VISAA Division One Tournament Prediction
Division one in the VISAA has been an enigma, with some surprises and some disappointments throughout the season. However, that’s all out the window as the state tournament is upon us! Here’s a breakdown of some of the favorites, sleepers,…
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Continue ReadingDivision one in the VISAA has been an enigma, with some surprises and some disappointments throughout the season. However, that’s all out the window as the state tournament is upon us! Here’s a breakdown of some of the favorites, sleepers, predictions, and players to watch!
Favorites
Episcopal High School
Episcopal has always had a stellar program, but this season they have been one of the most consistent teams in the state, with a record of 22-4 and are currently sitting at #3 in the Vantage Hoops Top 30 Power Poll. They are as battle tested as anyone, and have won big games against Atlantic Shores, St. Stephen’s St. Agnes, Bulliss, Norfolk Collegiate and STAB.
Players to Watch
Nick Reed; Senior PG; 6’0”
Reed is possibly the most underrated scorer in the state, despite being first team All VISAA last season. He’s a three level scorer that creates his own shot, and has been almost unguardable for Episcopal all season. Keep an eye on him and how he runs the team for a talented Episcopal squad.
Edwin Ebube; Senior PF; 6’5”
Ebube has a nice blend of touch and strength in the post that makes him a tough guard. He can step out and shoot the set shot, can finish with either hand at the rim and is patient on the block, using the pump fake to earn easy trips to the line. He shines in big games as well.
George Mawanda-Kalema; Junior PG; 6’2”
An extremely underrated guard, Kalema is no doubt a division one lead guard with good size and a tight handle. He gets in the lane at will, and is able to make plays on both ends of the floor. He’s one of those players that constantly puts his team in a situation to win games.
Paul VI
Perhaps the most talented team in the state, Paul VI played a daunting national schedule which explains their 17-11 record. However, that schedule, and playing in the WCAC, could pay off down the stretch. They scored big wins over Bishop O’Connell, Word of God (NC), Neumann-Gorretti (PA), Archbishop Carroll and Gonzaga.
Players to Watch
VJ King; Senior WF; 6’6”
A nationally ranked stud that is headed to Louisville, King is hands down the best player in Division 1, and is capable of taking over at any point in time. He was huge in their run to the state championship game last year, and his ability to create and score efficiently will be tough for anyone to match up with.
Aaron Thompson; Junior PG; 6’3”
In downhill scenarios, just guess and hope you guess right. Thompson is a strong and quick guard with great playmaking abilities, and he’s able to finish through contact using his strength. He’s also a stout on ball defender that takes away the opposing team’s best ball handler.
Myles Douglass; Junior PF; 6’6”
A monster in the post and athletic enough to run the floor, Douglass is a mismatch nightmare for PVI. His recruitment has picked up a lot over this season, and for good reason as Douglass has performed on the big stage for PVI all season. He’ll be a key piece for them in a championship run.
Bishop O’Connell
O’Connell has flown under the radar, as they’re another team that played a national schedule and in the grind-it-out WCAC. However, while many said they wouldn’t be able to compete, Head Coach Joe Wooten has put together a competitive group that finished 18-9 and #6 in the Top 30 Poll, with key wins over Bishop McNamara, Gonzaga, St. John’s, Good Counsel and Mount Pleasant.
Players to Watch
Ako Adams; Senior PG; 6’2”
Talk about a winning point guard, that’s what Adams is for O’Connell. The Rice commit is a crafty creator that gets in the lane and scores it at all three levels. His mix of intelligence, size and skill at the lead guard position makes him a walking mismatch,
Nate Watson; Junior PF; 6’7”
A physically imposing big man, Watson has a terrific feel for the game that understands when to attack in the post and when to kick on double teams. He has a developing post game that when complete will make him a big time scorer post scorer. He’s an animal on the glass, and he’s quickly blowing up on the east coast.
