Photo via @pacavswbb on Instagram

Freshman Micah Ojo at PA’s home game versus Ocean Lakes on Dec. 19.

With a large number of returning players, the Princess Anne girls basketball team is looking to continue their legacy this year: winning another state title.  For the coming month, the team looks to make another good push at the end of the season to stay atop of the 757 rankings.

While boasting a fairly experienced roster, this year the team brought in star freshman Micah Ojo, whose impact has helped them so far this year, according to Co-Captain Celeste Bailey: “she is generational and not too many fresh[men] are getting triple doubles, let alone anyone.” As well as being named athlete of the week, courtesy of Channel 13 News, Ojo recently shared on Instagram that she has received multiple college offers, including Penn State, Michigan, and Delaware. 

The star-studded program at PA is led by Head Coach Darnell Dozier, who reached his 700th career win last year in January, a milestone not many coaches can say they have reached at the pro, college, or highschool level.  With that being said, the Cavaliers remained undefeated throughout the season this year up until the Boo Williams Christmas Tournament, one of the biggest high school tournaments on the East Coast.  

Senior Jasiah Olds noted how she felt after beating top-ranked Menchville on day one of the Christmas tournament: “It felt good beating them, but we know we will see them in the playoffs again.”  This matchup was highly anticipated, with many cameras watching and standing room only at the sportsplex in Hampton.  Last year, PA beat Menchville to advance to the state championship at the Siegel Center in Richmond. Following the huge win over Menchville, the Virginian Pilot ranked PA number one among all girls basketball teams in the 757.  

Later on in the tournament though, they faced two tough teams causing them two consecutive losses.  Despite these losses, Bailey explained the team’s positive mindset: “playing tougher opponents helps us so when we get to the playoffs it isn’t as hard.”  According to Bailey, the tough schedule they play is for a good reason and it has shown in the past how much it has benefited them in the playoffs.

Another factor to the PA girls basketball program’s success is their hard work in practice they achieve.  Olds commented on how much their practice means to the team and how they handle it, saying, “this is how we perfect our craft and make each other better because we push each other.” Along with practice, Bailey mentioned the team’s conditioning that begins months before the regular season. “The conditioning we do helps us so much, because we are able to run longer than all the other teams we play, and it shows when we press the whole game,” Bailey explained.  

With their hard work and dedication, the Lady Cavs look to win another state championship this year and continue to build the dynasty they have grown.