Lynn Burke
11-30-2007, 02:03 PM
1. Poquoson (18-8, 13-5): Lafayette could just as easily fit into the slot of district favorite. We picked the Islanders because they possess the Bay Rivers’ best point guard in junior Page Turner. Turner is faster and stronger than she was last season, when she averaged 12.9 points and seven assists. Kelly Halverson, another junior guard, joined Turner on the all-district second team last season after averaging 15.7 points and hitting 50 3-pointers. Halverson should eclipse 1,000 career points this season, while Turner will make a run at that milestone. Fay Crawshaw, a 5-foot-11 junior, and 5-8 senior Coryn Wilson give the Islanders a strong post presence. The Islanders’ motion offense is difficult to defense and their matchup zone and pressure defenses are pesky. The Islanders fell one victory short of a Group AA state tournament berth last season. They could very well make the program’s first state tourney appearance in 14 years come March.
2. Lafayette (15-9, 12-6): The Rams return only three players but are more experienced than they appear on the surface. The centerpiece is 5-10 junior Addie Williams, a guard who can handle the ball, penetrate, shoot the long-range jumper and rebound. She should improve on her 16.5 average of last season, while creating matchup problems everywhere on the court. Rezoning strengthened the Rams’ backcourt by bringing guards Shenka Ferrell (5.5 ppg) and Endi Frazier (4.4 ppg) from district champion Jamestown. Jonisha Gray, honorable mention all-district, gives the Rams another experienced ball-handler. Coach Charles Brown boasts several athletic options in the post. If the post players do well, the Rams might overtake Poquoson for the district title.
3. Bruton (17-7, 14-4): The Panthers lost three starters and much of their perimeter shooting from a team that advanced to the Region I tournament. But they still have lots of athletic players with the ability to penetrate, along with plenty of young depth in the post. Forward Jennifer Falin, a 5-7 senior who averaged 13.5 points last season, leads a team talented enough to finish near the top of the district.
4. Southampton (7-11, 8-13): The Indians return the top two scorers in the district: smooth ball-handling point guard Anita Ricks (17.1 ppg) and post player Samantha Urquhart (16.7 ppg). Forward Randa Jessee (8.1 ppg) completes a strong nucleus. If the supporting cast develops some consistency the Indians could make a run at a regional tournament berth.
5. Jamestown (21-6, 16-2): The Eagles have won every district title since 2002, but their string of dominance likely will end this season. Senior guard Camille Banks (6.4 ppg) is the only holdover from the 2006 Group AA state championship team, as well as the only starter from last season’s district champs. Scoring might be an issue with the Eagles, but their man and zone-trap defenses will keep them competitive.
6. Grafton (16-7, 12-6): Shanice Watkins has departed for Elizabeth City State University, taking 15.9 points per game with her. Jasmine Williams-Hayes, who can play anywhere on the floor, should pick up some of the slack by improving on her 13.9 average. Swing player Sydney Beasley (6.8 ppg) is the other returning starter. There’s enough athleticism in the rest of the lineup to make the Clippers a force in the district.
7. Tabb (5-15, 4-14): Kay Aultman is the Tigers’ third coach in as many years. The transition should be easy because she coached all but one of the players at Tabb Middle School. Point guard Jasmine Greene (10.4 ppg) runs the offense nicely and defends well, state high jump champ Christina Phillips (4.7 ppg) should help inside and team chemistry is good. The Tigers will win more than four district games this season.
8. York (6-18, 4-14): Tim Knapp says this is his most talented team in four seasons as the Falcons’ coach. All-District forward Carlie Hampton (11.6 ppg, 10.0 rpg) is the star. Point guard Shannon Lewis (6.6 ppg) and 5-11 forward Demetrice Stancil (5.1 ppg) both started last season. If the players up from the junior varsity mature, the Falcons could give the district’s top teams fits.
9. Smithfield (3-15, 3-15): Tiffany Butler, an aggressive forward with a nice mid-range jumper, averaged 12.2 points last season. The roster includes several players who gained significant experience last season, point guard Dashera Boone (7.1 ppg) among them, so the Packers should improve on last season’s record.
10. New Kent (5-17, 5-13): Guard Jordan Arrington (9.8 ppg) and forward Kayla Timberlake (8.6 ppg) are the only returning players from last season. Despite the lack of experience, coach Giarek Walker says the newcomers give the Trojans more speed and athleticism. He believes that will translate into more victories.
