VISAA D1 Preview: Contenders

With the high school season getting underway, we at Prep Hoops VA will be taking a look at some previews for the season in each classification. We'll look at both state title contenders, as well as preseason All State teams. Here's a look at some of the contenders for the VISAA D1 classification.   Favorite: St. Anne's Belfield   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_8986.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_8986.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2289288" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1259624' first='Chance' last='Mallory']</figcaption></figure>   The Saints have come close the last two years making the state championship in both but losing to a nationally ranked PVI team which finished as the national runner-ups last year, but with PVI losing a lot of their top players and STAB returning their top 3 scorers from last year this is as good a chance as they will get to win the state championship. Head Coach Damin Altizer has done a great job turning the Saints into one of the best programs in the state while developing big time talent, and his trio of division one guards are going to be a nightmare to matchup with. Reigning D1 Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1259624' first='Chance' last='Mallory'] is back after averaging 27 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2.7 steals per game last year, and will be yet again one of the toughest players in the state. 6'4” senior [player_tooltip player_id='1340929' first='Austin' last='Williford'] (St. Joe's) has made huge strides and is one of the best two way guards in the state, 6'4” [player_tooltip player_id='1489070' first='Danzelle' last='Coles'] (Queens) provides more scoring and toughness in the backcourt, and 6'7” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2242379' first='Haoxing' last='Huang'] and 6'4” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1574509' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] have made big strides as well.   Other Contenders   Paul VI   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Smith-Jordan.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Smith-Jordan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1496957" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2148767' first='Jordan' last='Smith']</figcaption></figure>   Yes, the Panthers lost five high major players from last season when they were the national runner-up, and yes they are very young this year, but Head Coach Glen Farrello has shown time and time again that he can rebuild quickly and he's brought in a number of transfers that are ready to make an impact right now. 6'4” junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2148767' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] Jr. is a consensus top 10 player in the country, and perhaps the best two way guard regardless of class, and he's ready to go from role player to go-to guy this year and will be in the running for WCAC Player of the Year. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1494103' first='Jaquan' last='Womack'] (Towson) has experience and has been waiting his turn to be one of the go-to options, junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1782590' first='Lawrence' last='Brown'] transfers in from St. Andrews and gives them a top tier floor general, junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2612817' first='Colin' last='Byrd'] has shown he'll be one xcellent three-and-d energy guy, sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2353625' first='Andrew' last='Ross'] is highly talented while the sophomore front court duo of Derek Daniels and [player_tooltip player_id='2353633' first='Matthew' last='Mena'] are a great pair that will compliment each other and be tough to matchup with.   Highland School   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/tempImageX7B3yR.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/tempImageX7B3yR.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2471292" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1591317' first='Nate' last='Ament']</figcaption></figure>   I'm not sure in my years scouting I've seen a coach come in and have as much immediate success as Hawks Head Coach Logan Miller, who won the D2 State Championship in his first year and led the Hawks to the state championship where they lost to Miller last year. He decided to make the move to D1 this season, as he returns almost everyone from last year, and is led by one of the most talented players in the country and a player many are calling a lottery pick in two years. Senior five star [player_tooltip player_id='1591317' first='Nate' last='Ament'] has wasted no time proving that, with a number of big games already, and the 6'9” forward is a matchup nightmare who can do it all and put up huge numbers while being as unselfish a superstar as you'll find. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1339892' first='Julian' last='Rivera'] is an absolute rock at the point guard position, fellow senior guards Chance Perkins and [player_tooltip player_id='1225266' first='Jeremiah' last='Gorham'] are instant offense who can take over at any moment, 6'8” senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2242371' first='Josh' last='Hamilton'] provides athleticism on both ends, and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2459367' first='Shivas' last='Taylor'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2470569' first='Jemal' last='Smith'] have shown a lot of growth so far this season.   Blue Ridge   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_8980.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_8980.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2289267" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1767516' first='Colby' last='White']</figcaption></figure>   The Barons were absolutely dominant when they were in the D2 classification, winning 6 state championships from 2015-2022 including four straight from 2019-2022 before going up to D1 the year after. Even with the move up to the deeper D1 class, Head Coach Cade Lemcke has had the Barons in the Final Four since the move up. The Barons are always a very well coached and disciplined group, and they have a lot of talent to be able to matchup with anyone this year. Senior 6'3” combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1767516' first='Colby' last='White'] is set for a breakout year with his ability to impact the game across the board, and he's joined by fellow senior 6'5” off guard [player_tooltip player_id='2571724' first='Johnathan' last='Robinson'] who can fill it up in bunches effortlessly. 6'7” wing [player_tooltip player_id='2459068' first='Dreylan' last='Creasy'] was an impact guy as a sophomore and this year he'll play a more formidable role with his size and skillset making him a mismatch. 