Black Knights look to take the next step

By all accounts, Charlottesville is the team to beat in the Jefferson District this season. And with good reason.

The Black Knights which advanced to the Group AA tournament a year ago, return their top two scorers and rebounder — seniors Shawntae Payne and Shalita Brown — from last season.

CHS, the defending Region II champion, also has a welcome addition in power forward Tanyqua Williams, who returns to the program after playing a year at Glen Burnie (Md.) High and will help the Black Knights elevate their game.

“She basically makes us a little more competitive around the basket,” said Charlottesville coach Harry Terrell of Williams. “She’s got quick feet, and having an experienced player who can come in and make an immediate impact is a plus.”

Payne, a point guard, averaged 18.9 points per game and 3.5 assists per game, while Brown, a 6-foot-1 center who earned all-state honors last season, averaged 18.4 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game. She was also named the district’s top player.

Also back for CHS is sophomore forward Ellie Von Storch, a versatile player who gives the team an added post presence. She averaged 6.0 points and 4.0 rebounds as a freshman. Newcomer London Todd, a freshman forward, provides Charlottesville depth inside.

Senior leadership will be a key for the Black Knights, and the knowledge gained in the postseason will be invaluable come tournament time.

“We had one senior last year, and we have four seniors this year, three have played for me three to four years,” Terrell said. “So we’ve got some experience, and that always helps.”

With its veteran leaders, multiple scoring options and trademark pressure defense, the pieces are in place for Charlottesville to have another exceptional season. But Terrell knows that how all of those pieces fit together will ultimately determine how far his team goes.

“I hope we play pretty consistent night after night,” Terrell said. “Our cohesiveness has got to be a key as to how successful we’re going to be.”

Charlottesville traveled to Harrisonburg for its season-opener Thursday and will visit cross-county rival Albemarle tonight.

Foursome lead Flucos

Fluvanna County has experience on its side this year, as it returns four of its five starters. The Flucos, piloted by Chad White, finished fifth in the district last year, but are hoping to move up in the standings this season.

Leading the way for Fluvanna is junior K-anna Loyd, who is a scoring threat and can also rebound. Last year she averaged a double-double with 16.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. Senior guards Ariel Stewart (7.6 ppg, 2.7 assists per game) and Shannon Bossiuex (5.1 ppg, 2.2 steals per game) are also back, as is junior center Sarah Ryan, who averaged 6.2 rebounds a game last year.

A trio of freshmen —Loyd’s sister, Mia, Millicent Williams and Briahnna Buruss — will make their debuts on the varsity level. 

Experience key for Lions

Louisa County returns eight players from a year ago, and will use that experience to its advantage this season.

The Lions will have to replace guard Andrea Mines, but have the speedy duo of Raven Robinson and Diamond Quarles in the backcourt. Both are juniors who have seen playing time since their freshman year — Robinson averaged 12 points, two assists and two steals, and Quarles averaged 10 points, two assists and four steals last year. Senior Latisha Howard also returns to give Louisa depth at the position.

The team also has a pair of senior centers in Cadie Castle and Diondra Whindleton, who are skilled rebounders (11 rpg and 8 rpg, respectively) but will look to be more consistent scorers.

With senior forward Erika Jeffrey, the Lions have an added presence underneath (15 ppg, 10 rpg) and the team should get solid production in the post from Desiree Morris, a senior forward/center who sat out all of last year with a knee injury, as well as Ranisha Lee.

Mustangs adapt to new system

Mike Mountjoy takes over at Monticello and hopes to take the team to new heights.

The Mustangs will need to replace leading scorers Melissa Estepp and Ashley Bowles, but have a hard-working group of experienced players and young athletes.

Monticello has three senior post players — Chelsea Reynolds, Tia Shelton and Marisol Morris — but will need to find a leader in the backcourt. Athletic sophomore Carla Brooks could be a factor on both ends of the court.

The team’s intensity and quick tempo will be key to its success.

Senior leaders power Hornets

Orange County lost key players Michelle Towles and Erica Nixon to graduation, but has several senior leaders back from a team that was the regular season district runner-up a year ago.

The Hornets — who have six seniors on their roster — return guards Christina Harvey, Skylar Scott and Dee Dee Hopkins, who will carry the bulk of the scoring load. Harvey is a versatile player who averaged 12.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists last year. Scott averaged 6.6 points and 3.3 steals while Hopkins averaged 6.2 points per game.

Forwards Micalah Sacre and Megan Roberts look to make their presence felt in their first year of varsity play.

Orange will have to make up for its lack of height with its quickness.

A new era for Western

Western Albemarle has the tough task of replacing all of its starters from a squad that won the regular season last year. Kris Wright is in his first year at the helm after taking over the program from Jason Barnett and is looking for leadership from Caitlin Boles, the team’s lone senior.

“She didn’t play a lot of minutes last year with all those seniors, but she was doing everything she was supposed to do in practice,” Wright said. “If you keep doing those things and somebody follows you, then five people are doing the little things and suddenly it gets a lot easier. She’s setting that tone and now it’s just a matter of the others following her.”

The only other returning player for Western is Ellen Shaffrey, a sophomore forward who will help lead the way inside.

The Warriors also brought up a host of players from a very good JV squad that give the team depth and will help with the scoring load. As usual, team will rely on its strong defense to create opportunities.

“Right now we’re working on our defensive skills,” Shaffrey said. “From defense comes offense.”