Princess Anne, Norview, Lake Taylor hold the top three spots in the Fab 15
1. Princess Anne
Even with the graduation of Gatorade State Player of the Year Jasha Clinton (15.0 points per game, 4.5 assists per game) and two other starters, the Cavaliers (26-1) are more than stocked enough to win an eighth consecutive state title. In addition to Aziaha James, whose 18.7 points per game are just a fraction of her value, the Cavaliers return 6-foot Michelle Ojo (9.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg), a George Washington recruit, at center. Sophomore Zakiya Stephenson (8.1 ppg) gained All-Beach District honorable mention as a reserve. Reserves Alexia Lindsey and Sheraya Lane are committed to D-III colleges, and the three freshmen on the roster are reportedly very talented.
2. Norview
The starting lineup of Mikaya Tynes, Le’Asia Foreman, Jada Bryant, Diamond Wiggins and Marie Boykins returns intact. That’s a very good thing for a team that went 21-5 and reached the Class 5 state quarterfinals. While Pilots coach Jonathan Wilson calls Tynes his top player, Foreman, who averaged 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks — and scored 19 points in a hard-fought loss to Princess Anne in the regional final — was good enough to earn All-Tidewater first-team honors. Taylor Arthur’s return from an ACL injury adds to the Pilots’ considerable depth.
3. Lake Taylor
With two of the area’s best players in West Virginia recruit Ja’Naiya Quinerly (15.8 ppg, 7.4 apg, 6.4 steals per game) and Old Dominion recruit Ashanti Barnes (15.7 ppg, 14.0 rpg), it’s not hard to envision Lake Taylor in a third Class 4 state final in four seasons. De’Aisjah Somerville will play next year on the Division II level at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. But the Titans lost two key players to graduation and two more to transfer, so it won’t be clear whether they possess the quality and depth for a state tournament run until play starts. The return of Rakayla Jones, the only sophomore on last year’s roster, helps.
4. Hampton
The loss of three starters notwithstanding, the Crabbers will field a starting lineup with three players heading to Division I. Peninsula District Player of the Year Jayla Hearp (16.0 ppg) is pondering a slew of D-I offers, while 6-3 center Alonna Sellers is committed to UNC Asheville and guard Danielle McTeer to William & Mary. Sellers will be joined in the post by 6-1 sophomore Tyler Johnson, a standout on Hampton Roads Academy’s 17-6 team a year ago. The backcourt will be even deeper for the defending Class 4 co-state champions as Daryan Lassiter, Kennedy Harris and Prophet Sheffield are all capable of vying for starters’ minutes.
5. Menchville
The Monarchs enjoyed a great regular season with only one Peninsula District loss — splitting two games with Hampton — but their inexperience showed in a blowout loss to Lake Taylor in the Class 4 Region A tournament. With all but one starter back, and highly touted 5-10 sophomore Alexis Blake (a transfer from Lafayette) joining the fold, a state championship run is not unrealistic. All-Tidewater pick Kiara Beal (16.1 ppg) and all-district selection Tamiya Santos (14.8 ppg) are the leading returners, while Ja’yah King-Johnson (8.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg), Amari Smith (7.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg) and
Atania Williams (7.0 ppg) also played lots for the deep Monarchs.
6. Wilson
The Presidents feature much more than point guard Jada Johnson (19.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.5 spg, 5.9 apg, 5.5 ppg) from an 18-7 team, though she would be plenty. Other returning starters include Layla Turner (13 ppg) and Sunshine Taylor (11.3 ppg, 12.3 rpg). Desire Short transferred from Lake Taylor, bringing 12.3 points per game and deep postseason experience with her. The Presidents got another transfer, AJ Richardson, who averaged 17.5 points for her school in Maryland, and go even deeper, so they’ll be a force in the deep Eastern District.
7. Lakeland
Are the Cavaliers ready to contend for a state title or are they a year away? They won the Class 3 Region A title and a state quarterfinal last year with a roster of seven sophomores and four freshman, and all are back. Ke’monye Canady (14 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 5.0 spg), point guard Jaelyn Brown (14.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.0 spg) and Kianna Gray (11.0 ppg) put up big numbers last year for the guard-oriented Cavaliers. Sophomore center Nyeisha Savage (8.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg) is poised to break out, though, and many others gained valuable experience during the surprise state title run.
