Projected Finish:
1. Deep Creek
2. Lake Taylor
3. Heritage (Newport News)
4. Grafton
5. King's Fork
6. Denbigh
7. Smithfield
8. Churchland
9. Smithfield
10. Jamestown
11. Warhill
12. Woodrow Wilson
Analysis: A year after Lake Taylor's run to a state title, and mostly a cakewalk through the playoffs for the Titans, with their closest game being a 65-47 win over Deep Creek in the Regional Championship before states, the rest of the region is ready for a their shot after the newly crowned state champs lose their top two players to graduation. Dereon Seabron took a gap year and will probably be playing D1 somewhere soon, and Jamonda Bryant is now suiting up with Norfolk State, both were all state first team a season ago. Losing so many guys, we might (MIGHT!) see a slight drop from them this season. The question is, is it enough for another team to take control of the region? Deep Creek certainly seems capable, returning all state first team selection Caleb Butts. Butts was a force for the Hornets last year, leading them to the state tournament, their first appearance since 1991. Butts averaged a double double at 22.3 points and 14 rebounds per game, and expect more of the same from the 6-5 forward. However, the rest of the region is looking to move up as well. A year after losing by 3 to Deep Creek in the region quarters, Grafton is looking to have another successful season, although they lost Josh Moore, someone who averaged 22.1 points per game for the Clippers. Lafayette had one of the most successful seasons in recent memory, but they too lose arguably their best player in Keyshawn Jefferson. Heritage hasn't had a state tournament appearance in a while now, but you can never count the Hurricanes out. King's Fork is always a tough out. The only team that seems to have security in experience in their star guy is Deep Creek, which gives them the nod as preseason #1. Other then that, this region is truly up for grabs.
Regional Championship Prediction:
Deep Creek 69, Lake Taylor 64
Player of the Year: Caleb Butts, Deep Creek
1. Deep Creek
2. Lake Taylor
3. Heritage (Newport News)
4. Grafton
5. King's Fork
6. Denbigh
7. Smithfield
8. Churchland
9. Smithfield
10. Jamestown
11. Warhill
12. Woodrow Wilson
Analysis: A year after Lake Taylor's run to a state title, and mostly a cakewalk through the playoffs for the Titans, with their closest game being a 65-47 win over Deep Creek in the Regional Championship before states, the rest of the region is ready for a their shot after the newly crowned state champs lose their top two players to graduation. Dereon Seabron took a gap year and will probably be playing D1 somewhere soon, and Jamonda Bryant is now suiting up with Norfolk State, both were all state first team a season ago. Losing so many guys, we might (MIGHT!) see a slight drop from them this season. The question is, is it enough for another team to take control of the region? Deep Creek certainly seems capable, returning all state first team selection Caleb Butts. Butts was a force for the Hornets last year, leading them to the state tournament, their first appearance since 1991. Butts averaged a double double at 22.3 points and 14 rebounds per game, and expect more of the same from the 6-5 forward. However, the rest of the region is looking to move up as well. A year after losing by 3 to Deep Creek in the region quarters, Grafton is looking to have another successful season, although they lost Josh Moore, someone who averaged 22.1 points per game for the Clippers. Lafayette had one of the most successful seasons in recent memory, but they too lose arguably their best player in Keyshawn Jefferson. Heritage hasn't had a state tournament appearance in a while now, but you can never count the Hurricanes out. King's Fork is always a tough out. The only team that seems to have security in experience in their star guy is Deep Creek, which gives them the nod as preseason #1. Other then that, this region is truly up for grabs.
Regional Championship Prediction:
Deep Creek 69, Lake Taylor 64
Player of the Year: Caleb Butts, Deep Creek
