John Marshall boys basketball defeated Graham 107-81 to win the Class 2 state title at the Siegel Center.
John Marshall didn't have to look far for its next boys basketball coach.
Yohance Skinner was right under the Justices' collective nose, having served as an assistant coach at the school for the past 10 years.
"It's a humbling feeling knowing where John Marshall is as a national program," Skinner said.
"To be the leader of these young men means everything to me. It's exciting, humbling. I'm excited for the moment."
Skinner has been coaching at John Marshall under Ty White, who recently left for his alma mater, Petersburg. Skinner was on staff for six state championships alongside White.
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White won seven state titles in 15 years overall at John Marshall before leaving for the Crimson Wave. He was the 2022-23 MaxPreps national coach of the year and during that season had the Justices as high as No. 1 in the country on MaxPreps.
Ty White to Petersburg: John Marshall's acclaimed basketball coach takes over Crimson Wave
"It's been an amazing 10 years learning from Ty and all the other coaches on the staff," Skinner said.
"You think you know a lot until you get around people who help your mind grow and expand. I've been blessed to be around such good men and to grow with them as a family.
"Beyond basketball, it's about mentoring and figuring out who they want to be. Most want to go to the next level and play college basketball. Some take that route, some don't. You always want to make productive men that you're putting out into these communities."
Skinner also has coached under White for Team Loaded VA on the AAU circuit.
"I had been watching the program from afar," Skinner said.
"I've always been in love with the game. I followed certain programs and I saw what they were doing there."
He joined White's staff after moving to Richmond. The two were introduced my a mutual friend as Skinner had been coaching at the AAU level.
Skinner attended North Carolina Central University, where he played basketball under coach Greg Jackson.
"I learned a lot while at Central about the game of basketball and have had a lot of great coaches in my life," Skinner said.
Before college, Skinner played at Cardozo High in Queens, New York, where he was coached by legendary high school coach Ron Naclerio.
Naclerio is the winningest coach in New York state public school history.
Skinner knew what it took to be a collegiate athlete as his father, Anthony Skinner Sr., had the same path at North Carolina A&T, where he is a Hall of Famer for an accomplished football career.
"He was big in my tutelage in learning the game from the first time he handed me a basketball," Skinner said.
Skinner was born and raised in Queens, but has deep connections to the Richmond area.
He spent countless summers with his grandmother, Jessie May Eley, north of the river. Following college, Skinner moved to the city to be with his grandmother.
"I moved to Richmond to be closer to her as she was getting a little bit older," Skinner said.
"Richmond has always been like a second home to me."
As Skinner takes over at the helm for the Justices next season, they'll be on the prowl for a fifth straight Class 2 state championship.
John Marshall went 25-3 last season and defeated Graham 107-81 in the Class 2 state title.
There is sure to be roster turnover from last year as White builds the program at Petersburg and key players such as Aiden Argabright (Richmond) and Troy Henderson (Tennessee), both first-team All-Metro selections last season, make the jump to the next level.
Other key contributors from last season include reigning All-Metro player of the year Latrell Allmond, Ladarius Givan and Desmon Rose, who all have remaining high school eligibility.
"I learned a lot and learned what it takes," Skinner said.
"We don't look at stopping. We don't look at rebuilding. We look at the continued excellence that we've already had and that comes from hard work. It comes with hard work from myself as a leader, my coaching staff and pouring into these young men.
"These elements together with hard work and consistency, we can continue excellence."
Close
Long Island Lutheran guard Kiyan Anthony dribbles Friday against John Marshall at Barco-Stevens Hall.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
John Marshall forward Ladarius Givan is guard by Long Island Lutheran guard Dylan Mingo on February 7, 2025 at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
John Marshall forward Ladarius Givan fights for the rebound with Long Island guard Lutheran Nigel James and forward Ben Michaels on February 7, 2025 at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
Margo Wagner
John Marshall powers forward Latrell Allmond passes the ball past Long Island Lutheran forward Ben Michaels on February 7, 2025 at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
Margo Wagner
John Marshall point guard Aiden Argabright charges past Long Island Lutheran guard Dylan Mingo on February 7, 2025 at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
Margo Wagner
Former NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony watches as his son, Kiyan Anthony, plays for Long Island Lutheran against John Marshall at Virginia Union University on Friday night.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch PHOTOS: John Marshall boys basketball falls to Long Island Lutheran at VUU
Long Island Lutheran guard Kiyan Anthony dribbles Friday against John Marshall at Barco-Stevens Hall.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
John Marshall forward Ladarius Givan is guard by Long Island Lutheran guard Dylan Mingo on February 7, 2025 at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
John Marshall forward Ladarius Givan fights for the rebound with Long Island guard Lutheran Nigel James and forward Ben Michaels on February 7, 2025 at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
Margo Wagner
John Marshall powers forward Latrell Allmond passes the ball past Long Island Lutheran forward Ben Michaels on February 7, 2025 at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
Margo Wagner
John Marshall point guard Aiden Argabright charges past Long Island Lutheran guard Dylan Mingo on February 7, 2025 at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
Margo Wagner
Former NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony watches as his son, Kiyan Anthony, plays for Long Island Lutheran against John Marshall at Virginia Union University on Friday night.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
Jackson Didlake
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