VIRGINIA – There are few environments in the game of basketball that are quite the same as a state tournament. The crowds, the emotion, the big time performances, and the fight displayed by seniors playing for just one more high school game. Enitre towns travel to get behind their teams whether it’s big schools versus small or rural teams facing those from the metro settings. Either way, the results will forever be etched into state basketball history.
Last week we traversed the state of Virginia covering both the Virginia High School League (public) and Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (private) high school state tournaments. We witnessed two future ACC players Mikayla Vaughn (Paul VI/Notre Dame) and Brianna Tinsley (St. Anne’s Belfield/UVA) battle it out as Paul VI sought its 11th consecutive state title. Oakton’s D-I bound trio of Kailyn Fee (Richmond), Maddie Royle (American), and Delaney Connolly (Loyola MD) were at the top of their games, and Hopewell’s Daijah Jefferson (Georgia Tech) and Tyah Hunter (Furman) wrapped up great high school careers that took their program to new heights. Autumn Hopson (Patirot/Tennessee State) and Drew Freeland (Hidden Valley/Lafayette) helped lead their team to quarterfinal victories, and Highland Springs’ star seniors CeCe Crudup (UNCG), Cam Gatlin (George Mason), as well as Jennifer Coleman (Navy) were impressive on the big stage once more. The depth of talent in Virginia’s 2017 class was on full display as well as evidenced by big games from Woodbridge sharpshooter Hanna Oliver (UVA Wise) and Magna Vista playmaker Taisha DeShazo (Catawba). In a state that features colleges competing at every level, there continues to be talent for them all right here at home.
The VISAA crowned three state champions in The Miller School, Paul VI, and Carlisle on Saturday. The VHSL Championship games are slated for Virginia Commonwealth University this weekend for all six levels. Here are some of the underclass student athletes who stepped up on the state tournament stage.
Shakira Austin – 2018 – 6-5 – Post – Colonial Forge — Maryland commit did it all for her team on the big stage…Scored down low and in transition…Was a force on the boards…Protected the paint…Even handled the ball some in the open court
A.Z. Bacot – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – Highland Springs – Big, physical forward…Likes to drive…Showed off ability to score inside against contact…Can hit the roller attacking off the ball screen…Tough finishes
Annia Battle – 2020 – 5-9 – Guard/Forward – Salem — Athletic freshman getting minutes off the bench…Patient player…Can handle the ball some…One to watch on the club circuit this spring
Kayla Cabiness – 2019 – 5-3 – Point Guard – Magna Vista – Spark plug young point guard…Handle is passable, though a little high at times…Likes catch and shoot jumper…Coachable…Good motor…Defended well at top of zone press
Jordyn Callaghan – 2018 – 5-5 – Point Guard/Guard – Langley – Driver who likes to get back to her right hand to finish…High energy, smart player…Nice cuts without the ball
Erika Carter – 2018 – 6-2 – Post – Carlisle – Long post…Can get hands on some shots…Finishs inside…Still raw on offense but has some of the basics down
Jasha Clinton – 2020 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Princess Anne – Great defensive effort led to steals and easy productivity in transition…Showed off her mid-range game and quick first step…Continues to impress
Kennedy Fuller – 2021 – 5-6 – Point Guard/Guard – Christ Chapel — Aggressive young player…Good instincts…Nice, physical ball handler…Rebounds on both sides…Always seemed to be around the ball
Nakaila Gray – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard/Forward – Broadway — Showed some high post attack…Handled some in the open court…Three looked good…Has shown improvement from earlier…Had moments with back to back three’s and a big transition lay up on consecutive possessions
Brianna Harper – 2018 – 5-5 – Point Guard/Guard – Tabb – Lefty…Nice three point stroke…Can hit it off the bounce…Connects with a hand in her face…Better suited to play off the ball
Mya Henderson – 2019 – 5-7 – Guard – LC Bird — Young wing…Hit the three…Aggressive in attacking the basket…Can finish in the paint…Has a good understanding of locating open shooters for the kick out
Tamrin Henderson – 2018 – 6-2 – Post – Thomas Edison – Long and lanky…Noticeable that she fights for position not only inside but for rebounds as well…Can go up and get the lob…Finished with both hands
Brianna Jackson – 2019 – 6-3 – Post – Salem — Big post…Great lateral movement for her size…Finishes at the rim…Gets off ground for boards and blocks…Will handle it in the open court…Can score inside against the double team
Te’Daizhua Jones – 2019 – 5-11 – Guard/Forward – Warhill – Long arms effective playing the top of the zone…Nice athletic stance on D…Can switch on screens and defend smaller match-ups…Got some put backs on the offensive glass…Offensive game still developing
Meghan Kenefick – 2020 – 6-0 – Forward – Oakton — Mobile forward…A prototypical stretch four who can shoot the mid-range and the three on the move as well…Future is bright
Kate Klimkiewicz – 2018 – 6-1 – Guard – Paul VI – Boston College commit…Known for her deep range…Strong defender…Heady plays in the passing lanes creates options in transition
Juvela Lopez – 2020 – 6-1 – Post – Wakefield — Young post with long limbs and big feet…Moves well…Can get good position on the block…Potential is there…One to watch for the future
Zoe Mayard – 2019 – 5-5 – Guard – Landstown — Young wing guard continues to impress as a scoring threat…Strong off the drive…Shows ability to split the help defenders…Did a nice job on D…Quickness plays well on both sides of the ball
Paris McBride – 2018 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Woodbridge – Point guard has a nice mid-range and three point stroke…Small but plays with a ton of intensity…Attacks opponent defensively and pressures the ball
Kyla McMakin – 2019 – 5-11—Guard/Forward – Ocean Lakes – Nice length and physical tools…Can shoot and handle some…Really hangs in the air on the mid-range jumper…Potential is there
Kennedy Middleton – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – Tuscarora — Athletic wing…Can handle the ball…Shows a good burst on the first step…Playmaker and penetrator with the ball in her hands…Athleticism shows on both sides of the ball
Carole Miller – 2019 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – Thomas Edison – Skilled, athletic wing…Long arms…Can handle in the open court…15 footer is there…Has range out to the arc…A challenge on the drive with her combination of size and skill
Xaria Wiggins – 2018 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – Princess Anne – Showed off depth of her game…Scored inside but off the bounce in transition as well…Went up and got the lob in the post…Elevated on her jump shot…Made some very nice passes with purpose
Kenna Williams – 2018 – 5-10 – Forward – Tabb — Athletic undersized forward…Gritty…Can finish inside…Can be a double-double threat consistently at the right level
Vanessa Woodfolk – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – St. Anne’s-Belfield — Super athletic forward…Excellent outside shooting prowess…Showed some toughness on the boards against opposing size…Starting to find that next gear
Hannah Young – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – Brookville – Scorer…Can hurt you on the drive or from three point range…Fundamental standout…Smart player on both ends of the floor…Deceptively good off ball defender…Produces steals
