COURT IS NOW IN SESSION
Top-ranked Woodside chases repeat in deep field of contenders
Storylines
Woodside pursues another title: Woodside coach Stefan Welsh won his third state title last season when he guided the Wolverines to the Class 5 state title. Welsh also led the Wolverines to back-to-back titles as a player in 2004 and ’05, joining Darren Sanderlin and Brandon Plummer as the only other former Hampton Roads boys basketball players to win state titles as a player and coach. Welsh would be the first of them to win two titles as a coach.
Several new coaches, including a history-making hire: Warwick’s LaTasia Robinson became the first female to coach a varsity boys basketball team in Hampton Roads when she was hired over the summer. She joins several other new area coaches, including Charles Thomas (Western Branch), Dwayne Campbell (Kecoughtan), J. Grimes (Denbigh), Caleb Henderson (Manor), Ali Brown (Warhill), Jayce Beck (Walsingham Academy) and Tim Sparks (Hampton Christian).
Coaching milestones: Landstown coach Dwight Robinson is 16 victories shy of 400 for his career. Norfolk Academy coach Eric Acra is 14 from 300. Menchville’s Lamont Strothers, Woodside’s Stefan Welsh, Norview’s Ricardo Foster and Princess Anne’s Corey Coffer are closing in on 100.
Must-see events: Woodside High is hosting The Way Hoopfest on Dec. 16. The schedule includes: Churchland vs. James Monroe, 1 p.m.; King’s Fork vs. Forest Park, 3 p.m.; Lake Taylor vs. Landstown, 5 p.m.; and Hayfield, the two-time defending Class 6 state champion, vs. Woodside, the defending Class 5 state champion, at 7 p.m. Also, the 15th Annual VirginiaPreps.com Basketball Classic will be Jan. 20 and Jan. 27 at Green Run High.
Oscar Smith lost two key players from last season’s state tournament team, but still expect the Tigers to be good. Kareem Stagg, a 6-foot-8 junior forward, transferred to IMG Academy in Florida. He was firstteam All-Tidewater and first-team all-state last season. And Larry “Trey” Williams transferred to Norcom. He was third-team All-Tidewater and second-team all-state.
757Teamz Top 15
1. Woodside: The Wolverines, defending Class 5 state champions, are ready for another run at a title under coach Stefan Welsh. He returns four starters from that team. He also calls this freshman class “the best in school history.” The Wolverines are led by 5-11 junior point guard Masiah Stevens, 6-1 senior guard Jermaine Detrick, 6-6 senior forward Mykel Jenkins, 6-9 junior center Silas Barksdale and 6-8 freshman wing Jordyn Houston. Other key players are Jakobe Reed, Travis Hamilton, Aveion Tucker and Callen Morrison.
2. Landstown: The Eagles return 10 players with varsity experience, including four starters in 6-6 sophomore wing Deshawn Spellman (10 points per game, 4 rebounds per game), 5-10 senior wing Kjohn Fletcher (5 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.2 steals per game), 6-3 senior Demeir Pollard (9 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg) and 6-4 sophomore Zaevion Cleveland (11 ppg, 5 rpg). Other key players are Jayden Sepulveda, Darell Stephens, Jose Vargas, Alan Walker, Trey Campos and Alonzo Martinez. “We have a lot of experience,” coach Dwight Robinson said.
3. Maury: The Commodores are led by 6-foot junior guard Adrean Newton, who last season earned All-Tidewater, all-district and all-state honors. Other key players are 6-1 senior guard Evan Taylor, 6-5 senior forward CJ Parker, 6-4 sophomore guard Jayvion Green and 6-7 junior center Tyler Bell. Other key players are Vincent Daniels, Jahmir Jenkins and Kevin Harris, who moved in from South Carolina.
4. King’s Fork: King’s Fork once again will be the team to beat in the Southeastern District. The Bulldogs are led by Zyon McGlone, 6-5 junior guard Adarius Boston, Elijah Walker, 6-5 senior wing Zekhi Darden and 6-5 senior wing Dashawn Lucas. Others who should make contributions: senior Nyshon “Fats” Claude, 6-8 junior forward Jeremiah Morris and freshman guard Carter Bullock.
5. Lake Taylor: The Titans return most of the team that lost in the Class 4 state quarterfinals last season. They will be led by 6-8 senior forward Elijah Washington (17 ppg, 14 rpg, 4 blocks per game), who was first-team All-Tidewater and all-state and the Eastern District Player of the Year. The Titans also have 6-8 senior forward Rodney Baines (14 ppg, 12 rpg), Triston Skipwith (8 ppg), Aaron Elliott (10 ppg, 7 apg) and Shahide Battle.
6. Oscar Smith: The Tigers are led by 6-foot senior point guard Ulysses Young (8 ppg, 5 apg), 6-2 junior guard Jacobi Harper and 6-3 junior guard Anthony Lewis (6 ppg, 6 rpg). They also add several new players, including Great Bridge transfer Cameron Walters, who last season was all-region after he averaged 14 points, five assists and four rebounds. Others key players are junior guard Elijah Peay, 6-4 sophomore forward Travis Johnson and Grassfield transfer Jordan McDowell, a 6-6 center.
