Expanded girls basketball preview: Team-by-team glances and district predictions
Below is a 757Teamz team-by-team girls high school basketball preview for the 2022-23 season in Hampton Roads. Teams listed responded to requests for preseason information from the Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press, including preview forms emailed to each school’s athletic director.
Bay Rivers District
Predicted finish: 1. Grafton, 2. Lafayette, 3. New Kent, 4. Jamestown, 5. Poquoson, 6. Tabb, 7. Warhill, 8. York, 9. Smithfield, 10. Bruton.
Grafton: The Clippers (19-4) begin as favorites in the Bay Rivers District, where New Kent, Poquoson and Lafayette will push them. Freshman Taylor Ragland, a 5-11 guard with a nice shooting stroke and rebounding skills, is a dynamic addition for a team that lost 70% of its scoring. Shooting ace Kiara Bomboy (12 ppg) and athletic Maesyn Blaylock (6 ppg) provide experience. Senior Nevaeh Klemm and sophomore Sutton Pase will contribute.
Lafayette: After losing a hard-fought Class 3 Region A quarterfinal to eventual finalist New Kent, the Rams (15-9) hope to make the state tournament. The return of sophomore forward Alexis Blake, who averaged 19 points, 5 steals and 4.5 rebounds, is a reason for optimism. Jasmin Piggott is poised make a huge jump scoring-wise after averaging 6 points last year. Jamestown transfer Sarah Lynch and freshman Makayla Keyes give the Rams a couple of knockdown shooters in the backcourt, where point guard Alexis Foster (9 ppg) is seasoned.
Smithfield: The Packers went 22-2 last year and came as close as anyone to denying King’s Fork its eventual Class 4 state title. Smithfield had a possession to tie or go ahead in the final 30 seconds, but turned the ball over and lost 71-65 in the Class 4 Region A semifinal. But the Packers’ two Division I recruits and two other starters are gone, leaving Dynasti Pierce - one of the best players in the Bay Rivers - as the lone returning starter. Asia Banks, Kassia Bell, Allysia Feagan, Jakylia Towns, Joydon Watkins and Zahara Seaborne will help her navigate this rebuilding season.
Warhill: Seasons like last year, when the Lions finished 4-17, have been rare for Bingo Brungot - the only girls basketball coach in Warhill history. The Lions will look to move back near the top of the Bay Rivers District ladder with contributions from Comfort Akpan, Eileen Hutfles, Akeylah James, Taleah James, D’Shlea Walker, Whitney Southers, Keamani Fujimoto, Hannah Hennigan, Shekinah Soto, Patricia Khisa, Eva Seuin Nieto, Taylor Dowell, Faith Lemley and Olivia Costantinou.
Beach District
Predicted finish: 1. Princess Anne, 2. Kempsville, 3. Salem, 4. Landstown, 5. Kellam, 6. Bayside, 7. Green Run, 8. First Colonial, 9. Tallwood, 10. Cox.
Bayside: After last year’s 8-12 season, the Marlins hope speed and defense leads to improvement. Top players are Jessie Ware, Micala Pope, Jaliyah Hamilton, Jordan Crawford, Tyler Henry, Bre’Aunna Steward and Alysia Overton.
Kellam: Knights’ coach Brook Parker feels he has a great freshman class to go with all of the returning starters as they look to better the 10-10 mark of last year. The returning starters are Molly Spain (10 ppg, 4.5 apg), Alyssa Arboneaux (11 ppg), Morgan Lacoy (9 ppg), Hope Williams, (5.5ppg, 7 rpg) and Mackenzie Whitehead, (5 ppg). The promising freshmen are Caroline Casady, Lizzy Clark and Laurel Dick.
Kempsville: The Chiefs (18-7) lost a couple of key players to transfer from a team that reached the Class 5 state quarterfinals, but some talent returns for new head coach John Daniels. That group includes junior guard Zakyah Lindsay, who averaged 22 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Kenya Ramsey, a 6-foot center who averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds, provides further experience, along with guards Kennedy Shipman (7 ppg, 4 rpg), Arianna Davis (5 ppg, 3 rpg) and Tori Jones.
