethel
The Bruins will miss Marcus Banks and Aaron Chappell, who graduated, but coach Craig Brehon has plenty of size and experience as three starters return. The Bruins will be led by 6-8 junior center Obinnaya Okafor (8 ppg, 9 rpg, 4 bpg), who was second-team All-Peninsula District. They also have 6-0 senior guard Pharaoh Lassiter (16 ppg), 6-3 guard Josh Askew, 6-3 sophomore guard Brandon Croslin and 6-3 sophomore guard Smiley Faulks, a Phoebus transfer.
13. Smithfield
Packers coach Theotis Porter begins his third season with an impressive record of 44-11, including 21-3 last season. Several key players from that team return, including 6-3 forward Rashad Rucker (14.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3 spg), guard Troy Giles (13.5 ppg, 2 spg), 6-4 forward Kelby Saunders (9.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2 spg) and guard Corey Moye (8.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 spg).
14. Maury
The Commodores are led by seniors Bryce Phillips and Keyshaun Tonsall, who were first- and second-team All-Eastern District, respectively. Maury also has Cam Jones, Nasir Parker, Bryan Alexander and Granby transfer Tahjir Allen.
15. Indian River
The Braves have experience back from last season’s playoff team. Senior point guard Ky’juan Oden (16 ppg, 4 apg) will be a key. Also expect breakout seasons from Zion Lloyd (6 ppg, 5 rpg) and Leon Rodgers (5 ppg, 3 rpg).
The next five: Kempsville, Churchland, Catholic, Lake Taylor, Grafton.