VHSL Class 6 State Tournament Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The VHSL state tournament brackets have been completed after region play, and we're going to make our predictions as to who we think has a chance to win in each classification. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We start with the biggest classification, Class 6, which is dominated by the Northern VA and 757 areas. This classification has some of the deepest and most talented teams, and will be a dog fight for the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The teams competing are listed below in bracket form below, and our predictions of favorites, next up, dark horse candidates and finals prediction will follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>B1 Patriot vs. A2 Landstown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A1 Oscar Smith vs. B2 Forest Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D1 South Lakes vs. C2 Edison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>C1 Hayfield vs. D2 James Madison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Favorite: Hayfield</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1301676,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Jones-Greg-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Jones-Greg-CBG.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1301676" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">American commit [player_tooltip player_id='1115503' first='Greg' last='Jones'] leads the Hawks on their repeat attempt.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state champions are a combined 59-1 over the past two seasons with their only loss being a close one to Jackson-Reed, perhaps the best team in DC. The Hawks are as deep as any team, they're well coached and they're battle tested. American commit [player_tooltip player_id='1115503' first='Greg' last='Jones'] is one of the most versatile players in the state at 6'6” as he's able to score it in different ways, make plays for others and he can guard multiple positions as well. They have a deep and experienced backcourt led by District Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1403923' first='Dj' last='Holloway'], and have playmakers in [player_tooltip player_id='1256339' first='Donovan' last='Bass']-Briscoe and [player_tooltip player_id='999637' first='John' last='Awoke'] who can both handle it and make plays for others. Senior Marymount commit [player_tooltip player_id='1403962' first='David' last='King'] is a walking double-double in the paint who just produces every day, and they have a lot of talent off the bench as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Next Up: Oscar Smith</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1366917,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Young-Ulysses.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Young-Ulysses.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1366917" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1260038' first='Ulysses' last='Young'] has been the floor general for Oscar Smith all year.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers are coming off an impressive season of their own where they went 24-1 with their only loss coming to Class 4 favorites King's Fork, and they ran through the region and look to be on a collision course with Hayfield for a state title matchup. Smith is another team that is deep, well coached and have a lot of pieces that are tough to matchup with. Sophomore big man [player_tooltip player_id='1494102' first='Kareem' last='Stagg'] is one of the top prospects in the 2025 class, as the 6'8” forward is an elite rim protector and finisher and has the ability to score it in the midrange and out to the three-point line too. Junior point guard Ulysses “Chubbs” Young is one of the best floor generals in the state, and sophomore guard Cashean Perry gives them another playmaking option as a ball handler. They're big up front, they have a lot of depth in the backcourt with ball handler and defenders and they have played a tough schedule as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Dark Horse Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Patriot</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1355290,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/Coleman-Nasir.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/Coleman-Nasir.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1355290" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Senior Nasir Coleman has Patriot ready to compete for a state title.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patriot played Hayfield all the way to the wire before losing on a buzzer beater in the first game of the year, and they went 25-3 with their only other local loss coming to rival Battlefield by 3 points. They are as balanced as any team you'll come across with 5 players averaging in double figures, they have switchable pieces defensively and they are very experienced and well coached. Senior point guard Nasir Coleman is one of the best in the state averaging 11 points, 5.7 assists and 2 steals per game, and he's a player who can control the game and set the tone on both ends of the floor. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1483024' first='Jay' last='Randall'] is an inside-out threat that's tough to matchup with, junior guard Dez Hopkins is a walking bucket and their leading scorer at 12.5 points per game and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1748199' first='Kaden' last='Bates'] has been their breakout player who is arguably their best two-way impact guy. Junior forward Isaiah Vicks could be the key, as he gives them size, athleticism and versatility in the front court. They'll have to matchup with Oscar Smith in the semifinals if they get by Landstown, and a rematch of Patriot and Hayfield in the state championship would be an absolute classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>South Lakes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1531303,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/Scott-Jordan-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/Scott-Jordan-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1531303" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1410534' first='Jordan' last='Scott'] had a breakout year for South Lakes and was named District POY.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Lakes was the breakout team in the NOVA area this year, going 24-3 and a perfect 12-0 in region play. While they may not have the depth and experience as the teams mentioned above, they do have a solid starting 5 that is battle tested and have great chemistry, something that really matters come playoff time. They have a budding superstar in 6'5' sophomore shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1410534' first='Jordan' last='Scott'] who won player of the year and was one of the top scorers in the NOVA area, and if the stage isn't too big he can take over games and will his team to a win against anyone. Senior point guard Kyle Tang is one of the best floor generals in the area and is a guy who can cause havoc on both sides of the ball. They'll have a tough matchup against Hayfield in the semifinals if they get by Edison, but they have the firepower to compete with anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Finals Prediction: Hayfield beats Oscar Smith</h2> <!-- /wp:heading -->