Gametime Henrico: Feb. 27-March 5, 2023

Deep Run High SchoolThe Deep Run basketball programs have finished their 2022-2023 campaigns. The boys’ team finished with a record of 7-18 and advanced to the Region 5C quarterfinals after a 66-63 victory over Meadowbrook in the first round. Jayson Morgan, a multi-sport athlete who committed to Virginia Tech earlier in the season, earned third-team All-Region honors after averaging a solid 9.8 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game.

The girls finished the season with a record of 15-9 and also advanced to the Region 5C quarterfinals with a 62-16 victory over Tucker in the first round. Sophomore Ann Peyton-Duncan led the way for the Wildcats this season, earning second-team All-Region honors. Freshman Hannah Curtis and senior Emma Strieffler also earned third-team All-Region honors.

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The Wildcats’ gymnastics program finished the year strong as they were crowned Region 5B champions for the 2022-2023 season. They were led by sophomore Christina Parlantieri, who earned first-team All-Region honors in the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and all-around. Junior Kaitlyn Bickmeier and senior Nikki Raffi also were first-team All-Region selections in the balance beam.

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The Deep Run girls’ swimming program capped off the 2022-2023 season with a strong performance at the VHSL Region 5C championships, where they finished as the runners-up. In the 200-yard medley relay, Josie Van-Schaften, Riley Miklos, Emily Law and Grace Belden earned third-team All-Region honors. In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Josie Van-Schaften, Riley Van-Schaften, Brady Bever and Abby Jessup also were third-team selections. Individually, Miklos earned second-team All-Region honors in the 200-yard freestyle and also was a third-team selection in the 500-yard freestyle. Jessup earned third-team All-Region honors in the 200-yard individual medley, Law earned second-team All-Region honors in the 100-yard butterfly, and Belden and Bever earned second- and third-team All Region honors in the 50-yard freestyle, respectively.

Freeman High School

The Freeman boys’ basketball team finished 9-14, qualifying for the Region 5C playoffs after a three-game winning streak to close out the regular season (against Hermitage, Tucker and Deep Run). In the playoffs, the Mavericks dropped a heartbreaker, 55-54 to Clover Hill. Leading the way was senior Marshall Dip, who earned second-team All-Region honors and hit six three-pointers in his final game as a Maverick. Alex Blanchard was selected to the third team after averaging 11 points per game as a freshman.

The girls’ squad finished the year with a record of 10-13 and advanced to the Region 5C quarterfinals with a 56-33 victory over Prince George. Freshman Addie Morton led the way for the Mavs this season, earning second-team All-Region honors and leading the team with an impressive 14 points per game and a career high of 19 points in the playoff game. Senior Genevieve Travers also earned All-Region honors, selected to the third-team.

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The Mavericks’ gymnastics squad had a strong 2022-2023 campaign, finishing as the VHSL Region 5B runners-up. Sophomore Emily Crone led the way this year, earning second-team All-Region Honors for the floor, and third-team All-Region honors for the balance beam. Crone also went on to finish seventh overall in the all-around individual standings.

Glen Allen High School

The Jaguars’ boys’ basketball program saw its magical season come to a close, with a 70-53 loss in the VHSL Region 5C championship to the defending champions (Highland Springs) and then a 77-56 loss in the VHSL state quarterfinals to Patrick Henry. In the Region 5C championship, Chris Dopp led the way with 13 points. The team’s leading scorer for the season, Kris Tiller, added 11 points, and Faron Friend managed eight points. The Jags finished the year with a record of 20-7.

The girls’ squad, however, is still very much alive. After being upset 48-33 by L.C Bird in the VHSL Region 5C championship round, the Jags bounced right back, winning 47-33 against Massaponax in the VHSL state quarterfinals. In that game, Region 5C Player of the Year Ciera McGinlay led the way with 17 points. Sophomore sensation Sydney Worsham was right behind McGinlay, putting up 16 points. Glen Allen will have the opportunity to avenge its Region 5C title game loss in the state semifinals, where it will take on L.C Bird once again.