6'9” junior [player_tooltip player_id='1963390' first='Kosi' last='Mgbejiofor'] is one of the most athletic big men you'll come across, while 6'6” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2422471' first='Derrius' last='Jones'] and 5'10” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2624539' first='Austin' last='Agosto'] are among a deep group of role players who will also make a difference this year.   Bishop O'Connell   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/eZy-Watermark_13-07-2023_10-32-29-7080PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/eZy-Watermark_13-07-2023_10-32-29-7080PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2083600" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins']</figcaption></figure>   O'Connell has a different look this year with a lot of their top guys graduating from last season, but Head Coach Joe Wooten reloaded in a big way and are going to be one of the deeper teams in D1 this season. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins'] was an All State selection at Alexandria City last season, and the floor general is considered one of the top true point guards in the country in his class. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1494106' first='Shane' last='Lincoln'] provides great size at 6'4” and is highly experienced being a three year contributor, sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2470549' first='Makel' last='Minor'] was a First Team All State selection at James Monroe as a freshman and is a big time scorer, 6'8” senior [player_tooltip player_id='1494118' first='Wyatt' last='Norton'] is a highly versatile big with experience, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1580731' first='Aiden' last='Caulker'] is a great piece on both ends and junior transfers [player_tooltip player_id='1963397' first='Chris' last='Morrison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2459209' first='Justin' last='Edwards'] are among a number of new players who can make an impact.   Catholic   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Walker-Ashton-BWSL.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Walker-Ashton-BWSL.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1972979" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1494109' first='Ashton' last='Walker']</figcaption></figure>   The Crusaders have consistently been one of the better teams in the 757 over the last few years and have made a number of deep runs in the state tournament over the past few years, but this may be Head Coach Bobby Steinberg's best group he's had since taking over five years ago. They have a deep group with a nice mix of experience and youth, and are led by 6'4” senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1494109' first='Ashton' last='Walker'] (Radford) who has steadily improved into one of the best all-around guards in the state over the past few years. 6'8” senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1494104' first='Martez' last='Harris'] provides size in the paint and is a versatile big who can impact the game in a number of different ways, 6'5” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2470557' first='Dean' last='Williams'] is a highly talented guard who can score it in a number of different ways, 6'2” freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2548185' first='Kelvin' last='Anderson'] is one of the best freshmen in the state and they have great role players with 6'3” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2618835' first='Carter' last='Bullock'] and 6'3” sophomore Gavin Mallete among others.   Bishop Ireton   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Devonish-Silas-Ireton-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Devonish-Silas-Ireton-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1620465" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1782690' first='Silas' last='Devonish']</figcaption></figure>   For years Ireton was considered a bottom tier WCAC team, which doesn't mean much considering it's one of the top conferences in the country for high school basketball, but over the past few years we've seen the Cardinals steadily improve with a young group that is now reaching that time to make a run if they can. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1782690' first='Silas' last='Devonish'] was a Second Team All State selection and has been a starter from day one, leading the charge for this rebuild as a two way guard that can impact the game in many different ways. Fellow junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1782688' first='Khaliq' last='Carson'] has emerged as another guy to set the tone on both ends, 6'6” junior [player_tooltip player_id='1782692' first='Ripp' last='Kodi'] is a walking mismatch with his inside-out game, 6'4” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2347772' first='Jake' last='Bahr'] is a top notch shot maker, 6'9” freshman Nash Avery is oozing with potential and will have moments of brilliance, 6'7” junior [player_tooltip player_id='1782685' first='Evan' last='Brown'] provides more size, and 6'2” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2470580' first='Elijah' last='Simpkins'] and 5'10” sophomore Jamal Price add even more depth to this group.   St. Stephen's St. Agnes   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/unnamed-51-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/unnamed-51-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2139959" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1591318' first='Riley' last='Jacobs']</figcaption></figure>   The Saints have been one of the most consistent programs in the state over the past two decades, and while they've dealt with some turnover since former coach Mike Jones left for DeMatha two years ago they have a solid group that no one will take lightly this year. SSSAS is led by 6'8” senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1591318' first='Riley' last='Jacobs'] (UMBC) who has developed into one of the toughest matchups in the state, with his size and athleticism making him a constant threat in transition and in the paint while also developing his perimeter skillset to become an inside-out threat too. Joining him in the front court is 6'9” senior [player_tooltip player_id='2340875' first='Colin' last='Pollock'] (Navy) who can stretch the floor and make plays for others, 5'11” junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2246278' first='Julian' last='Burgdolf'] is a highly skilled floor general who can make plays in a number of ways and they have a young group of guards that will provide a lot of playmaking as well.

With the high school season getting underway, we at Prep Hoops VA will be taking a look at some previews for the season in each classification. We'll look at both state title contenders, as well as preseason All State teams. Here's a look at some of the contenders for the VISAA D1 classification.