Landstown: The Eagles went 11-6 a year ago and won a Class 6 Region A Tournament game. Jenesis Hill — who averaged 17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.8 steals — leads an experienced cast that includes returning seniors Yvette Sandifer (7.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Emmilee Osbourne (5.7 ppg) and Marcella Ortiz. Soccer standout Peyton Curney brings athleticism after not playing last year, while freshman Nijiah Sykes is expected to contribute immediately.
Princess Anne: With an all-around dynamo in Zakiya Stephenson (16.8 ppg, 6.8 apg, 7.3 spg) and the return of Tinasia Spencer (13.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 4.1 spg), the Cavaliers (18-2) start with two elite players. But an injury sidelining post player Celeste Bailey (8.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg) until January, and Chloe Beddingfield’s transfer to Deep Creek, leaves them with just two returning starters. Guard Hailey Harris (4.4 ppg), forward Damaria Moree (4.4 ppg) and Zoe Collins, a 5-10 forward back after missing last season with an injury, add experience. Four promising freshmen should contribute.
Salem: The SunDevils (12-7) would be ranked higher had Chaise Hannibal, a Kempsville transfer, not suffered a season-ending knee injury on the first day of practice. They return enough talent in guards Elyseia Brown (11 ppg, 6 rpg), Inayah Lendow (9 ppg, 4 rpg) and Wisdom Banks (7 ppg, 5 apg, 3 spg) to approach last year’s region semifinal appearance. The return of forward Joselyn Johnson, a senior who averaged 7 points and 8 rebounds as a sophomore before playing for Catholic last year, will help.
Eastern District
Predicted finish: 1. Norview, 2. Manor, 3. Lake Taylor, 4. Booker T. Washington, 5. Norcom, 6. Churchland, 7. Granby, 8. Maury.
Granby: The Comets are a young team with just three returners, but Coach Antonio White has high hopes. Contributors include Jamiah McClease, Jariah Hoskins, Ariana Wagner, Alexis Caudell, Ziona Holmes, Harliegh Henderson and Amaiya Staats.
Manor: Not only did the Mustangs (20-6) pull a major surprise in reaching the Class 4 state semifinals, they pushed eventual state champion King’s Fork to the end in a 60-53 loss. All-Tidewater first-team selection AJ Richardson, a senior guard, returns after averaging 21 points and will have a high-scoring backcourt mate in Churchland transfer Jadah White (18 ppg), a sophomore who, like Richardson, averaged 7 assists and 5 steals. Returners Jada Clark (8.5 ppg), Kobe Higgins (7.5 ppg, 9 rpg) and 6-2 center Mia Daniels (7 rpg) contribute experience to a team with young talent.
Norcom: The Greyhounds opened with a 78-10 win over Churchland behind 21 points each from Tia Johnson and Maria Jesus Salinas. Skye Mills, Ty Johnson and all-region second team forward 6-0 Alaijah Kirk-Veal (15 ppg, 10 rpg, 5 bpg) are among the other key returners. Indian River transfer Synai James, Camryn Dance and Manor transfer Shamyah Price will contribute.
Norview: Minus the double-overtime loss at Menchville in a state semifinal, the Pilots (20-6) likely would’ve won the Class 5 state title, despite Hampton University recruit Le’Asia Foreman’s season-long absence to injury. In Diamond Wiggins (17 ppg) and Kempsville transfer Kiyah Fitchett (17.9 ppg, 5.8 spg), the Pilots’ backcourt includes two All-Tidewater selections and is supplemented by Rekyla Jones, a standout for Lake Taylor last year. Leyla Minor, who scored 14 points in the state semifinal, and sophomore guard Kyla Hayes are among many capable players on a deep team.
