Girls 2011-2012 high school basketball preview

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Liz light

Princess Anne star Elizabeth Williams moved on to Duke after four years of dominating the paint and guiding the Cavaliers to last year’s Group AAA state championship.

Titans minus trio

Lake Taylor’s talented trio – Toia Giggetts, Crystal Leary, Linda Stepney – graduated after winning a state title (2010), three unbeaten Eastern District title runs and scoring more than 3,200 career points.

Dynamic duo

Western Branch’s Da’Lishia Griffin is back after a broken foot kept her out of postseason, and fellow junior Shanese Harris returns after leading South Hampton Roads in scoring.

Transfer of power

It’s no surprise that familiar faces are in new places. Among the prominent transfers: Delisia Sharpe moved from Nansemond River to Suffolk rival King’s Fork.

Public-private tussles

The December schedule features rare match-ups between some the area’s top Group AAA and private schools, including Princess Anne-Norfolk Christian, Cape Henry-Lake Taylor and Wilson-Norfolk Collegiate.

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BEACH DISTRICT

FIVE PLAYERS YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Princess Anne G Galaisha Goodhope, a play-making Old Dominion signee, should be the focus of the Cavs’ attack after Elizabeth Williams’ departure to Duke.
• Salem G Brehanna Daniels (8.6 ppg, 2.6 steals) heads a SunDevils offense that welcomes back four starters from a 22-win team.
• Ocean Lakes G Shrita Parker (19.1 ppg, 10 rpg) was a first-team All-Beach pick last season as a freshman.
• Landstown G Amaya Ransom, a 5-10 sharpshooter, is part of a talented Eagles sophomore class that also includes Gabrielle Swinson and Peyton Miesse.
• Bayside F Katherine Thomas (11.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg) could help push Bayside back toward the top of the Beach.

PREDICTIONS Last season’s record in parentheses

1. Princess Anne (31-1, 18-0) Elizabeth Williams will be missed, but Galaisha Goodhope (ODU) is joined by two fellow Division I signees: Aisha Foy (Radford) and Bria Powell (Richmond). Foy returns after missing most of last season with an injury. Morgan Cooper, a junior, also is back.

2. Salem (22-4, 16-2) Four starters are back from a team that went 22-1 against teams not named Princess Anne: guards Brehanna Daniels and Alliyah Floyd (8.5 ppg) and forwards Areana Davis (7.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg) and Tyshara Fleming (8 ppg, 13.5 rpg). They’re joined by G Jada Carrillo (5.6 ppg) and transfers Shaleise Boyd, a 6-4 center from Tallwood, and Tiashana Morris, a junior guard from Landstown.

3. Landstown (14-11, 11-7) Coach Vic Rosado says his “trio of super sophomores – Amaya Ransom, Gabrielle Swinson (9.2 ppg) and Peyton Miesse – should help the Eagles challenge the district’s top teams. Senior Mia Cooper and juniors Tiffany Jones and Kala White also should contribute.

4. First Colonial (10-13, 8-10) Sarah Bollman (11.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg), the team’s only senior, returns and likely will be joined in the starting lineup by four underclassmen. Among the candidates are sophomores Raya Berkley, Bridget Marois, Carly Wareing and Taylor Cimbalist and freshman Ladaja James.

5. Bayside (9-14, 6-12) Junior F Katherine Thomas (11.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg) highlights a group of four returning starters. Doneshia Davis (9 ppg), Ashleigh Perkins (8.4 ppg) and Monisha Gordon (5 ppg) also are back.

6. Ocean Lakes (7-14, 5-13) Shrita Parker’s arrival last season as a freshman helped the Dolphins leap out of the basement after a two-win campaign in 2009-10. Parker – the Beach’s top scorer at 19.1 ppg last season – is back, along with Nicole Rossi, Kaitlyn Lehan and Monee Wiggins.

7. Kellam (11-12, 8-10) F Rose Williams (13.4 ppg) returns, along with fellow seniors Mikayla Plansker and Chloe Boros and junior Kayla McNair. Newcomers include freshman Sara Whitaker and Alex Kimble, a transfer from Texas.

8. Kempsville (5-16, 5-13) The Chiefs rebounded from an 0-12 start last season, and those growing pains could pay dividends this season. Four starters – Elizabeth Connelly (9.8 ppg), Delaney McDermott, Emily Murphy and Tayanna Mullins – are back, and they’re joined by junior G Labria Wilson, a transfer from Cape Henry.

