Last season was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Grafton High’s boys basketball team, but a missed last-second shot in the region semifinals was all that separated the Clippers from reaching a third-consecutive state-tournament appearance.
Grafton lost its leading scorer, Joey Miller (22 ppg), from last season but has high expectations of returning to the state tournament nonetheless.
The Clippers, who enter the season ranked No. 2 in the Virginia Preps 4A statewide poll, return four of the starters who helped make last year’s rebuilding season a successful one.
Bruton, the district’s best team last season that went on to play for the 2A state championship, lost its two best players from last year but should still be competitive in the Bay Rivers and in the 2A postseason under first-year Coach Brenner Carter.
Two other programs, Lafayette (Bobby Woollum) and Jamestown (George McCullough), enter new head coaching eras as well.
Below we take a brief look at all seven area Bay Rivers District teams ahead of tonight’s district openers.
Bruton Panthers
Head coach: Brenner Carter
Top returners: Daniel Jones, junior (F); Shaquan Edwards, senior (G); Jalen Carr, junior (G)
Outlook: First-year coach Brenner Carter, an assistant on Bruton’s staff the past five seasons, was on the bench during Bruton’s run to the state tournament the past two seasons. His son, Marcus Carter, and Lonnie Swinton – the Panthers’ top two scorers the past two seasons – are gone, but three players who saw significant playing time last year return. Forward Daniel Jones is the only returning starter, but point guard Shaquan Edwards and Jalen Carr were the two most productive players off the Panthers’ bench. Edwards is quick and a skilled ball handler who could thrive in Bruton’s traditional run-and-gun offense, while Carr is a strong shooter and defender. Guards Deandre Kissoon and Nate Florence and forward James Taylor also return.
Grafton Clippers
Head coach: Jeremy Jordan
Top returners: Cle’von Greene, sophomore (G); Evan Sperling, senior (C); Preston Kiedinger, senior (F)
Outlook: If the Bay Rivers District still awarded a Player of the Year, Grafton would have two of the early-season frontrunners in sophomore point guard Cle’von Greene and senior center Evan Sperling. As a freshman last season, Greene burst onto the scene as one of the district’s best point guards while Sperling, headed to play baseball next year at the University of Virginia, helped the Clippers reach the state championship consecutive seasons in 2011 and 2012. Combine those talents with athletic 6-foot-3 wing player Isaiah Moore, sharp-shooting Preston Kiedinger, promising transfer Jacob Murillo and guards Brent Parker and Kiran Durant and fifth-year head coach Jeremy Jordan has his “deepest team ever” at Grafton.
Jamestown Eagles
Head coach: Geoff McCullough
Top returners: Connor Swain, junior (F); Matt Slade, senior (F)
Outlook: The Eagles’ leading scorer and tallest player from last season transferred to Lafayette, which leaves first-year coach Geoff McCullough with only four holdovers from last year’s varsity squad — senior forward Matt Slade, juniors Connor Swain and Duncan McDevitt (G), and sophomore guard Kevin Greene. Newcomers Michael Schmidt (F) and guards Evan and Mason Wong are talented, but the Eagles will battle through inexperience and learning a new system early on. McCullough, who will implement an up-tempo style of play, said he was pleased with his team’s hustle and commitment to defense during the preseason Rotary Club Jamboree held at Williamsburg Christian Academy last weekend.
Lafayette Rams
Head coach: Bobby Woollum
Top returners: Bryce Losty, senior (G); Tyreke Graham, junior (F); Jason Adderty, senior (F)
Outlook: The Rams won’t see the court for a while — their first five games have been postponed — in light of the school’s deep run in the 3A football playoffs. When they do, they’ll feature a nice mix of returning and new talent. Senior guard Bryce Losty and junior wing Tyreke Graham highlight the group of returners. Junior transfer Trey Neville, who scored 15 points per game for Jamestown last year, gives Lafayette the biggest off-season transfer who will make a huge impact in the Rams front court. First-year coach Bobby Woollum, a former college player and assistant at Bucknell University, George Mason University and the College of William & Mary, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to a Lafayette program that has had a new coach each of the past three seasons.
Tabb Tigers
Head coach: Doug Baggett
Top returners: Terrell Sheffey, senior (G); Antwuan Hicks, senior (F)
Outlook: As usual, the Tigers will defend strong, move the ball well and play fundamentally sound under veteran head coach Doug Baggett. Baggett, though, says his team will have to create offense with strong defense this year with no pure shooters on players capable to creating their own shot on a consistent basis on the team this year. Returning point guard Terrell Sheffey has the type of quickness that can break down a defense and is capable of knocking down shots from the perimeter. Athletic forward Antwuan Hicks, junior Keaton Brown and senior Rob Sebastian are the only others who contributed regularly last season. Newcomers Jalen Jordan, Tyson Jackson and Nick Hunter will need to pick up the slack in place of four players who were expected to be on the team this season but either moved, are injured or decided not to play.
Warhill Lions
Head coach: Justin Hayes
Top returners: Keron Dedmon, senior (G); Da’Shawn Cook, sophomore (G); Ra’Shawn Cook, sophomore (G)
Outlook: Senior guard Keron Dedmon (12 ppg) is the leading returner, but will have a difficult time picking up the scoring slack left by his older brother DeVonte Dedmon, who averaged 28 points per game last season. Sophomore twins Da’Shawn and Ra’Shawn Cook showed promise last season, Da’Shawn (8 ppg) as a scorer and Ra’Shawn as a defender and distributor, and will be expected to be two of the team’s top contributors this winter. Brian Stovall scored 40 points in a game twice last year on Warhill’s junior varsity squad, and while those type of numbers likely won’t translate to the varsity level, Coach Justin Hayes will rely on the junior post player to be his team’s best finisher around the basket. With five juniors and four sophomores in the rotation, experience will play a factor early in the season.
York Falcons
Head Coach: Bobby Pearce
Top Returners: Eric Harp, senior (C); Joe Riddick, senior (G); Jaylen Riggsbee, senior (F)
Outlook: The team that did not have a single senior last year welcomes everyone back this winter and seems poised to finish with a record above .500 for the first time since 2010. With 6-foot-8 center Eric Harp healthy and the team’s top two scorers from last season – seniors Jaylen Riggsbee (13.5 ppg) and Joe Riddick (12.7 ppg) – returning, the Falcons could also be poised to contend for the 3A Colonial Rivers Conference 25 title. Junior point guard Josh McFadden, senior forward Collin Mandrick, sophomore forward Lamont Simmons and junior forward Jack Nanartowich all saw playing time last year and will have increased roles this season. Sophomore Isiah Hawkins is a talented guard who will add depth to the backcourt.