Godwin High School

The Eagles’ basketball programs had strong 2022-2023 campaigns, with each team accumulating more than 15 wins and earning top-five seeds in Region 5C. The boys finished with a record of 16-7 and the No. 4 seed, advancing to the Region 5C quarterfinals with a first round bye. The boys were led by senior Logan Rhoades, who earned first-team All-Region honors after averaging 16 points per game. Daniel Keogh earned second-team All-Region honors, averaging 11.8 points per game as a sophomore, while Sean Smith earned third-team All-Region honors.

The girls finished 15-9 on the season and advanced to the Region 5C semifinals after defeating Hermitage 50-48 in the quarterfinals. Sophomore Lakelyn Bostian led the way for the Eagles this season, earning second-team All-Region honors. Seniors Katie Honaker and Kylee Carroll also earned All-Region honors, both being selected to the third team.

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The Godwin boys’ swimming team had a dominant season, pulling off its second straight VHSL Class 5 state title. This season, Eric Lambert, Spencer Ridge, Aidan Jacobs and Seamus Connell earned first-team All-Region honors in the 200-yard medley relays. In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Lambert, Jacobs, Connell, and Harrison Neuhaus earned first-team All-Region honors. In the 200-yard freestyle relay, Ridge, Neuhaus, Matthew Rivas and Adam Fisher also earned first-team All-Region honors. Individually, Jacobs earned first-team All-Region honors in the 100-yard butterfly and second-team honors in the 200-yard individual medley. Connell earned first-team All Region honors in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle. Neuhaus earned third-team honors in the 200-yard individual medley and in the 200-yard backstroke. Ridge earned first-team honors in the 100-yard breaststroke, while Lambert earned second-team honors in both the 100-yard freestyle and the 200-yard backstroke. With many of these athletes returning next year, this team is in prime position to pursue a third consecutive state title.

Hermitage High School

The Panthers’ basketball programs fared well, with both teams surpassing the 14-win mark and earning top-five seeds in Region 5C. The boys finished with a record of 16-9 and advanced to the VHSL Region 5C semifinals after defeating Godwin, 62-59. Junior Eiden Harvey earned first-team All-Region honors this season, leading the Panthers to their semifinal appearance with his 14 points against Godwin in the quarterfinals. Senior Chase Weaver also earned All-Region honors, being selected to the third team.

The girls’ squad finished the year 14-8, earning the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs. Junior Breyona Robinson led the way for Hermitage, ultimately earning first-team All-Region honors.

Highland Springs High School

The Springers’ boys’ basketball team is the definition of overcoming adversity. Entering the season as the defending state champions and facing another set of high expectations, the team started off the year with a record of 4-4 and at one point lost three straight games. Now, the Springers are in position to defend their state title. Coming in as the No. 2 seed, they cruised through the Region 5C playoffs, ultimately defending their Region 5C title with a 70-53 win against No. 1 seed Glen Allen. Then, they defeated Stone Bridge 62-58 to advance to the VHSL Class 5 state semifinals. Against Glen Allen, Region 5C player of the year Danzelle Bullock-Coles was electric, scoring an impressive 32 points to lead his squad to the regional title. Against Stone Bridge, Bullock-Coles led the team in scoring again, this time dropping 18 points. Region 5C Second-Team All Region selection and Region 5C Player of the Year in football Khristian Martin also played a big role in the win over Stone Bridge, dropping 12 points. The Springers now are 20-6 on the season, have won 10 straight games, and will face Patrick Henry (30-2) in the state semifinals.

Varina High School

The Blue Devils’ boys’ basketball squad is pursuing another state title after its 77-66 Region 4B championship win over Matoaca and a 69-63 win over Heritage in the VHSL Class 4 state quarterfinals. Against Matoaca, it was all Kennard Wyche Jr., who scored 41 points to extend the Blue Devils’ winning streak to 12 wins and help them claim their second consecutive regional title. Against Matoaca, Myles Derricott put on a clutch performance, scoring a total of 27 points on the night, with four of those points occurring within the last 40 seconds of the game to ensure victory. Varina is now 21-4, has won 13 straight games, and is set to take on King’s Fork (22-3) in the state semifinals.