VISAA D-I Semifinals Preview and Predictions

The VISAA state semifinals are set after the quarterfinals last night, as the four teams who advanced will meet at Benedictine to battle it out for a state championship. The top four teams took care of business, and if it's anything like last year's semifinals and finals, it will be a fantastic day of basketball! Here's a look at the preview and predictions of who will win.   #1 Paul VI vs. #4 Blue Ridge   Predicted Winner: Paul VI   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Brian-Mitchell-Jr-crop-4570x3001-1771922015.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Brian-Mitchell-Jr-crop-4570x3001-1771922015.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3517168" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2027 Brian Mitchell</figcaption></figure>   Fresh off of their third straight WCAC championship, PVI comes into the state semifinal as the favorites and look to avenge their loss last season to rival Bishop O'Connell in the state semifinal. The Panthers are a deep squad led by consensus top 3 player in the country [player_tooltip player_id='3336930' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] Jr., who has been perhaps the best player in the country this season. His two way impact is as good as I've seen in my ten years of scouting, as he puts up big scoring numbers, makes plays for others, and guards the other team's best player. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2194710' first='Brian' last='Mitchell Jr.'] has been a big addition as he has provided big time shot making and scoring, senior point guard and FGCU commit Lawrence “Turk” Brown has been fantastic as their floor general this year, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2916390' first='Ryan' last='Bahr'] has been a gritty two way player for them, and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2353633' first='Matthew' last='Mena'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2194779' first='Aiden' last='Acquah'] give them depth and versatility.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageA4l3WF.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageA4l3WF.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2731735" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2459068' first='Dreylan' last='Creasy']</figcaption></figure>   Blue Ridge is no slouch either after a convincing 18 point win over #5 Bishop Ireton in the quarterfinals, and they have their own deep and well coached team that matches up well with PVI. Senior ECU commit [player_tooltip player_id='2459068' first='Dreylan' last='Creasy'] has been outstanding this year, and the 6'8” athletic wing is a matchup nightmare with his inside-out scoring and versatility defensively. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2353668' first='Kamdon' last='Brangman-Cain'] has been a breakout performer this year, and is another athletic shot maker who can take over a game with his play as well. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2624539' first='Austin' last='Agosto'] is a dual threat as a scorer and distributor, junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2815333' first='Baur' last='Lloyd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2815291' first='Justin' last='Huang'] are talented shot makers and playmakers as well, and 6'10” senior [player_tooltip player_id='1963390' first='Kosi' last='Mgbejiofor'] anchors the middle as a rim protector and finisher.   While Blue Ridge matches up well and will give PVI all they can handle, [player_tooltip player_id='3336930' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] Jr. has shown time and time again he's not one to bet against this season. The Panthers are the favorites in this tournament.   #2 Bishop O'Connell vs. #3 Highland   Predicted Winner: Highland   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Amani-Asare-crop-5607x3682-1771334854.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Amani-Asare-crop-5607x3682-1771334854.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3501900" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353606' first='Amani' last='Asare']</figcaption></figure>   This could be one of the top matchups of the entire weekend, as both of these teams are very similar and it is a rematch of the D-I state championship last year. Highland is the defending state champions, and while they lost almost all of their production from last year, they reloaded and have been great winning the loaded MPSCA this year.   Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2353606' first='Amani' last='Asare'] has set the tone for them all year, as his bulldog style of play and leadership, coupled with his ability to fill it up in bunches and make plays for others, has made him one of the top guards in the DMV. His matchup with nationally ranked [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins'] will be a fun one to watch for sure. Freshman forward [player_tooltip player_id='2440984' first='Brayden' last='Ragland'] has played well above his years for Highland this year, as he's a walking mismatch who can bang in the paint and on the glass, while also shooting the lights out from deep. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2548181' first='Isaiah' last='Carter'] is healthy again and lighting it up from deep, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1782692' first='Ripp' last='Kodi'] gives them athleticism and versatility on the wing, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2815380' first='Jayden' last='Banks'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2575696' first='Jamison' last='Ross'] have really stepped up this season, and senior sniper [player_tooltip player_id='2459367' first='Shivas' last='Taylor'] can change the game with his shooting ability.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_5805.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_5805.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3516714" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins']</figcaption></figure>   O'Connell brings one of the top backcourts in the state, led by senior All American [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins'] who led them to the state championship game last year and will look to get his revenge this year. He's one of the best floor generals in the country, and his ability to control the game and create for himself and others will be very important in this matchup. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2353544' first='Corey' last='Dixon'] is his backcourt mate that joined them in the offseason, and he's an absolute bucket getter who can fill it up with the best of them and take over a game. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2459209' first='Justin' last='Edwards'] is an x-factor with his ability to stuff the stat sheet and play multiple positions, junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2454553' first='Ja'Ron' last='Rucker'] gives them athleticism and versatility, and junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='3363554' first='Tristan' last='Franklin'] has been a breakout player in the WCAC this year.   It's a tough decision, but the gut feeling goes to giving Highland the slightest of an edge, but this one should be a fantastic matchup.   Predicted State Champion: Paul VI   PVI may be the cop out choice for winning the state championship, but when they have perhaps the best prospect in the DMV since Markelle Fultz (and there's been plenty of pros since), they will always be the favorite to win it. Should be a great tournament!

The VISAA state semifinals are set after the quarterfinals last night, as the four teams who advanced will meet at Benedictine to battle it out for a state championship. The top four teams took care of business, and if it's anything like last year's semifinals and finals, it will be a fantastic day of basketball! Here's a look at the preview and predictions of who will win.