For the past four years during graduation week at Massaponax High School, the Panthers have honored student-athletes who are moving on to play at the college level.
A stage, along with hundreds of chairs, and a Massaponax backdrop is set up on the football field as coaches from each sport introduce players who made tremendous contributions to their programs and are now seeking to make a similar impact collegiately.
“It’s one of the biggest days I look forward to [during] graduation week,” Athletic Director Stan Clements said. “We get to recognize those going on to play at the next level.”
The Panthers recognized 18 such athletes during a celebration Thursday afternoon.
Two of the group’s headliners are girls’ basketball standouts who did not lose a Commonwealth District regular season or tournament game or a contest to any team in the Fredericksburg area in their career.
Former Massaponax basketball standouts Kyra Price (left) and Takeira Ramey did not lose a Commonwealth District regular season or tournament game in their career.
Guard Takeira Ramey is headed to Division-I Texas State University after a stellar four years with the Panthers. Ramey was twice named all-state by Class 5 coaches and was named All-Area player of the year the past two seasons.
“Takeira was real instrumental to our program the last four years,” head coach Ramon Hounshell said. “That’s going to be a real big loss.”
The Panthers’ loss is Texas State’s gain. Ramey set school records in points, steals and assists at Massaponax.
“They’re guard-heavy. They do a lot of pressing, a lot of man-to-man [defense],” Hounshell said of the Bobcats. “So, I think her game kind of caters to their system.”
Price was a three-year varsity performer for the Panthers after spending her freshman year at Caroline. The forward was named first-team all-district, second-team all-Region 5D and third-team All-Area this past season.
She is headed to Southern Wesleyan University, a Division-II program in South Carolina.
“They’re getting a good athlete, a good student and a hard worker,” Hounshell said of the Warriors. “If she goes down there, takes care of business and continues to work hard, she will be able to help their program.”
Massaponax new football coach Shane Ludden spoke highly of three players moving on to compete in college — running back Donovan Phillips (Shepherd University), linebacker Gregory Mason (Emory & Henry) and offensive lineman Brayden Marshall (North Carolina Wesleyan).
Softball standout Laney Deane will compete for the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, while volleyball’s Carley Coghill is moving on to Christopher Newport University.
Jayden Hines, a state champion in the 1,600-meter relay, will compete for the Virginia Commonwealth University track and field team. Ben Myers will play basketball for Seton Hill.
All-Commonwealth District lacrosse defender Isaiah Ward is headed to Emory & Henry. Cameron Jennings will continue to play tennis at Randolph-Macon College.
Girls lacrosse has four players advancing to college: Paige Beardsley (St. Thomas University), Nirvana Coleman (Mount. Union University), Brianna Anderson (Virginia Wesleyan) and Ava Thorpe (Chowan University).
Girls soccer standouts Elizabeth Sielski, Kyla Lockette and Delaney Wood are moving on to Georgia Southwestern State University, Randolph College and Highland Community College in Kansas, respectively.
