VISAA D1 Preview: Contenders

With the high school season right around the corner, it's time for us to do some previews for who we think will compete for some of the state championships. We continue with private school, taking a look at our picks for who we think will win the state championship and who could possibly compete with them.   Here's a look at our picks for contenders in the VISAA D1 classification.   <h2>Preseason Favorite: Paul VI</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Deshawn-Harris-Smith.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Deshawn-Harris-Smith-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1341854" /></a><figcaption>Maryland commit [player_tooltip player_id='999616' first='DeShawn' last='Harris-Smith'] leads one of the deepest PVI teams in history.</figcaption></figure>   The Panthers have been the cream of the crop program in the state and one of the top programs in the DMV spanning the past decade and more, but this years team is something we haven't seen before, as PVI could be considered one of the top programs in the entire country this year. Head Coach Glenn Farello has an absolute mob at his hands this year, with at least eight players who already have division one offers and enough size that they don't even look like a high school team. Honestly, you could probably split their team into two and they would both compete for a WCAC and state championship this year.   Senior combo guard and Maryland commit [player_tooltip player_id='999616' first='DeShawn' last='Harris-Smith'] brings all the toughness and leadership along with his athletic playmaking that makes him one of the top players in the country. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1259620' first='Darren' last='Harris'], who recently committed to Duke, is one of the top shooters in the nation by most accounts, and nationally ranked junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1259618' first='Isaiah' last='Abraham'] brings dynamic athleticism and impact on both ends of the floor. Up front the Panthers are huge, with 6'10” junior Pat Ngongba, 6'9” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1409272' first='Christian' last='Gurdak'] (AKA Big Country), 6'8” junior [player_tooltip player_id='1259630' first='Garrett' last='Sundra'] and 6'6” versatile sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1494103' first='Jaquan' last='Womack'].   The key may be in junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1259542' first='Ben' last='Hammond'], who has improved immensely and looks like he's ready to continue the legacy of talented PVI point guards. Even with all that, they have one of the most talented freshmen you'll come across this year in 6'3” wing Jordan Smith. This is by far one of the deepest and most talented teams we've seen in VA in a long time.   <h2>Contenders</h2>   Bishop O'Connell   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Harris-Jadyn-Head-Shot.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Harris-Jadyn-Head-Shot-1024x768.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1424501" /></a><figcaption>Junior big [player_tooltip player_id='1259625' first='Jadyn' last='Harris'] leads a talented and deep O'Connell team.</figcaption></figure>   The Knights are a little young at certain positions, but with the return of junior power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1259625' first='Jadyn' last='Harris'] along with some very talented young pieces they should get better throughout the year and will be a tough out come playoff time. Harris brings them an alpha dog at the forward position and he's a walking mismatch with his ability to do a little bit of everything on the floor, and with 6'8” senior [player_tooltip player_id='999645' first='Patrick' last='O'Brien'] and 6'6” senior [player_tooltip player_id='999632' first='Isaiah' last='Shaw'] they will be big and experienced up front. In the backcourt they are young as they'll start two freshmen in 6'0” Jasiah Cannady and 6'4” Adam Oummidoch who both made big waves in the live period this summer, and 6'4” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1494106' first='Shane' last='Lincoln'] gives them another talented weapon who will be the x-factor with his ability to do a little bit of everything. They have decent depth and despite being young, they have the talent to compete with a lot of teams this year.   St. Anne's-Belfield   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Lang-Carter-ECE-2.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Lang-Carter-ECE-2-815x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1273952" /></a><figcaption>Vanderbilt commit [player_tooltip player_id='999617' first='Carter' last='Lang'] and his STAB team look to compete this year.</figcaption></figure>   Head Coach Damin Altizer enters this season with perhaps his most talented and deep team that he's had while being at the helm over the past five years, and the Saints actually beat PVI in the DMV Live period this summer. STAB is led up front by 6'9” Vanderbilt commit [player_tooltip player_id='999617' first='Carter' last='Lang'] who is one of the most productive players in the state and is a walking double-double, and senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='992531' first='John' last='St. Germain'] is one of the premier lead guards in the state and is the straw that stirs the drink for the Saints. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1259624' first='Chance' last='Mallory'] may not be the biggest player but he can score it with the best of them and always brings it against top competition, and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1340929' first='Austin' last='Williford'] is a budding star who gets it done on both ends of the floor. