by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
Anna Prillaman jumped on Atlee’s cruise ship, sailing without coach Curt Kassab for the first time in years.
She hopes she can keep the rough waters even less choppy in her first year at the helm of a perennial region power, who is ranked first in the DigitalSports preseason top 10.
“I think the first couple of days were an adjustment,” the 25-year-old said. “The last week has gone really smoothly.
“I think the talent was clear. I think people had the wrong idea about what type of kids were here. I’ve had no problems with any of the kids and hopefully that will continue.”
What should continue is Atlee’s kids giving problems to the opposition. The Raiders are loaded again with all five starters back, including Richelle Price, a 6-2 post player will all the moves and the touch around the iron.
Feeding her daily will be point guard Sydney Henderson, who knifes through defenses at will and finds open Raiders or scores herself.
Price and Henderson are juniors, but were nearly voted captains for the team.
“We almost had five captains,” Prillaman quipped. “The older ones are really patient with the younger ones. I’ve been very pleased with the leadership.”
The tri-captains are all seniors and all good shooters from outside in Lindsey Martin, Michelle Gordon and Kristin Lescalleet, who’ll usually come off the bench.
That leaves talented sophomore Britt Hill to fit snuggly in a powerful and experienced unit that is improving each day under Prillaman’s tutelage.
“It’s exciting to be over here at Atlee,” Prillaman said. “Smooth sailing right now.”
2006-07 record: 12-0 Capital, 24-2
Coach: Anna Prillaman, first season as head coach
Key players:
Richelle Price, 6-2, Jr., F – Strong rebounder, great finisher, good jumper in paint
Sydney Henderson, 5-5, Jr., PG – Good passer and penetrator, nice defender
Britt Hill, 5-7, So., G – Cerebral, fundamental, smart, a basketball player
Lindsey Martin, 5-9, Sr., G – Lethal shooter, scrappy
Michelle Gordon, 5-9, Sr., G – Good defender, nice shooter
Kristin Lescalleet, 5-9, Sr., G/F – Glue player, good all-around
Taylor Ashcraft, 5-9, Jr., G – Could be a starter for most programs
Others Not In Top 10
(in alphabetical order)
CLOVER HILL CAVALIERS
Coach: Jim Wahrman
2006-07 record: 9-7 Dominion, 12-8
Key players: Kristen Sims, 5-10, Jr., F; Ryen Henry, 5-10, Jr., F; Chenell York, 5-9, Sr., F
The Skinny: The Cavaliers played well in a tough district last season. They have enough returners to do it again.
COLONIAL HEIGHTS COLONIALS
Coach: Jim Crinkley
2006-07 record: 8-6 Central, 14-8 overall
Key players: Amanda Holt, 5-7, Sr., G ; Beth Anne Boyce, Sr., G
The Skinny: Colonials will try to repeat surprising 2006-07 season.
DEEP RUN WILDCATS
Coach: Shawna Duda
2006-07 record: 15-1 Colonial, 21-6 overall
Key players:
Amy Turner, 5-9, Jr., G; Lauren Kornacki, 6-0, Sr., F
The Skinny: The Wildcats will try to reload after losing a bunch of seniors.
DOUGLAS FREEMAN REBELS
Coach: Mandy Hester
2006-07 record: 6-10 Colonial, 8-14
The Skinny: DF looks to replace inside players Rachelle Rasley, Mary Jones and Nikki Winter.
DINWIDDIE GENERALS
Coach: Dan Ross, second season
2006-07 record: 3-11 Central, 4-15
The Skinny: Ross lost all of his key players from last season. He’s the first coach in five years to coach the Generals in consecutive seasons.
GEORGE WYTHE BULLDOGS
2006-07 record: 0-16 Colonial, 0-18 overall
The Skinny: District is not any easier for the Bulldogs.
HERMITAGE PANTHERS
Coach: Allyn Hawks
2006-07 record: 11-5 Colonial, 18-8 overall
Key player: Shelbie Hall, 5-5, Jr., G
The Skinny: Panthers have a lot to replace after losing about 40 points in scoring from Allison Sikes and Chanel Kinard.
HIGHLAND SPRINGS SPRINGERS
Coach: Damean Barfield, first season at Highland Springs
2006-07 record: 8-5 Capital, 13-10 overall
Key players: Kyra Coleman, 5-10, F; Dashon Ross, 6-3, Jr., C
The Skinny: The Springers are awfully talented and took a step last year, finishing third in the district. First-year coach Barfield will try to get even more out of his group.
HOPEWELL BLUE DEVILS
Coach: Walter Broner
2006-07 record: 4-10 Central, 10-12
Key player: Ashley Whitaker, 5-7, Jr., G
The Skinny: A lot of the Blue Devils scoring has departed. Whitaker will have to step forward.
HUGUENOT FALCONS
Coach: Bo Jones, Sr.
