Football
Treshawn Smith, Norfolk State
Smith was excellent at linebacker for Thomas Dale last year and was perhaps one of the most underrated players in the Central Region. He decided to commit and walk on at Norfolk State under coach Latrell Scott. The athlete’s path to defense was a unique one as he was an offensive tackle his sophomore year, then moved over to linebacker.
Sean Rettzo, Norfolk State
The Spartans have often recruited big tight ends during Scott’s tenure at the school. Now they’ve got another in Rettzo. At 6-3 and 245 pounds, he’ll give Norfolk State a big target in the passing game and an agile, athletic blocker. Tucker said that NSU plans on getting Rettzo on the field early in his college career.
Emilio Johnson, VMI
Coach Kevin Tucker called Johnson a “steal” for VMI’s program, and said he’ll fit in well at their H-back position on offense. For Thomas Dale, Johnson was a two-year varsity player who was on every special teams play the Knights had for those two seasons. A two-sport standout, Johnson also excels at soccer. His father also played at VMI.
Collin Holmes, Randolph-Macon
Although he tore his ACL during his senior season, the Randolph-Macon coaching staff saw enough in Holmes to extend him the opportunity to play football at the next level. Holmes runs a 4.4 40-yard dash, and served as a speedy, powerful back for Thomas Dale’s diverse rushing attack.
Shane Carter, Randolph-Macon
A three-year starter at offensive guard for the Knights, Carter led the way for a potent run game. “He has a tireless work ethic,” coach Kevin Tucker said. “He loves to compete. He is a model student-athlete and a great leader.
Michael Bailey, Fork Union
Despite receiving five Division I offers, the ultra-athletic Bailey elected to do a semester at Fork Union Military Academy to add size to his frame and to pump up his recruiting stock. “He’s headed to FUMA to fulfill his dream of playing Division I football,” coach Kevin Tucker said. “I can definitely see him doing that as well.”
Girls’ basketball
Kylah Webb, Bluefield State
At 6-0, Webb will look to be a force in the post at Bluefield State. During her senior season, she averaged nine points, seven rebounds and two blocks per game. Her perseverance was strong, although she suffered two season-ending next injuries during her sophomore and junior seasons, where she was only able to play five games. Webb was also a volleyball standout under coach Kirk Jennings.
Jemiah Brittnum, Bluefield State
Great friends stick together, and that’s what Brittnum and Webb will do at Bluefield State. The 5-8 wing/forward averaged six points and rebounds per contest and showed an affinity for shooting the three, knocking down 30 percent of those shots. Perhaps Brittnum’s greatest asset is on defense, where she was routinely one of Thomas Dale’s best defenders.
Boys’ Soccer
Jeremy Ennas, Regent University
Ennas has been an excellent defender for Thomas Dale during his high school career. He’s helped on the offensive end as well, tallying seven assists for his career. “He’s a tough defender who’s been ever present on the back line over the last two seasons,” coach Griff Fowler said. He plans to major in cyber security.
David Jamaledine, Mary Baldwin
In his two years on varsity and without much experience overall, Jamaledine scored nine goals and added an assist in game action. “Despite only playing for Thomas Dale for a short period of time, David has become a very important player for our team,” Fowler said. “David uses his strength to muscle past defenders to get himself into goal-scoring position.”
Softball
T’Asijah Vaughan, Virginia State
A star on the diamond, Vaughan will play for the Trojans, just down I-95 in Petersburg.
