by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi
Members of the Lancaster High School 2022-23 Class 1 state championship boys basketball team were honored October 28 during a ring presentation ceremony at LHS. School administrators, donors, family and fans attended the celebration.
The team capped an undefeated 29-0 season in mid March with a 62-40 win over George Wythe in the state championship.
During the ceremony, LHS head coach and Class 1 coach of the year, Dwayne Pinn, thanked the players, cheerleaders, families, coaches, community, school and central office leadership for the part each played in the successful season. He praised everyone for their “important roles to make the perfect season possible.” Additionally, he thanked cheerleading coach Nickee Kelly and her cheerleaders for always being there to support the team and his coaching staff of Derrick Henderson, Troy Henderson, Eddie Hall, Jovantae Smith and Mark Saunders. Finally, he thanked the players individually for the roles each accepted.
Superintendent Jessica Davis also recognized the team for its accomplishment and thanked all those involved, including the families and community for their support.
Davis also recognized individually the donors who helped to purchase the rings and necklaces. Necklaces were presented to the cheerleaders.
Players on the championship team included Kelvin Davis, Terrill Diggs, Troy Henderson, Tyson Henderson, Lamar Mattocks, Jaquarrias Morris, Gerrion Owens, X’Zaveion Owens, Darius Smith, Daveon Smith, Jeremy Smith, Antavion Thomas, Sean Thomas, Branndonn Wade and Tylil Walters.
Since the team’s championship win, it has been honored multiple times by the school board and board of supervisors, civic and church organizations and in a special ceremony at Town Centre Park in Kilmarnock, when Rep. Rob Wittman presented the team a copy of a congressional recognition and a flag which flew over the U.S. Capitol in its honor.
The 2023-24 season will open for the LHS varsity on November 29 as coach Pinn and the Red Devils host Middlesex High School.