Five Takeaways: Lawson Classic

The annual William Lawson Jr. Classic was held at Petersburg High this past weekend. The event honoring legendary Petersburg Crimson Wave coach, William Lawson Jr., the most winningest coach in PHS history, features several squads from all over Virginia, competing in a day of action. Saturday's event featured 6 games. Here's some takeaways from the exciting day of hooping. The Home Team Let's begin with the home team. The played in the final game of the day, in front of a packed house. The night before, the Petersburg Crimson Wave defeated crosstown rival, the Dinwiddie Generals, by a score of 85-51. Junior guard, Milton Coles Jr., led the Crimson Wave with 30 points, including six 3-pointers, and did not take his foot off the gas heading into Saturday's competition. Coles Jr., most definitely had the smoothest jumper in the gym on Saturday. He once again was the Crimson Wave's leading scorer, with 23 last night. Senior combo guard, D'Monte Brown, who was not in action Friday against the Generals, returned to the lineup as well last night. Brown, who can shoot the jumper, as well as finds ways to get to the rim was a great addition back into the lineup for the Wave, and also had 23 points on the night. The Crimson Wave is currently on a 10 game winning streak, after beginning the season 0-2, for a 10-2 record. The Heavyweight Championship Matchup Defending 3A champion, the John Marshall Justices, and defending 4A champion, the Lake Taylor Titans featured arguably the best point guard matchup of the night. With senior Levar Allen leading the Justices, and senior Zyrail Mitchell leading the Titans, both guards are two of the best seniors left available. The Titans came out the gate shooting well, and led by a score of 11-5 at the first timeout. The Justices, adjusted, and senior guard, Aubrey Merritt, who recently committed to Life University evened the score at 11, with a 3 ball, and on the next possession, the most athletic player in the gym on Saturday, junior, Elijah Seward, who's been having a coming out party of his own this season, got the crowd involved with a two-hand slam. The Justices would never be down again, even with the Titans not letting up. Senior DeMarr McRae, ended the first quarter with a triple, and the Justices took a 45-40 lead into halftime. The return of sophomore Roosevelt Wheeler, a 6'11 post player was also key to the Justices win. His size is a big upside for the squad, and his court awareness is probably the best of any sophomore in the state. The Lake Taylor Titans showed various defensive schemes, beginning the game in a 1-2-2 zone, and eventually coming out of that zone with the Justices shooting abilities, John Marshall scored the ball efficiently for the win. Both teams however can look to see themselves back in the state playoffs. Blowout. The first game of the day seen one team never let up, while the other just could never get over the hump. The Thomas Jefferson Vikings made the trip down 95S to Petersburg to take on the Bayside Marlins, out of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Vikings started the game with their foot on the gas, jumping out to a 30-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. All five scorers scored in the first quarter, and the Vikings continued to cruise throughout the game. Bayside would go on small runs and gain temporary momentum, but the Vikings would always answer with offensive runs, and their scrappy defensive play, causing the Marlins to commit many turnovers. Turnovers which led to baskets on the other end for the Marlins. Seniors, Teon Tiller and Orlando Davis, along with junior, Mohammed Mahadi all scored in double digits to give the Vikings the easy 76-45 win over the Marlins. Shooters... SHOOT. The second matchup of the day featured the Bulldogs of Brunswick High School, and the Drifters, of Colonial Beach High School, in Westmoreland, Virginia. The Drifters, who made the trip to Petersburg for the first time, were hot from the moment they stepped on the court. The Bulldogs and Drifters traded buckets throughout the entire first half, but Colonial Beach took a 41-34 lead after the 2nd. Sophomore, Jace Jett, and 2020, Corvion Davis, combined for 26 to take the Drifters into halftime. But the second half was all the Reginald Walker (2021) show. He made five 3s in the second half, two of which led to 4-point plays, both of which he completed, to lead the Bulldogs back to a 71-69 lead in the 4th quarter. With a little under 4 minutes left in the game, the Bulldogs ran out to a 12 point lead, when 2020, Jaden Firman when on a run on his own, to compliment Walker. But the Drifters just would not give up, Davis and Jett continued to keep them in the game, and senior, Aneis Lyons, who had a solid game of his own, hit the game winning 3 pointer at the buzzer. 3A.. but in particular, Conference 26 Saturday's event was a great, early preview to not only the Conference 26 playoffs, but also 3A postseason action as well. With four Conference 26 teams in action, (Petersburg, Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, and Hopewell), all of which came out with wins, Conference 26 has a great chance of repeating as the 3A State Champions. Defending champions, the John Marshall Justices, have not lost their touch since losing Isaiah Todd, due to transfer. Seniors; DeMarr McRae, Levar Allen, Jairus Ashlock, and Aubery Merritt, alongside junior, Elijah Seward, and sophomore, Roosevelt Wheeler, back from injury, the Justices play the hardest schedule of anybody in the conference. Over the winter break, the saw action in 2 major tournaments, one in Florida and one in Atlanta, which make them more poised for bigger competition than most. On Saturday, they had a great showing against a gritty, Lake Taylor squad. Everyone played their role well, and that lead them to victory. On the other hand, host school, Petersburg, is looking well themselves. Having declined since the Frank Mason era, the Crimson Wave look to have that "swagger" back. On a 10 game winning streak, and lead by arguably the most underrated combo guard in the conference, senior D'Monte Brown, the shooting of 2020, Milton Coles Jr., sophomore forward, NaQuan Greer-Lyons, a transfer from Lake Taylor, providing coverage in the paint, and the exceptional play during the streak of point guard, Nayson Massenburg, the Wave just might be back. They have had some big wins as of late, including a trip to the 757 that resulted in a win over Lake Taylor, and being crowned the Tri-Cities Holiday Classic champions, it would not be surprising to see the Wave and Justices go at it in the conference championship, but look to see them both in the 3A playoffs. As for Hopewell, they are just not the same squad as the previous season. They have their ups and downs, but often find themselves just not being offensively efficient. But they do have sophomores, Elvin Edmonds IV, and Lamonta Ellis, two of the best scorers in the conference, and their class in the state, who often lead them to victory. Big, Izeah Parker has noticeably improved on the defensive end, and as a whole, the Blue Devils have relied on their defensive schemes to win. And for the sleepers. Thomas Jefferson. TJ is led by senior point guard, Teon Tiller. Tiller is one of the best scorers in the state, and has a knack for getting to the rim, and drawing the foul. Alongside Tiller, senior, Orlando Davis, and junior, Mohammed Mahadi are not only offensively efficient, but the Vikings are also arguably the best defensive team in the conference.