Justices’ boys team has talent, height and deep bench

They come at you in waves— so tall, so talented, so tenacious and so many.

With a full head of steam, John Marshall High School’s Justices rumbled into this week’s State Class 2 hoops tournament.

Some might suggest, only partly in jest, that John Marshall would have been a better fit for last week’s CIAA Tournament in Baltimore. And in time, a majority of the Justices players will play on the college level.

Coach Ty White’s white and blue clad North Siders went through the 2A Region like a sharp knife through warm butter, defeating Bruton High School of Williamsburg 75-26; Richmond’s Thomas Jefferson High School 78-44; and Greensville High School in Emporia 88-41.

John Marshall is a team crying for nicknames. Call them the “Blue Forest” for their height. Coach White can go big with 6-foot-10, 6-foot-7 or 6-foot-6 up front if he chooses.

Or you can call them the “Blue Streaks” for their sprinter speed in creating havoc defensively and choreographing a relentless fast break.

Sophomore Damon “Lil’ Redd” Thompson and senior Reginald Robinson form a blurring backcourt that never seems to blink, much less stop.

Surely, John Marshall gives its opponents a case of the blues with its depth. The Justices could likely divide their roster into Team A and Team B, with both contending for a state crown. John Marshall goes at least 10 deep on any night. The long bench is made to order for full-floor pressure at a jet engine pace.

“Our players look forward to and love playing together,” Coach White said. “They’re always ready for the call. We play with a lot of energy. Everyone plays full out, hard. There’s no drop off when we substitute.”

On a team of stars, none shines brighter than 6-foot-6 junior Dennis Parker Jr. Already a top national college recruit, Parker is special with his versatility. He’s capable of being the best player on the floor at any position, from point guard to center. He’s an accurate 3-point shooter and operates like a pogo stick around the hoop.

Even as a junior, Parker deserves to be in the conversation of the greatest Justices of all time. And that’s a star-studded list including the likes of Fletcher Johnson, Biggie Bell, Ed Sherod, Milton Bell, LaMar Taylor, Jeremy Sheppard, Isaiah Todd, Roosevelt Wheeler, Jayson Nelson and so many more.

Coach White has so many weapons. Ashaun Moore, Ka’Shawn Cordes, Justin Brown and Steve Stinson who share the limelight for John Marshall would likely be the leading scorers on other teams.

Off the bench, Coach White can insert 6-foot-10 Tyler Mason, a lefty with a soft inside touch, and powerhouse 6-foot- 7, 285-pound Malachi Dark.

Coach White compares Dark to Quinton Spain, who he coached at Petersburg High School. Spain, who sparkled in basketball and football at Petersburg High, is now an offensive guard for the Cincinnati Bengals.

John Marshall has domi- nated state hoops in the lower enrollment classifications in recent years. The Justices won state titles in 2014, defeating George Wythe High School 74- 56; in 2018, defeating Western Albemarle High School 63-42; and in 2020, defeating Gate City High School 75-57.

The Justices would have been an overwhelming favorite to prevail in 2021 had Richmond Public Schools not opted out because of the pandemic.

Many suggest John Marshall is “sandbagging” in Class 2 and should compete in the larger classifications. That it is not allowed by the Virginia High School League. There are six en- rollment classifications among the state’s public schools.

So instead, Coach White offers this: “A Tournament of Champions.”

“I’d like to see all six champs come together for one big tour- nament, along with the private school champs,” Coach White said. “Fans would love it.”

It’s hard imagining John Marshall as an underdog even against the largest schools—that is, unless a few college teams slipped into the bracket.

State scoring leader to play against John Marshall

There is a new state high school scoring champion in Virginia, and he is coming to Richmond.

Last week, Tyler Nickel of East Rockingham High in Elkton passed Mac McClung of Gate City High School as the career scoring leader among the state’s public schools.

The 6-foot-8 Nickel tossed in 37 points in a win over Strasburg High School to reach 2,804 career markers. McClung, now playing in the NBA G-League, was the previous leader with 2,801. Nickel signed with the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in November and will be suiting up for the Tar Heels next season.

But Nickel isn’t done with high school yet.

Nickel’s 23-5 East Rockingham Eagles are coming to Richmond to face John Marshall High School on Friday, March 4, in the State 2A quarterfinals at Huguenot High School.

Passing the 2,000 point mark is an extreme rarity.

According to Virginia High School League statistics, here are Richmond area members of the select “2,000 Point Club”:

• Tyrese Rice: L.C. Bird High School, 2,328 points

• Tyree Evans: George Wythe High School, 2,251

• Clyde Austin: Maggie L. Walker High School, 2,158

• Kendrick Warren: Thomas Jefferson High School, 2,134

• Moses Malone: Petersburg High School, 2,124

• Travis McKie: John Marshall High School, 2,094

• Frank Mason: Petersburg High School, 2,003

Hunter Hoggatt scored 2,023 points for Altavista High School and Varina High School combined.

Nick Sherod, now a graduate player at the University of Richmond, scored 2,815 points for St. Christopher’s School in a career spanning eighth through 12th grade at the private school.

Eighth-graders are not allowed to play on varsity under VHSL guidelines.

Lady Justices look to pour it on in state quarterfinals

John Marshall High School basketball opponents are in jeopardy—make that double jeopardy.

Both the John Marshall girls and boys teams have a clear path to the State Class 2 titles.

Coach Virgil Burton’s hard-charging Lady Justices will carry a 17-6 record into Friday’s state quarterfinals against Clarke County High School of Berrysville at 5:30 p.m. at Huguenot High School in Richmond.

The powerful John Marshall High School boys 2A quarterfinal game will follow about 7:30 p.m. against East Rockingham High School of Elkton.

Led by 6-foot-3 junior Jaedyn Cook, the Lady Justices rolled through the regionals with lopsided wins over King William High School 62-34; Poquoson High School 49-34; and Brunswick High School 67-31.

Cook, who has committed to Old Dominion University, played previously at Richmond Christian and Thomas Jefferson high schools before transferring to John Marshall.

“Jaedyn is a positionless player,” Coach Burton said. “She can play on the high post. She’s a good ball handler. And she can shoot, too. She’s definitely one of the best players in the area and maybe the state.”

Other key players are point guard extraordinaire MiAngel Harris, Khamaya Earley, sisters Zuri and Yasmin Hall and Jerri Jones.

Coach Burton, who doubles as a Richmond Police officer, is in his fourth year and third season as the Lady Justices’ coach. Coach Burton played football at Virginia Union University under Coach Willard Bailey.

Friday’s winners advance to the state semifinals March 7 and 8. The finals are March 10 through 12 at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center.