With four-time defending champion Grafton in rebuilding mode, the Bay Rivers District basketball race could be wide open this winter.
While the Clippers may not be poised for another deep postseason having lost four of its five starters and more than two-thirds of its scoring production from last season, Coach Tommy Bayse always gets the most of out of his players and will have them competing every night.
Many district coaches feel Smithfield is the team to beat with four of its five starters back from last year’s team that lost a close one to Grafton in the 4A Conference 19 championship game.
A potential dark horse in the district this season could be Warhill. The Lions return virtually everyone from last year’s rosterand, at least on paper, have one of their most talented teams in school history.
There are also some new faces in the district, as Lafayette added a highly touted transfer for the second season in a row while new coaching eras begin at Tabb and York.
Below we offer a team-by-team outlook of the seven area schools in the Historic Triangle.
Bruton Panthers
Head coach: Terrence Green
Top returners: Naya Samuel, junior (G); Kelsey Sluss, junior (G/F)
Outlook: Of the four seniors the Panthers lost to graduation, three of them — all-conference selection Alexis Calloway among them — played in the front court, which leaves second-year coach Terrence Green with a glaring void in the post. Bruton does return two of its top three scorers from last year in junior Naya Samuels, who averaged 12 points per game during the regular season and 15 during the postseason, and Kelsey Sluss. Freshmen Makayla Johnson, a long and quick guard who can defend at any position, and Gabby Calloway, a good shooter and even better athlete who was an all-region volleyball player for Bruton, will make an immediate impact along with junior guards Kelcee Harrod and Latrice Wynne. With a limited post presence but plenty of depth in the backcourt, Green says his team will play at an up-tempo pace and press often.
Grafton Clippers
Head coach: Tommy Bayse
Top returners: Christa Hall, senior (F); Hayley Marshall, senior (G); Robyon Smith, sophomore (G)
Outlook: In losing starters Olivia Wilson, Hannah Olson, Emily Beyer and Savannah Baxley, who led Grafton to four district titles, three region titles and 97 victories during their four years with the program, Coach Tommy Bayse faces his first rebuilding season since those four players were freshman and helped the Clippers to an improbable state-tournament run. Versatile senior Christa Hall, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, can play all five positions and will be relied on heavily to contribute on both ends of the floor. Senior guard Hayley Marshall, a deadly three-point shooter who averaged 12 points last season, is the Clippers top scoring threat who Bayse says has become a more well-rounded player by improving her ball handling, passing and defense. Sophomore Robyon Smith, who saw significant playing time as a freshman last year, is out until at least mid-December with a broken thumb and will have an increased role as the team’s starting point guard when she returns. Contributions from sophomore Haley Cunningham and freshman Kierson Tavares will likely determine how competitive the Clippers will be this winter.
Jamestown Eagles
Head coach: Mary Glisan
Top returners: Jamiyah Johnson, sophomore (F); Leandra Graves, junior
Outlook: Jamestown lost a total of nine players — including three starters — from last year, leaving fourth-year coach Mary Glisan with one of the youngest and most inexperienced rosters in the district. Returners Jamiyah Johnson and Leandra Graves are the only two players who saw significant playing time last season, but Graves is coming off knee surgery and has not been cleared to play. Johnson showed plenty of promise as a sound post player last year as a freshman and will be relied on heavily to carry the scoring load, especially early on with Graves sidelined. Glisan likes what she has seen so far from junior Olivia Peterson, a quick guard who Glisan labeled the “hardest worker” on the team. Six-foot-2 Mackenzie Hard gives the Eagles a quality rebounding presence down low.
Lafayette Rams
Head coach: Chris Brown
Top returners: Kenya Holiday, junior (G); Grace Macomber, senior (F)
Outlook: Among the three starters Lafayette has to replace is Keyana Brown, the district’s best all-around player last season now suiting up for Old Dominion University. But the Rams, who won the inaugural Conference 25 championship last year, are poised to defend their title with the addition of two talented transfers and a handful of other newcomers who led Lafayette’s junior varsity team to a 14-5 season last winter. Rachel Lia, who transferred from Hampton Roads Academy, is a skilled player and sharp-shooting guard who averaged 14 points and was an all-state selection as a freshman for the Navigators last season. Jill Curtis played two years ago at Woodside and will be a key addition in the post in place of all-conference selection Tiara Strong. Coach Chris Brown says junior guard Kenya Holiday, who has started since her freshman year, has improved her jump shot, which should add to the Rams’ already dangerous three-point shooting arsenal of Lia, senior returner Megan Wiltshire and newcomer Addison Mooradian. Senior Grace Macomber also returns as the team’s defensive specialist.
Tabb Tigers
Head coach: Jason Clarke
Top returners: Imani McDowell-Jarmon, junior (F); Micaela Macfarlane, junior (G)
Outlook: Jason Clarke enters his first season as head coach, but is plenty familiar with the Tigers’ program. A former college assistant, Clarke has spent the past four years leading the Tigers’ middle school team. Before that, Clarke served as Tabb High’s junior varsity coach and varsity assistant. Although there are no seniors on this year’s roster, the Tigers return five players who saw significant playing time last season led by talented junior forward Imani McDowell-Jarmon and guards Micaela Macfarlane, Madison Clemons, Raven Royal and Tamia Smith will also play key roles. Clarke is also expecting contributions from three freshmen who helped him win the middle school Bay Rivers District title last year — guards Brianna Harper and Erin Rodgers and forward Kenna Williams — as well as newcomers Tori Eaststep, Hannah Speight and Kelsey Kersey.
Warhill Lions
Head coach: Bingo Brungot
Top returners: Kasey Grainer, senior (F); Alyana Cormier, senior (G); Kieran McClure, sophomore (PG)
Outlook: Warhill returns every contributor from last year’s team, but with the potential to start a freshman, three sophomores and one senior, the Lions are still young. Warhill returns its top two scorers from a season ago in three-year starter Kasey Grainer and Kieran McClure, who did a fine job running the point as a freshman last season. The return of slashing guard Alyana Cormier, who missed half of last season with a foot injury, gives Warhill one of the best scoring punches in the district. Sophomore point guard Jewel Walters and seniors Madison Heath and Tatyana Epps were each key contributors last year, and with promising freshman Olivia Schulz joining the rotation, Warhill has the type of depth that few other district teams can match. Coach Bingo Brungot says with a roster that goes 10 deep, he has the luxury of shaking up his starting five night-in, night-out depending on his team’s matchup. If this relatively young squad continues to gel, the Lions have the potential to be great.
York Falcons
Head Coach: Michelle Wintermantel
Top Returners: Madison Van Dyke, sophomore (PG); Rakeema Willis (G)
Outlook: Could this be the year York eclipses two regular-season wins for the first time since former District Player of the Year Ebony Weddington graduated in 2011? First-year coach Michelle Wintermantel likes her chances, but admits her young team could struggle early on learning a new system. Scrappy sophomore Madison Van Dyke was one of the district’s top young point guards last year and is one of three returning starters along with senior guards Rakeema Willis and April Cooley. Wintermantel, who will employ an intense, fast-paced style of play, likes what she has seen from senior forward Jayla Sanders, who, along with sophomore guard/forward Hayley Winfree, are the team’s top defenders.
