As spring sports are in full swing across the Historic Triangle, the Virginia High School League put the finishing touches on the winter sports season with the announcement of the Group 2A and 4A boys basketball All-State selections Tuesday.
Grafton senior Evan Sperling and Tabb senior Terrell Sheffey were named first-team and second-team selections in Group 4A, respectively, while Bruton junior Jalen Carr was named to the Group 2A second team.
Sperling, who is committed to play baseball at the University of Virginia, averaged nearly 19 points and 14 rebounds per game during his senior season that ended with an overtime loss to Lake Taylor in the 4A South quarterfinals. Sperling helped navigate the Clippers to a 73-9 record during his three years as a starter.
“He was certainly deserving of that recognition,” Grafton coach Jeremy Jordan said. “It’s a tremendous honor for him. To have a double-double in 22 of 25 games this season is a pretty remarkable statistic.”
Jordan called Sperling a “once-in-an-every-25-years type of kid,” saying his demeanor and work ethic were unlike most high school athletes.
Tabb senior Terrell Sheffey was also given 4A All-State honors, being selected to the second team. Sheffey averaged almost 15 points and four assists per game.
Sheffey helped navigate the Tigers to a 4A South regional appearance, but they were defeated by I.C. Norcom in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
In Group 2A, Bruton junior Jalen Carr was named a second-team All-State selection after averaging nearly 15 points, five rebounds and four assists per game this season. Carr led the Panthers to an appearance in the 2A East quarterfinals, where they were eliminated on a buzzer-beating layup by Strasburg.
Bruton’s coach Brenner Carter was happy for Carr to be recognized as an All-State caliber player, but expects bigger things from his standout player next season.
“Jalen deserved it,” he said. “Every day he gave his all in practice and in the games as well. He’s a good kid. His grades are real good, and I’m looking for some big things from him next year because he’s just a junior.”
