Class 6
Cosby
Coach: Chris Hartman 2018-19: 23-5
Key players: G Bailey Williams, C Alexis Warren, F Bel Tillet
Notable: Cosby returns some of the key players that drove the Titans to their fourth regional championship in six years. Williams, who averaged 19.8 points last season, has signed with JMU. Hartman will be taking over as the program’s head coach following the retirement of longtime coach Rachel Mead.
James River
Coach: Henry Schechter 2018-19: 18-6
Key players: G Grace Townsend, G Haven Hicks, G Amanda Amone
Notable: Townsend, an all-state senior point guard, continues her term at the helm of the Rapids. She forms an experienced backcourt with Hicks and Amone. Experience and depth, along with added speed, will likely guide the team to another successful season.
Thomas Dale
Coach: Leon Gholson 2018-19: 16-7
Key players: F Aliyah Kellum, G Rana Richie, F Tamya Webb
Notable: The Knights have one starter returning, and they will rely on eight freshmen. They will need to navigate a tough schedule while they grow.
Class 5
Atlee
Coach: Michael Rawlings Sr. 2018-19: 14-8
Key players: G Kayla Maxson, G Kelly Ayer, G Danielle Brown
Notable: While undersized, the Raiders can lean on some shooters. Three starters return, and the team added three freshmen in hopes of improving depth.
Clover Hill
Coach: LéKiesha White 2018-19: 3-19
Key players: F Alexia Szlachie, G Alyssa Shazer, G Kayla Sledge
Notable: The Cavaliers have four starters returning, but they’re still young with 11 underclassmen. White expects to have perimeter shooting but wants to develop a point guard.
Deep Run
Coach: Tom Rawlyk 2018-19: 10-12
Key players: G Isis Keneah, G Camryn Miller, C Dinachi Utah
Notable: Deep Run will be looking to improve as it develops its talent. Juniors make up the majority of the Wildcats’ starting lineup.
Douglas Freeman
Coach: Andrea Sisson 2018-19: 1-19
Key players: G Eleanor Carey, F Caroline Tyler, F Grace Moore
Notable: The Rebels are inexperienced and have eight underclassmen, but Sisson says there is potential. Moore, a 6-0 freshman, adds some height.
Glen Allen
Coach: Rich Brennan 2018-19: 15-8
Key players: G Carmen Betts, C Lexi Glascock, G Amyah Sookins
Notable: Glen Allen is looking to develop its defense to support its established scorers. The Jaguars have one of those in Betts, an all-region honoree. The senior guard averaged 15.5 points last season.
Henrico
Coach: Lawrence Bray 2018-19: 6-17
Key players: G Diamond Brown, G P’rayjah Thomas
Notable: The team returns two starters in Brown and Thomas, but the Warriors will need to dig into new talent to fill out their starting lineup.
Hermitage
Coach: Allyn Pritchard 2018-19: 4-17
Key players: F Janiya Harmon, G Madison Lee, F Solaiyah Lewis
Notable: The Panthers have more freshmen (four) than returning players (three) and will have to battle inexperience. There also are two sophomores who should see plenty of time.
Highland Springs
Coach: Franklin Harris 2018-19: 23-4
Key players: G Sydney Boone, F Iyanna Rogers, G Kimaya Williams, G India Dailey
Notable: Highland Springs returns 10 players from last season — none are seniors — and will be a force. The team will be led by Boone, one of the top players in the area, and the 6-2 Rogers, who missed last season due to injury.
J.R. Tucker
Coach: Mollie Pawlowski 2018-19: 15-7
Key players: C Jasmine Lee, G Michaiah Walker
Notable: Senior center Lee is a strong returning player on a young team that will need to find a way to develop quickly and replace the 20-point production of Briana Payne following her graduation.
L.C. Bird
Coach: Chevette Waller 2018-19: 17-8
Key players: G Kameron Brown, G Alexis Miller, G Kielle Shaw
Notable: The Skyhawks are replacing four starters but always are one of the area’s top teams. The team will have to figure out how to meld youth with some experience and get some rebounds.
Manchester
Coach: Katie Goodwyn 2018-19: 9-14
Key players: G Erica Worthington, G Maddie Cason, G Emily Halloway
Notable: Guard play should be a strength for the Lancers along with some post players who have experience. Manchester has a seasoned senior class. The Lancers are focusing on shooting percentage and shot selection.
Matoaca
Coach: Glenna Lewis 2018-19: 18-6
Key players: F Alize Armstead, F Jordan Carpenter, G Aliyah Coleman
Notable: The Warriors have a balanced team but also can turn to Carpenter, a 5-9 forward. Matoaca has experienced seniors and a good group of freshmen who have experience playing together.
