Petersburg basketball team honored for historic win

Petersburg High School's state championship basketball team found itself on a different court April 22, feted by the Virginia General Assembly and Gov. Abigail Spanberger for capturing the school's first basketball title in more than a half-century. "On the evening of March 14, while we were still gathered in this chamber, these young men were inside the Siegel Center making history," Del.

Kimberly Pope Adams, D-Dinwiddie County, said on the House floor. Both she and Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Henrico County − who presented the team moments later to the state Senate − noted that while the Crimson Wave had come close in previous seasons, the 2026 title was its first since the Moses Malone-led teams in back-to-back years during the early 1970s.

"For the first time since [the Malone years], Petersburg basketball was back where it belonged," Pope Adams said. "On top. " Pope Adams said the victory was a "testament" to the leadership of veteran Coach Ty White, himself a PHS alumnus, "and to the discipline, grit and determination of every young man on this team.

" Petersburg defeated Lake Taylor, of Virginia Beach, 56-35 to win the Class 3 state boys basketball title in White's first year as Wave coach. The victory was a familiar one for White, who won seven titles in 15 years − including four straight − at John Marshall High School in Richmond. The title capped a 22-4 season for the Wave, as well as an 18-game winning streak.