Williamsburg Christian Academy has flirted yearly with another VISAA State title since they won it all with a talented group led by Deron Powers in 2012. Last year the team seemed poised to finally break through again with four Senior starters, including three current collegiate players in Xavier Green (ODU), Andre Brown (Lynchburg), and Mike Duncan (Hampden Sydney), as well as a high hustle Ryan Flanagan. That team’s championship bid would fall short, however, when they fell in the state semi’s to eventual VISAA D3 Champion Virginia Academy.
Although the loss of those seniors will certainly present a challenge to overcome for Coach Chris Brown, both the addition of a few key pieces, and improvement in many of the returning players as well as up and coming players from last year’s JV ranks, should fill much of the gap from the departures. WCA’s 2016 squad contains three seniors, swingman Luke Anderson, three year varsity contributor Danny Kean, and wing Chris Thomas, but the undeniable leader and Captain of the team is All-Metro selection from 2015-2016, Cle’Von Greene. Greene has continued to hone his skills in year round ball, and is well complemented by the Junior twin guard combo of Rashawn and Dashawn Cook.
The 2016 team will also draw upon some of its youth for depth, including improving players Dexter Radcliffe, guard Evan Henley, and 6-5″ Javon Noray.
The key to this season for the Eagles, though, may very well rest on the additions that have been made to the roster. Addressing a need to counter Virginia Academy’s twin tower players measuring 6′-10″ and 6′-11″, transfer Chester Makoi measures in at 6′-9″ and should provide a menacing presence around the basket. The team also added speedy Sophomore guard Kivinie Johnson, as well as able ball handler Ethan Conrad and big man Taylor Saunders.
The Eagles open the season as highly considered team in Virginia, and near the top of VISAA Division 3 on the strength of this roster, but the first true test of those conjectures will come Thursday, November 17th, when WCA opens at home against touted Life Christian Academy. The JV game starts at 5:30PM, and the Varsity will tip at 7:00PM.
2015-2106 Graduating Seniors:
Xavier Green, Ryan Flanagan, Andre Brown, Mike Duncan, Austin Ortiz
2015-2016 Departures:
Ryan Stover
2016-2017 Additions:
Chester Makoi, Kivinie Johnson, Taylor Saunders, Ethan Conrad
Williamsburg Christian Academy has flirted yearly with another VISAA State title since they won it all with a talented group led by Deron Powers in 2012. Last year the team seemed poised to finally break through again with four Senior starters, including three current collegiate players in Xavier Green (ODU), Andre Brown (Lynchburg), and Mike Duncan (Hampden Sydney), as well as a high hustle Ryan Flanagan. That team’s championship bid would fall short, however, when they fell in the state semi’s to eventual VISAA D3 Champion Virginia Academy.
Although the loss of those seniors will certainly present a challenge to overcome for Coach Chris Brown, both the addition of a few key pieces, and improvement in many of the returning players as well as up and coming players from last year’s JV ranks, should fill much of the gap from the departures. WCA’s 2016 squad contains three seniors, swingman Luke Anderson, three year varsity contributor Danny Kean, and wing Chris Thomas, but the undeniable leader and Captain of the team is All-Metro selection from 2015-2016, Cle’Von Greene. Greene has continued to hone his skills in year round ball, and is well complemented by the Junior twin guard combo of Rashawn and Dashawn Cook.
The 2016 team will also draw upon some of its youth for depth, including improving players Dexter Radcliffe, guard Evan Henley, and 6-5″ Javon Noray.
The key to this season for the Eagles, though, may very well rest on the additions that have been made to the roster. Addressing a need to counter Virginia Academy’s twin tower players measuring 6′-10″ and 6′-11″, transfer Chester Makoi measures in at 6′-9″ and should provide a menacing presence around the basket. The team also added speedy Sophomore guard Kivinie Johnson, as well as able ball handler Ethan Conrad and big man Taylor Saunders.
The Eagles open the season as highly considered team in Virginia, and near the top of VISAA Division 3 on the strength of this roster, but the first true test of those conjectures will come Thursday, November 17th, when WCA opens at home against touted Life Christian Academy. The JV game starts at 5:30PM, and the Varsity will tip at 7:00PM.
2015-2106 Graduating Seniors:
Xavier Green, Ryan Flanagan, Andre Brown, Mike Duncan, Austin Ortiz
2015-2016 Departures:
Ryan Stover
2016-2017 Additions:
Chester Makoi, Kivinie Johnson, Taylor Saunders, Ethan Conrad