VHSL Class 3 Preview: Who Will be at VCU in March?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the public school season starting in just over a month, it's time for us to preview each classification and highlight which teams we believe will have a chance to make a run to the Siegel Center in March to play for a state championship. We continue with Class 3, one of the more top heavy classifications with one big favorite at the top, and a few who could make a run. Here's a look at 4 teams we expect could make a run at the title this year. Let us know if we missed anyone!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorite: Petersburg</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3592911,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Bacot-King.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Bacot-King.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3592911" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2767487' first='King' last='Bacot']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crimson Wave are the overwhelming favorites to repeat in Class 3 this year, with a team that is loaded with division one talent and a team that will be competing on a national level this season. Nationally ranked sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2767487' first='King' last='Bacot'] is the team's top returner and is having a monster preseason tour, putting up big numbers both as a scorer and a playmaker against some top tier talent of upperclassmen and older players. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='3443376' first='Chacho' last='Womack'] transferred in after winning a state championship at West Charlotte in North Carolina, and he's already getting recruited by high major programs and is considered one of the purest bucket getters you will find in the country. 6'8” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2767813' first='Kaedyn' last='Cole'] anchors the middle and does it very well, as he's an explosive leaper who protects the rim defensively, and his athleticism, high motor and budding skillset makes him a very tough matchup on the offensive end as well. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='3538906' first='Niles' last='Mason'] transferred in from Steward School after having one of the most impressive seasons of any freshman in the state last year, giving them size, athleticism and two way impact as a player who can play multiple positions too. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2470573' first='Cam' last='Claiborne'] is a battle tested winner with three state championships, and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2815342' first='Larry' last='Walker'] brings toughness on both ends of the floor as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lake Taylor</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Taylor made a run to the state championship last season before falling to Petersburg, and the Titans have a lot of pieces returning including one of the toughest backcourts you will find in the 757. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='3538908' first='Shaquantay' last='Evans Jr.'] is a big time prospect and set to have a breakout season after a good summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams'] on the E15 Circuit. The 6'1” guard is shifty and twitch off the bounce, has good burst to get to the rim, and can create space and make tough shots from all three levels. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2918953' first='Marc' last='Johnson'] is another big time player who had a breakout season last year, as he's a big and physical downhill guard who can finish through contact, while also being able to stretch the floor and make plays for others as well. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2919013' first='Elijah' last='Long'] gives them another player in the backcourt who can fill it up, but also brings intensity on the defensive end and does a lot of little things to help his team win. They're athletic, play fast and turn other team's over, and the Titans will be a tough matchup for anyone come March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Christiansburg</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Demons had a very good season last year going 16-7 on the year, and with almost everyone returning from that group they've got a great chance to come out of the west and make a run to Richmond this year. 6'8” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2951871' first='Garrett' last='Overbay'] was a Second Team All State selection last year, and is one of the more intriguing prospects in the state that coaches should be following. At 6'8” he moves very well both running the floor and laterally, he plays above the rim with ease and is a big time shot blocker, and he can step out and knock down shots too. His twin [player_tooltip player_id='3554561' first='Walker' last='Overbay'] is no joke of a player too, who at 6'5” is also very athletic and thrives in transition, while also being able to spot up and knock down shots from deep or get to the pull-up in the midrange as well. Junior combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2402934' first='Evan' last='Custis'] also had a breakout season last year, as the 6'1” guard is a big time athlete who plays much bigger than he does when he gets downhill to throw it down, while also being able to rebound, defend and make plays for others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Liberty Christian Academy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LCA went 21-8 last season winning their region and making it to the state tournament, and while they lose a couple of big pieces they do have most of their core returning and looking to make a run moving forward. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='3571282' first='Tre' last='Smith'] was a Second Team All State selection last season, and the 6'4” wing is a big time athlete who can attack downhill, and knock down shots from multiple levels, and rebounds well for his position too. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2348972' first='Colton' last='Davis'] is another player who will likely have a big season, as the 6'3” off guard is a dead eye shooter from deep who can work on or off the ball and has shown a lot of improvement over the past summer. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2919016' first='Luke' last='Tomlin'] is the tone setter for this group as a facilitating floor general who can also score it efficiently off the bounce. Fellow junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2919005' first='Miles' last='Davis'] adds additional firepower and defensive pressure in the backcourt, while senior Noah Beverly gives them size in the paint as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->