VISAA D-II Preview and Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The VISAA D-II state semifinals and finals take place tomorrow and Saturday at Benedictine, and there's a lot of talent and great teams taking place in it. Here's a look at the preview and predictions for the weekend at one of the best weekends of basketball in VA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 Fairfax Christian vs. #4 Hargrave Military Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Predicted Winner: Fairfax Christian</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801389,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/tempImageng69OW.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/tempImageng69OW.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2801389" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2605296' first='Messiah' last='Dixon']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairfax Christian moved up to D-II after winning three straight D-III state championships, and they showed they have no problem hanging at this level earning the #1 seed after a fantastic season where they played a very tough schedule. They're a very experienced team who return almost everyone from last year, while adding some talented pieces of their own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior big man and Towson commit [player_tooltip player_id='1370511' first='Frank' last='Siaca-Bey'] is a dominant paint presence who scores it efficiently and does a great job owning the glass and protecting the rim defensively. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2605296' first='Messiah' last='Dixon'] is one of the most dynamic guards you will come across, as he sets the tone on both ends of the floor. Returning seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1767553' first='Trey' last='Fitch'], [player_tooltip player_id='2148679' first='Willie' last='Bennett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2459378' first='Jonathan' last='Jennings'] are both two way impact players on the wing. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1548389' first='Shane' last='Wellman'] and Cameron Johnson also give them some more firepower. You get the gist, they're deep and highly experienced.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2724494,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImage3ERkbd.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImage3ERkbd.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2724494" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2916369' first='Isaac' last='Smith']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hargrave has had a great season of their own, and are led by one of the more talented young players in the state in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2916369' first='Isaac' last='Smith']. The 6'6” wing is a big time athlete who can score it from multiple levels, defend multiple positions, and take over games on both ends of the floor. Senior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='2690467' first='Kendall' last='Lanier'] does a great job creating shots for himself and others, and brings toughness on the defensive end too. Junior guards Amare Word and [player_tooltip player_id='2780028' first='Jalen' last='Carter'] provide extra playmaking and scoring, while junior wing Khaden Clark brings more athleticism and rebounding for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Hargrave has plenty of talent, Fairfax Christian is just too deep and experienced, and will likely return to the state championship game again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 Miller School vs. #7 North Cross</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Predicted Winner: Miller</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2422164,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/tempImagegkvdSV.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/tempImagegkvdSV.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2422164" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1588139' first='Connor' last='Lyons']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one will be a rematch of last year's VISAA D-II state semifinal, where Miller was able to take down North Cross and eventually go on to win the state championship over Peninsula Catholic the next day. Miller has had a bit of an up and down season, which was similar to what they did last year, and in similar fashion they have come on strong late in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryant commit [player_tooltip player_id='1588139' first='Connor' last='Lyons'] leads the way for them, as he's the best shooter in the state with the most made three-pointers in Virginia this season. The 6'7” wing has been lightning it up, and leads a Miller team that plays fast and gets them up, and his in the gym range with his size allows him to make a ton of tough shots. Senior wing Gabe D'Alessandro is right there with him, as another guard who can light it up from deep and make plays off the bounce for them too. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1782681' first='Odita' last='Aguolu'] is an athletic and strong finisher who joined them this year and has been great for them. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2879995' first='Aiden' last='Gregory'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2353640' first='Amare' last='Long'] provide extra depth in the backcourt, and freshmen duo [player_tooltip player_id='2767830' first='Jaiden' last='Hunter'] and Paxton Oliver have been better than predicted after playing a role on their state championship team last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Cross stepped up the level of competition they played this season, and they have a strong group that will be ready to compete with anyone, and they had a good matchup with Miller a few weeks ago too. Junior point guard Jessiah Hines leads the way, as he is one of the best scoring guards in D-II and had a huge game against them last season in the state semifinal. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2470581' first='Antonio' last='Mack'] is one of the better athletes in the state and is able to impact the game in major ways across the board. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2395088' first='Carlos' last='Lanier'] is a lights out shooter from deep, junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2085877' first='Demarcus' last='Brown'] is a tenacious defender and finisher, and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2880104' first='Kaleb' last='Robinson'] is a versatile mismatch on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the end, Miller has the depth and experience, and while an upset isn't out of the question it will be a tough matchup for North Cross.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predicted State Champion: Fairfax Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairfax Christian gets the slight edge over Miller in my opinion, more or less because the core of this group has been together for three years and two of them have already resulted in championships. I do believe this would be a big time showdown if it ends up as the matchup, one everyone would love to see!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->