Manchester girls basketball hoists the Class 6 state championship trophy.
High school girls basketball is entering a new era in Richmond.
Four of the five first-team All-Metro selections from last season aren't returning in 2024-25. Steward's Sanai Green and Thomas Dale's Nylah Wilson transferred out of state. James River's Lanie Grant and Manchester's Mia Woolfolk graduated.
For the first time since 2021, the All-Metro player of the year won't be named Grant or Woolfolk. So, who is going to take the reins as top player in the 804? Here are 20 names to watch as high school girls basketball gets underway (players listed in alphabetical order).
Meet the 2024 All-Metro girls basketball team, led by Manchester's Woolfolk, JR's Grant
Samaya Brown, senior, Highland Springs: Brown, a 5-foot-11 forward, is entering her final season after the Springers fell in the Region 6A semifinals in February. She averaged 10 points and 11 rebounds last season and is one of three projected senior starters for Highland Springs. With Brown's leadership, Highland Springs is primed for another promising season. The Springers lost to Deep Run 51-47 in their Tuesday opener.
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Emily Bryant, senior, J.R. Tucker: A big piece for the Tigers this season, Bryant leads all returners with 10.7 points per game last season and 3 rebounds. The 5-foot-6 senior will be Tucker's point guard this year, leading the team through the Colonial District. Tigers coach Mollie Pawlowski is in Year 36 and will look to her seniors as the team has six freshmen this year.
Kate Carlton, senior, Mechanicsville: Carlton is one of three returning starters this year for the Mustangs, who are looking to go further in the region tournament following a quarterfinal visit last year. The 5-foot-8 forward averaged 10 points and five rebounds last season and will be a leader for Mechanicsville. The Mustangs opened the season with a 50-32 romp at King William on Tuesday.
Syvannah Dawson, junior, Thomas Dale: Standing at 5-foot-8, Dawson looks to lead the team following Wilson's departure. Dawson was second-team All-Metro in 2023-24 and had 19 points and 5 rebounds per game in Dale's Class 6 runner-up year. Dawson said she feels confident coming into the season and put in a lot of work at the gym in the summer. That should show when the Knights take the court this year.
Lila Donnelly, senior, Monacan: Donnelly, a guard, and the Chiefs look to defend their Region 4B title. The senior posted 12 points and 5 rebounds a game in 2023-24 and has a sharp 3-point shot. It's a game changer for Monacan, projected to be one of the top teams in the Dominion District. The All-Metro honorable mention will lead the Chiefs in her final year. They opened the season with a 53-22 win against Clover Hill on Tuesday.
Kaycee Doughty, senior, Hanover: Doughty was an All-Metro third team member in 2023-24. Standing at 5-foot-10, last season she averaged 13.2 points and 10.3 rebounds -- most among returners. At forward, Doughty looks to build on that productivity. Along with Izzy Murphy, Hanover hopes to go deep into the region or state playoffs.
Erin Edmonds, senior, Hopewell: Edmonds, an All-Metro third team member a year ago, enters her final season as the leader at Hopewell and has been a standout in the Central District. She was first-team all-region in 2023-24, averaging with 26 points. She 1,374 total points in her career thus far and will surpass the 1,500 mark this year. Hopewell rolled Prince George 66-23 on Tuesday in the season opener.
Sutton Eldredge, sophomore, Trinity Episcopal: A transfer from James River, Eldredge will be a key piece for the Titans and is already a touted prospect. Standing at 5-foot-11, the sophomore holds several Division I offers and played a crucial role in James River's run to the Class 5 state title game last season. Trinity expects similar production from Eldredge this season, along with sophomore Adina Asuelimen. The Titans fell to St. Anne's-Belfield 71-50 on Tuesday.
Ava Fulkerson, senior, Saint Gertrude: Fulkerson, a guard, averaged 15 points last year, a high mark among this season's returners. She figures to be one of the top players in the League of Independent Schools and will lead a young Gators squad. Fulkerson's versatile and gives Saint Gertrude different looks on the court, which is important as it navigates a tough schedule. The Gators began the year with a 48-38 loss to St. Catherine's on Tuesday.
