The WCA Boys Varsity Basketball team has done it again. For the third straight year, they have gone undefeated and won the regular season Metro Conference crown, clinching after wins against Broadwater Academy and Isle of Wight these past weeks. Entering these contests, only losses against both of those opponents could have resulted in a tie in record only with Hampton Christian Academy, but even then, the Eagles would have been crowned champion on the strength of two head to head victories.

The Start of the Run

Since we last reported, the Eagles faced a critical matchup against the always tough rival Atlantic Shores Christian School Seahawks. A yearly nemesis of WCA, and the last team to take the METRO regular season crown in the 2014-2015 season, WCA had handled Shores on their court by twenty-five points. This time around, the team was without the services of top scorer, Cle’von Greene, and the interruption in team chemistry was noticeable. The Eagles came out flat and unable to move the ball or score and promptly went down 22-7 to start. After a few adjustments, however, including more play by big body Jalen Vaughan, double threats Da’Shawn and Ra’Shawn Cook sparked a 25 point swing the rest of the way with 47 combined points, en route to a 74-64 win.

Tired Legs

The next afternoon, WCA faced off against now Division 3 #3 Christ Chapel or Woodbridge. The return of Greene couldn’t save the Eagles from the comedown and physical toll of the previous night’s contest. Despite holding a 7 point lead at the half, WCA faltered down the stretch after the half as Christ Chapel went on a 23-12 run in the 3rd Quarter, and put the game away in the 4th 70-67. These two teams could very well meet again near the semi-finals or even the finals of the VISAA State Tournament. A bright spot for the Eagles was Jalen Vaughan hitting 9 of 10 free throws to finish with 11 points.

Reserves Get Time

The following Tuesday, the team hosted the Stonebridge Cavaliers for their second contest in a week. With Stonebridge a developing unit near the bottom of the standings, Coach Kenya Williams elected to rest the senior Cook brothers and Greene for the upcoming game against Division 2 Millwood. Junior guard Kivinie Johnson took control of this one, as he poured in 33 points on 65% shooting.  Key reserve guard Malachi Banks added 12 and Dexter Radcliffe 12 with 12 rebounds, as WCA won comfortably 75-36.

Division 2 Test

The next evening the Eagles faced #10 ranked Millwood from Divison 2. Unfortunately, the Eagles found themselves a man short once again as Ra’Shawn Cook was unable to play while nursing a sore shoulder. While Ra’Shawn Cook (19) and Cle’Von Green (31) combined for 50 points, the defensive chemistry was lacking, and the Eagles allowed an uncharacteristic 82 points, losing at Millwood 82-72.

Locking up the Conference

The Eagles finished up the Metro season with three games in 5 days, including a Friday/Monday home and home against Broadwater. The team was able to cruise to wins in all three contests, clinching the Metro regular season crown. At Broadwater, a 28-9 third quarter put Broadwater away behind 32 points from Greene and 21 with 12 assists from Da’Shawn Cook. The following Monday, Cook and Greene would share the scoring lead with 23 apiece, with Radcliffe adding 18 for an 89-49 final. And in the final game, the Eagles mopped up Isle of Wight 85-48. Dexter Radcliffe led all scorers with 20 on a stunning 10-11 from the field.

Ending on an Up Note

With several disappointing losses to Life Christian Academy, Millwood, and Christ Chapel in the last few weeks, many have probably been wondering if WCA is the force we had seen earlier in the season. Perhaps the wear and tear of the season may undermine their ability to return to the State Championship picture. Those doubts were answered last Thursday, as the Eagles hosted Division 1 powerhouse Bishop Sullivan or Virginia Beach in a makeup game initially slated during the snow storm cancellations. On paper, the game appeared a complete mismatch: the Crusaders had three players at 6’6″ or taller, including 6’9″ center Kenan Sarvan, with WCA’s tallest player, Jahvon Noray standing at just 6’5″.  Bishop Sullivan had also beaten common opponent Capital Christian Academy earlier in the year; a team WCA lost to in overtime. But the Eagles played to their strengths, utilizing their outstanding speed and quickness to slash and excellent perimeter game, as well as hounding defense to win big 80-55, which will provide a significant boost when State tournament seeds come out in a few weeks.

NEXT UP: The Metro Tournament

WCA seeks vindication this year in the Metro tournament as they were barred from participating in the 2016-2017 tournament due to the disallowed playing of a JV player last season. The Metro tournament is much closer to home this year at Denbigh Baptist Christian School on 13010 Mitchell Point Rd in Newport News. Action will start Thursday afternoon at 3:45 versus Denbigh Baptist, but the action will ramp up Friday and Saturday night at Denbigh Baptist for the semi-final and finals!! Hope to see you there!