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[Lynn Burke]

STORY: Springers' Rozell best in the state

Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. - Highland Springs dominated Group AAA boys basketball during the season, and it's no surprise that the Springers dominate the awards, too.

Brandon Rozzell was selected the Group AAA boys player of the year in balloting by state sports writers, and teammate Jamar Abrams joined him as a first-team choice.

Rozzell, a 6-2 senior, averaged 20.6 points, 4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.3 steals. He made 78 3-pointers on 46.8 percent shooting from behind the arc, and had seven 3-pointers in a victory against Nansemond River in the state quarterfinals.

Abrams, a 6-6 senior, averaged 18.9 points and 6.5 rebounds. He converted 61 3-pointers on 49.4 percent shooting, and had the last four of those in the state championship game. Shot 49.4 percent from beyond arc and 85.9 percent from foul line.

Their coach, George Lancaster, was voted the coach of the year after guiding the Springers to a 28-2 record and their second state championship in five seasons.

The first team also includes seniors Myles Holley of Booker T. Washington and Ridge McKeither of G.W.-Danville and junior Andre Jones of Nansemond River.

Holley, 6-5, averaged 16.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4 blocks overall, and boosted his production to 24.6 points and 13.5 rebounds in the postseason. He scored 32 against Menchville in the Region semifinals to help send the defending Group AAA state champions back to the state tournament, and a career-high 35 against Petersburg in the state quarterfinals.

McKeither, 6-5, averaged 15.8 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He shot 60.4 percent from the field to lead the team to state championship game.

Jones, 6-2, averaged 20.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 3.4 steals and 2.5 blocks to help lead Warriors to state tournament for the first time since 1998.

The all-senior second team includes Cameron Long of Freedom, Mike Davis of T.C. Williams, J.C. Chaney of G.W.-Danville, Braxton Byerson of Thomas Dale and Mickey White of Albemarle.