Justices make All-State team
Fred Jeter | 3/21/2024, 6 p.m.
Success on the court has led to success at the ballot box for the John Marshall High girls basketball team.
Coach Virgil Burton’s North Siders are well represented on the Class 2 All-State squad in a vote conducted by the Virginia High School League.
Senior Janiyaha Pickett and junior Kiyah Lewis were named to the first team and senior Kayden Jones and junior Yasmin Hall made the second team.
JM posted a 21-8 overall record while advancing to the state finals at the Siegel Center against Central Wise, losing 58-41. The player of the year was Wise’s Emmah McAmis.
Quickly, the emphasis switched to 2024-25.
Minutes after the loss to Wise, Coach Burton told the media: “We’ll reload and rebuild in pursuit of a state championship. We’ll work hard with the girls we have and perhaps add a transfer or two.”
JM has become a popular destination for players because of its winning ways, TRIO after-school educational program and ties to AAU travel Team Loaded.
JM has been to the state semifinals each of the past two seasons.
Generally, a coach brings two or three athletes into the VHSL postgame interview room.
In JM’s case, Burton brought the whole team, creating a standing-room-only situation. It was symbolic of the unity that has made the Justices a state contender.
As the coaches and girls left the interview room, in lock step, you got the sense they were thinking, “We’ll be back.”
