​Princess Anne High School has announced Ladeja James as the new head coach of its girls basketball program, succeeding Hall of Fame coach Darnell Dozier, who will retire after an unparalleled 31 seasons guiding the Cavaliers. James steps into a program with a storied legacy in Virginia high school basketball, following Dozier’s extraordinary run that established Princess Anne as a national powerhouse on the court.
Over Dozier’s tenure, the Cavaliers racked up a VHSL-record 16 state championships and accumulated 793 career victories, the most by any boys’ or girls’ basketball coach in VHSL history. The program’s prestige is underscored by its recent achievements: Princess Anne enters the 2025-26 season riding a 71-game win streak and boasting four consecutive Class 5 state titles, along with 12 state championships in the last 13 seasons. The Cavaliers have also delivered back-to-back perfect seasons, finishing 28-0 in each of the past two campaigns. These accomplishments cement the Cavaliers as one of the most successful and enduring programs in Virginia high school basketball.
“Coach Dozier’s impact on this program and this school goes far beyond the wins and championships,” Principal Ryan Schubart said in a statement. “He built something that will define Princess Anne basketball for generations, and we are grateful for everything he gave to our students and our community over three decades.” Dozier’s leadership has left an indelible mark on the school culture, the basketball program’s identity, and the broader community that has come to rally around Princess Anne’s annual pursuit of excellence on the court.
Ladeja James, who becomes the new head coach, brings a deep and proven track record as a basketball mentor and a strong connection to the local area. A 2015 graduate of First Colonial High School, James excelled as a player before continuing her collegiate career at South Georgia Technical College, where she helped lead the program to a conference championship. She later transferred to Norfolk State University, where she earned first-team All-MEAC honors and received national recognition, including MEAC Player of the Week and National Player of the Week accolades during her time in college.
James returned to her alma mater after completing her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Norfolk State, serving the past five seasons as the girls junior varsity head coach at First Colonial while also contributing as a varsity assistant. In announcing the hire, the school highlighted her strong ties to the area, her developing coaching resume, and her commitment to mentoring student-athletes both on and off the court.
“Coaching at my alma mater has been an incredible opportunity to mentor young athletes, help develop the program and continue giving back to the school that played such an important role in my own basketball journey,” James said in a statement. Her perspective as a former Colonial standout, combined with her experience developing players at the junior varsity level and assisting at the varsity level, positions her to guide Princess Anne through the next era of success.
James is expected to be formally introduced as Princess Anne’s head coach in the coming weeks as the school prepares to transition leadership and outline its path forward for the Cavaliers’ program. The announcement marks the start of a new chapter for Princess Anne basketball, one that honors the legacy of Darnell Dozier while embracing James’s leadership, energy, and vision for continued excellence. As the Cavaliers prepare for the 2025-26 season, anticipation is high for another chapter that combines tradition, competitive fire, and a commitment to developing student-athletes who excel on the court and in the classroom.