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The Franklin High School varsity boys basketball team had a storied 2022-23 season, and key to making that possible was the standout play of junior center Chaevon Torrance.

He was recognized for his role in the Broncos’ success by coaches at the Virginia High School League Class 1 state level and from the region when he was named to the all-state first team and also voted the Region 1B Player of the Year.

This season, Franklin won the Tri-Rivers District regular season and tournament championships, finished as the Region 1B runner-up, earned a berth in the state tournament for the first time in 14 years and advanced in the postseason as far as the state quarterfinals, finishing with an outstanding overall record of 24-4.

Broncos Head Coach Robby Cutchins noted that it was a special honor for Torrance to make the all-state first team as it has only eight members across Virginia at the VHSL Class 1 level. Cutchins estimated that it has been several years — possibly close to a decade — since a Franklin player has received the honor.

The coach also explained that it was a big accomplishment that the program had two first team all-region players this season in Torrance and junior shooting guard Kaden Bailey.

Bailey, a team captain, was an established star within Franklin’s program entering the 2022-23 season, while Torrance was just joining the Broncos as a transfer student. It ended up being a breakthrough year for Torrance on the hardwood.

“Being selected for all-state first team is a big honor,” Torrance said. “I would first like to say thanks to all the coaches that voted for me for the state’s first team. Me being picked out of other players with great talent is a blessing. 

“This is my first year at Franklin, and it’s been my best basketball season so far,” he continued. “I would like to acknowledge my teammates and coaches for making all this possible. I’m ready for the next season so I can improve on all aspects of basketball.”

Cutchins said it meant a lot to him, as Torrance’s coach, to see him recognized at the state and regional levels.

“First and foremost I love to see my young men be successful — period,” he said. “Chaevon is a great young man that has a ton of basketball talent. He is a very unselfish player and loves to see his teammates have success as well. 

“He was the motor this season and a large reason for a lot of our success,” the coach continued. “To see him get the recognition he deserved both as Region 1B Player of the Year — which was an extremely close vote — and earning first team all-state honors was quite an accomplishment.”

The coach gave his take on what he thought it was about Torrance’s performance that led to his top-tier state-level honor.

“Chaevon is what I refer to as a ‘gamer,’” Cutchins said. “He’s a young man that simply loves playing the game. He’s very consistent night in and night out, but when it’s a big-time game, he’s able to carry his game to a whole different level. This is something he proved in numerous big games this past season for us. He does it at both ends of the floor as well.”

Cutchins said that although Torrance is quite talented at scoring, he is typically much prouder of his own accomplishments on the defensive side of the court, particularly in his role as a rim protector for the Broncos.

“He’s a big-time player that has an extremely high ceiling,” the coach said. “If he puts the work in this offseason and into next season that he did this past season with me, he will be right back in the same position this upcoming season with potentially an even bigger impact.”

Across all 28 games during the 2022-23 season, Torrance averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and two assists per game. He scored a season-high 36 points against Brunswick High School in the win that clinched the district regular season championship for Franklin.

Joining Torrance and Bailey among the Broncos honored at the regional level were senior point guard Derrick Perry and senior wing Jordan Myrick, who made the second team, and senior forward Solomon Moody, who received honorable mention.

Franklin players making the all-district first team included Torrance, Bailey and Perry. The all-district second team included Myrick. Moody and sophomore forward Kamarre Hicks received honorable mention.