Randall Gaskins; Senior WG; 6’2”
A crafty scoring guard that knows his role, Gaskins is equally effective on the offensive end as he is on the defensive end. The St. Francis (PA) commit is a viable option on offense, where he takes pressure off of Adams and Watson when teams want to key on them. He’s also a smart and scrappy defender that can guard on the ball and plays the passing lanes well.
St. Christopher’s
They started the season hot, with big wins over John Marshall, Deep Run, Trinity Episcopal and CD Hylton all before the new year. While they’ve stumbled somewhat down the stretch, they still have played a tough schedule and proven themselves against elite competition. They currently sit at 24-6 and #11 in the top 30 power poll.
Players to Watch
Nick Sherod; Senior WG; 6’5”
Earlier this week, Sherod surpassed Caleb Tanner for the most points in Virginia High School history. That should tell you all you need to know about the University of Richmond commit. He’s a knock down shooter, smart scorer and no matter how much you game plan for him, he’s going to find a way to get his own.
Alex Petrie; Junior PG; 6’2”
A crafty scoring guard, Petrie has already surpassed the 1,000 point mark, and is one of the most fun and effective scoring guards in the state. He has good size and a great handle, and an innate ability to get to his spots and score from them. Shred and him are one of the most lethal scoring duos in the state.
Ameer Bennett; Junior PF; 6’8”
He continues to come along and improve, and it was evident in his 17 point outburst against STAB in their loss in the Prep League Tournament Championship. He’s the forgotten option before the two mentioned before, but Bennett is a good rebounder and finisher in the lane, and can hit the 15 footer if you leave him open.
Sleepers
St. Stephen’s St. Agnes
They have played the best all season, and despite a young team they have continued to grow and mature through the process. They are guard oriented, but are versatile as every player can dribble, pass and shoot for them. They currently sit at 17-8 and #20 in the Top 30 Power Poll, and landed the #5 seed in the VISAA Tournament.
Players to Watch
Donovann Toatley; 5’8” PG; Sophomore
He has mixtape handles and a silky smooth jump shot out to 25 feet. Despite his size, Toatley is a dominant player against whoever he is matched up with, and he’s also one of the most fun players in VA to watch. He plays with a chip, impact the game in a number of ways and refuses to lose.
Chauncey Pittman; 6’1” PG; Senior
A true playmaker that has an odd savvy about his game, Pittman is one of the more underrated lead guards in the state. For SSSAS, he plays both guard positions, and usually guards one of the better perimeter players for the other team. He’s a tough nosed kid who knows his role and gets it done on a consistent basis.
Denmark Slay; 5’11” G; Junior
A combo guard with good burst and feel, Slay has been an impact player in a number of ways for SSSAS all season. He has good vision and playmaking abilities for his teammates, and he’s also a three level scorer that can create his own shot. He’ll be a key contributor for them if they want to make a run in the playoffs.
Trinity Episcopal
The Titans of Trinity looked like they were possibly the team to beat early in the season, but a devastating collarbone injury to their star point guard Aaron Duhart sent them into a midseason slump. However, Duhart returned last night for them in a win over the Potomac School, and his presence could take them back to the Final Four.
Players to Watch
Zach Jacobs; 6’7” PF; Junior
Jacobs is a workhorse that runs the floor for easy finishes and dominates the glass on the offensive end. He produces every time he steps on the floor, and he doesn’t need a single play run for him. His recruitment has started to pick up, as he’s becoming more difficult as he learns to work away from the basket.
Aaron Duhart; 6’0” PG; Junior
A menacing on ball defender, Duhart changes the dynamic of the Trinity team immediately. Although he showed some rust yesterday, he’s still a capable ball handler and creator that makes plays on both ends of the floor.
Trevion Armstrong; 6’3” WF; Senior
He can at times be a liability, but the Nevada football commit is a knockdown shooter from deep that can fill it up in bunches. He’s an imposing force that can bully smaller wings, and will hurt you if you leave him open.
Predictions
Final Four
#1 Episcopal over #5 St. Stephen’s St, Agnes
#2 Paul VI over #3 Bishop O’Connell
Championship
#2 Paul VI over #1 Episcopal