Meadowbrook
Coach: Daniel Connor 2018-19: 11-11
Key players: G Maya Ellis, G Tamiia Anglin, G Jayla Johnson
Notable: The Monarchs will lean on their speed and versatility to overcome their lack of size and inexperience.
Midlothian
Coach: Adam Layton 2018-19: 12-12
Key players: G Madison Fath, G Katie Gaeth, G Abbie Campbell
Notable: The Trojans have a strong backcourt but will need several players to step up offensively. Katrina Kirby and Gaeth are expected to provide scoring and leadership. Gaeth is headed to Bridgewater.
Mills Godwin
Coach: Jim Bettis 2018-19: 21-3
Key players: G Thea Clark, G Audrey Fleming, G Averie Aldridge
Notable: The Eagles will rely on Clark and Aldridge, two returning senior guards from last year’s successful team. Three starters were lost to graduation.
Prince George
Coach: Kenya Grissett 2018-19: 6-13
Key players: F Alyssa Stadler, F Molly Ashcraft, G Rachel Blumenshine
Notable: The Royals return experienced guards. Transition defense and developing post play will be two focal points.
Varina
Coach: Dashia Chandler 2018-19: 15-8
Key players: G Rakira Tennessee, G Alexis Smith, F Christen Carpenter
Notable: The Blue Devils are young this year after losing their starting five. Varina will be scrappy, disciplined and plans to feed off of Thomas Jefferson transfer Rakira Tennessee’s consistency on the court.
Class 4
Dinwiddie
Coach: Sherelle Green 2018-19: 4-20
Key players: F Ellen McCoy, G Jayla Stith, F Mikki Macklin
Notable: Dinwiddie will be looking to the experience of its seniors and chemistry to improve in the win column.
Hanover
Coach: Mike Rohr 2018-19: 13-11
Key players: G Jordan Davis, F Julia Mardigian, G Madison Miller
Notable: The Hawks are returning four starters from last season, including senior guard Jordan Davis, who averaged 13 points last season. Mardigian averaged 12, and Miller averaged 8.
Huguenot
Coach: April Robinson 2018-19: 11-14
Key players: F Janelle Sample, G Makaylah Nelson
Notable: A young team with a new head coach, the Falcons will need to develop a new identity after losing four of their starters.
Lee-Davis
Coach: Alvin Puller 2018-19: 5-17
Key players: G Gracie Pappas, F Madison Butler, G Lydia Elkins
Notable: The Confederates have good teamwork and will rely on their communication to help them defensively. Lee-Davis has good leadership, Puller said, but lack of size will be an issue.
Monacan
Coach: Larry Starr 2018-19: 20-6
Key players: G Jordan Hodges, F Nicole Davis, F Sydney Clayton, G Lena Lee
Notable: The Chiefs return all five starters and will be a force. Hodges was first-team All-Metro and region player of the year. Lee and Clayton combined for more than 17 points, and Davis, who is 6-4, has committed to Bucknell.
Patrick Henry
Coach: Phillip Cobb 2018-19: 19-4
Key players: G Logan Nuckols, F Jessica Osuanah, G T’Niyah Baylor
Notable: Four starters return for the Patriots, including Nuckols, a sophomore who has college offers. Baylor and Ava Smith will contribute for Patrick Henry. Osuanah is expected back from injury in late December.
Powhatan
Coach: Kristy Henderson 2018-19: 13-12
Key players: G Faith Henderson, G Kayla Terry, F Michala Taylor
Notable: New challenges await the young Indians as they move to Class 4. Henderson, a sophomore, averaged 13.3 points and 10.6 rebounds. Taylor averaged 5.6 points and 7.1 rebounds.
Class 3
Colonial Heights
Coach: Christopher Martin 2018-19: 7-16
Key players: F Ellen McCoy, G Jayla Stith
Notable: With three returning players, only one of whom was a starter, the Colonials are one of several young teams within Region 3A who will be looking to establish an identity throughout the season.
Goochland
Coach: James Harris III 2018-19: 17-10
Key players: F Victoria Lopez, F Lilly Yutzey
Notable: The Bulldogs have a deep pool of seniors to pull from, including 6-1 Victoria Lopez.
Hopewell
Coach: Jackie Edmonds 2018-19: 24-3
Key players: G Madison Tolbert, G Alexis Edmonds
Notable: Hopewell lost all of its starters following a strong showing last season that took the team to its second consecutive state championship game. While defensively sound, the team may struggle with depth.
