High School Girls Basketball Capsules

COMMONWEALTH DISTRICT

BROOKE POINT

Coach: Rick Butler

Last year: 5–16 overall, eighth in district

Top returners: So. G Tykera Carter, Shannon Allison, Ashlee Lowe, Rachael Payne, Valerie Poole

Top newcomers: Fr. Alandra Bandy, So. Paris Sowell

Outlook: Brooke Point is still young, with just one senior on the roster. Carter is one of the area’s best guards, and a returning all-district performer.

COLONIAL FORGE

Coach: Michelle Darley

Last year: 17–7 overall, district regular-season champions

Top returners: Jr. Brandi Holland, Sr. T.T. Henderson, Sr. Kendra Stone, So. Jahla Osborne, So. Kenya Holland

Top newcomers: Fr. Zhana Barnes, Fr. Nicole Collins, Fr. Bri Sullivan, Fr. Sydney Bell

Outlook: The Eagles are probably the Commonwealth favorite, with the bulk of their roster returning from last year’s 17–7 team. They’ve got size inside, ball handlers, and scorers under the basket and on the perimeter.

MASSAPONAX

Coach: Adam Brown

Last year: 10–12 overall, 4–10 (sixth) in the district

Top returners: Jr. P Brianne Comden, Jr. G Patrice Hounshell, Sr. G Katy Stover, Sr. F/P Stephanie Beverly

Top newcomers: Jr. G Shay Dennis, Jr. G Monica Hawkins, Jr. G Essence Reeves, Jr. P Amia Johnson, Jr. P Anika Martin, Fr. P Emma Grosskopf

Outlook: Brown is in his first year as the Panthers’ coach. He’s got a good group of returners. Stover averaged 9.6 points per game last year, and Comden 8.5.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

Coach: Ben Sargent

Last year: 14–8 overall, 11–3 in district

Top returners: Jr. F Taylor Fernow, Jr. G Chelsea Keyser, Sr. G Kiara Corbin, Sr. F Brenee Howell, Sr. G Laquetta Hairston, Sr. F Mel Boothe

Top newcomers: So. G Jasmin Nguyen, Jr. Bianca Dittmann, Fr. Alexis Davis

Outlook: the Wildcats must replace four starters, and most importantly their two best ball handlers (Amrita Khalsa and Megan Baltzell). Mountain View should have good strength to battle inside.

NORTH STAFFORD

Coach: Patricia Oliver

Last year: Fifth in district

Top returners: So. G China Allen–Window, Jr. G Brianna Dotson, Jr. G Caitlin Hite, Jr. F Christine Jackson, Sr. G Chelsea Terry

Top newcomers: Julia Barbaczuk, Kelsie Barker, Nakeita Bullock, Tiffany Gwyn, Kari Schott

Outlook: Oliver is back as coach after stepping down two years ago. Terry averaged 12.6 points last year, and North has added several athletes from other sports teams to help with depth.

ORANGE

Coach: David Rabe

Last year: 7–15 overall

Top returners: So. G Ashleigh Williams, Sr. P Jessica Branch

Top newcomers: So. G Ayanna Braxton, Fr. P Markiana Smith

Outlook: Orange will try to push the pace in its first season in the Commonwealth District. Rabe thinks speed can be a team strength.

RIVERBEND

Coach: Scott Thomas

Last year: Third in district’s regular season, district tournament champions

Top returners: Sr. G Brittany Stringer, So. G Candice Beverly, So. G Carmen Beverly, So. F Brittany Jacobs, Jr. G Amanda Byrd

Top newcomers: Sr. F Paige Phillips, So. G Lainey Harmon

Outlook: Five varsity players return for the Bears, but that includes three sophomores (all of whom saw significant playing time last year). Phillips is a transfer from Orange.

STAFFORD

Coach: Carl Harris

Last year: 17–7 overall, fourth in district

Top returners: Sr. G Taysia Gray, Sr. P Merritt Hempe, Jr. G Erin Reiley, So. G Kendall Parker

Outlook: Hempe, a University of Georgia recruit, is perhaps the area’s best inside player (20.1 points per game last year). Gray should be the primary ball handler. Both could top 1,000 career points this year, and the duo will help the Indians compete for the district title.

BATTLEFIELD DISTRICT

CAROLINE

Coach: Tim Marshall

Last year: 17–10 overall

CHANCELLOR

Coach: William Griffin

Last year: 3–18 overall, 2–12 (seventh) in the district

Top returners: Jr. G Alexandra Short

Top newcomers: Rachon Harrison, Emily Green, Jayla Harris, Disney Jackson, Maris Soto, Shawna Morris

Outlook: The Chargers have a young team with just five freshmen, three sophomores and one player with varsity experience.

COURTLAND

Coach: J.T. Nino

Last year: 21–5 overall, district regular-season and tournament champions

Top returners: Jr. G Janae McNeal, Jr. F Jessica Hairston, Sr. F Anika Trent, Jr. F Imani Fennell

Top newcomers: Fr. G Megan Amrhine, Jr. G Arianna Bradley

Outlook: Four starters return from a very strong team. McNeal is the reigning district player of the year. Nino—the longtime Courtland boys coach—moves over to coach the girls this year. They’re hoping for a return to the state tournament.

