They played together for just one season, winning an Amateur Athletic Union national championship with the Fairfax Stars as 13-year-olds. It would be almost four more years before they finally met as opponents in the Northern Region championship.
Oakton guard Jasmine Thomas and Edison guard Doreena Campbell didn’t cross paths often during their stellar high school careers. But each has left a lasting legacy in Northern Virginia girls basketball.
“These things always run in cycles, but very rarely do you have two ascendant players come down the pike in the same class,” said Westfield coach Pat Deegan, who has almost 600 career victories. “It’s something we may not see again for eight or 10 years.”
Thomas is a four-time Northern Region player of the year headed to Duke, last year’s NCAA runner-up. She finished her high school career with 2,598 points — second on the Virginia High School League’s all-time scoring list — 910 rebounds and 504 assists. Thomas, named a McDonald’s All-American, helped Oakton win three Concorde District titles, a region championship and reach the Group AAA state semifinals twice. The Cougars were 101-11 in her four seasons.
“I’m biased, obviously, but I really believe Jasmine has the best all-around game of anyone from Northern Virginia,” said Oakton coach Fred Priester. “I can’t imagine getting the chance to coach a more talented player.”
Campbell, who will play at UCLA, finished her career with 2,234 points, fifth-most ever among Group AAA players. She also recorded 566 assists, second-most in state history, according to the VHSL record book, and 873 rebounds. More importantly, Edison was 104-9 in her four seasons, won four National District titles, two region championships, including a 60-59 overtime win over Oakton this year.
“Doreena has a court sense as good as anyone I’ve seen,” said West Springfield coach Bill Gibson, a two-time state champion who coached WNBA and Tennessee star Kara Lawson, herself a three-time region player of the year. “And she always gave her team exactly what it needed to be successful.”
Among the best
» Chris Moreland, Mount Vernon ‘84: Was ACC rookie of the year at Duke, where she led Blue Devils to first national ranking and first postseason appearance. Fourth-all-time in VHSL points (2,361)
» Christy Winters-Scott, South Lakes ‘86: Led Seahawks to Group AAA state title. Helped Maryland reach the Final Four in 1989.
» Katie Smrcka-Duffy, Madison ‘96: Led the Warhawks to two Northern Region titles and two Group AAA state runner-up appearances. Third all-time scorer in VHSL history (2,463).
» Kara Lawson, West Springfield ‘99: Won two Group AAA state titles, twice played in NCAA title games with Tennessee and won 2005 WNBA championship with Sacramento Monarchs.
» Monica Wright, Forest Park ‘06: Led Bruins to two Group AAA state titles and a runner-up finish. This season was named ACC rookie of the year at Virginia.
