UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA’S COLLEGE AT WISE
Division: NCAA Division II
Conference: South Atlantic
Coach: Blake Mellinger
Last season: 10-18 (6-14)
Key returners: Zy’Ever Wingfield, G, sr.; Patrick Shelley, G/F, jr.; Lav Cvetkovic, F, sr.; Calen Lightford, G, jr.
Promising newcomers: Anderson Cummins, PG, fr.; Max Lidman, F, fr.; Kolier Pruett, G, fr.
Key losses: Ben Bryson, G; Zion Fruster, G; Joe’l Pettiford, F; Isaiah McAmis, G
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Outlook: The return of Bradley Dean is the big news for the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
The 6-foot-2 guard was the 2022-23 South Atlantic Conference player of the year after averaging 21.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Highland Cavaliers.
A Gate City High School graduate, Dean transferred to Miami University of Ohio last season and averaged 7.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals in 24 games for the RedHawks of the NCAA Division I Mid-Atlantic Conference.
Now, he has returned to Southwest Virginia for his final season and definitely gives the Cavs a boost.
Zy’Ever Wingfield (14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals per game) is the top returning scorer and should provide a formidable backcourt when paired with Dean.
Forwards Patrick Shelley (9.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Lav Cvetkovic (10.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg) provide experience in the paint, while guard Calen Lightford (8.5 ppg, 2.6 apg) is making his way back from shoulder surgery.
UVA-Wise’s Lav Cvetkovic’ leaps over the Emory and Henry defense as they attempt to block the shot.
After redshirting last season as a freshman, center Evan Ramsey figures to play an important role and head coach Blake Mellinger believes the former Abingdon High School standout has a chance to be one of the best big men in the region.
Point guard Anderson Cummins from Canada, forward Max Lidman from Sweden and Narrows High School alum Kolier Pruitt are among the promising freshmen.
Dante Worley (Virginia High), Gunner Garrett (Gate City), Zachary Owens (Castlewood), Ty Campbell (George Wythe) and Kingsport, Tennessee, native Brad Halvorsen are other locals on the roster.
Mellinger likes his team’s experience, size, versatility and offensive firepower. UVa-Wise opens the season on Nov. 9 against Lees-McRae in a game played in Boone, North Carolina.
Coach’s Quote: “This is the most talented and experienced team I’ve had here. The expectations within our locker room are extremely high. Our team has the ability to be very explosive offensively, but our success will ultimately be determined by our ability to defend and rebound. If we can do that consistently we have a chance to have a special season.”
Division: NCAA Division II
Conference: South Atlantic
Coach: Jamie Cluesman
Last season: 12-17 (8-12)
Key returners: Katlin Burger, F/C, sr.; Sable Burnside, G/F, sr.; Makenzie Bremer, G/F, soph.; Jalie Ruehling, G, soph.; Macie Ridge, G, soph.; Allyson Fleenor, F/C, jr.; Ines Latapia, G/F, sr.; Hailey Williams, F/C, soph.
Katlin Burger for UVA-Wise goes up for a shot over Emory and Henry’s Hannah Spainhour.
Promising newcomers: Ella Karst, G, fr.; Caroline Mullins, G, fr.; Emilea Preece, F/C, fr.; Madison Looney, F/C, fr.
Key losses: Caitlyn Ross, G; Sarah Burton, G; Leah Kestner, F/C
Outlook: The University of Virginia’s College at Wise could have an entire starting lineup featuring players from the state of Tennessee.
Katlin Burger (Heritage High School in Maryville), Makenzie Bremer (Alcoa High School), Sable Burnside (Morristown East), Macie Ridge (Alcoa) and Jalie Ruehling (Coffee County Central) are the projected starters from the Volunteer State.
Burger averaged 12.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game last winter for the Highland Cavaliers and is an All-South Atlantic Conference caliber center.
Burnside (11.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg) is dynamic, while Bremer (5.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Ridge (3.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and Ruehling (2.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.7 apg) also gained valuable experience last season.
Sable Burnside for UVA-Wise goes up for a three-pointer as an Emory and Henry player stretches out to defend.
Allyson Fleenor (5.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg) from Pulaski, Virginia, Ines Latapia (3.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and Hailey Williams (Sevier County) are other returnees. Fleenor can play both inside and outside.
Freshman Madison Looney is among the promising newcomers after she led the Wise County Central Warriors to the 2023-24 VHSL Class 2 state title. Head coach Jamie Cluesman says Looney brings a valuable combination of size and athleticism to the post.
Ella Karst (Harlan, Kentucky), Caroline Mullins (Jasper, Georgia), Emilea Preece (Louisa, Kentucky), Tailor Nolley (Honaker) and Brooklyn Frazier (Ridgeview) are among the other new faces on the roster. Frazier has transferred in from the University of Pikeville.
Cluesman likes the depth and balanced scoring of the Cavs, who open the season on Nov. 8 against Clayton State in Anderson, South Carolina.
Coach’s Quote: “While we have many new faces joining our program, our core identity remains unchanged. Our focus is to compete fiercely in every game and establish ourselves as one of the hardest-working teams in the conference. Our goal is to make it to the SAC tournament and, ideally, extend our journey into the NCAA tournament. We’ll break the season into segments, each with its own set of goals. By achieving these mini goals, we believe we can reach our ultimate objective.”
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