11. Warhill (first season): Don’t be surprised if the Lions finish better than 11th. Their coach, Norm Brungot, former girls’ varsity coach at Lafayette and Bethel, works his players hard and stresses fundamentals. But guard Glori King’s five games at Lafayette – before a knee injury sidelined her – is the extent of varsity experience this first year program possesses.
2. Lafayette (15-9, 12-6): The Rams return only three players but are more experienced than they appear on the surface. The centerpiece is 5-10 junior Addie Williams, a guard who can handle the ball, penetrate, shoot the long-range jumper and rebound. She should improve on her 16.5 average of last season, while creating matchup problems everywhere on the court. Rezoning strengthened the Rams’ backcourt by bringing guards Shenka Ferrell (5.5 ppg) and Endi Frazier (4.4 ppg) from district champion Jamestown. Jonisha Gray, honorable mention all-district, gives the Rams another experienced ball-handler. Coach Charles Brown boasts several athletic options in the post. If the post players do well, the Rams might overtake Poquoson for the district title.
3. Bruton (17-7, 14-4): The Panthers lost three starters and much of their perimeter shooting from a team that advanced to the Region I tournament. But they still have lots of athletic players with the ability to penetrate, along with plenty of young depth in the post. Forward Jennifer Falin, a 5-7 senior who averaged 13.5 points last season, leads a team talented enough to finish near the top of the district.
4. Southampton (7-11, 8-13): The Indians return the top two scorers in the district: smooth ball-handling point guard Anita Ricks (17.1 ppg) and post player Samantha Urquhart (16.7 ppg). Forward Randa Jessee (8.1 ppg) completes a strong nucleus. If the supporting cast develops some consistency the Indians could make a run at a regional tournament berth.
5. Jamestown (21-6, 16-2): The Eagles have won every district title since 2002, but their string of dominance likely will end this season. Senior guard Camille Banks (6.4 ppg) is the only holdover from the 2006 Group AA state championship team, as well as the only starter from last season’s district champs. Scoring might be an issue with the Eagles, but their man and zone-trap defenses will keep them competitive.
6. Grafton (16-7, 12-6): Shanice Watkins has departed for Elizabeth City State University, taking 15.9 points per game with her. Jasmine Williams-Hayes, who can play anywhere on the floor, should pick up some of the slack by improving on her 13.9 average. Swing player Sydney Beasley (6.8 ppg) is the other returning starter. There’s enough athleticism in the rest of the lineup to make the Clippers a force in the district.
7. Tabb (5-15, 4-14): Kay Aultman is the Tigers’ third coach in as many years. The transition should be easy because she coached all but one of the players at Tabb Middle School. Point guard Jasmine Greene (10.4 ppg) runs the offense nicely and defends well, state high jump champ Christina Phillips (4.7 ppg) should help inside and team chemistry is good. The Tigers will win more than four district games this season.
8. York (6-18, 4-14): Tim Knapp says this is his most talented team in four seasons as the Falcons’ coach. All-District forward Carlie Hampton (11.6 ppg, 10.0 rpg) is the star. Point guard Shannon Lewis (6.6 ppg) and 5-11 forward Demetrice Stancil (5.1 ppg) both started last season. If the players up from the junior varsity mature, the Falcons could give the district’s top teams fits.
9. Smithfield (3-15, 3-15): Tiffany Butler, an aggressive forward with a nice mid-range jumper, averaged 12.2 points last season. The roster includes several players who gained significant experience last season, point guard Dashera Boone (7.1 ppg) among them, so the Packers should improve on last season’s record.
10. New Kent (5-17, 5-13): Guard Jordan Arrington (9.8 ppg) and forward Kayla Timberlake (8.6 ppg) are the only returning players from last season. Despite the lack of experience, coach Giarek Walker says the newcomers give the Trojans more speed and athleticism. He believes that will translate into more victories.
11. Warhill (first season): Don’t be surprised if the Lions finish better than 11th. Their coach, Norm Brungot, former girls’ varsity coach at Lafayette and Bethel, works his players hard and stresses fundamentals. But guard Glori King’s five games at Lafayette – before a knee injury sidelined her – is the extent of varsity experience this first year program possesses.