Peninsula District
Predicted finish: 1. Menchville, 2. Hampton, 3. Warwick, 4. Bethel, 5. Kecoughtan, 6. Woodside, 7. Heritage, 8. Phoebus, 9. Gloucester, 10. Denbigh.
Bethel: The Bruins look to build on a solid 13-8 season that ended in the Class 5 Region B semifinals as guard Jada Jackson (14.6 ppg, 4.3 spg last season), the team’s top scorer the past three seasons, leads the way. Other key returns are 3-point shooting ace Taylor Coleman, Milan Brewington, Jacqueilla Henry and Endya Eley (10.2 ppg and 8.8). Newcomer Jordein Holder will help.
Hampton: Kennedy Harris (27 ppg), the key holdover from the Crabbers’ 2020 Class 4 state championship team, has few peers as a scorer in the area. She gets points off the dribble and the outside shot. Sophomore Kaliyah Perry averaged almost a double-double (12 ppg, 9 rpg) last year. Corynn Tynes, Asya Johnson and forward Jaiden Hunter, a Phoebus transfer who earned All-Peninsula District honors last year, give the Crabbers (21-2) a formidable lineup as they battle Menchville for PD supremacy.
Kecoughtan: The Warriors opened with a 51-46 win over Woodside behind 17 points from Makayla Lee and 16 points and six steals from Jasmine Morgan. Other players who will play a role for the Warriors are Kennedy Robinson, Angel Salaam, Madyson Claiborne, Kaniyah Hudson, Madison Rumburg, Landon Saunders, Maliah McGregor, Joyce Brown, Charlie James and Madison Keaton.
Menchville: The hub of the defending Class 5 state champion Monarchs (24-3) is the core of five seniors who have been program mainstays since they were freshmen. Kiara Beal was the star then, averaging 16.2 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, and is expected to play her first full, healthy season since. The others — All-Tidewater Player of the Year Amari Smith (21.5 ppg), second-team all-state picks Atiana Williams and Keylee Harrison and guard Hailliey Thomas — are joined by guard Ayame Colson, a 5-10 junior transfer from Warwick who was first-team All-Peninsula District last year.
Southeastern District
Predicted finish: 1. King’s Fork, Deep Creek, 3. Western Branch, 4. Lakeland, 5. Great Bridge, 6. Nansemond River, 7. Indian River, 8. Grassfield, 9. Oscar Smith, 10.Hickory.
Deep Creek: The Hornets (11-10) were the surprise of the Class 4 Region A Tournament last year as a No. 10 seed, stunning No. 1 Hampton in the quarterfinals before missing a state tournament berth on Manor’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer in the semifinals. They won’t surprise anyone with the return of Nalani Simmons (12 ppg, 11 rpg) and Kyann Kemeni (12 ppg, 9 rpg), as well as the addition of Princess Anne transfer Chloe Beddingfield (7 ppg, 4.2 apg). Asia Keels, ranked as the No. 3 freshman guard in the state, and freshman Alaya Monroe-Sutton should contribute immediately.
Hickory: Among those looking to help the Hawks improve on last year’s 1-21 record are Sophya Webb, Key’nya Alexander, Lucy Moyer, California Brugioni, Mckenzie Bittner, Makayla Diget, Audrey Rooney, Annalise Haselhorst, Charlotte Pechtel and Gabriela-Almodovar-Saunders.
Indian River: Indian River coach Arthur Kelly says “This is a very inexperienced this season but up for the challenge.” Senior Guard Ella Pretlow, the leading scorer last year, is out with a knee injury. Returning players from last year are 5-4 senior guard Aaliyah Sheppard and 5-6 Sophomore guard Lehlah Speller-Henderson. Newcomers of note are 6-0 freshman forward Tristan Rickenbacker who helped lead Greenbrier Middle School to a city championship, and 6-0 junior center Eboni Jones. Guards Aryianna Cardwell and Mikaila Savoy will round out the stat sheet for the Lady Braves.
