3A Hoops Top Ten - #10 Armstrong

Throughout the month of November, VirginiaPreps.com will begin previewing the upcoming 2016-17 High School Basketball season. As part of our comprehensive coverage, we will be counting down the Top Ten rankings for each classification.

The Skinny: Getting to the regional playoffs from rugged Conference 26 has yet to happen for these Wildcats, who last got there when finishing 24-4 overall and reached the semifinals of the Central Region Tournament back in 2012-13. That was one of the most talented Armstrong teams that Head Coach Darryl Watts has ever had, featuring the explosive trio of Robert Valentine, Tavon Mealy and Kevon Cooley. While comparing this squad to that group would be unfair, the mixture of youth and experience along with speed and athleticism on this year’s roster brings plenty of optimism.

Marchelus Avery, a 6’6” sophomore forward, scored 23 points for Highland Springs against Armstrong a year ago and has now joined a Wildcats team that figures to start at least three seniors around him in 6’5” center Stephon Davis, 6’2” forward Nigel Chavis (8PPG) and 6’2” guard Travon Brown (5PPG, 3APG, 2SPG). They’re also counting on another newcomer, Thomas Dale transfer Joe Smith, for production. Given Armstrong’s style of play, preferring to be up-tempo and pressing quite regularly, building a bench will be critical for them to battle the likes of John Marshall, Hopewell, George Wythe and others come playoff time.

Final 3A Rankings for 2015-16:

#1 – Norcom (29-1)

#2 – Hopewell (23-6)

#3 – Northside (27-2)

#4 – John Marshall (23-7)

#5 – Spotswood (23-5)

#6 – Cave Spring (22-6)

#7 – Culpeper (20-4)

#8 – Western Albemarle (24-7)

#9 – Park View-South Hill (18-8)

#10 – Rustburg (17-6)

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