STC Captures Virginia Prep League Title over STAB

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. Christopher's School Captures Virginia Prep League Title in Instant Classic Over </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. Anne's-Belfield School, 56–53</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Virginia Prep League Championship delivered everything you'd expect — physicality, high-level guard play, big-time shot making, and late-game execution. In the end, St. Christopher's walked away with a hard-fought 56–53 win over STAB. This victory secured its first Prep League tournament title since 2000. It added another chapter to what's been a statement season for the Saints.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This wasn't a game for the faint of heart. Every possession mattered. Every rebound was contested. Both teams showed why they've been among the most respected programs in the state all year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2252300"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699cb10062f7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2252300' first='Darius' last='Gray'] once again proved why he's one of the most dominant interior forces in Virginia prep basketball. The versatile big finished with&nbsp;27 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 steals, controlling the paint on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray's ability to seal deep, finish through contact, and clean the glass tilted the game in St. Chris' favor when it mattered most. But what stood out wasn't just the numbers — it was his composure. In a championship setting, he embraced the physicality and made winning plays late.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When the game tightened in the fourth quarter, St. Chris went inside. And Gray delivered. Darius also won the Virginia Prep League player of the year for the 2nd straight year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Damari Smith","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Christopher's ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699cb1006304f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The box score shows 14 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. However, Damari Smith's impact extended far beyond scoring. As he's done all season, the high-IQ lead guard dictated pace. He defended at a high level. He also made the right reads against pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In championship environments, guard play wins. Damari consistently kept the Saints organized against STAB's aggressive perimeter defense. His ability to break pressure, get downhill, and make timely decisions was critical in closing the game out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He continues to show why he's one of the most complete guards in the state regardless of class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470566"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699cb100630a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2470566' first='Brady' last='Burnette'] added&nbsp;12 points. He spaced the floor and knocked down key shots. These shots prevented STAB from collapsing too heavily on Gray. His willingness to take — and make — big shots in high-pressure moments gave St. Chris the offensive balance it needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Championship teams need multiple weapons. The Saints showed they have just that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">STAB's Backcourt Battles Until the Final Horn</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Credit to STAB — they never backed down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1574509"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699cb100630f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">6'3 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1574509' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] was sensational, finishing with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Brown did everything he could to will his team to a title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He was aggressive attacking the rim, disruptive defensively, and active on the glass. His ability to create his own shot and generate turnovers kept STAB within striking distance all night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Haden Morris","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"STAB","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699cb10063182"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">6'3 G Haden Morris&nbsp;chipped in&nbsp;15 points and 4 rebounds, showing his versatility as a scorer. Morris knocked down tough shots and gave STAB a reliable perimeter option when they needed offense late.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Together, Brown and Morris kept pressure on St. Chris until the final possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Championship Earned</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was a true Prep League battle — disciplined half-court sets, strong defensive rotations, and high-level individual performances. It felt like a playoff game from the opening tip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For St. Christopher's, this title represents more than just a trophy. It validates a season built on versatility, toughness, and elite guard play paired with interior dominance. The Saints have firepower inside and out, and they've proven they can win in tight, physical games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a likely first-round state playoff game ahead, momentum is firmly on their side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And if this championship was any indication, the Saints aren't done yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->