9. Tallwood (17-8, 14-4) Doug Carter takes over as coach. Good news: Veteran forward Denisha Forbes and guards Shara Fuller, Katelyn Wong and Saria Parker return. Bad news: The top three scorers left after last season, including Shaleise Boyd (8.7 ppg), now at Salem.

10. Cox (9-13, 8-10) Senior guards Lauren Muncy and Brittany Krause are joined by freshman G Kia Jefferson, a transfer from Georgia.

11. Green Run (0-20, 0-18) The Stallions, 1-35 in Beach play the past two seasons, have newcomers Whitney Campbell, a freshman point guard, and senior C Maya Robinson.

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EASTERN DISTRICT

FIVE PLAYERS YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Wilson G Monnazjea Finney-Smith (16.2 ppg, 5 rpg), a junior, has scholarship offers from eight Division I programs and F Kalilah Ali averaged a double-double last season.
• Lake Taylor guards Feyonda Fitzgerald (8 ppg) and Ariel Wilson (7 ppg) anchor a harassing backcourt defense that should give opposing point guards fits.
• Senior F La’Shay Lucas (10.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg) highlights an experienced Norview squad.

PREDICTIONS Last season’s record in parentheses

1. Lake Taylor (26-1, 14-0) The Titans – 42-0 in district play the previous three regular seasons – have lost some firepower, but few teams can match coach Saundra Sawyer’s frenetic pace. With guards Feyonda Fitzgerald, Ariel Wilson and Diamond Vinson and F Jordan Mitchell-Hormel (6 ppg, 6 rpg), there won’t be much of a drop off.

2. Wilson (15-9, 10-4) Monnazjea Finney-Smith and Kalilah Ali (9.2) return to bolster a team that features a host of underclassmen, including sophomores Taura Jones (6.6 ppg), Kinyeer Kirton (5.3 ppg) and Tommarah Harris (3.6 ppg).

3. Maury (17-7, 10-4) One of the area’s top scorers, G Dashae Jones (18.4 ppg), graduated, but there’s plenty of star power left.

4. Norcom (9-13, 5-9) Three starters return: junior G Katrea Edwards (9 ppg), junior C Briana Sawyer and seniors Geriann Salkey and Diamynde Daniels (7.2 ppg). Reagan Taylor also returns, and Jo’tophia Carby transferred in from North Carolina.

5. Booker T. Washington (19-6, 10-4) The lineup includes four three-year starters – Sherleace Lyles, Shanyah Gholson, Cherry Bell and Antoinette Alleyne – who have racked up 36 victories during the past two seasons.

6. Churchland (7-14, 5-9) Eight players who saw significant playing time return, including seniors Tatiana Stevens, Bria Hill, Makala Perry and Chelsi Lang.

7. Norview (3-17, 2-12) Second-year coach Jacob Lewis says he has “the most experienced team in the district.” His eight seniors include La’Shay Lucas (10.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg), Chelsea Mitchell (5.2 ppg) and Amanda Berry (6.2 ppg).

8. Granby (2-18, 0-14) The Comets are winless in the district during the past two seasons.

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SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT

FIVE PLAYERS YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Grassfield G Nola Anderson was a first-team all-district picked and helped lead the Grizzlies to the Eastern Region quarterfinals.
• Nansemond River G Janel Cannon (10.1 ppg, 4.2 apg, 6.1 rpg) is one of the area’s most versatile players.
• Western Branch G Shanese Harris led South Hampton Roads in scoring last season as a sophomore and is racking up scholarship offers.
• Western Branch C Da’Lishia Griffin, a 6-2 junior, is back at full strength after a broken foot kept her out of postseason.
• King’s Fork C Delisia Sharpe arrives from Nansemond River after averaging 17 ppg last season.

PREDICTIONS Last season’s record in parentheses

1. Western Branch (25-3, 17-1) The Bruins and coach Troy Terry are 48-7 over the past two seasons, and this year could be ready to make a deep postseason run. Shanese Harris and Da’Lishia Griffin are a difficult duo to deal with, and Alexis McKay returns after averaging 8 points and 8 rebounds last season.

