RICHMOND, Va.– Every January, high school basketball fans in Virginia are treated to an event in the state’s capital featuring match ups of some of the best girls basketball teams the state has to offer. Former VCU standout and WNBA player Quanitra Hollingsworth presents the annual Stat VA Classic to showcase talented young women from her home state.  She and her staff are also always sure to include a couple of out of state powers to come in to test their metal against those of the Old Dominion as well.

The event is establishing a tradition of excellence as once again the lineup included power programs from all over the state including Monacan, Highland Springs, Lake Taylor, and William Fleming who were taking on the likes of North Carolina guests Forest Trail and RJ Reynolds who were up for the action on Saturday. All of the games were competitive, including a double overtime thriller to kick things off Friday evening, so the fans on hand were treated to some great basketball action from start to finish.

We’d be remiss to cover an event of this caliber without mentioning some of the signed seniors who will be heading on to play collegiately next year. Huguenot’s Taya Robisnon (VCU) scored 29 points to lead the Falcons over an always tough Western Branch squad. Hopewell continues to have one of its best seasons in program history behind D-I bound Daijah Jefferson (Georgia Tech) and Tyah Hunter (Furman). Radford-bound Tina Lindenfield led a furious fourth quarter comeback for Midlothian, falling short to Landstown in a defensive struggle. In one of the biggest match ups of the event, Monacan was once again victorious behind Megan Walker (UConn) and Alex Parson (Richmond), despite a great effort by Forest Trail senior sharpshooter Leah Church (UNC). For the undefeated host team Highland Springs, CeCe Crudup (UNC-G) and Jennifer Coleman (Navy) continued their winning ways over North Carolina’s RJ Reynolds, despite a tournament record 10 assists and near triple-double (19/9/10 line) from future Appalachian State point guard Tierra Wilson.

Hollingsworth and all of those involved are to be commended for their time and commitment to give back to girls basketball by hosting this highly regarded event once again this year.

Az Bacot – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – Highland Springs — Strong frame but light on her feet…Rebounds, defends, and can finish inside…Still has room to grow development wise, but a big, strong kid in a great program so already getting interest

Amari Cuthberson – 2018 – 5-7 – Guard – RJ Reynolds — Off guard with some handles and ups…Pretty good build…Mid range pull up and three ball is there…Can be a good scorer in transition…Still room to develop as a ball handler and shooter…Good foundation here

Faith Funkhouser – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Broadway — Blue collar off guard…Plays smart and hard on both sides…Can shoot the three and score inside a little…Made big plays to lead her team to a win

Chaniqwa Gilliam – 2019 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Atlantic Shores — PG with good size and length for the position…Nice, long crossover…Potential to be explosive is there…Can get to the rim

Trineise Howell – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Huguenot — Taller kid who handles like a guard…Playing some point guard…Comfortable with the ball…Nice hands on D…Didn’t show much in the way of scoring the basketball…Athletic with some versatility

Azia Johnson – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Lake Taylor — Athletic wing…Had a monster double-double in a win over St. Catherine’s…Has speed and quickness that gives defenders a fit…Nice rip and go for a pull up jumper…Hit multiple shots from three point range

Dasmine Kasey – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – William Fleming — Quick driver from the wing…Glides through the air for some creative finishes…Likes to get out in transition with and without the ball…Lefty…Good defender…Needs to develop her jump shot to avoid scoring lapses in the half court…Lots to like

Vanessa Lumbach – 2020 – 6-2 – Post – Woodbridge — Lanky freshman post prospect…Fights to get position inside…Rim runs very well for her size…Potential

Paris McBride – 2018 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Woodbridge — Very good handles…Really breaks defenders down…Has the ball on a string at times…Can hit the mid range pull up off a ball screen…Driver but at times sizes hurts her when she gets into the paint

Madison Moore – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward – Forest Trail — Has the build, wingspan, and athletic tools that impress right away…Good work in the passing lanes in their press…Has some back to the basket tools…Can do damage on the boards…Still developing offensively

Alyssa Norris – 2019 – 5-6 – Guard – Landstown — Young shooter with a smooth release on the three ball…Can handle and defend as well…Not just a one dimensional type…Buried three long balls in one half

Jordan Poole – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard – Lake Taylor — Long, athletic freshman continues to have a strong campaign…Showed her ability to impact a close game beyond the scoring column…Pulled down 15 rebounds and made huge stops on defense in a close win

Shanika Peterkin – 2017 – 6-1 – Post – Landstown – Unsigned…Athletic interior prospect…Posts pretty well…Effective rebounder…Will get some put backs on the O boards…Nice wingspan…Solid passer and ball reversal as a post…12-15 foot jumper is a work in progress

Adriana Shipp – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – Deep Creek — Physical, well-built wing…Has handles…Impressive physicality in her play …Able to really finish with the contact

Mary Clarke Wallace – 2018 – 6-1 – Post – St. Catherine’s — Deceptively athletic post…Plays hard on both sides of the ball…Scrappy…Competes to win…Good motor…Gets up to rebound and board…Posted a double-double…Sleeper at the right level

Jaden Watkins – 2019 – 5-6 – Point Guard – L.C. Bird — Smaller PG…Can penetrate and get to the cup…Had some creative finishes…Gamer and very dangerous with the ball in her hands…Productive down the stretch of double OT game

Marecia Weathers – 2017 – 6-0 – Forward – Landstown — Long and can run the floor…Gets position inside…Has a nice face up move set on the block that’s evolving…Aggressive on the boards…Can take one or two dribbles to clear trouble…Still available