Loudoun basketball notebook: Second-year Rock Ridge boys aim high; Emily Thompson leading Loudoun Valley

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/loudoun-basketball-notebook-second-year-rock-ridge-boys-aim-high-emily-thompson-leading-loudoun-valley/2016/01/04/607ce366-b2f3-11e5-a842-0feb51d1d124_story.html

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The Rock Ridge basketball team is on a mission to earn respect. In the school’s second year, the Phoenix is competing against a nonconference schedule riddled with bigger schools with longer histories. For 5-foot-6 senior point guard Justyn Tate, this sort of challenge is a familiar source of pride.

“I love being the shortest guy on the court, it gives me an advantage. Other players don’t always give me respect,” Tate said. “I always have to gain people’s respect once they realize I’m not just a short guy out there playing basketball for fun – I mean business.”

Tate started all but one game for the Phoenix last season, but a broken ankle in July sidelined him until tryouts in November. Since returning, Tate has eased his way back into the lineup in a new role off of the bench.

“When I was first told that I wasn’t going to be starting, I understood. It really made me upset, but I didn’t want to give up on my team,” Tate said. “It’s been really hard to accept the fact that I’m not a starter. In the beginning, I thought I wasn’t good enough, but I’ve come to accept my role. I like coming off the bench. When things aren’t working, I give the team a spark.”

Tate’s older brother Myles, a former standout at Briar Woods, is a 5-foot-7 redshirt junior at George Mason. Last season, Justyn Tate led Rock Ridge with seven charges, and his relentless hustle has helped him transition into a vital sixth man.

“I grew up with Justyn, so I know how people always underestimate him,” said senior swingman Montreal Jackson, who leads Rock Ridge’s balanced offensive attack with more than 12 points per game. “He hustles a lot, he plays good defense, he’s just scrappy. He’s a big asset to our team. He’s our vocal leader. You need guys like that.”

Rock Ridge (5-4) did not graduate any seniors from last season’s team that fell in the conference semifinals to Champe. In the season opener, the Phoenix led 6A contender Herndon at halftime of a 63-50 loss. In the new year, Rock Ridge chose to schedule Loudoun County 5A powers Stone Bridge, Briar Woods and Potomac Falls as the school’s first senior class is hoping to leave its mark on the hardwood.

“We believe that we’re a good team regardless of history. We pride ourselves on that,” Tate said. “Our class is going to set the tone for the future. Everyone is going to know about Rock Ridge.”

Loudoun Valley’s Emily Thompson shakes the sleep from her eyes as she walks under the list of records posted behind one of the baskets. It’s 7 a.m., and she will shoot for an hour because even though three program bests already belong to her, the senior wants more.

“When I first walked in as a freshman, I wanted to break those records,” said Thompson, who holds the top mark for consecutive free throws made in a game (12), three-pointers in a game (seven), and career three-pointers at the Purcellville school. “Now that I’m a senior, I’m still working to keep breaking records so I’ll be remembered, but I also just want to win.”

Thompson spent the offseason recovering from a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus that she suffered moments after breaking the record for three-pointers in a game. While adjusting to a bulky knee brace, Thompson has worked to become more than just a pure shooter.

“In the beginning I was very worried about going into the lane and getting knocked down, but now I don’t think about it,” said Thompson, who was second team all-state as a sophomore. “Teams know that I can shoot, but I’m more dangerous off the dribble than I’ve ever been. I’m not just a shooter, I can drive and find open teammates as well.”

Thompson committed to play at Division III Mary Washington in November. She’s averaging better than 19 points per game to lead Loudoun Valley (4-1) to a promising start.