VISAA Final Four D-II Standouts (Part 2)

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 two of some of the many standouts from the D-II semifinals and finals.   [player_tooltip player_id='1403920' first='Jordan' last='Horne'] | 6'2” PG | Miller School '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Horne-Jordan-Miller.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Horne-Jordan-Miller.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1497784" /></a></figure>   Horne was a big reason for Miller's turn around and success over the past two seasons, and his ability to set the tone on both ends and run the show was on full display. He handled pressure well and got into the paint where he showed his ability to finish and make reads off the bounce, he rebounded well for his position and he was efficient scoring the ball in different ways. In their semifinal win over Hargrave he finished with 16 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, and he had 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists in their championship loss to Highland School.   [player_tooltip player_id='1241878' first='Will' last='Bonde'] | 6'7” F | Miller School '23   Bonde may be overlooked on this team at times with guys who put up bigger numbers, but when push comes to shove and the game gets gritty and physical he's one of their most important guys due to his versatility on both ends of the floor. He's a physical hybrid forward who can guard almost anyone on the floor, he brings toughness in the paint as a rebounder and he can stretch the floor and he makes good decisions and does the dirty work. While he didn't shoot the ball well, he made a big impact for them in both games.   [player_tooltip player_id='977592' first='Austin' last='Ball'] | 6'6” WF | Miller School '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Ball-Austin-Miller.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Ball-Austin-Miller.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1788908" /></a></figure>   The George Mason commit is one of the most explosive players we saw at the VISAA Final Four, and in the face of double teams and constant pressure he still played hard and made plays for others. He showed his athletic finishing ability and is always a threat to shoot making the defense account for him at all times, he rebounded well and made plays on the defensive end too. He finished with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals in their semifinal win over Hargrave and had 10 points and 7 rebounds in their loss to Highland.   [player_tooltip player_id='1259617' first='Eli' last='DeLaurier'] | 6'8” PF | Miller School '24   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Delaurier-Eli-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Delaurier-Eli-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1585825" /></a></figure>   Delaurier had his breakout season this year as a junior who put up numbers against one of the toughest schedules any team in the state played, and on the biggest stage he came to play as well as he was crucial in their win over Hargrave and almost single handedly brought them back against Highland in their heartbreaking 2 point loss. The 6'8” forward showed his versatility playing on the perimeter as he made shots from deep and made good passes in their sets, he battled in the paint as he sealed and finished around the rim and he competed on the glass and on the defensive end too. He finished with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals in their win over Hargrave and 15 points and 11 rebounds, scoring all of their fourth quarter points in their loss to Highland.   [player_tooltip player_id='999647' first='Chance' last='Briggs'] | 6'5” WF | Hargrave '23   While Hargrave struggled in their loss to Miller in the semifinals, Briggs was big for them coming off the bench and providing a big spark on both ends of the floor. The 6'5” wing showed his ability to knock down shots from deep, get to spots and score it in the midrange area and he showed his athleticism rebounding and finishing at the rim. He was their top scorer in their loss.   Tyson Mobley | 6'1” PG | Hargrave '23   Mobley had a tough task against one of the top defenses in the state, but he did a good job handling pressure and making plays off the bounce. He touched the paint regularly where he made plays for others, he got to the rim and was a good finisher showing off good body control and craft and he did a good job pressuring the basketball defensively.   [player_tooltip player_id='1241882' first='Dante' last='Kearse'] | 6'6” F | Hargrave '24   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Kearse-Dante-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Kearse-Dante-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1595577" /></a></figure>   Kearse was one of the biggest reasons that Hargrave was able to have such a successful season, as he provided a versatile big body who could make plays on both ends of the floor. He's a strong and athletic big who can get up and down the floor and finish at the rim, he's a good defender who can switch on multiple positions and he can protect the rim and he rebounded well on both ends of the floor. He showed a budding skillset and was productive on both ends of the floor.

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.