Guard Play on Display Across Hampton Roads

During my short time covering girls basketball in Hampton Roads. I have watched a lot of basketball. I've had the opportunity to watch at least 20 different teams and close to 150 athletes compete in person.   Different gyms, different cities, and different jerseys.   Same takeaway.   The future of girls high school basketball in this region is bright.   The overall talent level is high, the depth of talent is deep, and the skill development I'm seeing — especially in the backcourt — is encouraging. Guards who can handle, create, defend, lead, and impact winning are becoming the norm, not the exception.   I'd like to highlight in no particular order some of the best back courts I've been blessed to see in person.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Manchester (Weaver & Edwards)</h3>   Weaver, a Malone commit, operates as the true floor general for the 14–1 Manchester Lancers. She controls tempo, initiates offense with purpose, and consistently puts teammates in advantageous positions. Weaver's impact extends beyond scoring, as she averages 9 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game while providing steady on-ball pressure and decision-making on both ends.   Alongside her is North Carolina Central commit Edwards, a dangerous perimeter threat. A confident shooter with deep range, Edwards is second on the team in scoring at 14 points per game. Her ability to stretch the defense both vertically and horizontally forces hard closeouts and opens driving lanes for Weaver to attack and facilitate.   Together, Weaver and Edwards give Manchester an experienced backcourt. One capable of controlling games, punishing coverage, and applying constant pressure defensively.    Adept at running an offense. Weaver is a true point guard who consistently balances scoring instincts with a strong feel for setting up teammates.     Edwards is a pure shooter who is effective scoring off the catch, a spot-up option, or generating her own offense. Her deep three-point range makes her a constant threat at all three levels.    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kellam (Kate & [player_tooltip player_id='443367' first='Mia' last='Spain']) – C/O 2027</h3>   More commonly known as “the Spain Twins,” Kate and [player_tooltip player_id='443367' first='Mia' last='Spain'] consistently present opposing staffs with a difficult question: Which one do you try and stop?   [player_tooltip player_id='443368' first='Kate' last='Spain'] is a lethal perimeter shooter confidence and range. She recently set her school record with 10 three-pointers in a game. Possessing a quick release that makes it extremely difficult for defenders to contest her shot. More than just a scorer, Kate is an advanced passer who uses her shooting ability to manipulate defenses—pulling defenders out of position before finding cutters or feeding the post. She currently averages 14 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals per game, second on the team only to her sister.   [player_tooltip player_id='443367' first='Mia' last='Spain'] serves as Kellam's primary play maker and offensive engine. Equally effective in the half court and in transition. Mia can push the ball on a break, operate on the wing, or control the game as a lead guard. In the half court, defenses must honor both her scoring and playmaking ability. She possesses elite court vision, strong change of pace, and the ability to get into the paint and finish at the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='443367' first='Mia' last='Spain'] leads Kellam at 18 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals per game, anchoring the Knights' back court on both ends   Together, Kate and Mia form one of the most dynamic and difficult backcourts in the region to game-plan for, blending shot-making, playmaking, and basketball IQ at a high level.    With a quick release and shooting range, Spain forces defenses to stay connected beyond the arc. Her high basketball IQ and court vision enable her to create quality opportunities for teammates.     One of the purest shooters in Virginia, Mia is capable of filling up the stat sheet. Whether in the half court or in transition, the ball in her hands presents a constant problem for defenders.    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lakeland ([player_tooltip player_id='1110727' first='Janae' last='Carter'] & [player_tooltip player_id='1376838' first='Jada' last='Durham']) – C/O 2026, 2029</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1110727' first='Janae' last='Carter'] provides the backbone of Lakeland's backcourt, thriving in her role as the on-court mentor and tone-setter. A true bulldog defensively, Carter embraces contact and consistently plays bigger than her 5'6” frame. She is strong enough to overpower most guards in man-to-man situations, yet athletic enough to contain quicker matchups on the perimeter. Carter's leadership shows up across the stat sheet, as she leads Lakeland averaging 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 steals per game, impacting winning on both ends of the floor.   Running alongside her is freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1376838' first='Jada' last='Durham'], a guard who plays well beyond her years and carries a high developmental ceiling. At 5'4”, Durham uses her advanced ball-handling ability and speed to consistently get to the basket. That same quickness translates defensively, where she averages 3 steals per contest, while also contributing 13 points per game.   This senior–freshman tandem is one of the more unique back courts in the group, blending experience, physicality, and emerging skill. The contrasting styles and complementary tools make Carter and Durham one of the more intriguing and entertaining back courts to watch in the region.    A coach's dream, Carter impacts winning in multiple ways. Whether it's rebounding through positioning and physicality. Organizing the offense, or setting the tone defensively with on-ball pressure.     Durham possesses a high long-term ceiling and has already proven she can put the ball in the basket. With continued physical development, her impact and production are projected to increase across the board.    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Western Branch ([player_tooltip player_id='1201494' first='Suki' last='Warden'] & [player_tooltip player_id='1574832' first='Jamiah' last='Parham']) – C/O 2026, 2029</h3>   This “fire and ice” tandem is anchored by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1201494' first='Suki' last='Warden']. Warden provides the steady, under-pressure leadership every young team needs. As the lone senior in a starting lineup that features four freshmen, Warden has embraced the responsibility of being the calm within the chaos. Her intentional, composed approach keeps Western Branch organized on both ends of the floor. A true three-level scorer, she also anchors the defense at the point of attack. Warden is averaging 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game, production that speaks not only to her versatility, but to her ability to lead and stabilize an offense.   Providing the “fire” in the duo is impressive freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1574832' first='Jamiah' last='Parham']. Parham, a guard whose talent belies the fact that this is her first year of high school basketball. An aggressive slasher with confidence and burst. Parham attacks defenders with a relentless approach. While also showing the ability to score in various ways. She is currently averaging 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists per game. Her trajectory suggests she is on pace to become one of the region's premier players over the next four years.   Together, Warden and Parham complement each other well, giving Western Branch a talented, and dynamic backcourt tasked nightly with guiding a young roster through a demanding schedule.     Warden's all-around game is highlighted by her innate leadership and consistent impact on winning. Her ability to create separation for her shot, along with her effectiveness as a passer within structure, distinguishes her from many at her position.     Scoring is the ultimate currency, and this freshman has already proven she can provide it. Entrusted with carrying the offensive load on a young team, she has responded by leading the team in both scoring and steals.    Seeing these teams firsthand has reinforced just how strong the guard play is in Hampton Roads. The backcourts highlighted here represent only a portion of the talent driving the level of play across the region.

During my short time covering girls basketball in Hampton Roads. I have watched a lot of basketball. I've had the opportunity to watch at least 20 different teams and close to 150 athletes compete in person.