VISAA D-II Final Four Standouts (Part 1)

The VISAA private school semifinals and finals were held at Virginia State this weekend, and it's always one of the most entertaining and competitive weekends of basketball in all of Virginia. The 4 divisions featured some of the best teams in the state, and there was tons of talent across the board.   We continue with a look at part one of some of the many standouts from the D-II semifinals and finals.   [player_tooltip player_id='1241877' first='Cameron' last='Cole'] | 6'3” PG | Highland School '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Cole-Cam.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Cole-Cam.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1833179" /></a></figure>   Cole was absolutely fantastic for Highland all season, and when it came down to the state championship he stepped up and made huge plays for them on both ends of the floor. The 6'3” Navy commit showed his quickness and tenacity on the defensive end jumping passing lanes and locking up some of the best players on the other team, he used his quickness to get in the lane and make plays and he made shots from all over the floor. He showed great leadership and was willing to do whatever it took to win in both games.    DJ Johnson | 6'5” F | Highland School '23   Johnson was another two way impact guy for Highland in their wins over Steward and Life Christian, and his versatility on both ends of the floor was a big reason they were able to win a state championship. At 6'5” he showed the ability to play and guard multiple positions and was able to switch and guard the best players both on the perimeter and in the post, he finished around the rim consistently and his ability to step out on the perimeter offensively opened up driving lanes. He battled inside, protected the rim and he fought for loose balls and made winning plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='1339892' first='Julian' last='Rivera'] | 6'0” PG | Highland School '24   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/user-uploads/Julian-Rivera.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/user-uploads/Julian-Rivera.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1339893" /></a></figure>   Rivera stepped in throughout the season and was one of their top floor generals and playmakers, and with the season on the line he did a great job stepping up on both ends of the floor. The 6'0” point guard showed willingness to do anything to win including guarding multiple of the top players they played throughout the two games, he made big shots at moments from deep and at the rim and he was a rock with the ball in his hands and didn't make many mistakes.    Chance Perkins | 6'0” WG | Highland School '25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Perkins-Chance-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Perkins-Chance-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1605059" /></a></figure>   Perkins was perhaps the best true scorer that Highland had all season, and the sixth man did exactly what he's meant to as he provided a scoring spark off the bench and was instrumental in their victory. Perkins comes into the game warmed up and ready to get it going, he can get open within the flow of the offense and is a player you can run things on the perimeter for and he has very deep range on his jumper. He can put it on the deck and get to spots and score it and he showed a very impressive scoring package as well as defending.   [player_tooltip player_id='992529' first='Curtis' last='Blair III'] | 6'5” WF | Steward School '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Blair-Curtis-CBG-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Blair-Curtis-CBG-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1582217" /></a></figure>   Steward had one of the best seasons in program history this year, and Blair was a huge reason for that and a reason they were almost able to pull the upset over Highland in the semifinal. The 6'5” wing played the entire game showing his ability to get to spots in the isolation and rise up and knock down shots, he rebounded well on both ends of the floor and he showed good finishing ability the rim too. He ran out of gas at the end of the game, but he showed why The Flames are very excited to get him in next year.   Te'Ven Smith | 6'2” CG | Steward School '23   The CNU commit is one of the most improved players in the Richmond area over the past few years, and he showed his improvement as one of their primary ball handlers and scorers too. He played with good pace and didn't turn the ball over, he made shots from multiple levels whether he was on the ball or off the catch and he was excellent on the defensive end pressuring ball handlers and jumping passing lanes. He left it all on the floor and was making plays at the end of the game despite playing every minute as well.   Xavier Nelson | 6'3” WF | Steward School '25   Nelson is going to be the future of this Steward program, as the 6'3” wing may be young but he plays with great energy and has a lot of tools and room to improve moving forward. The 6'3” wing has very long arms he used defensively to get deflections and rebounds, he made shots from multiple spots on the floor and he played with a great motor and through some minor injuries he sustained in the game. The way he played on the biggest stage bolds well for him moving forward.

The VISAA private school semifinals and finals were held at Virginia State this weekend, and it's always one of the most entertaining and competitive weekends of basketball in all of Virginia. The 4 divisions featured some of the best teams in the state, and there was tons of talent across the board.