TCIS Preseason Preview

With the season getting under way, we take a look at one of the premier private school conferences in the TCIS, a large private conference with mostly teams from the Tidewater area. Here’s a look at our preseason preview of the conference.

WHO IS THE TEAM TO BEAT?

This is a tough one, but the safest bet is to give the nod to defending state champions Cape Henry who return three starters and five of their top seven players. Head Coach Mark Hall has an athletic group and a starting five that has good size and versatility that match up with anyone.

WHO ARE THE DARK HORSE CANDIDATES?

Steward School, the only team in the conference not in the 757, is the next choice to win it with their depth and mix of shot makers and role players. Head Coach Curt Kassab has good size up front, good guard play on both ends and wings that can make shots from multiple levels.

Last year’s runner-up Peninsula Catholic return pretty much everyone from last season, and they added a couple of nice pieces too. Head Coach Trevor Dorsey has a group of athletic wings and forwards, guards who can create and make tough shots and a lot of depth to their group.

Catholic has brought in an influx of young players to go with returners Kendon Peebles Kendon Peebles 6'4" | SF Catholic | 2022 State VA , Aiden Filiapino and Josiah Rickards Josiah Rickards 6'3" | CG Catholic | 2024 State VA . Head Coach Bobby Steinberg has a relatively young roster but he has as much talent in his first six or seven as anyone in this league.

WHICH TEAM HAS THE BEST BACKCOURT?

Any of the teams listed above could be the answer for this as they all have talented guards, but I would probably give the nod to Peninsula Catholic with their deep group of guards. Senior combo guard Chris Brown Chris Brown 6'5" | SG Peninsula Catholic | 2022 State VA is an athletic two way impact guy with good size, junior combo Stylz Gardner Stylz Gardner 5'11" | CG Peninsula Catholic | 2023 State VA can fill it up in bunches, and sophomores EJ Joyner EJ Joyner 5'8" | PG Menchville | 2024 State VA and Malcolm Velmar are both dynamic guards who can both distribute and score it in a number of different ways.

WHICH TEAM HAS THE BEST FRONT COURT?

Another tough one because there’s good size in a lot of the contenders, but I would give the nod to Cape Henry because of their versatility and athleticism with their bigs. They will start three players over 6’7”, all which bring different things to the table. Senior Greg Melvin Greg Melvin 6'7" | PF Cape Henry | 2022 State VA is an athletic and versatile player who can play inside-out, junior Tristan Whitfield who is a high major volleyball recruit brings a good motor and is very bouncy in his own right and 6’10” freshman Martez Harris just went through a huge growth spurt and can be a nightmare to match up with as he’s an inside-out threat.

WHICH TEAM HAS THE MOST DEPTH?

Steward School would be my choice for this, as they have depth at every position and multiple guys who can play different positions. Senior combo guard and St. Francis (PA) commit Cam Gregory Cam Gregory 6'5" | CG Steward School | 2022 State VA can play the 1-3, and fellow senior Nick Booker in the backcourt is a pest and big time playmaker and clutch shot maker. On the wing, junior Curtis Blair III Curtis Blair III 6'6" | SF Steward School | 2023 State #211 Nation VA is one of the elite shot makers in the state, and he’s joined by other shot makers in senior Tevin Smith and Xavier Nelson. Their front court features 3 collegiate level players in senior 6’7” versatile forward Roman Barshow Roman Barshow 6'6" | PF Steward School | 2022 State VA , junior 6’8” athletic and blue collar guy Owen Gray Owen Gray 6'10" | C Steward | 2024 State VA and senior 6’6” Catholic commit Daniel Heitman.

WHO COULD WIN LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR?

Greg Melvin Greg Melvin 6'7" | PF Cape Henry | 2022 State VA | 6’7” PF | Cape Henry 2022

Melvin was part of Cape’s state championship group last year, and he’s the one returning that looks like he’ll be the go-to guy for them this year if they’re going to win the TCIS. The 6’7” forward has had a great fall and has the strength and athleticism to be a double-double guy and is a walking mismatch that will play multiple positions for one of the biggest teams in the conference.

