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StatVA Girls Hoops Classic Press Release

StatVA in partnership with Quanitra Hollingsworth is proud to announce that the 2017 StatVA Classic will be returning to Highland Springs High School for two days of exciting girls basketball action on January 13 and 14.

The StatVA Classic has become the premiere event for viewing girls basketball in the state of Virginia the last seven seasons. Due to the high demand of quality teams wanting to participate in the event, this will be the third year the event has expanded to a two day format.

StatVA is also proud to announce continued partnerships with the HCS Media network for radio coverage and CarterBorn Productions for media coverage of the games.


Friday, January 13 Action:

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5:00 pm LC Bird Skyhawks (Chesterfield, VA) vs. Atlantic Shores Seahawks (Chesapeake, VA)

LC Bird enters the 2017 StatVA Classic an event veteran (5th appearance), but young and inexperienced (eight freshmen and sophomores) on the court. LC Bird’s roster only has two seniors with one being returning starter, team captain, and team leader point guard Madison Baum who is injured and hasn’t played this season. By game time Coach Chevette Waller’s young Skyhawks will be battle tested as they play in the competitive Dominion district featuring Midlothian, Huguenot, Cosby (3x defending 6A champion), and nationally ranked Monacan (2x defending 4A champion). LC Bird will look to continue their recent success as they have been in the state tournament 3 out of the last 4 years including a runner up finish in the 2015 5A state final to powerhouse Princess Anne.

Head Coach Kevin Walton brings Atlantic Shores to the StatVA Classic for the first time coming off winning 20 games a season ago. Junior Tyla Happer (19ppg) leads the attack for the Seahawks along with Sophomore Chaniqwa Gilliam (11ppg 9 rpg 10apg) who is almost averaging a triple double and was an all-conference performer a season ago. Four out of the top five scorers for Atlantic Shores are underclassmen as Atlantic Shores will be loaded again next year especially 6’2 freshman post Sarah Fitzgerald (6ppg 10rpg) who is already garnering interest from college coaches and was an all-conference selection last season.


6:30 pm Huguenot Falcons (Richmond, VA) vs. Western Branch Bruins (Chesapeake, VA)

Huguenot returns to the StatVA Classic after being schedule to pay in the second event, but did not make it to the game for unforeseen circumstances, but the return that Huguenot is really excited about is the return of Taya Robinson. Robinson a VCU signee is a 3x all state performer starring since she was state player of the year as a freshman. Robinson missed last of her Junior year due to injury, but Coach Bo Jones led the Lady Falcons through the tough Dominion District and into a state quarterfinal berth in the 4A state playoffs where they fell to state runner up William Fleming.

Western Branch is no stranger to the StatVA Classic as they have been an event regular. Western Branch features Senior double-double machine Jazmine Johnson (16ppg 11rpg) who was an all-region performer a season ago. Johnson had a huge game a season ago in the StatVA Classic when she scored 16 points grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked 4 shots. Troy Terry also relies on guard Cierra Cook (10ppg 4asp 3.6spg) to form a formidable inside outside punch. Western Branch went on the road to South Carolina over the Christmas break and showed great in the Carolina Invitational Tournament playing teams from West Virginia, Georgia, and South Carolina.


8:00 pm Hopewell Blue Devils (Hopewell, VA) vs. Deep Creek Hornets (Chesapeake, VA)

The nightcap of Day 1 features an up and coming Deep Creek program led by Coach Kip Sutton. Coach Sutton has developed the philosophy in the program as they will play anyone and participated in the Silver Division of the prestigious Boo Williams Christmas Tournament. Deep Creek is led by Tiara Williams who averages double figures and was an all-conference performer a season ago. Deep Creek will enter the matchup having played a tough schedule because in addition to playing in the Boo Williams tournament they play in one of the toughest conferences in 4A. Conference 17 features the likes of Kings Fork, Lake Taylor, Deep Creek, and Woodrow Wilson. The Hopewell Lady Blue Devils are another program on the rise. Hopewell has two Seniors already signed to Division I programs which is a first for the girls’ basketball program at Hopewell High which has a rich boys’ basketball tradition. Coach Jackie Edmonds attack starts with Tyah Hunter (Furman signee) a forward who averages over 15ppg, but Georgia Tech signee 6’3 Daijah Jefferson may be the most important player on the team. Jefferson is rated in the top 100 (#56) who can play in the post and can handle the ball on the perimeter. Hopewell will look to make a deep run in the 3A playoffs and own a big win over 3x defending 6A champion Cosby already this season.


