10 Best: VHSL Class 6 Championship
It seems like every year we get a 757 vs 703 matchup in the Class 6 State Championship, and this year we had two contrasting styles in Landstown of Virginia Beach and Lake Braddock of Burke. Landstown came into the…
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Continue ReadingIt seems like every year we get a 757 vs 703 matchup in the Class 6 State Championship, and this year we had two contrasting styles in Landstown of Virginia Beach and Lake Braddock of Burke. Landstown came into the game at 24-3 and hadn’t allowed more than 69 points in a game, while Lake Braddock came into the game at 25-3 and the highest scoring team in the state, having scored 100 or more 9 times on the year.
Dictating tempo and playing their style seemed to be important, but Landstown didn’t slow things up at all. What they did do was press and force turnovers and hold LB to just one shot early in the game. They held them to just 10 points in the first quarter and were up 19-10 at the end of the first. The Bruins were able to find their rhythm and go on a run of their own cutting it all the way to 6, but some bad execution at the end of the quarter allowed Landstown to regain momentum and head into the half up 40-28.
The third quarter went mostly Landstown’s way, as they opened quickly and kept their foot on the gas. Every time Lake Braddock would make a shot, Landstown would answer with one or more of their own, and they headed into the fourth quarter up 59-44. Just as it looked like the Eagles would pull away, LB opens the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run sparked by senior Quentin James to cut the deficit to 59-52 with over 6 minutes left.
After a Landstown timeout however, the Eagles regrouped and the senior heavy group went to the guys who got them there. Senior leader and JMU commit Mike Christmas took the game over in the fourth quarter, and the Eagles came out of the timeout on a 12-0 run and never looked back from there. They pulled away to win 79-60, giving their school their first state championship in history.
Take a look at a more in depth breakdown in our signature 10 Best style!
MVP: Mike Christmas | Landstown 2019
The JMU commit dealt with overrated chants every time he went to the free throw line and the crowd was brutal against him, even with a clever sign that said “Christmas’ Season is Over” with his face on top of a Christmas tree. However, Christmas responded the way you’d expect a great player to by dominating the game. He didn’t get involved in chirping against the other team or taunting the crowd, he just played his game and was the best player on the floor. More on his performance below.
Best Play: Christmas gets the nod for play of the game too when he had a statement dunk in the second quarter right in front of the Lake Braddock student section to quiet them. He caught a pass on the wing and fired up a good shot from deep which he missed short. His teammate rebounded the ball and found Christmas cutting and he threw down a vicious one handed dunk to silence the crowd.
Best Offensive Performer: Mike Christmas | Landstown 2019
Big players make big plays at big times in big games, and Christmas took over down the stretch when Lake Braddock tried to make a run in the fourth quarter. Sure he had 12 points and 5 rebounds in the first half, but it was when they need him the most he stepped up and took over. He used his size and athleticism to finish in the paint, he showed a good midrange and he showed grit and leadership by taking over in the fourth quarter. His final stat line of 27 points and 8 rebounds is only part of how impressive his outing was.
Best Defensive Performer: Deante Mobley | Landstown 2019
Every good team has a guard like Mobley, someone who doesn’t need to score but impacts the game in all of the little ways. The senior lead guard did a great job handling pressure, getting them into their sets and making plays for others. He also did a great job setting the tone in their press and he was able to fluster LB guards into making some poor decisions. He had a team high four steals on the game.
Best Guy off the Bench: Lamont Oliphant | Landstown 2019
Oliphant was a little up and down at times but he brought size and a unique skill set off the bench for the Eagles. At 6’4”, he showed a guard like skill set that included some great passes, a few tough midrange pull-ups and he rebounded pretty well too. He finished with 13 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds in the win.
Best Intangibles: Quentin James | Lake Braddock 2019
It was somewhat of a tough night for James who was hounded and double teamed by Landstown all game, but he was still able to use his athleticism and shotmaking ability to fill it up. The 5’11” guard is lightning quick and very tough to handle in one-on-one situations because he can pull-up and hit it or drive by you and get to the rim. He’s a high motor leader that his team landed on and for the most part he came through. He finished with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss.
Best Under the Radar Performer: Christian Jones | Landstown 2019
The unsung hero all year for Landstown, Jones’ poise and leadership, along with his consistency, was something you saw from him all season. In the championship game he showed it as well, as he took care of the ball, didn’t force things and took the most of his opportunities. He finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
Best Under the Radar Performer 2: Nick Margraf | Lake Braddock 2019
The 6’4” Margraf is the ideal guy for the LB system because he can play the four and bang inside but he’s also a gifted perimeter player offensively as well. He’s a scrappy kid with a big frame who gets after it on both ends, can shoot the rock and will do the little things to help his team. He finished with 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting and had 5 rebounds.
Best Underclassman: Donald Hand Jr. | Landstown 2022
The son of former UVA legend Donald Hand and stepson of Landstown coach Dwight Robinson, it’s safe to say DJ Hand is in good hands (PUN intended). The 6’3” guard has good length, plays with poise for his age and can shoot the rock off the catch and off the bounce. He has good feel and instincts for the game, and will likely be a big time scorer moving forward when he isn’t on a senior ladened team. He finished with 10 points on 3-for-6 shooting from the field and 4-for-4 shooting from the line.
Best Underclassman 2: David Soloman | Lake Braddock 2022
Another very impressive freshman, the 6’5” Soloman has great physical tools and athletic tools and a good motor to go with it. He moves well for his size and age, he’s quick and bouncy off his feet and he looks to dunk any and everything he can. He’s a presence as a defender and rebounder as well in the paint. He finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks.