Storylines
Landstown, Hampton, Nansemond River begin the season at the top
If you thought Landstown was good last season with two freshmen, wait until you see the Eagles this season as they return four starters to a team that is talented and deep. Hampton, which advanced to the state quarterfinals, will be led by two players who earned All-Tidewater honors. Other top teams are Nansemond River, which returns many players from a team that went 17-8; Woodside, which advanced to the state semifinals; and defending Class 5 state champion Green Run.
Green Run tries to repeat as Class 5 state champions
Green Run guard Kassidy Jackson (5) lays at the bottom of a celebratory dog-pile after scoring the game-winning shot at the buzzer during the VHSL Class 5 Championships against Albemarle High School at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center in Richmond on Thursday, March 13, 2025 . (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)
Green Run won the 2025 Virginia High School League Class 5 boys basketball state title with a buzzer-beating layup by Kass Jackson to defeat Albemarle 43-41. This was Green Run’s second state championship, with the first being a co-championship after the title game was canceled due to COVID-19 in 2020.
Green Run coach Kenneth Harris joined Stefan Welsh, Darren Sanderlin and Brandon Plummer as former basketball players to win VHSL state titles as a player and coach. The Stallions graduated Jackson, the 2025 All-Tidewater Player of the Year, and forward David “Trey” Miller, who was first-team All-Tidewater, but have enough talent to make another run.
New coaches
Nansemond River basketball head coach Ed Young watches his team during the first half of a game against Warwick at Nansemond River High School on Saturday.
There are plenty of coaching changes, including David Cochrane at Norfolk Collegiate. He is the son of former Beach District legendary coach Bill Cochrane, who is 11th in VHSL career wins with 557. At Smithfield, Ed Young, who has 517 wins, is back on the sidelines after a year off. Willie Gause is the new coach at Phoebus after a short break. He had some great seasons with Kecoughtan, including three region semifinal appearances and more than 150 career wins. Other new coaches include: Theotis Porter Sr. (Lakeland), Kashif “Stretch” Johnson (Kecoughtan) and Christopher Gales (Gateway Christian).
Portis returns to alma mater
Theotis Porter Sr. begins his 21st as a coach on both the high school and college levels, but this time he returns to his alma mater at Lakeland. “I am extremely excited about this group, not only am I back at home where it all started, but my son (TJ) is a part of this turnaround as well,” he said. Another player on his team to watch is 6-2 senior forward Jayden Woodbury, the son of former Granby star and Georgia standout Terrance Woodbury, who is currently playing professionally overseas.
Favorites in each district
A look at the the predicted top three teams in each district: Beach District — Landstown, Green Run, Princess Anne; Southeastern District — Nansemond River, King’s Fork, Oscar Smith; Eastern District — Granby, Norview, Lake Taylor; Peninsula District — Hampton, Woodside, Denbigh; Bay Rivers District — Lafayette, New Kent, Bruton.
757Teamz Top 15
1. Landstown
Landstown’s Rashad Shaw (10) puts up a shot during a game against Green Run at Landstown High School in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)
Eagles coach Dwight Robinson begins his 25th season at Landstown with 426 victories. The Eagles return four starters, including sophomores guards Damien Robinson — his son — and Rashad Shaw (10.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.2 spg). They also have 6-4 junior wing Josiah Law (7.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg), 6-7 senior center Alan Walker (4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1 bpg) and 5-11 junior guard Rahsaan Johnson (6.1 ppg, 1.5 spg).
2. Hampton
The Crabbers won the Class 4 Region A title and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. They should make another playoff run this season with All-Tidewater players Gavin Kay (13.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.2 bpg) and Abraham Taft (13.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2 spg).
3. Nansemond River
Nansemond River coach Joe Hassell had great success in his first season as he led the Warriors to a 17-8 record last year. This season should be even better as the Warriors will be led by 6-1 junior guard Quinton Cruse (13 ppg, 8 apg, 5 rpg), 6-3 senior guard Taron Atwater (15 ppg, 4 apg), 6-6 junior forward Micaiah Mitchell (10 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 bpg), 6-3 senior guard Jeremiah Broome (10ppg) and 6-4 senior forward Jonathan Smith.
4. Woodside
The Wolverines will miss 6-foot-9 center Silas Barksdale, who was a two-time All-Tidewater pick and moved on to UVA, but the cupboard isn’t bare as Woodside will once again be a force in Hampton Roads and the Peninsula District.
5. Green Run
The defending Class 5 state champions graduated Kass Jackson, the 2025 All-Tidewater Player of the Year, and forward David “Trey” Miller, who was first-team All-Tidewater. But Stallions coach Kenneth Harris has plenty to be competitive, led by 6-2 senior guard Julius Hymons (8.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2 spg), 5-11 senior G Malik Gooden (7.1 ppg), 6-4 senior forward Elijah Ellison, 6-2 senior forward Dayjhon Boral Williams, sophomore guard Kevin Whaley — the son of former All-Tidewater running back Kevin Whaley — and Landstown transfer Zaevion Cleveland (13.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2 spg), who was third-team All-Tidewater.
6. Denbigh
Denbigh head coach J Grimes calls to his players during the second half of the game against Woodside at Denbigh High School in Newport News, Va., Dec. 17, 2024. Woodside won 57-45. (Peter Casey / For The Virginian-Pilot)
Denbigh coach J. Grimes guided the Patriots to an 18-7 record. They put together a nine-game winning streak that included victories over ranked teams Hampton, Princess Anne and Nansemond River, before losing to Woodside by two points. This should be another exciting season for the Patriots as they return two-sport star Kevin Parker, but also add Woodside transfer Callen Morrison. The duo connected on the football field this fall as quarterback (Parker) and wide receiver (Morrison). They hope to find the same success on the hardwood. Other players to watch include 6-2 senior guard Nasir Johnson, 5-9 sophomore guard Jermaine Grimes, 6-4 junior forward Victor George and Jai’Quan Gray.
7. Catholic
The Crusaders will be led by 6-3 senior forward Carter Bullock (10 ppg, 5 rpg), 6-4 junior forward Dean Williams (14 ppg, 4 rpg), 6-3 junior guard Jonathan Lee and Maury transfer Tabren Hawkins (11 ppg). Crusaders coach Bobby Steinburg likes what he has this season. They may lack a “true post presence” but they will be “quick/fast and have multiple good shooters,” he said. “We get the ball up the floor quickly and find the open man. Our program has always prided ourselves on defense and this group is no exception.” He’s also added former Norfolk Collegiate head coach Junior Burrough to his staff.
8. Granby
Levi Wall begins his second season at Granby, and it should be a good one. One major reason is the addition of 6-7 senior wing Deshawn Spellman (17.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg). He played last season at Hopewell, where he was the Class 3 Region A Player of the Year. The Comets also have 6-4 senior wing Antonio Williams (16 ppg, 8 rpg, 5 apg), 6-4 senior wing Gabe Sol (12 ppg, 11 rpg), and 6-foot senior point guard Ryan Bailey.
9. King’s Fork
Coach Rick Hite begins his ninth season at King’s Fork where he is 138-30. The Bulldogs will be led by 5-9 junior point guard Melvin Wofford Jr., 5-9 junior guard Tyson Harper and 6-4 junior guard Dykota White. They also have transfers in 6-4 forward Kaleb Ocheni (Lakeland) and 6-5 forward Nasir Chatman (Churchland). Hite calls freshmen Desmon ‘DJ” Hubbard and twins Isaiah and Eli Inman “three of the best ninth graders around.” “There may not be big names on the roster, however, you will soon enough learn that these guys can and will come to play every night against anybody,” Hite said. “We know who we are, we know our culture and we look forward to making another run.”
10. Norview
After a 5-4 start last season, the Pilots turned it around to win 11 of 12 and advance to the region tournament, before losing to Nansemond River in the quarterfinals. They hope to build off of that success this season.
11. Princess Anne
The Cavaliers will be led by sophomore guard Eziah Goodson, who was second-team all-state, and junior guard Namarqus Byrd (13 ppg, 8 rpg). Also, watch for Nico McIntyre (7 ppg, 4 rpg), Aidan McKeating and Jaiden Burnside.
12. Oscar Smith
LaVar Griffin begins his 18th season with the Tigers with more than 300 wins. But this season will be different as he graduated Jacobi Harper, Anthony Lewis and Cameron Walters. He’ll also lose Travis Johnson, who graduates this month to head to Michigan on a football scholarship. But the Tigers will still be competitive led by 6-3 senior guard Cason Fitch (7 ppg, 4 rpg), junior guard Corrin Buckingham (8 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2 spg), guard Rashaun Newsom-Ford and forward Derrick Custis. He also has two new players in Great Bridge transfer Kelley King Jr. (18 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3 rpg) and Manor transfer Stephen Walton Jr. (17 ppg).
13. Lake Taylor
The Titans will be led by 6-5 senior forward Jamari Edwards and 5-10 senior guard Jacarri Jones. As they go, so will the Titans. Other key players are 6-1 sophomore guard Marc Johnson, 5-10 sophomore guard Jakarr Ford-Edwards, 6-4 junior forward Todd Cook and 6-3 senior forward Jayden Yancey. One big addition is 6-foot freshman guard Shaquantay Evans, who last season led Blair Middle to a championship. They also have Granby transfer Khary Parker and Manor transfer Elijah Long.
14. Peninsula Catholic
Coach Tim Sparks led the Knights to a Tidewater Conference title in his first season and helped them reach the program’s first VISAA Division II state championship game. The Knights will be led by 6-2 junior wing Jekii Rodgers, 6-8 junior wing Kyrei Haywood, 6-foot senior guard Jordan Carr, 6-1 senior guard Khristian Peebles and 5-10 junior guard Anderson Allen.
15. Portsmouth Christian
Coach Chris Fuhrmann led the Patriots to a 22-7 record in his first season. This season they will have one of the tallest teams in Hampton Roads led by 6-7 junior forward Sylvestor Coleman (Manor transfer), 6-7 junior forward Jeff Larkin (Indian River transfer) and 6-5 junior forward Jayden Daughtry (11 ppg, 10 rpg). The Patriots also have 6-6 forward MaChai Toxey (Western Branch transfer), 5-10 guard James O’Neal (Deep Creek), 6-4 junior Trinity Wright, and 5-11 senior guard Ma’Khi Cofield (18 ppg).
The next five: Lafayette, Western Branch, Indian River, Maury, Kellam.
Five players to watch
Damien Robinson
Landstown, 6-2, sophomore guard
Robinson was the first freshman to be named first-team All-Tidewater since 2017, when Oscar Smith standout and current Brooklyn Nets star Cam Thomas made it. He’s also just the third freshman since 2019 to be named All-Tidewater. He averaged 17.2 points, 3.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals last season to help lead the Eagles to the Class 6 state semifinals before losing to eventual champion South Lakes.
Gavin Kay
Gavin Kay, shown dunking the ball in Hampton’s 2024 Class 4 state championship victory, has emerged this fall as a stellar defensive end in his first season of football. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
Hampton, 6-8, senior center
He was second-team All-Tidewater last season after he helped lead the Crabbers to the Class 4 Region A title and state quarterfinals. He averaged 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.
Zaevion Cleveland
Green Run, 6-4, senior forward
The two-sport star was third-team All-Tidewater last season after he helped lead Landstown to the Class 6 state semifinals. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and two steals last season. Now he’s at Green Run, where he’s also a star wide receiver for the Stallions.
Abraham Taft
Hampton, 6-4, senior guard
He was third-team All-Tidewater last season as he averaged 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and two steals for the Crabbers.
Eziah Goodson
Princess Anne, 6-0 sophomore guard
Last season as a freshman he earned second-team all-state honors. He averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Cavaliers.
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