Saturday, January 14 Action:

Tina Lindenfield and Midlothian take on Landstown
Tina Lindenfield and Midlothian take on Landstown (Bob Lanum)

11:30 am Midlothian Trojans (Midlothian, VA) vs. Landstown Eagles (Virginia Beach, VA)

Coach Adam Layton and Midlothian make their third appearance in the StatVA Classic and his team is led by Radford commit Tina Lindenfeld who leads the team in all major categories; points (15.6), rebounds (5.3), assists (2.5), blocks (1.9) and steals (3.0). Midlothian is a team that plays in the competitive Dominion District featuring Monacan, Cosby, Huguenot, and LC Bird and played Monacan for the 4A state championship in 2015. The Trojans will look to start the day off with a big win against a Landstown team that went to the 6A state quarterfinals a year ago, before dropping a tough contest to state runner-up Langley at ODU.

Vic Rosado’s Lady Eagles are led by four play players Senior center 6’1 Shanika Peterkin (7ppg 9rpg 5bpg) patrolling the middle, Junior PG Alexa Roberson (9pgg), and Sophomores Alyssa Norris (10ppg) and Zoe Maynard (10ppg). Landstown hangs its hat on playing solid defense. Landstown has held every opponent under 40 points except for rival and state power Princess Anne. Landstown has even held two opponents to single digits (Dale-8 and Cox-9)


1:00 pm Osbourn Park Yellow Jackets (Manassas, VA) vs. Broadway Gobblers (Broadway, VA)

Head coach Cliff Gorham will bring his Lady Jackets down to the StatVA Classic for the first time since 2015 and third time overall. Osbourn Park won their division of the Boo Williams Christmas Tournament defeating defending 6A South region champion Woodside in the finals in overtime (53-52) Osbourn Park is amid a youth movement as the roster features only one senior guard Nadia Davidson who was a first team all-conference selection a last season.

3A Broadway returns to the StatVA Classic for the second straight year. Last season they dropped a one point game to 6A Colonial Forge in a game they were leading entering the 4th quarter. Coach Bobby Mongold’s team will be led by leading scorers Faith Funkhouser and Kailey Landis. Two sport athlete Ally Repko who has signed to play Division 1 softball at Elon will also provide a spark as she is versatile on both ends of the court. Broadway will be a factor in the always competitive 3A West which has dominated the scene on the 3A level.


2:30 pm St. Catherine’s Saints (Richmond, VA) vs. Lake Taylor Titans (Norfolk, VA)

The Lake Taylor Lady Titans enter the event as one of the top programs in 4A as they have won 3 state titles (2010, 2013-14). Coach Saundra Sawyer’s team will use an up-tempo pressing style to push pace in the game. All-state guard/forward Junajah Somerville 14ppg 11rpg 5apg (UNC-Charlotte signee) is the lone Senior on the team. Freshman Jordan Poole (10ppg 12rpg) and Sophomore Azia-Monet Johnson (10ppg) help should the load for the Lady Titans. Lake Taylor plays in the competitive 4A Conference 17 with Deep Creek, Wilson, and Kings Fork.

Basketball legend Ed Sherod will lead his St. Catherine’s team into the matchup fresh off a 3rd place finish in the TDIT tournament. VCU signee and returning Richmond All-Metro 2nd teamer Sydnei Archie runs the show for the Lady Saints. Archie a 20ppg scorer also has help from two other starters from a team that won 20 games a season ago.


4:00 pm Woodrow Wilson Presidents (Portsmouth, VA) vs. Battlefield Bobcats (Haymarket, VA)

A season ago Woodrow Wilson dropped a close decision to William Fleming by two points in the state semifinals. Gone are playmakers Taylor Edwards and Mariah Coker, but Roger Smith does have a large front line with Jonae Cox, Jaylyn Copeland, and Lydia Goolsby. Wilson is making a return to the StatVA Classic after playing in the event back in 2013 against Forest Park.

Battlefield participated in the 2015 StatVA Classic in the nightcap against host Highland Springs in a game they were leading late in the second quarter. This year’s Battlefield team features two all-conference selections from a season ago Marley McLaughlin and Ahlia Moone help pace the scoring attack for the Lady Bobcats. Dana and Danielle Harrington add a secondary scoring option when the main two players are struggling. Battlefield stepped out of state over the Winter break to play in the KSA Holiday Tournament playing teams from Florida, Pennsylvania, and California.