7. Menchville: The Monarchs are led by twins Jordan and Bryce Watlington. Jordan, a 6-3 senior guard, has been a force in the Peninsula District for three seasons and will contend for Player of the Year honors. Bryce, a 6-5 senior forward, transferred in from Walsingham Academy and could challenge his brother for those honors. The Monarchs also have 6-4 senior guard James Powell, 6-foot senior guard Derek Banks, 6-3 junior guard Jamal Carroll, Jai’Quan Gray, Jah’Bhyrant Briggs, Nasir Johnson and Cameron Strange.
8. Catholic: If you asked Crusaders coach Bobby Steinburg his thoughts about the season two weeks ago, he would have told
you his team was one of the state’s best. But after injuries to two starters, he’s had to change expectations. Catholic will be led by 6-3 senior guard Josiah Rickards (13 ppg) and 6-1 senior guard Brayden Thorne (11 ppg). The Crusaders also added 6-4 guard Ashton Walker, a transfer from Oak Hill, and 6-5 junior wing Alex Pissis, who moved in from Georgia.
9. Hampton: The Crabbers are led by senior point guard Daron Baugh, 6-7 sophomore forward Gavin Kay, 6-foot senior guard Jamarrie Lumpkins, 6-4 sophomore forward Abraham Taft and Massanutten Military Academy transfer Malik Johnson, a 6-4 senior point guard. Other contributors include 6-5 junior center Kahron Clark, Phoebus transfer Troy Fullwood, senior guard Zion Freeman and senior guard Isaac Bauscher.
10. Green Run: Stallions coach Kenneth Harris said his team’s success depends on the leadership and how the younger players respond to adversity. The Stallions are led by junior guard Kassidy Jackson (14 ppg, 3 apg), who was named second-team all-state last season. They also have forward David Miller (17 ppg, 7 rpg), Elijah Ellison, Trey Cooper, K’Saan
11. Norfolk Collegiate: Oaks coach Junior Burrough begins his ninth season, and this could be his best as he returns four starters from a team that won 24 games last season. They are led by senior guards Brennan Chatman and Rashad Williams. They also have 6-4 guard Khalil Caple and Burrough’s son, Justin, a 6-7 wing.
12. Norview: Coach Ricardo Foster is excited about the season as the Pilots return a mixture of youth and experience that he thinks will allow them to be competitive “for years to come.” Leading the way is 6-2 sophomore guard Keon Mitchell. They also have senior guard Amir Cuffee, junior guard Marquise Jones, junior forward Curtis Jordan and junior forward Joshua Feagin. Also look for Maury transfer Chris Wilson Jr. to make an impact.
13. Peninsula Catholic: The Knights return three starters from a team that went 27-8 last season in senior guards EJ Joyner and Malcolm Velmar and 6-4 junior Brayden Mann. The Knights also have several talented transfers, led by 6-11 senior center Alonso Easterling (North Carolina), Hampton transfer Jaylen Wynn, Nansemond River transfer Devin Gaines and Menchville transfers Gabe and Aiden Christian, who are 6-6 and 6-5, respectively.
14. Kempsville: The Chiefs will be led by seniors Savon Sandiford, Emmanuel Angila, Jayon Griffin and Ravonte Burden. Also watch for junior Jeremiah White to make an impact.
15. Churchland: The Truckers are led by 6-8 junior forward Sincere Jones (14 ppg, 12 rpg, 5 blocks), who last season was named all-state. They also have senior guard Aveyon Jordan (11 ppg, 5 apg), 6-4 junior guard Josiah Wilson (4 ppg, 2 spg) and 6-4 junior forward Monte Gatlin (8 ppg, 5 rpg). Other key contributors should be freshmen Quimar Crittendon, Makhi Cofield and Jeremiah Fisher.
The next five: Western Branch, Salem, Lafayette, Kellam, Cape Henry.
Five players to watch Styles Clemmons PrincessAnne,6-1sophomoreguard
As a freshman, Clemmons earned second-team All-Tidewater, first-team all-state and All-Beach District honors. He averaged 19.5 points, including a season-high 38 in a win over First Colonial in the Class 5 Region A quarterfinals. He led the Cavaliers to the state tournament and the program’s best season since they won the state title in 1999.
Sincere Jones Churchland, 6-8 junior forward
Jones was named second-team all-state after he averaged 14 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. He has a host of college scholarship offers, including those from Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Old Dominion, Virginia Commonwealth, Norfolk State, Radford and Manhattan.
Ben Nacey Cox, 6-9, senior center
Nacey was the Beach District Player of the Year and third-team All-Tidewater after he averaged 19.8 points, 12.7 rebounds and 4.7 blocks. He had several triple-doubles, including 23 points, 16 rebounds and 10 blocks in a win over Great Bridge.
Adrean Newton Maury, 6-0, junior guard
Newton averaged 10.5 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals to lead the Commodores to the state tournament. He was second-team All-Tidewater and second-team all-state.
Elijah Washington Lake Taylor, 6-8, senior forward
Washington was first-team All-Tidewater, first-team all-state and the Eastern District Player of the Year. He averaged 17 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks, including 28 points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocks against Smithfield. Washington, who committed to play football for Syracuse, helped lead the Titans to the state tournament last season.