Henrico Wins Richmond Team Camp
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Under Head Basketball Coach
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normal'>Vance Harmon, the Henrico Warriors have been among the very best
teams in the state of Virginia year in and year out.
style=> They've made the State Tournament three
consecutive years, winning the school's first ever state title in 2013 and
falling in the Group 5A title game to Potomac.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In Harmon's 11 seasons at the helm, the Warriors have
won no fewer than 14 games in any season, compiling a gaudy record of 234-72
(.765). With seven players back from
last season's team, led by highly regarded D-1 prospect
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>De'Monte
normal'> Buckingham from the Class of 2016, Henrico figures to be on the
short list of legitimate Championship contenders in 5A once again.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Further solidifying the sentiment that Henrico could be
playing into March was their undefeated 10-0 run to win the University of Richmond
Team Camp last weekend. They outlasted a
strong field that featured the likes of Gonzaga (D.C.), Hedgesville (WV) and
Robinson reaching the Final Four, beating Hedgesville in the Finals.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>"What we were trying to go into the camp with was keep
somewhat of a clean slate as to who can step up to new roles and who has been
working on their games as individuals.
We also wanted them to show that they can accept the reigns and put
their stamp on this year's team," Harmon told VirginiaPreps.com.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>"Our veteran players took ownership of this new group.
style=> We had a core of young players that were
particularly impressive, too."
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Buckingham, a talented 6-foot-3 wing that's rated a
three-star prospect by Rivals.com, was the main attraction and that's
understandable. The reigning 5A State
Player of the Year holds double-digit offers that include the Spiders as well
as Cincinnati, Hofstra, Longwood, Maryland, Old Dominion, Radford, Rhode
Island, VCU, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Henrico got significant boosts from 6-foot-1 shooting
guard Ryan Pearson - - D-1 prospect
in his own right with current offers from Navy and Northern Arizona - - as well
as versatile 6-foot-3 guard Walter
Williams.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Pearson missed the first day of action while attending
American University's Elite Camp. He
averaged 14.2 points per game a season ago while netting home a team-high 65
three-pointers. Williams was a key
reserve who put up 6.6PPG and should now crack the starting lineup.
style=> Both will be seniors next winter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>"The first time we played Robinson, Ryan wasn't there
and the game was very close. When he
returned, he played like the rising senior that he is, third year on the team
and really was the one that put us over the top for the rest of the games,"
Harmon said.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>"Williams really took off big time, too.
style=> He's gotten longer, more skilled and
stronger. Although the buzz every time
you walk on he floor, especially from out of town teams, is they want to know
which one Buckingham is and he nationally gets all the attention, I was pleased
to see other kid prove they're more than worthy of stepping up and being there."
style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Marquis
Johnson
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>(5'11" Sr.) and Tristan
Bazemore (6'0" Sr.), two other returnees, are
likely to see increased playing time for the Warriors in 2014-15.
style=> Five underclassmen, in addition to their
established star in Buckingham, showed promise also.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Five-foot-11 guard Jamal
Newton is a rising junior that's a hard-nosed ball-hawk type who can find
his way on to the floor with his hustle.
Adding to that depth in the backcourt are 5-foot-8 rising freshman
class=SpellE>Timon
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Jones and 5-foot-8 rising sophomore
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Chris Morris.
style=> Jones is a cat-quick point guard and younger
brother of ex-Henrico standout Timmy Jones, while Morris is a potential floor
general in the making.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In the front-court, 6-foot-5 center
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>D'Marco
normal'> Suggs is the tallest player back on the team and the rising
sophomore will be asked to control the paint.
Giving him help will be rising junior
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Isaiah Miller, who despite being only
6-feet-tall, serves as a blue-collar rebounder and defender.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The ingredients are in place for Henrico to have a
special team. From the looks of things,
they look further ahead at this point compared to a year ago, even though the
Head Coach proceeds cautiously.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>"I'm very careful or guarded to compare from year to
year because I really feel like each team has its own unique identity.
style=> Last year, we came into the season as
defending State Champs, but that was in name only because we really only had
one starter back and a guy who came off the bench.
style=> We had to fill some huge holes and we were
more trying to figure out who we were at that point with the huge bull's-eye on
our back," remarked Harmon.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>"Now, we've got a good chunk of the team back that had
a nice run last year. They now know what
it's about and I think that they have to re-fine their skills, game and things
of that nature. We had an undefeated
J.V. team last year as well, so you mix those kids in with it and it looks like
it might be a nice little recipe."
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>�
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