Monacan features UCONN signee Megan Walker, the nation's consensus top prospect
Monacan features UCONN signee Megan Walker, the nation's consensus top prospect (Bob Lanum)

5:30 pm Monacan Chiefs (Chesterfield, VA) vs. Forest Trail Academy Knights (Kernersville, NC)

Forest Trail Academy enters the StatVA Classic with one of the best resumes in the event. The Lady Knights have traveled the country and played teams from South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, Canada and Tennessee. When Forest Trail entered the Bob Headen Bracket Final against Hamilton Heights (TN) they were the underdog against a top 10 ranked team nationally, but behind sharp shooting of Senior UNC signee Leah Church and Sophomore Kirsten Deans an all-around point guard that can be effective on both ends of the floor. Forest Trail has the size in the paint with players like Ashlyn Hampton who is solid on the low block for coach and former Wake Forest and NBA player Delaney Rudd.

Monacan enters the game with the #1 player in the nation and UCONN signee Megan Walker. Monacan is a top 10 ranked team by both Maxpreps and USA Today. Besides Walker Monacan Seniors Alex Parson (Richmond) and Jaiden Morris (Rider) have signed to play in college. Dynamic point guard Jasmine Norman has committed to play her basketball at D3 power Christopher Newport next season. This core burst on the scene as freshmen and were favorites to win the state championship before being upset, but they have finished the deal the last two years and enter this year having lost only 7 games the last 3 seasons combined. Monacan went South Carolina and won the competitive Crescom Bank Invitational defeating nationally ranked Norcross (GA) during the event which was their second defeat of a nationally ranked team as they defeated National Christian (MD).


Keep an eye on William Fleming with Malury Bates as they try to make another deep playoff run
Keep an eye on William Fleming with Malury Bates as they try to make another deep playoff run (Bob Lanum)

7:00 pm Woodbridge Vikings (Woodbridge, VA) vs. William Fleming Colonels (Roanoke, VA)

Woodbridge Tamika Dudley has assembled a very versatile lineup with the lady Vikings. Currently they are one of the favorites to win the 6A state championship behind the play of Junior point guard Paris McBride (15ppg) who runs the show as well as any guard in Virginia. McBride is already receiving Division I offers for her play, but she has playmakers around in in all conference player Hanna Oliver (12ppg) who can light it up from deep. Sophomore Taelor Willard (14.5ppg) is second the team in points on a deep and talented roster with two freshmen Aaliyah Pitts (8ppg 8rpg) and Vanessa Laumbach (6ppg 4rpg) seeing significant action. Coach Dudley’s team is set up for success for years to come.

Coach Champ Hubbard once again has his Lady Colonels traveling the state playing the best competition they can find. They participated in the Title IX Classic where they finished third in the Edith Green Division dropping a game to a team from California. The last two years Fleming has been knocked out of the 4A state tournament by Monacan, and would love to get another chance at the Chiefs. Senior post and Georgia signee Malury Bates has missed most of the season, but Senior post Tamani Manning (6’2) drew praise for her play during the Title IX run. Guards Dasmine Kasey and Que King have experience playing in multiple state tournaments since they have been at William Fleming.


Senior and George Mason signee Cam Gatling is one of the key players for Highland Springs
Senior and George Mason signee Cam Gatling is one of the key players for Highland Springs (Bob Lanum)

8:30 Highland Springs Springers (Highland Springs, VA) vs. RJ Reynolds Demons (Winston-Salem, NC)

The nightcap will feature the second “border” battle as coach Jonathan Gainey will bring his RJ Reynolds Lady Demons up from Winston-Salem, North Carolina for the third year in a row (2-0). Reynolds is led by the dynamic backcourt of Senior Tierra Wilson (Appalachian State signee) 20ppg and Junior Amari Cuthbertson (16ppg). Both Players are former StatVA Classic MVP’s as Wilson won MVP after her team defeated Osbourn Park in 2015 and Cuthberson took home the award after the 2016 win over Lake Taylor. Reynolds is looking to make a deep post season run again this year after advancing to the NCHSAA second round last year after a state semifinal run in 2015. Over the Christmas break Reynolds won the prestigious Lowe’s Classic in South Carolina versus some of the top competition from South Carolina and North Carolina. Highland Springs enters the event as one of the top teams in the Richmond area if not the state in 5A.

Highland Springs lost two games last season both to perennial power Princess Anne. Highland Springs relies on the backcourt of Jennifer Coleman (Navy signee) and CeCe Crudup (UNC-Greensboro signee) to get their pressing up-tempo offense going. Highland Springs is no stranger to going very fast and scoring even faster. Highland Springs ran through the competition at the TDIT the top tournament in the Richmond area winning by an average of 33 ppg. Senior posts Cam Gatling (George Mason signee) and Az Bacot (D-I interest) help give the Lady Springers size in the paint. Highland Springs has not lost a regular season game since a 1 point loss to Cosby in the finals of the TDIT in Dec. 2013.


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