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='999628' first='Desmond' last='Roberts'] who transferred from VES brings some big time athleticism on the wing, and senior Jackson Coppock and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1591319' first='Gabriel' last='D'Allesandro'] provide depth for STAB this year.   Blue Ridge   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Simango-Shanon-CBG-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Simango-Shanon-CBG-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1585826" /></a><figcaption>Junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1259622' first='Shanon' last='Simango'] leads a revamped Blue Ridge squad.</figcaption></figure>   Blue Ridge makes the jump to division one this year and their resume at division two was unmatched, as Head Coach Cade Lemcke played in the state championship game every year in his eight years at the helm, winning 6 of them including the last four state championships. While it's a new look for the Barons this year, they still have a super deep lineup with good size and guards that get after it. Junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1259622' first='Shanon' last='Simango'] is a beast in the post as he's a tenacious rebounder and strong finisher that should be a walking double-double this year, and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1489035' first='Markus' last='Robinson'] who transferred from Veritas is a talented scorer who can make shots from anywhere on the floor. The senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1483035' first='Camden' last='Brewer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1483034' first='Diarmid' last='Stewart'] get it done on both ends of the floor, and junior Levin Smith and freshman Odita Aguola provide extra depth in the front court.   <h2>Dark Horse Contenders</h2>   Catholic   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Mgbeijiofor-Kosi-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Mgbeijiofor-Kosi-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1589497" /></a><figcaption>Freshman Kosi Mgbejiofor is ready to show he's one of the best in state already.</figcaption></figure>   The Crusaders have been one of the top teams in the 757 over the past few years, but in Bobby Steinberg's third year at the helm this is possibly his most talented and deep team that he's had this year, and he has an absolute game changer in freshman big man Kosi Mgbejiofor who is an athletic freak at 6'11” who dunks and blocks everything and has the tools to be one of the top players in the country in his class. Catholic features a number of guards who can get it done in seniors Aiden Filippini, [player_tooltip player_id='1232157' first='CJ' last='McPherson'] and Jaiden Cancela who all have good size, and junior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1259548' first='Brayden' last='Thorne'] is a very good floor general who can initiate the offense and score it as well. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1117676' first='Josiah' last='Rickards'] could be the key, as he's their top shot creator and maker as well.   St. Stephen's St. Agnes   While the Saints were looked at as a team that would go through a rebuilding process after long time Head Coach Mike Jones left for DeMatha, the Saints have reloaded with a lot of talented under the radar pieces and have played very well this summer and fall. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='957028' first='Bryson' last='Wilson'] is a 6'6” freak athlete who has come a long way and should have a breakout season, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1483005' first='Cole' last='Cosby'] is a big time shooter and senior guards Niles Alburg and [player_tooltip player_id='1483021' first='Jack' last='Murphy'] provide leadership in the backcourt. Junior forwards [player_tooltip player_id='1241901' first='Blake' last='Neal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1259635' first='Kyan' last='Bowman'] provide versatility in the front court, and sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1494108' first='Aiden' last='Argabright'] is a budding star to keep an eye on.   Flint Hill   While the Huskies may not have the depth of some of the teams listed above, they do have a lot of talent and will be a team no one wants to face in the first few rounds of the playoffs. American commit [player_tooltip player_id='962810' first='Gibraltar' last='Coleman'] is a walking mismatch at 6'7” who can score the ball from anywhere on the floor, and junior front court mate [player_tooltip player_id='1261987' first='Quin' last='Gorman'] is a budding prospect who can also play inside-out and will be a tough duo to match up with, Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='962796' first='Nate' last='Pabis'] and junior two guard [player_tooltip player_id='1232158' first='Doyle' last='Brown'] provide shooting on the perimeter, and the key for their success may come from the guard play as they'll rely heavily on senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='999658' first='Khaleel' last='Abdullah'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1494120' first='Everett' last='Jones'] to handle the ball this year.

With the high school season right around the corner, it's time for us to do some previews for who we think will compete for some of the state championships. We continue with private school, taking a look at our picks for who we think will win the state championship and who could possibly compete with them.