Five players to watch
Aziaha James Princess Anne, 5-11 senior guard
James repeated as the All-Tidewater Player of the Year with averages of 18.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.7 steals and 2.1 assists that showcased her ability to play any of the five positions — which she did as a junior.
Her signature game was the 41-point performance in the 91-48 win over Henrico in the Class 5 state quarterfinals only days after older brother, AJ James, a Division I men’s recruit, was killed in an accidental shooting. James, a North Carolina State signee, followed with 32 points in a rout of Woodgrove that gave PA its eighth consecutive state title.
Jayla Hearp Hampton, 5-10 junior guard
The Daily Press Player of the Year in averaging 20 points as a freshman, Hearp averaged 16 per game in leading a more-balanced Hampton team to a Class 4 state co-championship. Selected the Peninsula District Player of the Year after helping the Crabbers repeat that title, Hearp had 14 points and eight rebounds in the 54-49 win over Loudoun Valley that gave the Crabbers the co-championship when
COVID caused cancellation of the final.
Ja’Naiya Quinerly Lake Taylor, 5-7 senior guard
Quinerly was selected Player of the Year in the Eastern District and in Class 4 Region A year ago with averages of 15.8 points, 7.8 assists, 6.4 steals and 6.0 rebounds. “She can score the basketball at all three levels and has incredible passing vision and ball-handling skills,” West Virginia University coach Mike Carey said after signing
Quinerly, who helped Lake Taylor win the 2019 Class 4 state title.
Mikaya Tynes Norview, 6-2 senior forward
A James Madison University signee, Tynes averaged 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks as the Pilots surprised by tying Lake Taylor for the Eastern District title, then advanced to the Class 5 state quarterfinals. A fierce rebounder, Tynes also displays a nice shooting touch for a post
player.
Ashanti Barnes Lake Taylor, 6-1 senior forward
A standout on the 2019 Class 4 state championship team, Barnes, an Old Dominion recruit, received Class 4 all-state honors last year in helping the Titans earn a share of the Eastern District title. She averaged 15.7 points, 14.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 4.0 steals on the strength of her soft shooting touch, leaping ability and competitiveness.