King’s Fork: The Bulldogs (23-2) graduated first-team All-Tidewater selection Yasmine Brown (19.5 points per game) and are without injured defensive ace Arlisha Boston (12 ppg) until at least late January. The group of returning standouts includes point guard Cyriah Griffin (15 ppg, 8 assists per game, 5 steals per game) — the star of the state championship run — and Niyah Gaston (16.8 ppg, 8 rpg), both All-Tidewater selections. Kiana Brittain holds down the post after tallying 12 points and 13 rebounds in the 71-67 win over Millbrook for the Class 4 state title, while freshman guards Zaniyah Williams and Riley Hite could be future stars.
Lakeland: The Cavaliers (16-6) have won two Class 3 Region A titles and a state tournament quarterfinal each of their past two full seasons (2020 and ‘22). First-team all-state selection Jaelyn Brown (15 ppg, 7 apg), Nyeshia Savage (12 ppg, 13 rpg) and Ja’Najah Artis (10 ppg, 8 apg) were factors in both seasons. Freshman Janae Carter is a talented addition.
Nansemond River: The Warriors don’t have a lot of experience after going 4-19 last year, but they do have a very promising freshman in 5-8 guard Jordin Richardson, who had 26 points, six rebounds, six steals and five assists in the season-opening 71-11 win over Nandua. Senior guard Layla Stewart is the rare player possessing experience. Others expected to play a lot are Aaniyah Custis, Mikaila Miller, Alexanda Tatu. Micheala Ingram and Alana Rodgers
Oscar Smith: The Tigers have five returners from a team that went 12-10 last year - Jamison Kruger (8 ppg), Kelsea Bethea (5 ppg), Aaliyah Price (13 ppg, 8 rpg), Destiny Morning and Makayla Carrington. Newcomers include Jamairia Taylor, Jania Murphy, Semiera Edens and Jalyn White.
Western Branch: A Class 6 state semifinalist in 2020, the Bruins (19-6) almost returned to the state tournament a year ago. A pair of big guns are back in first-team all-region selections Comari Mitchell (20 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4 spg), a 5-8 junior, and 6-0 sophomore Addyson Carver (11.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg). Senior guards Morgan Williams and Jasmine Riddick provide experience, but Bruins coach Jarvis Green will depend heavily on seven freshmen and sophomores.
Independent Schools
Cape Henry: The program was 2-19 last year, but returns experience and leadership in senior captains senior captains Jillian Somers, Emma Scott, and Chloe Schleifer. CH coach Lance Hurdle says they “all represent what it means to lead, fight and never give up.”
Catholic: Are there enough basketballs for this team? Jamesa Parker averaged six steals for the Crusaders (25-4), so perhaps that will at least increase possessions. All-Tidewater first-team selection Cate Carlson (21.1 ppg), 6-1 sophomore Jemma Eleby (22 ppg) — a First Colonial transfer and Division I recruit — VISAA Division I first-team all-state pick Taylor Ethridge (16 ppg) and Jorah Eppley (13 ppg) can all score. Oscar Smith transfer Kylah Moore (14 ppg) and Juli Anderson (9 ppg) will provide scoring punch off the bench.
Norfolk Academy: After a 5-15 season last year, NA is a good mix of veterans and newcomers. Second team All-TCIS pick Lizzie Adams is the top returner. Other returners are Gabby Harvey, Carrie Deleon, Mills Everett, Ann Randolph Furr, Gretchen Scott, Abby Smith, Lily Stockwell and Addy Hennessy. Newcomers are Alden Roberts, Amelia Inderlied, Carey Boone, Natalie Tajan, Lauren Harvey and Maria Delyannis.
Norfolk Christian: The Ambassadors went 16-6 a year ago and reached the VISAA state quarterfinals. Optimism is high with three players standing over 6-feet tall - Abuna Ruop, Justice Brown-Jones and Jizelle Holland. Michelle Luhunga and Christal Harris give the Ambassadors a pair of capable guards.
Marty O’Brien, 757-247-4963, mjobrien@dailypress.com Twitter: @MartyOBrienDP