CULPEPER

Coach: Katie Shaw

Last year: Last in district

Top returners: Sr. G Erica Damone, Sr. C Jasmime Smith, Jr. F Alesha White

Outlook: It’s a young group again for the Devils this year—they’ve got two seniors and a host of juniors and sophomores. Damone was an honorable-mention all-district pick last year.

EASTERN VIEW

Coach: Mike McCombs

Last year: 17–10 overall, 9–5 in district, Region I runner-up

Top returners: So. PG Tanae Holmes, Jr. PG Sherlina Bowles, Jr. G Ciara Jackson, Jr. G Tiara Jackson, Sr. G Allison Corry, Jr. F Randi Mauck, Jr. F Taylor Shanks

Top newcomers: Fr. Angela Apperson, Fr. Sadajai Clark, So. Lauren Brewer, So. Alexis Yates

Outlook: Seven varsity players return from a team that made last year’s state quarterfinals. Shanks is a force inside if Eastern View’s guards can get the ball to her.

JAMES MONROE

Coach: Julian Bumbrey

Last year: 12–10 overall, advanced to Region I, Division 3 semifinals

Top returners: Sr. G/F Keyontae Williams, Sr. F Akira Jones, So. G Danielle Bumbrey, So. G Brittany Williams, So. F Brianne Stephenson, Sr. G Myasia Williams

Top newcomers: Sr. Sierra Leacock, Jr. Lyric Swan, So. Cara Lambert

Outlook: Albany signee Williams—JM’s first-ever Division I girls hoops recruit—is one of the area’s top returning scorers (19.9 points per game last year). What JM gets from the players around her will decide its fate in the district and region.

KING GEORGE

Coach: Jeff Butler

Last year: 7–14 overall, 5–9 in district

Top returners: Jr. G/F Carley Armentrout, Jr. F Stephanie Avery, Jr. G Erica Davis, Sr. G/F Kayla Hassey, Jr. F/C Amber Smith, Sr. G Shalequa Turner

Top newcomers: Jr. F/C Chyna Chatman, Jr. C Kimi Howell, Sr. G Chloe Jeffery, Jr. F Hailey Lawrence, Fr. G/F Kanysha Reynolds, Fr. G/F Jada Saxon

Outlook: The Foxes’ success likely will depend on how their front court players can develop. There is experience returning around the perimeter.

SPOTSYLVANIA

Coach: Warren Tyler

Last year: 13–11 overall, 9–5 (third) in district

Top returners: Jr. F Bria Carter, Sr. C Ana Weeks, So. G Jaimee Ford

Top newcomers: Fr. G Kortni Simmons

Outlook: Spotsylvania lost five seniors from last year’s team. But Carter is one of the district’s best players (18.7 points, 11.3 rebounds per game last year), and she gives the Knights a chance every game.

OTHER SCHOOLS

FAITH BAPTIST

Coach: Mark Morgan

Last year: 17–0, ODACS state tournament champions

Top returners: Jr. G Brook Morgan, So. G AshLynn Morgan, So. F Britleigh Koudelka

Top newcomers: Jr. G Ashley MacGregor

Outlook: The Conquerors have won 33 straight conference games, but they face a tough challenge this year. Six of 10 players from last year are gone, and they’ll break in seven new players this winter.

FREDERICKSBURG CHRISTIAN

Coach: Jeff Shaeffer

Last year: Delaney Conference regular-season champions

Top returners: Gabby Comfort, Brianna Clarkson, Olivia Krachenfels, Dominique Lavender

Top newcomers: Brittnay Burton

Outlook: Shaeffer expects this to be a very strong team. Burton was a standout at Faith Baptist last year and will be a contributor.

COLONIAL BEACH

Coach: Keith Dickerson

Last year: 17–6 overall

Top returners: G Jennay Shanklin, F Karley Inscoe, G Canieshia Fulcher

Top newcomers: So. Billie Gould, Fr. Emily Parks

Outlook: The Drifters lost three players to graduation, including all-region forward Melissa Turner. They’ll be smaller, but much quicker. Inscoe is one of the area’s leading returning 3-point shooters.

LOUISA

Coach: Jarred Soles

Top returners: Khadijah Winkey, Kimberly Washington, Tierra Jackson, Shay Whalen, Brianna Braxton, Javanique Burruss

Top newcomers: Breon Washington, Ashley Talley

Outlook: Soles is in his first year with the Lions.

WASHINGTON & LEE

Coach: Kelsey Farmer

Top returners: Sr. G Sade Tate, Sr. G Destiny Smith, Jr. G Jaid White, Sr. C Jhane’e Brown, Sr. F Tonierra Shepherd, Sr. G Jasmine Thompson

Top newcomers: Fr. Jhanel Brown

Outlook: Injuries hampered the Eagles last year. But they’re healthy and have a new coach, and will start five seniors. That experience should be an asset.

Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/sports/2011/12/03/high-school-girls-basketball-capsules/