They’ve experienced fits and starts, ups and downs, and a wide spectrum of emotions this basketball season. Now, just in the nick of time, the Henrico Warriors are coming of age. “We’re a young team starting to evolve, becoming more mature,“ Henrico coach Vance Harmon said. “We have six sophomores, a freshman and a lot of new faces, including one student [Justin Coleman] who became eligible this semester.

Elaine Derricott scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead seventh-ranked Henrico past Varina in a Capital District contest. Five Henrico players scored in double figures. In addition to Derricott, Bria Harris had 14 points, Jamia Cox and Bria Robinson contributed 12 points each and Ashlee Freeman chipped in with 10. The Warriors tied for second in the district with Hanover and Highland Springs, necessitating a coin flip for tournament seedings.

Henrico boys basketball coaches and players were happy to see the second semester begin. Justin Coleman, a 6-4 junior transfer from Louisa, would become eligible. The anticipation was palpable even though he would play just four regular-season games and into the playoffs. The Warriors are second in the Capital District behind Highland Springs.

HENRICO 77, Walden 2, T. Davis 20, Harrison 0, B. Davis 0, Burston 0, Carter 4, Johnson 2, Wells 6, Zavelsky 12, Thorpe 0, Coleman 31. Totals 31 11-15 77.  ATLEE (3-8, 8-12) Colquitt 18, Garthright 6, Brinks 0, Faggert 10, Morrison 5, Evans 0, Hodges 13, Reiss 5, Rogers 0, Prince 6, Johnson 6. Totals 26 7-8 69.  Henrico———————————— 14 20 20 23—77

HENRICO 56, ARMSTRONG 49
HENRICO (7-3 Capital, 13-7) Walden 11, T. Davis 20, Harrison 0, B. Davis 0, Burston 0, Carter 0, Johnson 6, Wells 0, Zavelsky 2, Thorpe 0, Coleman 17. Totals 19 14-25 56.
ARMSTRONG (2-8, 6-12) Gary 7, Christian 6, Winston 5, Benjamin 13, Thornton 0, Chavis 4, Wilson 0, N. Taylor 14 . Totals 21 5-20 49.
Henrico————————————- 9 15 19 13—56
Armstrong————————————- 8 12 8 21—49

Bria Harris had 22 points and 11 rebounds in Henrico’s Capital District victory over Armstrong. Shanell Dowling (10 points, 12 rebounds) and Bria Robinson (10 assists, 10 rebounds) both added double-doubles, and Elaine Derricott grabbed 16 boards for the Warriors. Jasmine Otey had five rebounds and three steals for the Wildcats, and Jaye Hicks notched six rebounds and four steals.

HENRICO 63, LEE-DAVIS 23  HENRICO (6-3 Capital, 15-4)  Freeman 12, Ellerbe 0, Robinson 0, Hendrick 6, Tyler 0, Dowling 5, Derricott 8, Harris 20, Cox 10, Lowry 2. Totals 26 7-12 63.  LEE-DAVIS (2-7, 2-17) Barrier 0, Thomas 7, Bryan 2, Puller 5, Sims 4, K. Gardner 5. Totals 6 9-17 23.  Henrico———————————— 24 12 14 13—63

Anew building can be a blank canvas for an academic program. Henrico County’s new visual arts building in the Center for the Arts opened this month already embellished—with a reputation for producing noted works by teachers, students and alumni. Center director Lee Hanchey, who guided the program and the construction of the facility, says there is much more to come.

Jeri Mask and Trey Young did all their damage in the second half to help the third-ranked Springers to an easy win over the Warriors. Mask finished 20 points and 10 rebounds and Young finished with 10 points, but Xavier Parham’s work in the first half helped Highland Springs stay unbeaten in the Capital District. Parham finished with nine points, eight rebounds, six steals and held the Henrico’s Trey Davis (20 points) without a field goal in the first half to stake the Springers to a 14-point halftime edge.

Elaine Derricott had 21 points and 16 rebounds as No. 8 Henrico defeated Capital District visitor Highland Springs. Jimia Cox also had 18 points, including a pair of 3-point goals, along with 6 rebounds and 5 steals for the Warriors. Highland Springs’ Kyra Coleman had 8 steals, 12 rebounds, and 21 points. HENRICO 70, HIGHLAND SPRINGS 58
HIGHLAND SPRINGS (4-4 Capital, 7-7)

Eddie Cook (right), a former World Boxing Association bantamweight champ, has helped Immanuwel Aleem, 15, win state and regional Silver Gloves amateur titles. Eddie Cook knows what it feels like being a boxing champion and also what it takes to become one. Today, it’s combinations of pointers - not punches - Cook’s dishing out. Looks like he’s connecting, too.

Jamia Cox had 19 points to lead six players in double figures as No. 8 Henrico routed John Marshall in a nondistrict matchup. Bria Harris (13 points) and Elaine Derricott (12 points) each pulled down 10 rebounds, Shanell Dowling had 10 points and 12 rebounds, Bria Robinson contributed 10 points and seven assists, and Jessica Hendrick added 11 points for the Warriors.

Quantae Cooley (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Travis McKie (17 points, 15 rebounds) both had double-doubles to lead No. 4 John Marshall past Henrico. McKie also added four assists and five blocks on the night. Randall Ward added 13 points and Maurice Johnson had 18, as John Marshall had four scorers in double figures. Trey Davis led Henrico with 18 points.