Maggie Walker
Coach: Speedy Baughman 2018-19: 19-6
Key players: G Ge’Shanti Atkins, F Sarah Larkin, F Kaitlin Campbell
Notable: The Green Dragons lost some key players from last year. Maggie Walker will focus on defense as two of its best players return, but it will have to have some young players step up early.
New Kent
Coach: Neko Burson 2018-19: 7-23
Key players: G Madison Foley, F Haley Hyndshaw, G McKenna Mueller
Notable: The Trojans are much deeper this season, and Burson said they have improved their speed. Hyndshaw averaged 12.4 points and 12 rebounds, and Foley averaged 10.4 points.
Class 2
John Marshall
Coach: Virgil Burton 2018-19: 14-6
Key players: G Meyonna Boyd, G Audrya Jiggetts
Notable: Returning players Boyd and Jiggetts bring experience to a team that has brought on several underclassmen.
King William
Coach: Kerry Johnson 2018-19: 15-7
Key players: F Allie Patterson, F Emma Anderson, G Mallory Salmon
Notable: King William will benefit from its starters’ experience, including senior guards Salmon and Channing Pitts, but the team lacks depth coming off the bench.
Thomas Jefferson
Coach: Glenn Harper 2018-19: 7-14
Key players: G Layla Williams, C Jayla Henderson
Notable: The Vikings have a good class of freshmen who are expected to see significant playing time. Thomas Jefferson will face a challenging schedule.
Class 1
Charles City
Coach: Hailey Holmes 2018-19: 3-16
Key players: F Alexis Williams; G Nijah Johnson; G Skye Bradby
Notable: First-year head coach Holmes has some building to do. Since going 0-10 in the district last season, the Panthers have lost six players and are down to a seven-player roster.
Private schools
Blessed Sacrament Huguenot
Coach: Phil Villiott 2018-19: 9-16
Key players: G Katie Schiefer, G Elizabeth Carter, F Madelyn Mitchell
Notable: Blessed Sacrament returns all of its starters. Villiott will be looking to improve the team’s 2-13 conference record last season in his first year with the team.
Collegiate
Coach: Rives Fleming 2018-19: 17-9
Key players: G Abby Freeman, F Chandler Eddleton, G Ambrose Freeman
Notable: Despite losing two of their starters, the Cougars will maintain a strong core from the 2018-2019 campaign. Returning players Freeman and Eddleton, both all-LIS selections last season, led the team in points and rebounds.
Life Christian
Coach: Star Wills 2018-19: N/A
Key players: G Dream Muhammad, G Lanijah Williams, G Ta’Nya Burnett
Notable: The Eagles have a new team. Life Christian has a young, talented group with skill and potential. Defending and rebounding are the areas that could be issues.
New Community
Coach: Tyler Stevens 2018-19: 3-10
Key players: F Emma Benson, G Maddie Wachtel, G Maggie Davis
Notable: Benson and Wachtel will lead the way for the Sabers this season with a team comprised of mostly newcomers. New Community will rely on resiliency and hard work.
Richmond Christian
Coach: Pamela Walker 2018-19: 24-2
Key players: G Ta’Nya Outten, G Prophett Sheffield, F Cherese Lampkin
Notable: The Warriors return four starters from the team that won the VISAA Division III state title. Outten averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds. Sheffield averaged 17 points. Lampkin averaged 9 points.
St. Catherine’s
Coach: Edmund Sherod 2018-19: 3-16
Key players: G Haley Felton, F Jaala Williams, G Jaya Powell
Notable: The Saints’ strength this season will be the leadership provided by four returning seniors. Speed and athleticism are additional strengths, but depth could be an issue.
Saint Gertrude
Coach: Robyn D’Onofrio 2018-19: 12-11
Key players: G Nan Kerner, F Kate Samson, G Page Plageman
Notable: The Gators will rely on their senior leadership, strong shooters and depth. Kerner averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds last season. Samson, who’s 6-2, averaged 7 points and 8 rebounds.
Steward
Coach: Kara Bacile 2018-19: 22-6
Key players: G/F Sherese Pittman, G Mimi Traynham, F Saara Qursehi
Notable: The Spartans return all five starters from last year’s VISAA Division II state runner-up squad. Pittman is one of the top players in the state. Steward relies on its defense and looks to have more scoring threats on the court.
Trinity Episcopal
Coach: Adam Lonon 2018-19: 22-5
Key players: G Kristy Hamze, F Alyssa Chapman, G Tiffani Bartee
Notable: The Titans lost a lot but should continue their success with Hamze (17 points per game) and Chapman (6-3). Transfers Bartee (Midlothian) and Delaney Snyder (Mills Godwin) will help restock the lineup.