Game Night: Varina - Henrico

Varina closed out the regular season in impressive fashion with a 65–54 victory over Henrico, putting an emphatic stamp on a dominant stretch run. The Blue Devils finished undefeated in region play and have firmly positioned themselves as one of the favorites to capture the Class 4 state championship. With postseason intensity already in the air, several prospects stepped up and delivered strong performances on both ends of the floor. Here's a closer look at the players who stood out in last night's contest.    The recent Hampden-Sydney commit delivered a dominant second-half performance, finishing with 19 points to lead the Blue Devils. Straughter brings excellent positional size and the ability to score at all three levels, whether stretching the floor from beyond the arc, knocking down midrange pull-ups, or finishing through contact at the rim. He plays with confidence and poise, understanding how to create space and capitalize on mismatches. With his versatility, feel for the game, and physical tools, he looks like a prospect capable of making an immediate impact for one of the top small-college programs in the country.     The freshman currently plays a limited role on this year's team, but the long-term outlook is very promising for this long, athletic, and mobile forward. He runs the floor effortlessly, changing ends with ease and consistently putting pressure on the defense in transition. Around the rim, he shows soft touch and developing body control, finishing plays with confidence when given opportunities. He competes with a high motor, brings energy on both ends, and has the physical tools to grow into a major contributor as he continues to add strength and experience.     A possible football prospect as well, Wyche is a quick, athletic, attacking guard who can score at all three levels and puts constant pressure on the defense. He is effective getting downhill, shows touch on pull-ups, and has the strength to finish through contact at the rim. His effort and competitiveness on the defensive end stand out, as he takes pride in guarding the ball and making plays on that side of the floor.     The prospect who flashed the most long-term upside on Thursday night was Stinney, who came off the bench to pour in 19 points for Henrico. At 6'8, the mobile forward brings impressive length and a versatile offensive skill set that makes him a matchup problem. He connected on three shots from beyond the arc, showed the ability to create off the dribble, and finished above the rim in traffic. Defensively, he uses his length to alter and block shots, impacting plays around the basket. With his size, mobility, and expanding perimeter game, the junior is a high-upside prospect college coaches will want to monitor closely this offseason.     The senior scoring wing finished with 15 points in last night's loss and reinforced that he is a legitimate next-level prospect. A true three-level scorer, he knocked down two shots from well beyond the arc against Varina and consistently applied pressure on the defense. Mayo uses his length and positional size effectively, attacking the rim with purpose and drawing fouls to get to the free-throw line. On the defensive end, he is equally impactful, showing the ability to guard multiple positions and compete with toughness and discipline.     The primary ball handler for the Warriors, Golden is a strong, quick, and cerebral point guard who can seamlessly shift between scorer and facilitator. The sophomore finished with 13 points last night, attacking gaps in the defense and consistently getting into the paint to create offense for himself and his teammates. He plays with poise beyond his years, makes sound decisions with the basketball, and understands how to control tempo. In addition to his on-court production, Golden carries a high GPA, which will only expand his opportunities as a college prospect in the 2028 class.

Varina closed out the regular season in impressive fashion with a 65–54 victory over Henrico, putting an emphatic stamp on a dominant stretch run. The Blue Devils finished undefeated in region play and have firmly positioned themselves as one of the favorites to capture the Class 4 state championship. With postseason intensity already in the air, several prospects stepped up and delivered strong performances on both ends of the floor. Here's a closer look at the players who stood out in last night's contest.