Boys: Heading into the Christmas break, the William Fleming boys basketball team had tallied just one victory and four losses, as the Colonels look to improve on last season’s total of just five wins.
“This is a rebuilding year,” said head coach Mickey Hardy, who saw his team finish 1-7 in the Western Valley District and 5-12 overall last season. “We are very inexperienced, but the kids are very coachable.
The lone returning starter is Kris Whitfield (Sr, 6-1, G). Other players hitting the hardwood this year are Don Dunnaville (Fr, 5-7 G), Shalik Law (So, 6-0, G), Devin Richardson (Sr, 5-7, G), Raheem Caldwell (So, 6-1, G), Vincent Wyatt (Sr, 6-2, F), Caylan Trent (Sr, 5-10, G), Brandon Clay (Sr, 6-4, F), Jalen Pierce (Sr, 6-5, C), Brian Jones (Sr, 6-3, F), Ronald Holliday (Sr, 6-4, F) and Devon Brown (Sr, 6-5, C).
Caldwell, Law and Dunnaville played on the freshman team, which was undefeated last season. “We have some young good players who I hope … can mature,” said Hardy, who is in his eighth season at Fleming.
The coach sees his top game of the season being on Jan. 14, when the Colonels travel to cross-town rival Patrick Henry. “I hope we can get better as these young kids gain some experience throughout the season,” said Hardy. “We are taking one game at a time.”
The Colonels, who played in the Salem Civic Center Christmas tournament this past week, will open Western Valley District play on Tuesday, Jan. 4, when they travel to Rocky Mount to take on Franklin County.
Girls: After opening the season with two straight losses, the William Fleming girls basketball team headed into the Christmas break with a 7-2 mark after winning seven consecutive games. They prepare now to defend their Western Valley District title and make another run deep into the playoffs this season.
Suiting it up for the Colonels this season are Antavia Stevens (Fr, 5-2, G), Cheyenne Graves (So, 5-3, G), Antionette McBride (Jr, 5-4, G), Aureon Bannister (Sr, 5-7, W/G), Sharde Harbor (Sr, 5-0, G), India Anderson (Jr, 5-7, W/G), Keshonda Haynes (So, 5-0, G), Ryjae Anderson (So, 5-8, W/G), Kayla Harvey (Sr, 5-9, P), Kelsi Bailey (So, 5-7, P/W), Erika Coleman (So, 5-10, P), Dateasha Barbour (Jr, 5-10, P) and Lateasha Barbour (Jr, 5-10, P).
“We lost experience in the two most important positions…point guard and center,” said head coach Champ Hubbard, whose team finished 17-7 overall and 7-1 in the WVD. “Both players, Salessa Stovall (Marshall) and Ti’Asia McGeorge (American) are now playing Division 1 basketball. But, we gained youth and depth.”
The coach expects Stevens, McBride, Lateasha Barbour and Dateasha Barbour to make an impact this season.
“We have speed and depth as far as our strengths go,” noted Hubbard. “Our weakness is experience. All district games should be very competitive. The top three in our district will be very competitive as the dynamics have changed tremendously.”
The Colonels played in the Patrick Henry tournament this past Wednesday and Thursday and will open Western Valley District action on Tuesday, Jan. 4, when they entertain Franklin County.
“Our motto is simple – We intend on coming for the No. 1 spot,” said Hubbard.
