Jefferson District Basketball-Central Virginia Dominance

State Rankings for each teaming Top 25:

Albemarle: Number 8 in 5A

Charlottesville: Number 6 in 4A

Western Albemarle: Number 19 in 3A

Fluvanna: Number 25 in 4A

1. Albemarle

2014 Record: 20-8

2014 JD Record: 10-4

Notable Players Gone: Juwan Carter

Notable Players Returning: Austin Katstra, Jake Hahn, Kennedy Brown, Myles Adams-Yates, Justice Taylor

Why the Patriots are ranked here: The Patriots lose only one senior from a team that finished third in the Jefferson District and played in the JD Title Game. Albemarle went on to the Sweet 16 before losing to eventual Final Four Team Potomac, 70-59. Albemarle finished with a 20-8 record, with no bad losses. The fact that Juwan Carter is gone hurts, but with four of five starters returning, the Patriots will again challenge for the JD Crown. Jake Hahn will still be a huge threat in the post, Kennedy Brown will still be a leader on the court for his senior season, and of course, 6’6 Division 5A All-State First Team player Austin Katstra will be back, and it’s only his junior year. He averaged 18.9 points and 10.3 rebounds last year, and he should only get better. Under Greg Maynard, who has 400 career victories after Albemarle’s last win last year vs Patrick Henry in the Regional Tournament, the Patriots will be awfully good next year, possibly a top ten team in Division 5A.

2. Charlottesville

2014 Record: 24-2

2014 JD Record: 14-0

Notable players gone: Jordan Saylor, Mica Girstantas, Malik Wingate, Kendell Dennis, Troy Hughes

Notable players returning: Caleb Gage, Deandre Bryant, Quintis Brooks, Murray Hill, Tyreek Ragland

Others expected to join the roster: Patrick Ronayne, Jaylen Hudson, Jalen Fitch, Sam Neale, Khalil Vest

Predicted starting lineup:

Murray Hill, Caleb Gage, Jaylen Hudson, Tyreek Ragland, Deandre Bryant

Predicted Second Team:

Sam Neale, Jalen Fitch, Patrick Ronayne, Quintis Brooks, Khalil Vest

Why the Black Knights are ranked here:

Much can be said about the Black Knight’s season in 2014. CHS went undefeated in Jefferson District play, won the Conference 23 Crown, and made it to the Elite 8 before falling to EC Glass 58-54, one win away from a State Final Four appearance. Now, with key players like Jordan Saylor and Mica Girstantas gone, the Knights have huge holes to fill. Still, Caleb Gage and Murray Hill played well in Saylor’s absence at the end of last season, Gage had two 19 point games, one in the Sweet 16 and one in the Elite 8. Tyreek Ragland was a very effective scorer and defender last year, and he should only get better. Deandre Bryant and Khalil Vest will be able to fill in the hole Dennis left, Bryant can bring the size and strength and Vest will bring back the height and scoring Dennis brought to the table. What about Girstantas’s shooting ability? Patrick Ronayne and Jalen Hudson, both on the JV team last year, will be able to mimic the percentages Girstantas had behind the arc and Ronayne is a better shooter off the dribble than Girstantas ever was. With experienced players like Quintis Brooks returning, and former JV players such as Jalen Fitch, Khalil Vest and Sam Neale joining the roster to back up the starters, the Black Knights should be just fine next year.

3. Western Albemarle

2014 Record: 17-7

2014 JD Record: 11-3

Notable Players Gone: Josh Casteen, Carter Berry, Scott Grover, Sam Swanson, Will Kinlaw

Notable Players Returning: Ryan Ingram, Mike Vale, Jared Carter, Carrington Murphy, Chris Mcgaren, Will Cress

Why the Warriors are ranked here: 

Some might say Western Albemarle is on a decline in the basketball world. They had a down year last year and lose important players like Josh Casteen and Carter Berry…but, the Warriors still finished second in the district and did not lose as many players Charlottesville or Fluvanna did. Ryan Ingram is back, and it will only be his junior year. Others still, such as Mike Vale, Jared Carter, Carrington Murphy, Chris Mcgaren, and Will Cress will again, just as usual, be a very unselfish, very hot-shooting team. Under Darren Maynard, the Warriors will again challenge in the District and be a Title contender in Conference 29 of the 3A Division. Yes, Western Albemarle Basketball isn’t going anywhere.

4. Fluvanna

2014 Record: 14-12

2014 JD Record: 6-8

Notable Players Gone: Vincent Agee IV, Talavious Hughes, Hunter Deforge, Kashawn Anderson, Nafeese Smith, Jake Mooney

Notable Players Returning: Jameel Wilson, Tyler Marshall

Why the Flucos are ranked here:

This is the one I am not betting my money on. Fluvanna lost almost everybody from a 14-12 team, including Division 4A All-State First Team Player Vinny Agee, plus most of their rotation, Talavious Hughes, Hunter Deforge, Kashawn Anderson, Nafeese Smith, and Jake Mooney all graduated last spring. Still, the Flucos finished fourth in the District last season and they still have Jameel Wilson. He is poised for a superb senior season. After a breakout junior year, the kid will have lots of roles to fill, but he will join the list of complete point guards in the District, with experience and skill both on his side. The Flucos also, as usual, have an impressive freshman and middle school class coming to Pleasant Grove, so the Flucos, under one of the best coaches in the region Munro Rateau, should survive Jefferson District Play once again.

5. Monticello

2014 Record: 7-15

2014 JD Record: 5-9

Notable Players Gone: Rashad Brooks, John Anderson, Robert Deane

Notable Players Returning: Gabe Thacker, Jacoby Jackson, James Connaughton, Josh Rush, Jordan Spry, Anthony Lee

Why the Mustangs are ranked here: 

A new coach is coming to southern Albemarle to coach the Mustangs, Robert Spry. Spry was the JV coach for Monticello last year, and he led them to a 15-6 record. Spry had a superb career as the JV coach, and, even though replacing Robert Shelton will be difficult, should be a good fit with the Maniacs of Monticello. Losing Rashad Brooks to will hurt the Mustangs, he provided great shooting throughout his career. Monticello’s problem last year was their lack of post presence and the fact that Brooks basically carried the team. Now that Brooks is gone and the post area is still relatively empty, many predict doom for the Mustangs once again this season, but don’t be too quick to judge. Last year, Monticello was 7-15. Sure, that may be a terrible record, but look at their schedule last year. Charlottesville, Albemarle, and Western Albemarle twice, EC Glass, Spotswood, and many other top 25 teams last year lined Monticello’s schedule. That doesn’t mean they were bad last year, they just played really good teams. Rising sophomore Jacoby Jackson is back, and he should be better. Gabe Thacker also returns for his senior season.  Anthony Lee is poised for a breakout senior season. Even though a coaching change is difficult, the Mustangs should still be effective again next season.

Last three: 

6. Louisa
7. Powhatan
8. Orange