2. King’s Fork (13-12, 11-7) Three starters graduated, but the addition of 6-4 Delisia Sharpe gives the Bulldogs an imposing front line with sophomore Khadedra Croker (10.8 ppg). Guards Chantel Roberts and Kurtisha Ewell also return.

3. Nansemond River (19-6, 15-3) Janel Cannon highlights a talented squad that features four returning starters and three players who averaged in double figures. Also back are Ashante Humphries (10 ppg), Denell Fox (11 ppg), Sonnae Gibson (5 rpg) and Jasmine Arthur.

4. Grassfield (17-8, 13-5) The Grizzlies went 7-2 down the stretch last season and return four of their top five scorers, led by juniors Nola Anderson (15.7 ppg) and Courtni Williams (12.5 ppg). But post player Lindsey Stimeling, who has signed with Air Force, suffered an offseason shoulder injury and will miss her entire senior season.

5. Indian River (13-8, 12-6) Leading scorer Kierra Dunnington graduated, but the Braves aren’t without experience. Among those who saw significant time last season: Chelsea Harrison (5.1 ppg), Treazure Davis, Briahna Watford, Daneda Simon, Breona Cowan and Sacha Cheeseboro.

6. Deep Creek (12-9, 10-8) The Hornets could be ready to make a move toward the top of the district. Four-year starter Iman Williams (15 ppg) is joined by Krista Moss, Dazmone’ Joseph and Breanna Boone.

7. Great Bridge (2-18, 2-16) Coach Lashelle Elliott said the Wildcats are quicker and deeper. Senior G Imani Heggins (13.7 ppg, 8 rpg) and junior F Tori Tulsenru (12.3 ppg) are joined by freshmen Tyler Holloway and Toriana Jackson.

8. Oscar Smith (5-15, 5-14) Peter Gilmartin takes over as coach, with senior G Tyana Daniels (9.9 ppg) and junior G/F Ki-Juana Lawrence (4.5 ppg) returning.

9. Hickory (5-17, 3-15) Second-year coach George Vandross has a mix of youth and experience, led by juniors Caitlyn Douglas (6 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Marilyn Brothers (2.6 ppg). Freshmen Alexis Smith and Elizabeth Miles also are expected to contribute.

10. Lakeland (4-18, 2-16) The Cavaliers dipped to four wins, going 1-13 in its final 14 games after winning eight times the previous season.

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PRIVATE DISTRICT

PREDICTIONS

Bishop Sullivan Catholic (9-14 overall) The Crusaders grew up last season and now welcome back returning seniors Katie Burt (14 ppg), Brigid O’Dowd, Bronwyn Nagle and Kyle Russell.

Cape Henry (29-2) The Dolphins have five seniors and a new coach – Nicole Jackson – after winning the Tidewater Conference regular-season and tourney crowns and then claiming the program’s first VISAA state title. Sophomore Bianca Roach and three-year starter Alexis Smith return, and freshman Angie Williams should contribute.

Isle of Wight (14-12) Ally VanCampen (11 ppg, 10 rpg) and Amanda Williams (6 ppg) return for the Chargers. Nansemond-Suffolk (12-11) The Saints look ready to challenge the Tidewater Conference’s top teams, led by All-TCIS first-teamer Morgan Lokie (12 ppg, 5 rpg) and fellow veterans Jessica Pieroni (10 ppg), Sarah Baldwin (7 ppg), Macy Mears and Kaylor Nash. Harper Birdson, an eighth-grader arrives after averaging 20 ppg on JV last season.

Norfolk Academy (16-8) Thirteen players are back, including junior Riley Tata (11 ppg, 5.9 rpg), and seniors Naadira Moyston (7.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg) and Dani Johnson (5.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg).

Norfolk Christian 22-8) Coach Joe Scott takes over a team that has become a Tidewater Conference and VISAA power. A pair of star veterans – junior G Latrice Hunter (19 ppg, 6 apg) and junior G/F Danielle Webster (20 ppg, 9 rpg) – are joined by senior C Shannon Sevell, junior F Nicole Lester and sophomores Taylor Brown and Rachel Bondi.

Norfolk Collegiate (19-9) Eight players – and three starters – are back from last season. Senior G Dee Maddox (15.5 ppg, 4 rpg) was an all-conference pick, and she returns along with junior G Raven Evans (12.5 ppg). A pair of transfers also should help: Briana Hale (Maury) and Erica Hildebrand (Landstown).