Classification: VISAA D2 Head Coach: Brandon Jones Last Season: 23-10. Lost in State Semifinals to Virginia Episcopal School. Key Dates: 12/12 @ Middleburg Academy 12/15 @ Blue Ridge …
Classification: VISAA D2
Head Coach: Brandon Jones
Last Season: 23-10. Lost in State Semifinals to Virginia Episcopal School.
Key Dates: 12/12 @ Middleburg Academy
12/15 @ Blue Ridge
1/8 @ Bishop Sullivan
1/12 Virginia Episcopal
1/27 @ Benedictine
1/30 Williamsburg Christian (Vantage Hoops RVA Classic)
2/15 @ Miller School
Who they Lose: Malik Crute (Chowan), Jordan Cross (transfer)
Key Returners: Azariah Sykes, Miles Gibson, Vilontae Eanes, Charles “CJ” Williams
Key Newcomers: Ben Stanley, Aaron Cash, Isaiah Mosely, Nahlij Riley, Derrick Jones Jr.
Projected Starting 5: Ben Stanley, CJ Williams, Aaron Cash, .Miles Gibson, Azariah Sykes
For a program that’s only in their third year of existence, not many can say they have seen half of the success that Millwood has. The small private school in Chesterfield formed their basketball team two seasons ago, and won the VISAA Division 3 State Championship that year. After moving up last season and playing a national schedule, Millwood still saw success beating some of the best teams on the east coast.
This year, the Bobcats are a completely different team however. It starts at the top, with a new, young coach in Brandon Jones who brought in a plethora of young talent to fill out the roster. While both Jones and the program are relatively young, he wants to instill a tradition of winning from the jump.
“We want to promote and live out a culture of fearlessness, work ethic and cohesiveness no matter what lineup is on the floor,” Jones said.
Millwood is stacked with talent, but they have to find a way to replace the production of their leader last season Jermaine “JJ” Matthews who will miss the season with knee surgery. They are led by an inside-out senior combination of CJ Williams and Azariah Sykes. Williams, a Howard commit, is a true three level scorer who is a menace with the ball in his hands. Sykes, a Morgan State commit, is a hard-nosed big who excels on the glass and the defensive end.
The two seniors will lead the way, but the depth is the biggest strength for Millwood. They are capable and willing to go ten deep, and have shown early that they can play a multitude of lineups. Their biggest question will be from a playmaking perspective. Both of their point guards, Nahlij Riley and Isaiah Mosely, are talented freshmen, but will be facing tough and experienced guards in the VISAA.
“We won’t lean on one player,” Jones said. “I stress to them, how many assists can we average? And defensively, how much pressure can we apply with our length and speed to make other teams uncomfortable.”
It will be a tough road for Millwood, who are forced to gel while playing a brutal schedule. However, they plan on taking it one game at a time and focusing on getting better every day.
“Our goals are to get better as a unit,” Jones reiterated. “We want to be able to play multiple lineups and a hectic style that few teams can actually prepare for.”
Millwood has already seen improvement, winning three straight after dropping their first two games of the season. They travel to Fork Union Military Friday, before playing Thomas Jefferson at Meadowbrook in the ASSIST Tipoff Classic.