High School Teams To Look for This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Princess Ann High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defending state champions, ranked among the top teams in the country by ESPN, have added some marquee games to the schedule this year. There is no doubt that [player_tooltip player_id='443350' first='Micah' last='Ojo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='468758' first='Tristan' last='Rickenbacker'] are two of the best one-two punches in the state! The key for this team is to have the role players continue to produce, [player_tooltip player_id='808832' first='Jizelle' last='James'] is a player who solidifies a good big three for this program!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Catholic&nbsp;High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great young team that is loaded with high-end talent. The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='443366' first='Justice' last='Brown Jones'] can really take this team to the next level. Along with elite basketball prospects [player_tooltip player_id='735561' first='Lauryn' last='Loritts'] and arguably one of the best shooters in the state regardless of class [player_tooltip player_id='551094' first='Riley' last='Lynch']. Also, with a major spark plug coming off the bench look for [player_tooltip player_id='746290' first='Sydney' last='Youngblood'] to gain experience and log heavy minutes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>S3 Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Year end and year out as S3 Academy has put together solid seasons, in a great collection of basketball talent. Led by ESPN-ranked player, Savannah Dawson. [player_tooltip player_id='1107195' first='Filomena' last='Louis'] is a dynamic point guard who is a playmaker for this program. With new additions [player_tooltip player_id='1309226' first='Traidah' last='Matongo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1309228' first='Sarata' last='Doumbia'], they have elite size that can compete to be one of the top teams in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saint James Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A first-year of high school program and arguably the best team in the state! They have an embarrassment of riches in their lineup. Headlining is [player_tooltip player_id='433871' first='Jordyn' last='Jackson'] committed to going to the University of Maryland. They have a total of four ESPN players, including [player_tooltip player_id='1252703' first='Jezelle' last='Banks'], [player_tooltip player_id='861947' first='Ashley' last='MacCalla'], and Jayada Dixon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norfolk Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Under new leadership at the head coach position, but it is still a very talented team with good players. [player_tooltip player_id='569079' first='Abuna' last='Ruop'] is a player who can control the middle of a defense and is an elite shot blocker. Now veteran player [player_tooltip player_id='443354' first='Keira' last='Kilkenny'] is one of the better wings and shooters in the 2027 class. But they may be led by one of the best freshman prospects in the 2029 class in the state of Virginia [player_tooltip player_id='741652' first='Brianna' last='Norman'] who is a dynamic player that can score from the point guard position!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Ireton&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This program took a hit last season, losing 4 Division one players. But this team did not have to rebuild. They just reloaded adding key players. Major additions [player_tooltip player_id='946891' first='Mackenzie' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='983664' first='Nina' last='Mceldon'], and [player_tooltip player_id='740636' first='Laniyah' last='Ginger'] add good young talent to this team. Along with two returning players [player_tooltip player_id='443362' first='Londyn' last='Ferguson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='786426' first='Kai' last='Davis'], this team will be young, but look for them to form into shape during the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gainesville High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the team makeup and the talent, this is the year that is going to be arguably one of the better shots for this high school to win the state championship! With good senior leadership led by Towson commit [player_tooltip player_id='579893' first='Peyton' last='White'] team has its fair share of talented players. The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='551071' first='Leylani' last='Abraham'] gives this team one of the better frontlines in the state. Look for a breakout season from sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='962759' first='Brooklyn' last='Madison'] who needs to be productive for this team to take that next jump!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manchester High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably one of the more consistent programs in the state of Virginia Manchester has made the final state championship games for three years straight. Last year they looked undermanned with some key injuries, but amazingly they were in the game and could've snuck in another championship. This season they will be led by [player_tooltip player_id='443620' first='Madison' last='Smith'], who is starting to come into her own as a player. They will have great senior leadership in the back court with [player_tooltip player_id='392204' first='Keileen' last='Edwards'] and [player_tooltip player_id='376327' first='Finley' last='Weaver']. [player_tooltip player_id='912142' first='Amirah' last='Royal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='912150' first='Nova' last='Taylor'] will keep two pieces that will require additional production for the team's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->