Women’s History Made By Officiating Crew

RICHMOND
For the first time in Virginia High School League (VHSL) post-season history, an all-female African American officiating crew called a state High School Championship final. This historic moment occurred during the Class 3 State Boys Champion Final at Virginia Commonwealth’s (VCU) Siegel Sports Complex in Richmond.

The historic officiating crew consisted of (left to right):  Monnazjea Finney-Smith, a former Hampton University varsity basketball player; Danyelle Smith, who was the head Referee and currently is the athletic director at John Marshall High School; and Chelisa Painter, a former

ODU varsity basketball player.   

Caves Spring beat Petersburg  High school 76-75 for the Class 3 state crown. According to Mike McCall,

the Communications Director of the VHSL, during the game, the crew was scouted by officials of the NBA and the WNBA and are being considered for positions with those two professional basketball leagues. The three ladies are already officiating regular-season college and high school games in the commonwealth.