Tonight’s Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star girls basketball game at the Hampton Coliseum will be a star-studded affair.
Several NCAA Division I signees will be playing and most of the standouts will boast high scoring averages and gaudy offensive statistics.
J.I. Burton’s Sheniqua Woods brings something else to the event — a steady presence at point guard and the reputation as one of Southwest Virginia’s best lockdown defenders.“Defense is my better
skill,” Woods said. “When I was younger I was not even into offense. I couldn’t shoot anything, so I just played as hard as I could on defense. I guess it worked out for me.”
According to Burton coach Mike Goforth, Woods is the first basketball player – girls or boys – from the school to play in the VHSCA All-Star Game.
He cited her defensive intensity as one of the biggest reasons for the accolade.
“I don’t know how many kids that make all-district and only average about six points per game,” Goforth said. “Most of the time they look at how many points she averaged, but she got the respect of the
coaches and was a two-time all district player. She could have score if she had to, but she just decided her role. … Since her freshman year, she’s guarded everybody’s best player and did a good job
with that.”
Woods was a catalyst this past season as Burton went 28-1 and finished as the runner-up in the VHSL Group A, Division 1 tournament. When not playing swarming defense, Woods was dishing out
assists to teammates like Ra’Shelle Miller and Chelsea Forney as the Raiders put together the best season in school history.
“It was a great experience, but it was the worst at the same time — because we lost [in the title game],” Woods said. “But I’m just glad I got to experience it.”
Woods also knows what it’s like to play on the state’s biggest stage. She recalled the feeling of playing at the Siegel Center on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University during the state tournament and expects the same atmosphere tonight.
“It’s a big change, but it’s wonderful though,” Woods said. “It’s nerve-wracking, but once you get to doing what you do, it’s just like any other game. … It’s a privilege to play in this game.”
The 28-year-old Goforth is also excited. He’ll serve as the head coach of the West squad and will be joined on the bench by fellow coaches Mark Halsey (Chilhowie), Jeremy Hartman (R.E. Lee-Staunton), Chris Dodson (Spotswood) and Fried Priester (Oakton).
“It’s just a good experience for me,” Goforth said. “For me, I just want to get the experience and have a lot of fun. Looking at the team we have, we should be really competitive with the East.”
Chilhowie’s Krystal Patton and Carroll County’s Kayla Goins will join Woods on the West roster.
The boys game will follow the girls contest at 8 p.m. Ruben Rasnick (Castlewood) and Josh Smith (Twin Valley) will play in the game, while recently appointed Virginia High head coach Wayne Rasnick
will spearhead the West coaching staff.
thayes@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Hayes_BHCSports | (276) 645-2570
VHSCA All-Star Basketball Game
Hampton Coliseum (Hampton, Va.)
Girls: 6 p.m.
Boys: 8 p.m.
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