plan:

ers feeling he could be among the best forwards in VCU lore and a down-theroad NBA draftee.

Comparisons have been made to former, similarly sized standouts Treveon Graham, Phil Stinnie, Brad Burgess, Nick George and Sherron Mills. Watkins has two more full seasons after this to make his case.

VCU now has a 58-32 lead over UR in the all-time series. The city rivals will meet again Feb. 24 at the Siegel Center.

John Marshall’s Latrelle Allmond is one to watch ‘He can shoot, rebound, run the floor, block shots,’ says Coach

An average high school freshman starts off on the JV team and aspires, eventually, to be a varsity starter.

Latrell Allmond isn’t your average freshman.

Since arriving from North

Keep the ball rolling …

Friday, Jan. 27 JM at Thomas Jefferson, 7 p.m.;

Saturday, Jan. 28 Lake Taylor/Norfolk at JM, 8 p.m.

Carolina, the 6-foot-8 John Marshall High ninth grader hit the hardcourt running for the 16-0 and nationally No. 1 ranked (by MaxPreps) Justices.

JM Coach Ty White refers to his prodigy as a “skill forward.”

White goes on to say, “Latrell is extremely talented and versatile. He can shoot, rebound, run the floor, block shots.”

The JM newcomer was averaging 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots heading into this week’s action. He also leads the Justices with 59 percent shooting. Allmond is no secret. College offers are pouring in.

The University of Virginia is the latest to offer Allmond (JM Class of ’26) a full ride far in advance of his high school diploma.

U.Va. Associate Head Coach

Jason Williford is a former AllMetro star at JM.

Williford was in attendance for JM’s recent home game vs. Grayson High of Loganville, Ga.

“Coach Williford came to see another kid (for Grayson) but Latrell out-played him,” said White.

Other offers have come from Tennessee, North Carolina State, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Rutgers, Old Miss, Georgetown and Georgia.

Originally from Southern Pines, N.C., Allmond played last season as an eighth grader on the O’Neal School varsity. He also played for the Team Loaded AAU travel outfit that White serves as director for.

Skeptics might ask, why No. 1 ranking?

JM has played a grueling schedule against mostly high-profile programs out of the 804. Victories so far have come against Holly Springs, N.C., (13-4), DeMatha, Md. (12-6), Landstown, Va. (11-4), Virginia Academy (9-9), Millbrook, N.C., (12-6), Greensboro, N.C., Day (22-3), Columbus, Fla., (16-3), Wheeler, Ga., (10-6), Jackson-Reed, D.C., (19-4) and Grayson, Ga. (12-4).

The toughest remaining game might be Jan. 28 at home vs. invading Lake Taylor of Norfolk.

From then on, it appears there

jumping, leaping and winning

It’s fitting that Charles Tart III grew up within a few minutes of Richmond International Airport in eastern Henrico County.

Tart, you see, is quite the high flyer himself.

Now a Virginia Union University sophomore, the 6-foot-4 athlete performs his takeoffs and landings for a 16-4 Panthers outfit that has cat eyes on a CIAA hoops title.

“We like to get Charles out on transition, to run the floor,” said VUU Coach Jay Butler. “That’s where he gets a lot of his baskets … above the rim.”

Tart’s first dunk in competition came as an eighth grader at John Rolfe Middle School.

As a senior at Varina High, Tart won the 804 Area All-Star Game dunk contest with a thunder slam that had spectators wiping their eyes.

“I took off at the foul line,” he said of his winner.

And if you don’t believe him, there’s evidence.

“A picture got in the newspaper, and I’ve still got it. It’s my favorite photo,” Tart said.

Even his nickname, “Twin,” comes from his leaping ability. His play-alike “twin” is former VUU jumper extraordinaire Jordan Peebles, who was All-CIAA a year ago.

“We call each other Twin,” said Tart.

Wearing No. 2 in maroon and steel, Tart averages five points and two rebounds in about 23 minutes per outing. Many of his 34 buckets have come from a downward trajectory. All four of his field goals against Virginia State were throwdowns.

A multi-tasker, he’s added 29 assists and 19 steals, and that’s not all.

“Charles is a big plus for us, especially on defense,” said Coach Butler. “He’s one of our best defenders.”

Tart, who refers to himself as “the energy man,” relishes the role of shutting down opponents.

“I love playing defense, always have,” he said. “That’s how you win.” are nothing but clear skies ahead as the Justices seek a second straight Class 2 State title.

Over the past two seasons, JM has won 25 straight games and may be headed toward the first undefeated season in Richmond City annals.

As anyone can see, there’s nothing average about these Justices.

Editor’s note: Despite continued winning, the Justices are now ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps.com ... No. 1 is Paul VI of Northern Virginia

Tart knows plenty about winning. During his junior and senior seasons at Varina, the Blue Devils went 50-4 with a Class 5 State title in 2018 and a run to the State quarterfinals in 2019.

Overshadowed by other teammates. Tart received just one firm scholarship bid, from VUU, and a few more nibbles from other schools, some being Division III.

Being a homebody, Tart packed his sneakers for Lombardy Street and quickly made Coach Butler’s talent evaluation look wise. As a freshman, he made the CIAA All-Rookie team.

Next came some twists in the road. The 2020-21 season was canceled due to the pandemic and then Tart sat out 2021-22 as an academic redshirt.

During that spell, he kept in shape playing VUU intramurals and in the tough Loveday Rec League.

The two-season layoff from college hoops did nothing to diminish his airborne skills. He has arrived back in the VUU lineup and is cleared for takeoff.

Aziah Johnson’s home-away-from home this past football season was the end zone.

The Thomas Jefferson High senior scored 17 touchdowns in just eight games with his six-pointers coming in five different ways.