RTD sports reporter Zach Joachim looks at the final standings of local girls high school basketball for the 22-23 season.
T-D Top 10 for girls high school hoops
Ranking. Team (record, previous ranking)
1. Manchester (22-6, 2)
2. Thomas Dale (24-3, 1)
3. James River (18-4, 3)
4. L.C. Bird (23-5, 5)
5. Glen Allen (23-3, 4)
6. Saint Gertrude (25-8, 6)
7. Steward (23-10, 9)
8. Highland Springs (17-5, 7)
9. Hopewell (18-3, 8)
10. John Marshall (20-7, N/R)
On the cusp: Hanover (19-9, N/R), Matoaca (18-7, N/R), Monacan (16-7, 10)
People are also reading…
Rankings breakdown
East Carolina recruit and Sports Backers Scholar-Athlete Jaedyn Cook led No. 10 John Marshall to a Region 2A title and Class 2 semifinal appearance.
The Edmonds sisters Erin and Alexis proved one of the area’s most formidable scoring duos all year, their Hopewell Blue Devils come in at No. 9.
The backcourt duo of Ah’Kiya Pye and Morgan Boyd fueled No. 8 Highland Springs all year. Freshman phenom Sanai Green and coach Kara Bacile led No. 7 Steward to the VISAA Division II semifinals, and senior Purdue Fort-Wayne recruit Erin Woodson was the catalyst for No. 6 Saint Gertrude as Robyn D’Onofrio’s Gators reached the VISAA Division I quarterfinals.
Glen Allen spent time at the very top of our rankings this season, and Rick Brennan’s Jaguars finish a stellar season at No. 5 after Cierra McGinlay and Sydney Worsham propelled them to the Class 5 semifinals, where Chevette Waller’s No. 4-ranked L.C. Bird squad got the best of them behind Naval Academy recruit Kyah Smith, who led the Skyhawks to a state runner-up finish.
“I’ll reflect on how much we worked as a team, how we grew closer as a team."
And as it has been most of the year, it is a trio of Class 6 adversaries at the top of our final rankings.
Sophomore North Carolina recruit Lanie Grant and senior guard Arshae Jackson paced No. 3 James River, as Henry Schechter’s Rapids lost only to two teams all year, both of which played for state championships this past weekend.
Sophomore guard Nylah Wilson and senior forward Tamyah Webb helped No. 2 Thomas Dale carve up area opposition all year, as coach Pamela Walker’s Knights made it all the way to the state semifinals.
That is where Dale ran into our top-ranked team, as Mia Woolfolk, Rayne Wright, Leah Hampton and Co. put together a resounding second-half performance to help No. 1 Manchester earn a dramatic come-from-behind victory over the Knights in the Class 6 semifinals.
You could almost see it coming.
Over the past few years, Coach Rasheed Wright has built an elite contender in the Lancers, which narrowly missed out on the program’s first-ever state title with a 3-point loss to James Madison in Friday’s Class 6 championship.
PHOTOS: Manchester falls to James Madison in the state finals
Manchester point guard Leah Hampton (12) defends during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday in Richmond.
Manchester player Mia Woolfolk (23) fight for the ball against James Madison player Avery Griepentrog (24) during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday in Richmond.
Manchester player Mia Woolfolk (23) shoots over James Madison player Adeline Suryabudi (14) during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday in Richmond.
Manchester players Keileen Edwards (10) and Mia Woolfolk (23) walk off the court after losing in a Class 6 VHSL State championship on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester's Mia Woolfolk (top) and James Madison's Avery Griepentrog battle for the ball during the Lancers' loss in the Class 6 title game.
Manchester’s Keileen Edwards (left) is consoled by Mya Adkinson after the Lancers fell one win short of a state title.
