Stories

Knuckling down

Look at it as one great final chance.

This week, three of the area’s top private school boys hoops teams, and in turn, some of the area’s top players, will take to their home courts one more time. Miller, Covenant and Blue Ridge will all battle in the state quarterfinals Wednesday after picking up byes through the opening round.

That gives area hoops fans one last shot to see some of the most talented, complete players to ever grace the court in Central Virginia.

It’s a final chance to see Miller’s boys team, loaded with college talent including Brice Kofane, Maryland-bound Mychal Parker and Memphis signee Hippolyte Tsafack. The Mavericks also have a pair of underrated guards in seniors D’Andre Corbin and Preston Terrell who have drawn Division I interest.

All five are certainly worth a trip to Crozet Wednesday night.

In town though, if you haven’t seen Covenant’s Sam Dale yet, that’s certainly worth a stop. Dale, who had all the physical tools coming into the year, has put together the mental side of the game, helping lead the Eagles into a solid position as the tournament’s No.3 seed. Dale is a versatile performer with a solid supporting cast in Isaac Stewart Silver, Treven Meyers and Nathan Hyde among others. Sure, they’ve been at it for several years playing together, but what’s still striking about Covenant is how well they play as a team on both ends of the court. Dale’s a big part of that.

Over at Blue Ridge, there’s bruising but still smooth big man Darnell Turner, who’s pristine footwork has made the Goochland native a force in the paint. He’ll take the floor with one of the area’s most loaded junior classes, including Malick Kone, as they take on the winter of Paul VI and Flint Hill Wednesday night.

So, if you’ve got the night free, catch one of those teams Wednesday night. Don’t miss that chance.

Over on the girls side, Covenant and STAB hit the court, with Covenant playing Tuesday in the first round while STAB gets a bye and hosts a quarterfinal Wednesday. It’s do-or-die time for Sarah Imovbioh, who has posted some eye-popping numbers for the Saints this year, racking up more than 30 points and just about 20 rebounds per game. Can she spark STAB to a big tournament run?

Also, Miller is emerging as a big time state title threat just a year after losing a host of collegiate players to graduation. Whitney Martin and Ashley Bowles give them a one-two punch that’s earned the Mavericks a No. 1 seed in the Division III tournament, and Ruta Lizdenyte has emerged as a solid post option.

They may have to fight off local standout Tandem in the second round if the Badgers can get past their first round game. Hattie Nguyen will likely need to be big time for Tandem to pull that off.

Boys teams still standing

Blue Ridge (18-6) — The Barons slipped in a low-scoring contest with LCA in the VIC semifinals, but they’re still the No.3 seed in the state tournament, and having beaten No. 1 Benedictine, rightfully so.

Covenant (15-4) — The Eagles are gearing up for a state tournament run, and they might just have the right pieces to get it done.

Miller (14-6) — The No. 2 seed in Division I could face a treacherous road to the state title with archrival Blue Ridge in the semis and Benedictine possibly waiting in the final.

Madison County (23-0) — Surry County awaits in the state quarterfinals as the Mountaineers’ march continues.

Western Albemarle (19-5) — Western’s reward for a regional title? New Kent, one of the top-ranked squads in the state. No easy outs from here on.

Buckingham County (19-3) — The Knights take on Middlesex in the state quarters. Can Taylor Boyers keep powering them forward?

Charlottesville (14-8) — Few know how to play with their backs against the wall like the Black Knights but will they be able to knock of Brunswick in the state quarters? That’s a tall task.

Girls teams still standing

Fluvanna County (22-2) — The Flucos fell for the first time in nearly two months in the Region II finals and get an absolute buzzsaw of an opponent in Greensville, a squad that’s won all 25 games it’s played in. To hand the Eagle’s a season ending loss in the Group AA quarterfinals, Fluvanna’s going to need help the Loyd sisters. Big time production from Sarah Ryan, Ashleigh Harris and Millicent Williams would a long way.

St. Anne’s-Belfield (14-5) — As dominant as Sarah Imovbioh can be, Saints coach Phil Stinnie will be the first to tell you that his team needs the 3-point shots from Addi Bolin and end-to-end play from Sarah Toliver for his team to march through the VISAA Division 2 tournament. Up first will be either Portsmouth or Norfolk Collegiate on Wednesday.

Miller (15-5) — The BRC champions get a bye in the first round of the VISAA Division 3 tournament and come in with a seven game winning streak. Five of those were by 19 or more points. They will play the winner of Tandem and Amelia Academy on Wednesday.

Buckingham County (9-6) — Before falling in the Region B finals to George Mason, the Knights had won six straight. Shanice Miles has over 1,000 points in her career, and Shamika Woodson and Keyona White can each haul in 10 boards a piece and Buckingham needs that in their Group A quarterfinal game against Lancaster.

Covenant (11-8) — Keep an eye on the Eagles’ front court in the opening round of the VIC Division 2 tournament. The floor could open up for sharp-shooter Kelly Crispens if Taylor Peed and Margot Liebl are getting the job done down low against Wakefield.

Tandem (6-9) — Hattie Nguyen and the home team Badgers square off today against Ameiia Academy in round one of the VISAA Division 3 tournament. The senior is a force on her own, but with help from her co-captain, Emma Perikinson as well as sophomore Lizzie Stewart, Tandem becomes a much more formidable opponent.

Comments

comments