2022-23 Virginia High School Regional Championships Day 1 (2-27-23)

By: Chris Parker

Headline Photo Credit: Thomas Dale High School

5A Girls Final
Princess Anne vs Salem

In a matchup of two Beach District teams the Princess Anne Cavaliers defeated the Salem Sundevils by a score of 54-36. This was coach Darnell Dozier’s 17th regional title in the last 19 attempts. The Cavaliers were led by Zakiya Stephenson and Hailey Harris who chipped in 14 points a piece for Princess Anne. Tinasia Spencer added 12 points for the Cavaliers. Salem was led by the game’s high scorer Elyseia Brown who scored 18 points for the Sundevils.

Both teams spent the first quarter probing each other’s weaknesses which led to a back-and-forth period that ended with Salem leading by one at 14-13.

The second period began with Princess Anne going on an 18-0 run to start the quarter. The Cavaliers utilized their press to up the tempo and create numerous turnovers which they capitalized on with points on the other end. Salem only managed four points in the second quarter while Princess Anne seemed to score at will. The Cavaliers would carry an 18-point lead into the half.

The break at the half didn’t cool down the Cavaliers’ defensive pressure as they continued to press and create Sundevil turnovers. Princess Anne’s pressure held the Sundevils to only three points in the third quarter. They expanded their lead to 21 points at 42-21. The pressure relented in the fourth but by that time Princess Anne already sealed the deal and cruised to a 54-36 victory.

6A Girls Final
Thomas Dale vs Manchester

The Thomas Dale Knights defeated the Manchester Lancers in an instant classic for the Division 6A regional championship by a final score of 46-43. The Knights were led by sophomore Nylah Wilson’s 21 points which led all scorers and freshman Syvannah Dawson’s nine points. Manchester was paced by Mia Woolfolk’s 13 points in the losing effort.

Manchester took the lead after the first quarter by a score of 15-9. The action started heating up in the second when Thomas Dale took the lead for the first time at 16-15 with 6:10 left in the quarter. Manchester would start to get the ball to Woolfolk who dominated the paint for most of the game. She scored nine points in a row by herself to push Manchester to a 28-20 lead after the second period.

Thomas Dale came out after the half with an inferno in its belly. The Knights went on a 14-0 run, sparked by Wilson’s seven-point burst, to take the lead at 35-28. Thomas Dale also held the Lancers scoreless for the period with its suffocating defense.
The fourth quarter saw six lead changes between the two 804 schools in the epic fourth quarter. Manchester would take the lead at the 3:16 mark on the strength of a 9-0 spurt. Thomas Dale

would then get a layup from Wilson to take the lead again. Manchester answered with a floater from Keileen Edwards. Wilson then responded for Thomas Dale with a three-point play to go back up. The Lancers wouldn’t give up and got a three-pointer by Leah Hampton to once again lead. Freshman Syvannah would make what would end up being the final dagger on a jump shot with under a minute to go. Wilson would add two free throws to ice the game with the final score being 46-43 in favor of the Knights.

Boys 6A Regional Championship
Oscar Smith vs Landstown

Oscar Smith boys captured the 6A regional championship over Landstown by a score of 44-42. Oscar Smith was paced by Trey Williams who scored 12 points to lead the Tigers while Kareem Stagg added nine points. Landstown was paced by Ethan Ward who led all scorers with 17 points.

The two teams matched each other’s intensity in the first half. Landstown would cling to a four-point lead at the half with the score at 19-15.
Smith would claw back into the game in the third by outscoring the Eagles 17-14 in the quarter. Trew Williams led the Oscar Smith push by scoring six of his points in the quarter. However, Landstown still held a one-point edge going into the fourth quarter.

The two teams would trade blows in the fourth with Smith taking a five-point lead about halfway through the period on a three by Ulysses Young. The Tigers would then fight to maintain their lead the rest of the way. Every big bucket the Eagles would get, the Tigers would have an answer.