Manchester point guard Leah Hampton (12) makes a pass around James Madison players during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester player Mia Woolfolk (23) blocks a James Madison shooting guard Kayla Dixon (10) shot with help from point player Rayne Wright (13) during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester player Mia Woolfolk (23) looks on from her bench after losing in a Class 6 VHSL State championship on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester player Keileen Edwards (10) gets consoled by Mya Adkinson (5) after losing in a Class 6 VHSL State championship on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester player Mia Woolfolk (23) and point guard Leah Hampton (12) celebrate during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Rayne Wright (13) walks to her bench following Manchester's loss to James Madison in the Class 6 girls state championship game on March 10 in VCU's Siegel Center.
Manchester player Rayne Wright (13) shoots over James Madison player Adeline Suryabudi (14) during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester point guard Leah Hampton (12) shoots over James Madison player Adeline Suryabudi (14) during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
James Madison shooting guard Kayla Dixon (10) and Manchester player Keileen Edwards (10) fight for a loose ball during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
James Madison small forward Lillian Perkins (20) shoots as Manchester player Rayne Wright (13) defends during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester point guard Finley Weaver (3) shoots three during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester player Olivia Wright (2) shoots over James Madison player Avery Griepentrog (24) during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester player Mia Woolfolk (23) fights for the ball against James Madison player Avery Griepentrog (24) during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester player Mia Woolfolk (23) holds her head in her hands after losing in a Class 6 VHSL State championship on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester player Keileen Edwards (10) celebrates after Olivia Wright score three points during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester player Mia Woolfolk (23) walks to her bench after James Madison took the lead during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Manchester player Mia Woolfolk (23) celebrates during a timeout during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
James Madison player Avery Griepentrog (24) celebrates her three points over Manchester player Mia Woolfolk (23) with Sarah Link (32) during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
James Madison shooting guard Kayla Dixon (10) drives the ball away from Manchester player Rayne Wright (13) during a Class 6 VHSL State championship between Manchester and James Madison on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
PHOTOS: L.C. Bird falls to Princess Anne in the State final
L.C. Bird’s Justice Hicks is fouled on a drive during the Skyhawks’ loss to Princess Anne in the Class 5 championship game at the Siegel Center. Hicks scored 13 points.
L.C. Bird’s Aliyah Elliott, left, consoles Essence Cushionberry after the Skyhawks’ loss to Princess Anne in the Class 5 championship game.
L.C. Bird’s Justice Hicks drive between Princess Anne defenders during the Skyhawks’ loss in the Class 5 championship game at the Siegel Center. Hicks scored 13 points.
L.C. Bird forward Essence Cushionberry (11) and L.C. Bird player Nia Armstrong (0) look on after losing to Princess Anne in a Class 5 VHSL State championship on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird guard Lauryn George (4) shoots as Princess Anne guard Hailey Harris (32) fouls her during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird player Aliyah Elliott (23) gets fouled by Princess Anne forward Damaria Moree (30) during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird forward Justice Hicks (15) fights for the ball against Princess Anne point guard Zakiya Stephenson (21) during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird point guard Trinity Dale (3) shoots a three pointer during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird guard Lauryn George (4) shoots as Princess Anne player Tinasia Spencer (14) fouls her during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird forward Justice Hicks (15) gets fouled during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird point guard Kyah Smith (13) shoots as she get fouled by Princess Anne guard Hailey Harris (32) during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird point guard Kyah Smith (13) looks on after Princess Anne etended the lead during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird player Aliyah Elliott (23) consoles forward Essence Cushionberry (11) after losing to Princess Anne in a Class 5 VHSL State championship on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird player Aliyah Elliott (23) consoles forward Essence Cushionberry (11) after losing to Princess Anne in a Class 5 VHSL State championship on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
Princess Anne point guard Zakiya Stephenson (21) blows a kiss after hitting a three pointer during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird point guard Trinity Dale (3) walks to her bench after losing to Princess Anne in a Class 5 VHSL State championship on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird point guard Kyah Smith (13) and forward Justice Hicks (15) walk to their bench after losing to Princess Anne in a Class 5 VHSL State championship on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird coach put her head in her hands as the time runs out during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
L.C. Bird forward Justice Hicks (15) gets double teamed during a Class 5 VHSL State championship between Princess Anne and L.C. Bird on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia.