8. King’s Fork
A close loss to Grafton in the Class 4 Region A semifinals cost the Bulldogs a state tournament berth, but the talent and experience is on hand for Southeastern District title contention. Niyah Gibson (12.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.0 spg) and Ashawnti Williams (7.2 ppg, 15.0 rpg) give the Bulldogs quality in the post. Arlisha Boston (9.3 ppg, 6.0 apg) provides a steady hand at point guard.
9. NansemondSuffolk Academy
The Saints suffered a huge loss from last year’s VISAA state runners-up in the graduation of Alivia Giles. But everyone else is back, including all-state selections in Cammy Reid (13.0 ppg) and Maren Council (9.0 ppg, 6.5 apg). Alyssa Waddy (7.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg), Emma Conrad (6.5 ppg, 5.0 apg) and Mallory Mizelle add experience as the Saints attempt to match the success of their 23-5 season a year ago.
10. Salem
When Sun Devils coach Kevin Harris moved into an assistant coaching job at Norfolk State, Jason Clark, a former player at U.Va., took over. With guards Quiana Vazquez (16 ppg) and Imani Felton (10 ppg) and forward Amaris Felton (10 ppg), he inherits good talent. Guard Riley Sheridan and forwards Joselyn Johnson and Elyseia Brown will also contribute. “I have a lot of players who were role players last year that are eager to step up into bigger roles this year,” Clark said.
11. Booker T. Washington
The Bookers made a surprise run to the Class 3 Region A final last year — losing to equally surprising Lakeland in the final — and advanced to the state quarterfinals. With four starters returning, another bid for a state tournament berth seems reasonable. Kamora Hurst enters her third year as point guard, Saniyah Glasgow (14 ppg, 12 rpg) was Class 3 first-team all-state, and Lakira Whaley (15 ppg) is the leading returning scorer. Jac’qmea Britt, a second-team all-region selection (13.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), and Amiyah Jordan, who averaged 12 rebounds, bring senior leadership. Quality transfers in Natalia Collier (Lake Taylor) and 6-3 Jaedyn Cook join the fold.
12. Kellam
Returning experience should help the Knights improve on last year’s 13-11 record. Senior point guard Maddie Obal (10 ppg, 3.7 apg, 3.7 spg) is back after missing half of the season with a knee injury. Other returners include the leading scorer, Haley Brewster (11.5 ppg), field-goal and free-throw-percentage leader Marisa Goodwin, rebounding leader Laynee DiMaggio, blocks leader Korinne Piper and on-ball defending ace Emily Ashcraft.
13. Kempsville
The Chiefs lost six players to graduation from a 19-4 team, while another key player transferred. Still, the cupboard is far from bare with the return of Maria Burns-James (9.3 ppg), 6-1 center Mia Daniels and point guard Makayle Goodman. Freshman newcomers Chaise Hannibal, Zakyah Lindsey and Kenya Ramsey will impact immediately.
14. Western Branch
The Bruins graduated eight seniors from the team that made the Class 6 state semifinals last year — All-Tidewater selection Crystal White (North Carolina A&T) among them — but the dropoff won’t be precipitous. Correyain Wright (11.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg), a senior who’s committed to Delaware State, is back along with senior Cayla Copeland (11.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg). Bruins coach Jarvis Green also sees good things for Comari Mitchell, a freshman move-in from Richmond “who can really score, defend and do a little bit of everything,” so Southeastern District title contention is a possibility.
15. Landstown
The Eagles would be higher if it weren’t for their leading scorer a year ago opting out for COVID concerns. Nonetheless, the Eagles boast experience and leadership in Nyasia Hawkins and Pariz Minor, and have lots of talent in a sophomore class led by point guard Peyton Curney. Sophomores Julia Anderson and Yvette Sandifer give the Eagles depth handling the ball and defensively. Anderson is also a good shooter. The Eagles have plenty of potential, but can they realize it in a shortened season?
The next five: Woodside, Indian River, Grafton, Catholic, Bethel.