Chargers Ready for Start of Basketball Season

LUNENBURG – The Central Chargers Boys Varsity Basketball team will get their season underway this week with games on the road at Randolph-Henry and their home opener against Prince Edward on Friday night.

The team lost several key players from last year including leading scorer Jeremiah Davis and key guard Brandon Scott. However, Head Coach Mike McGrath returns key inside and outside players from the 10-10 team last year and should be battling for the top spot in Conference 42 again this year.

If the team can navigate a tough James River District schedule, then they will set themselves up for a run in the Conference Playoffs.

Leading Central this year will be senior Raymond Alexander, who returns in the middle for the Chargers. He will be counted on to lead the team in rebounding, while providing an offensive presence inside. LJ Watson returns at point guard for Central and the junior will have to see his scoring role increase for the Chargers after the departure of Davis. Daryl Jones is the third returning starter for Central and the forward will need to provide inside rebounding and scoring for the Chargers.

Other returning players from last year includes Tylik Thomas who could be counted on to play a bigger role for the team this year. Thomas is one of the most athletic players on the team. DaQuan Cleaton rounds out the returning players for the Varsity squad and will be counted on to bring size and rebounding to the Central frontcourt.

Moving up from the JV team this year will be Ethan Hoover, John McGrath, Ben Spencer, and Noah Dunbar. Newcomers are Kenan Anunay, Javon Carter, and Cary Parrish.

The JV Basketball team under Head Coach Mike Atkins will be an almost entirely new group this year as most of the players on the team last year are juniors and have moved up. Jackson Dalton is the lone returning player and will be counted on to provide an inside presence for Central. Joining him will be  Dar’rion Garnes, Darien Jones, Tyler McGrath, Khalil Moore, Moewuante Morrison, Davion Taylor, T’zion Wilkerson, Trent Williams and Nehemiah Wood.