Timani Harris, sophomore, Thomas Dale: Harris is back following a breakout freshman year. The 5-foot-10 combo guard averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds last year and was a big part in both games against Manchester. An All-Metro honorable mention in her first year, Harris gained experience on the travel circuit over the summer and could take another step forward on a talented Dale team.
Naomi Igberase, junior, Deep Run: Igberase has already received all-region honors and is a stellar guard in the Colonial District. Standing at 5-foot-7, she leads all returners with 13 points per game a year ago. Her older sister, Anna, is a senior guard for Deep Run. They're leading an experienced group with postseason aspirations. The Wildcats beat Highland Springs 51-47 on Tuesday.
Ava Johnson, senior, Steward: Johnson, a 6-foot-1 forward, and the Spartans are coming off a VISAA Division II state title-game appearance. She averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds a season ago and leads all returners in both categories. An All-Metro honorable mention last year, Johnson and the Spartans are 3-0 to start the year.
Trinity Jones, senior, Monacan: Along with Donnelly, Jones is a star the Chiefs will lean on this season. The senior guard logged 11 points a contest last year, along with 7 rebounds and was on the All-Metro third team. The combo of Jones inside and Donnelly on the perimeter should make the Chiefs tough to beat as they look to defend their region title and get back to the Class 4 state tournament.
Kylie Kent, sophomore, L.C. Bird: Kent broke out last year in her freshman season and should carry that over into her second year. She averaged 9 points and 7 rebounds last year. She was a big part of Bird's trip to the Region 5C semifinals and will likely be a leader for the Skyhawks this season, which began Tuesday with a 56-22 win at Midlothian.
Madison Smith, sophomore, Manchester: Smith is back for the Lancers, following the Class 6 state title. The 6-foot-1 winger averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds in 2023-24 en route to the state title and looks to continue that productivity this year. Smith will have a different role this year and increased time on the court. Manchester opened its quest for a repeat state title Tuesday with an 81-21 victory at James River.
Emma Terry, senior, Powhatan: Terry, a 5-foot-8 point guard, will be a leader for an experienced Indians team. She averaged 11.2 points last year and is one of five starters returning this year for Powhatan. The Indians had a down year last year but with Terry returning, among others, the team should be on the rise. Terry has several Division III offers. Powhatan opened the season with a 52-19 triumph at Colonial Heights, then fell at Cosby 65-33 on Wednesday.
Riley Waite, senior, Glen Allen: One of three electric returners for the Jaguars, Waite averaged 16 points last season for Glen Allen, which fell in the region semifinals to Thomas Dale. Waite is a senior guard, standing at 5-foot-7, and will be a part of an experienced Glen Allen team that should compete for a region title. The Jaguars began their 2024-25 campaign with a 69-21 win against J.R. Tucker.
Sydney Worsham, senior, Glen Allen: In keeping up with Glen Allen's offense, Worsham, as an All-Metro honorable mention last year, posted 16 points and 7.3 rebounds a game for the Jaguars. At 5-foot-7, Worsham, along with Waite and guard Lindsey Shoulders, is a part of the trio of experienced senior guards for Glen Allen.
Rayne Wright, senior, Manchester: The lone returning All-Metro first team member for the Lancers, Wright, a University of Richmond recruit, figures to shoulder a heavy load this season. She averaged 15 points and 5 rebounds last year and will lead the Lancers in their quest for a second straight state title. She is on track to break the Manchester scoring record this season for a team that will look very different from last year. Manchester's second game of the year is on the road at Thomas Dale, a rematch from the Class 6 state title game.
Shayla Wyatt, senior, Henrico: Wyatt, a 5-foot-9 guard and 2023-24 All-Metro third-team member, helped the Warriors to the Region 4B semifinals where they fell to Monacan. Wyatt averaged 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds last year. Along with Sanaa Moore and Kelsea Bennett, Henrico will be contenders in the region, with experience throughout the roster. The Warriors open the season Friday against Hermitage.
Images from theThomas Dale vs. Manchester Girls VHSL Class 6 Championship basketball game
Savannah Reger
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