The Titans are led by dynamic playmaker Zyrail Mitchell
It had been 33 years since Lake Taylor’s boys basketball program had gone to the state playoffs when they eventually lost a heartbreaker to Monacan in the 2015 final. Under head coach Kenny Brown the Titans have made continuous strides and now have become one of the state’s top programs in Class 4. In the state final two of the last three years the Titans will enter this season as the defending VHSL Class 4 State Champions after a double overtime thriller against John Handley in last year’s title game! Because of Coach Kenny Brown’s furious fast paced tempo, great depth and in your face baseline to baseline defensive pressure, the Titans always figure to be a major player! Coach Brown was a two time All Tidewater guard and former All State guard at Maury High School before a stellar college career at Hampton University, twice earning All CIAA honors and also earning MVP honors at the 1991 CIAA Conference Championship Tournament. Coach Brown’s teams have taken on the same tough, hardnosed approach that made him so successful during his playing career, he demands nothing less! Leading the charge is arguably the best overall player in the 757 in 6’3 Junior Zyrail Mitchell. Mitchell can do it all! He handles and creates for himself and for teammates; he shoots it at a high percentage, scores inside, rebounds, defends 1-5 and has that same fearless and determined playing style his coach brought to the court during his playing career. Mitchell is a long and extremely athletic player with trampoline like bounce and plenty of upper body strength to hold his own. He’s a walking double/double and it’s gonna take a few defenders focused on him to keep him contained. He has some weapons at his disposal and is a willing and very skilled passer to get them involved. One of those weapons is one of the hero’s of last season’s championship game in 6’2 senior guard Dee’vaughn Blackwell who nailed 5 three pointers and scored 15 points off the bench to spark the Titans. Blackwell was 5-6 from beyond the arc in the biggest game of his high school career and really epitomizes one of Lake Taylor’s great strengths, their depth and ability to develop their players. Blackwell is active off the ball and finds soft spots in the defense to get open. He has a quick release thanks to sound mechanics from footwork prior to the catch to his release and demonstrates repeatable mechanics. 6’4 senior guard Deleon Gibson offers plenty of versatility as a guy who can handle and get his shot off the dribble or play off the ball as a shooting threat. 6’0 senior guard Daiveontay Tyler will also be a key for the Titans as he offers scrappy play on both sides of the ball. Offensively he can get to the rim with the dribble and score and also has impressive range and shot consistency beyond the arc. Daiveontay brings great energy as a solid on ball defender as well. Watch for 6’2 freshman guard Dajon Dawson to have a big impact now and emerge as a go to guy down the road for the Titans. Dajon is an elite athlete, quick and bouncy who can create off the bounce and knock down shots as well. A fearless competitor with a great feel, Dajon has the skill and versatility to impact games at the varsity level this season! Returning from last season’s title team is 6’1 sophomore and three sport star Malik Newton. Malik is a physical playmaker who also stars in football and baseball. As a running back/linebacker for the Titans football team Malik has earned offers from Temple, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Penn State and UVA. As was the case in last year’s state championship game when Coach Brown pushed all the right buttons and called on a backup off the bench to provide a spark, the Titans have a number of players off the bench capable of contributing when their number is called.