2006-07 record: 6-10 Colonial, 9-14 overall
Key players: Dayna Cheek, 5-7, Sr., F; Brittany Johnson, 5-4, Sr., G
The Skinny: Loss of PG Crystal Smith to Meadowbrook hurts, but Jones has a few talented freshmen in the fold.
J.R. TUCKER TIGERS
Coach: Mollie Pawloski, 19th season at J.R. Tucker
2006-07 record: 9-7 Colonial, 12-10 overall
Key players: Kerry Johnson, 5-10, Jr., F; Deslie Crumpton, 5-0, Sr., G; Sarah Parsons, 5-2, Fr., G; Breana Spencer, 5-6, Fr., F; Sonnika Shelton, 6-0, Jr., C
The Skinny: Johnson is the leading returning scorer averaging 12 ppg last season. Crumpton (8 ppg) is also an offensive threat. Shelton is the tallest player starting so look for her to try an establish an inside game for the Tigers. The team is young with only two seniors so Pawloski will start two freshman.
JAMES RIVER RAPIDS
2006-07 record: 3-13 Dominion, 7-14
Key players: Hannah Schul, 5-10, Sr., F; Jordan Brown, 5-3, Jr., G; Melissa Meyers, 5-5, Sr., G; Lauren Haverty, 5-8, Jr., F
The Skinny: Many returnees for JR could mean a rise in the district standings.
JOHN MARSHALL JUSTICES
Coach: Cheryl Perkins
2006-07 record: 10-6 Colonial, 14-10 overall
Key player: Valentina Toogood, 5-8, Sr., F
The Skinny: Transfer of Deja Middleton to Meadowbrook hurt.
LEE-DAVIS CONFEDERATES
Coach: Russell Williams, first season at Lee-Davis
2006-07 record: 0-12 Capital, 1-19 overall
Key players: Kierra Gardner, 5-9, Sr., G; Dawnee Driscoll, 5-4, Sr., G; Autumn Ruiz, 5-9, Jr., F; Raven Sims, 5-7, So., F
The Skinny: First-year coach Williams will look to turn around a squad that finished with only finished one win last season and went winless in the Capital District. It won’t be easy as the district is quite strong. Look out for freshman Kiera Gaines.
MAGGIE WALKER GS GREEN DRAGONS
Coach: Carlton “Speedy” Baughman
2006-07 record: 1-15 Colonial, 3-20 overall
Key players: Caroline Vines, 5-8, Jr., G; April Price, 5-8, Sr., G
The Skinny: First-year coach Baughman loses 20 points per game in Brittany Jones’ graduation.
MANCHESTER LANCERS
Coach: Jerry Gibbs
2006-07 record: 12-4 Dominion, 15-10
Key players: Porche Bentley, 5-9, Jr., F; Abbey Hendricks, 5-4, Sr., G
The Skinny: Bentley is one of the best in the district. Hendricks is a deadly shooter.
PATRICK HENRY PATRIOTS
Coach: Matt Bobbitt
2006-07 record: 4-12 Colonial, 6-17 overall
Key players: Jontee Lindsey, 5-10, Sr., F; Emily Lahocki, 5-4, Sr., G; Heather Lewis, 5-9, Sr., F
The Skinny: The Patriots will lean on the athletic Lindsey to earn more victories.
PETERSBURG CRIMSON WAVE
Coach: Robert Claiborne
2006-07 record: 9-3 Central, 14-6
Key player: Chelsea Harris, 5-10, Sr., F
The Skinny: Claiborne always finds some players. He’ll have to after losing his three top scorers, including Montiya Harrison.
PRINCE GEORGE ROYALS
Coach: Billy Gray, second season
2006-07 record: 12-2 Central, 22-4
The Skinny: Top scorers Janelle McDowell (Va. State) and Tyrae Washington are gone, but Gray, a Bill Littlepage disciple, has some youth from last season that look to step forward.
THOMAS JEFFERSON VIKINGS
Coach: Bo Hobbs
2006-07 record: 1-15 Colonial, 4-18 overall
Key players: Sierra Stewart, 5-4, Sr., G; Victoria Wilson, 5-9, Jr., F/C; Sierra Kenney, 5-8, Sr., F
The Skinny: Last year’s Vikings are a year older. Count on more wins after playing last season with no seniors. All starters are back.
VARINA BLUE DEVILS
Coach: Katie Benjamin, second season, 10-12
2006-07 record: 5-7 Capital, 10-12 overall
Key players:
Rischelle Carter, 5-7, Sr., G; Ashley Vieira, 5-10, So., F; Rikita
Allen, 5-3, Jr., G; Vameisha Harris, 5-6, Sr., G; LaTonya Willis, 5-6,
Sr., G
The Skinny: Carter can fill it up, averaging 14 per game
last season. Look out for Vieira, a solid player inside. The Capital
may prove to be a tough district with No. 1 Atlee, ninth-ranked Hanover
and No. 10 Henrico. And Highland Springs is talented as well. The Blue
Devils should be in the mix.
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