VISAA D1 Preview: State Title Contenders

We take a look at our preseason preview of the VISAA divisions as the season is right around the corner. We will start with division one, featuring some of the perennial powerhouses throughout the state. Here’s a look at some of the state title contenders and dark horse candidates as we head into the season. State Title Contenders Paul VI Panthers <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/McDaniel-Dug.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1201614" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/McDaniel-Dug-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> The Panthers are younger than they have been in the past few years, but they have one of the best players in the state leading the team in Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id="815578" first="Knasir" last="McDaniel"] (pic) and have as much talent as anyone in the state. They’re always one of the top teams in the state and Head Coach Glen Farrello will have them ready to compete with pretty much anyone. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="999616" first="DeShawn" last="Harris-Smith"] is one of the states top perimeter defenders, sophomore 6’6” forward [player_tooltip player_id="1259620" first="Darren" last="Harris"] is set to be one of the breakout players in the WCAC and newcomer junior [player_tooltip player_id="1049868" first="Justin" last="Boggs"] provides another shooter and athlete on the wing. They are young up front but have good size and a good amount of depth as well. St. Stephen’s St. Agnes Saints [caption id="attachment_1222938" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Ceaser-Devin-SSSAS-crop-3563x2340-1624553250.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1222938" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Ceaser-Devin-SSSAS-crop-3563x2340-1624553250-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: @megelee64[/caption] The Saints boast a starting five that will be as tough as anyone in the state, and their point guard is as dynamic as they come in senior Buffalo commit [player_tooltip player_id="902006" first="Devin" last="Ceaser"] (pic) who is coming off of a big time summer and is as tough to guard as anyone you’ll find. They have good size and experience up front in seniors 6’8” St. Frances (PA) commit [player_tooltip player_id="1107823" first="Miles" last="Webb"] and 6’7” Elliot Black, they have an x-factor leader in senior combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="1221450" first="Garrett" last="Brennan"] and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="999624" first="Mason" last="So"] gives them another scorer and playmaker. Their bench is a little unproven but Head Coach Mike Jones will have them ready to compete and find roles for them as he always does. Cape Henry Collegiate Dolphins <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Melvin-Greg-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1308301" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Melvin-Greg-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Cape Henry won the state championship last year although many of the northern VA teams didn’t compete, and while they lose some of their top scoring they still have a mix of size and experience that will be tough to match up with. Up front they have great size and athleticism in 6’7” senior [player_tooltip player_id="815586" first="Greg" last="Melvin"] (pic), 6’7” junior Tristan Whitfield and 6’8” reclass freshman Martez Harris who is one of the top young prospects in the state. They have two seniors in the backcourt in George Cutler and [player_tooltip player_id="1107855" first="CJ" last="Bailey"] who set the tone on both ends of the floor and they have a lot to prove this year. Bishop O’Connell Knights [caption id="attachment_1222921" align="alignnone" width="200"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Lewis-Paul-OConnell.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1222921" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Lewis-Paul-OConnell-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a> Photo: @megelee64[/caption] The Knights went through a rebuilding process the last few years, but now they are stacked with one of the deepest lineups in the DMV area that feature both experience, youth and talent at all positions for Head Coach Joe Wootten. The backcourt is stacked with seniors [player_tooltip player_id="897404" first="Paul" last="Lewis"] (pic), Towson commit [player_tooltip player_id="962786" first="Christian" last="May"] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1259623" first="Del" last="Jones"] that can fill it up with anyone, and they have good athleticism across the board. A senior that will be looked at to bring it is big man [player_tooltip player_id="815582" first="David" last="Onanina"] who is one of the best interior defenders and rebounders in the WCAC, and they have a lot of talented young guys in sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="1259625" first="Jadyn" last="Harris"], [player_tooltip player_id="1259627" first="Machi" last="Chester"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1237830" first="Jake" last="Williams"] to give them depth. Dark Horse Contenders Benedictine Cadets <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Daughtry-Jaden-Ben.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1307736" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Daughtry-Jaden-Ben-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> The Cadets have been through a rebuild process the last few years but new Head Coach Matt Murrer wasted no time bringing in some elite talent that will make them tough to beat as they have multiple guys who can go out and take over games. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="736190" first="Jaden" last="Daughtry"] (pic) returns to VA after a brief stint at AZ Compass and has been playing extremely well this fall, junior 6’4” shooting guard Davin Cosby returns to Benedictine and is one of the elite shooters and scorers in the RVA area and sophomore Kris Tiller is set to have a breakout year running the point for this group. St. Anne’s Belfield Saints <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Lang-Carter-ECE-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1273952" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Lang-Carter-ECE-2-239x300.jpg" alt="" width="239" height="300" /></a> STAB has built themselves into one of the top programs in a Charlottesville area that has some of the best boarding schools in the state, and despite losing Syracuse commit Justin Taylor to IMG, Head Coach Damin Altizer still has some pieces that will make them a tough out. They may be a year away but junior big man [player_tooltip player_id="999617" first="Carter" last="Lang"] (pic) and point guard [player_tooltip player_id="992531" first="John" last="St. Germain"] have been playing high level high school ball since they were in eighth grade and are very consistent and productive, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1259624" first="Chance" last="Mallory"] may be small at 5’7” but he always finds ways to produce and can really shoot it and they have great chemistry. They have a few young kids that will be thrown in the fire, but 6’4” freshman Austin Williford is ready to make a name for himself. Flint Hill Huskies <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Sunderland-Saxby-ECE.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1148103" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Sunderland-Saxby-ECE-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> The Huskies played extremely well over the summer, and they are a dark horse team that could be able to shock a lot of teams with their experience and talent across the board. Senior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="815613" first="Saxby" last="Sunderland"] (pic) is a walking bucket who can score it with the best of them, and fellow senior 6’6” wing Matt Gray is one of the most improved players in the DMV and brings great size, athleticism and energy. The Huskies have great size with senior 6’7” [player_tooltip player_id="1107840" first="Reis" last="Jones"] anchoring the middle and junior 6’7” forward [player_tooltip player_id="962810" first="Gibraltar" last="Coleman"] providing a big mismatch option, and 6’4” wing [player_tooltip player_id="962796" first="Nate" last="Pabis"] is a big time x-factor that can really shoot it. Catholic Crusaders <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Solano-Steven-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1308383" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Solano-Steven-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> The Crusaders are back on track to be a dark horse candidate in this division as they have playmakers and difference makers at every position and Head Coach Bobby Steinberg has brought in some talent from all over. They only have one senior in their main rotation in 6’4” wing [player_tooltip player_id="962787" first="Kendon" last="Peebles"] who is a high motor two way impact player, but their young guys are ready now to play with anyone. Led by 6’10” transfers Steven Solano (pic) from NY who is an elite level prospect who is a natural rim protector and big time athlete, the Crusaders also sport some perimeter playmakers in sophomore 6’4” wing [player_tooltip player_id="1117676" first="Josiah" last="Rickards"], sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1259548" first="Brayden" last="Thorne"] and junior combo guard Aiden Filiapiano.