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. Since the glory years of Malone, the Wave had been to the title game five times, including hearbreaking losses of two points to Booker T, Washington in 1985, and one point to Norcom in 2010 and Cave Spring in 2022.
"Their championship has brought immense pride to the city of Petersburg and inspired an entire community who have waited over a generation for this moment," Pope Adams told her colleagues.
After Pope Adams finished, the delegates gave the Wave a rousing standing ovation.
Down the hall in the Senate, the team was also welcomed with cheers.
Aird noted the 52-year drought, saying it had been "defined by decades of 'amost-there,' but it was their turn now."
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Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi congratulated the team, saying everyone had heard from Aird "how remarkable this team is." She added the Wave worked "with honor and integrity" to bring the title to Petersburg.
"This championship just says so much about the commitment you have made to ensure that you and your teammates deserve this recognition," Hashmi said.
The Wave was also also honored earlier in the day by Spanberger during a private reception in the Governor's Mansion.
Petersburg was not the only scholastic sports team honored by the legislature. The Varina High School football team was celebrated for winning the Class 4 state championship last December, beating Loudoun County 47-0.
It was the second football title in five years for the Blue Devils, who finished the season 13-2.
Petersburg players gather under the basket after pregame warmups with their coach Ty White before defeated the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg players get ready for pregame introductions at the VCU Siegel Center in Richmond before the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Latrell Allmond warms up for Petersburg before the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's fans were ready before the start of the Crimson Wave's VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship game March 14.Petersburg fans cheer on the Crimson Wave before the the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg players, including Cordell Oliver (20) and Nylan Robinson (2), line up for the national anthem before the start of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.A Petersburg cheerleader gets ready to welcome the Crimson Wave players to the court during pregame introductions for the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's King Bacot, from left to right, Ladarius Givan, Cam Claiborne and Kelvin Anderson, Jr., get ready for the pregame introductions in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg cheerleaders get ready for the Crimson Wave's pregame introductions in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's King Bacot is introduced before the start of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Latrell Allmond works to stay inbounds against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Cam Claiborne brings the ball down the court against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Cameron Claiborne makes a pass during the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Ladarius Givan puts up a shot against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Kelvin Anderson, who led the Crimson Wave with 19 points, goes strong to the basket against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Latrell Allmond and Lake Taylor's Jayden Yancey get ready for an inbounds play in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Kelvin Anderson, Jr., gets ready for a shot against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's defense swarms a Lake Taylor player during the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Cam Claiborne brings the basketball down court against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Ladarius Givan goes up strong for a bucket against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Ladarius Givan gets ready for a free throw against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Scenes from Petersburg and Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Arkell Crenshaw looks to pass the ball during the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Kelvin Anderson, Jr., had 19 points, a team high, in a win over Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg's Latrell Allmond looks for an open teammate in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.The Petersburg High School band plays during halftime of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.The Petersburg High School band plays during halftime of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.The Petersburg High School band plays during halftime of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.The Petersburg High School band plays during halftime of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Latrell Allmond holds up the championship trophy after Petersburg beat Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg players pose for photos after winning the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.A Petersburg fans holds up a sign indicating the last time the Crimson Wave won a state basketball championship before March 14. Petersburg beat Lake Taylor to claim its first VHSL boys basketball title since 1974.Petersburg fans celebrate after the Crimson Wave beat Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Petersburg fans hold up signs during the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14. Mission 1974 refers to the last time before this year that the Crimson Wave won a state basketball title.Scenes from Petersburg and Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Scenes from Petersburg and Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.Scenes from Petersburg and Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.1 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg players gather under the basket after pregame warmups with their coach Ty White before defeated the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.1 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg players gather under the basket after pregame warmups with their coach Ty White before defeated the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.2 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg players get ready for pregame introductions at the VCU Siegel Center in Richmond before the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.3 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Latrell Allmond warms up for Petersburg before the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.4 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's fans were ready before the start of the Crimson Wave's VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship game March 14.5 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg fans cheer on the Crimson Wave before the the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.6 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg players, including Cordell Oliver (20) and Nylan Robinson (2), line up for the national anthem before the start of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.7 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.A Petersburg cheerleader gets ready to welcome the Crimson Wave players to the court during pregame introductions for the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.8 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's King Bacot, from left to right, Ladarius Givan, Cam Claiborne and Kelvin Anderson, Jr., get ready for the pregame introductions in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.9 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg cheerleaders get ready for the Crimson Wave's pregame introductions in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.10 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's King Bacot is introduced before the start of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.11 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Latrell Allmond works to stay inbounds against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.12 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Cam Claiborne brings the ball down the court against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.13 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Cameron Claiborne makes a pass during the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.14 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Ladarius Givan puts up a shot against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.15 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Kelvin Anderson, who led the Crimson Wave with 19 points, goes strong to the basket against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.16 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Latrell Allmond and Lake Taylor's Jayden Yancey get ready for an inbounds play in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.17 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Kelvin Anderson, Jr., gets ready for a shot against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.18 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's defense swarms a Lake Taylor player during the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.19 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Cam Claiborne brings the basketball down court against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.20 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Ladarius Givan goes up strong for a bucket against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.21 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Ladarius Givan gets ready for a free throw against Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.22 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Scenes from Petersburg and Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.23 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Arkell Crenshaw looks to pass the ball during the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.24 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Kelvin Anderson, Jr., had 19 points, a team high, in a win over Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.25 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg's Latrell Allmond looks for an open teammate in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.26 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.The Petersburg High School band plays during halftime of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.27 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.The Petersburg High School band plays during halftime of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.28 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.The Petersburg High School band plays during halftime of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.29 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.The Petersburg High School band plays during halftime of the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.30 / 37Petersburg's Allmond named Virginia's 'Mr. Basketball' by coachesLatrell Allmond holds up the championship trophy after Petersburg beat Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.31 / 37Petersburg basketball team honored for historic winPetersburg players pose for photos after winning the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.32 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.A Petersburg fans holds up a sign indicating the last time the Crimson Wave won a state basketball championship before March 14. Petersburg beat Lake Taylor to claim its first VHSL boys basketball title since 1974.33 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg fans celebrate after the Crimson Wave beat Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.34 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Petersburg fans hold up signs during the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14. Mission 1974 refers to the last time before this year that the Crimson Wave won a state basketball title.35 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Scenes from Petersburg and Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.36 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Scenes from Petersburg and Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.37 / 37Petersburg basketball in the state championship. Check out our photos.Scenes from Petersburg and Lake Taylor in the VHSL Class 3 boys basketball state championship March 14.More: Petersburg, here's Old Farmer's Almanac summer weather forecast
Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) has won numerous awards during his 40-year journalism career. A Petersburg native, Bill is a 1984 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond with a degree in mass communications. He specializes in coverage of breaking news, crime, government, and local/state/national politics. He is an avid history buff and a lifelong Washington Commanders fan. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com with news tips and story suggestions.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg basketball team honored by Virginia