Best of the Southeastern District heading into 2021
The upcoming high school basketball season will be one like nothing we’ve seen before. Shortened schedules, attendance concerns, and COVID regulations for players will make the 2021 season one for the history books. Whenever the ladies in the state of…
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Continue ReadingThe upcoming high school basketball season will be one like nothing we’ve seen before. Shortened schedules, attendance concerns, and COVID regulations for players will make the 2021 season one for the history books. Whenever the ladies in the state of Virginia take the floor, all eyes will be on the heavily competitive Southeastern District. The district that is comprised of Chesapeake and Suffolk high schools, features some high level young players as well as an impressive upperclassman led team that will make this a fun district to watch on a nightly basis. Going into 2021 there are three teams in particular that have high hopes within the district.
Indian River High School – Chesapeake, VA – Last Season: 14-9 (9-4) 3rd in Disrtict
Coach Kelly and the Indian River Lady Braves are returning three starters from last season, none more vital than junior guard Yasmine Brown. Brown, a 2019-2020 first team all conference performer, poured in huge scoring numbers a season ago and proved that she can impact the game on both sides of the court. Look for her to continue the momentum built last year into a possible player of the year campaign in 2021. Her backcourt mate, Sandra Mason (2nd team all conference 2019-202) showed increasing confidence towards the end of the year and can be a great compliment to the dynamic Brown. The upperclassman back court of Brown and Mason will give every team in the district a problem, but sophomore Nalani Simmons Nalani Simmons 5'9" | SF Deep Creek | 2023 State VA may catch teams by surprise. Simmons, who started much of last season as a freshman, was able to gain valuable experience which should be a confidence booster heading into this season.
King’s Fork High School – Suffolk, VA – Last Season: 18-5 (14-4) 2nd in District
The King’s Fork Lady Bulldogs, most likely the favorite in the division, return the reigning Coach of the Year, Maurice Fofana and last years first team all conference performer, Nyah Gaston. Gaston, now a sophomore, impressed many on the AAU circuit and is continuing to develop into a potent three level scorer. As an emerging star Gaston has the luxury of having a backcourt mate who is just as capable of making the big play. Arlisha Boston, 2019-20 2nd team all conference is a polished scorer who has a great feel for the game. What this backcourt may lack in experience, they make up for it in effort and skill. It’ll be difficult to find a pair of 2023 guards with as much potential as the Gaston and Boston.
Lakeland High School – Suffolk, VA – Last Season: 19-4 (8-4) 4th in District
Leading the Lady Cavaliers we have yet another dynamic backcourt. Junior guard Kemonye Canady(2019-20 1st team all conference) and Jaelyn Brown(2019-20 2nd team all conference). Of the three all conference backcourts in this division, Canady and Brown may be the most exciting to watch. Both are very good in transition, and both are high level passers, able and willing to make plays for others. The Lady Cavs are a young scrappy group who play hard for thirty-two minutes, no matter the opponent. They play well as a group but will only go as far as their backcourt leads them.
Three All Conference backcourts, three teams with one goal, but there will only be one champion. Who will be the last team standing in the Southeastern District come February? The Braves, Bulldogs, or Cavaliers? The fun is set to begin soon as the season is scheduled to start late December 2020.