Cam Gregory Cam Gregory 6'5" | CG Steward School | 2022 State VA | 6’3” CG | Steward School 2022

The St. Francis (PA) commit is the leader of this deep Steward team and while they have multiple guys who can make plays and score it he will be the one when they turn to when they need a bucket. The 6’3” combo is smooth and shifty off the bounce, he’s a long and capable finisher in traffic, he can score it in bunches and from multiple levels and he can make plays for others.

Chris Brown Chris Brown 6'5" | SG Peninsula Catholic | 2022 State VA | 6’3” CG | Peninsula Catholic 2022

If PC is going to make another run to the TCIS championship like last year before falling to Cape Henry, Brown will have to be the leader and set the tone on both ends of the floor. He’s one of the top perimeter defenders in the 757, he has improved in his ability to create shots and make them from multiple levels off the bounce and he looks like he has something to prove this year.

Curtis Blair III Curtis Blair III 6'6" | SF Steward School | 2023 State #211 Nation VA | 6’5” WF | Steward School 2023

Blair is possibly the most talented shot maker in the conference, meaning he will have a chance to put up big numbers this year. He’s able to make tough shots from the midrange, he can catch and shoot from deep, he can play on and off the basketball and he can get hot quickly.

WHO COULD BE THE LEAGUE’S BREAKOUT PLAYER?

Steven Solano | 6’10” C | Catholic 2024

Solano is the easy choice for this one, as the 6’10” nationally ranked big came to Catholic from NYC and will be the most intimidating big in the conference. At 6’10” he has long arms and is very mobile for his size allowing him to recover and block shots, he can run the floor and is an effortless finisher above the rim and he has good touch out to 15 feet and makes his free throws, which he’ll get plenty of.

Josiah Rickards Josiah Rickards 6'3" | CG Catholic | 2024 State VA | 6’3” CG | Catholic 2024

Another 2024 for Catholic to keep an eye on his Rickards, who reclassified to the class after a solid year last year and summer this year, and he looks ready to get it done this year. The 6’3” guard has improved in his ability to handle the rock and create shots for himself and others, he’s a talented shot maker from multiple levels and he can impact the game in a number of different ways.

CJ McPherson CJ McPherson 6'3" | SG Norfolk Collegiate | 2023 State VA | 6’2” WG | Norfolk Collegiate 2023

McPherson transfers to NorCo this year and will be their go-to guy and get a lot of shot opportunities, meaning he could put up some big numbers this year. The strong and stocky 6’2” guard plays with a good motor, he can really shoot it from deep and he’s always around the rim for put backs and getting easy looks on cuts as well.

PREP HOOPS VA PRESEASON ALL TCIS TEAM

Greg Melvin Greg Melvin 6'7" | PF Cape Henry | 2022 State VA | 6’7” PF | Cape Henry 2022

George Cutler | 6’0” PG | Cape Henry 2022

Cam Gregory Cam Gregory 6'5" | CG Steward School | 2022 State VA | 6’3” CG | Steward 2022

Kendon Peebles Kendon Peebles 6'4" | SF Catholic | 2022 State VA | 6’4” WF | Catholic 2022

Chris Brown Chris Brown 6'5" | SG Peninsula Catholic | 2022 State VA | 6’3” CG | Peninsula Catholic 2022

Travon Gray | 6’6” F | Peninsula Catholic 2022

Cooper Jones Cooper Jones 5'11" | PG Walsingham | 2022 State VA | 6’1” PG | Walsingham 2022

Curtis Blair III Curtis Blair III 6'6" | SF Steward School | 2023 State #211 Nation VA | 6’5” WF | Steward 2023

CJ McPherson CJ McPherson 6'3" | SG Norfolk Collegiate | 2023 State VA | 6’2” WG | Norfolk Collegiate 2023

Steven Solano | 6’10” C | Catholic 2024