VISAA D2 Playoff Preview
It’s state championship time across the country, and the VISAA will get started with their first round games starting today in all three divisions. We’ll be taking a look with a quick preview for each division, as we take a…
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Continue ReadingIt’s state championship time across the country, and the VISAA will get started with their first round games starting today in all three divisions. We’ll be taking a look with a quick preview for each division, as we take a look at division two here. If you need to check the brackets and see who plays who and when, take a look here. Otherwise, enjoy the preview and be ready for the Final Four and state championship at Virginia State this weekend!
Champion Pick: #1 Blue Ridge
Mike Gray BRBlue Ridge has been arguably the most consistent and best team in the state for much of the year, and they’re one of the deepest as well. The backcourt duo of senior William Lee and junior Mike Gray are instant offense that can fill it up and they fly around defensively as well. Sophomore big man Maliq Brown has steadily gotten better and earned 1st Team All Conference, and senior Sasha Glushkov is 6’11” and can stretch the floor. They have everything you need on both ends of the floor and their last loss came to La Lumeire, a top 10 team in the country.
Top 4
#2 Highland School
Angelo Brizzi HighlandHighland School has been somewhat of a surprise this year, even though they were picked to win the DAC they weren’t expected to be a #2 seed in the state championship. Junior guard Angelo Brizzi has been one of the best players in the state and has stepped up his leadership role and helped his young group get better. Fellow juniors Caleb Furr and Yusef Salih have given them a mix of size and athleticism on the wing, while senior guard Zion Hanberry can fill it up and knock it down from deep.
#3 Norfolk Collegiate
Samuel Brannen NoCoNoCo was one of the top teams in the 757 all season and almost won the TCIS but fell to Cape Henry in the championship. Senior guard Jordan Battle is a favorite to win state player of the year and is one of the most all-around productive players in the state and will help lead them by doing a little bit of everything. Senior forward Tristen How has stepped up big time for them this year and freshman guard Samuel Brannen plays well beyond his years.
#4 Middleburg Academy
Jaden House MiddleburgNo disrespect to the teams above them but it seems like Middleburg may have been slightly overlooked with their four seed. The Dragons have played one of the toughest schedules in the state and have fought through a lot of adversity this year and still have the talent to win it all. The junior backcourt of Isiaah Folkes and Jaden House have been one of the most highly touted backcourts in the state this year, and junior forward Xavier Long is a versatile guy that can do a little bit of everything for this group. Depth could be a concern but their first five can compete with anyone.
Dark Horses
#5 Steward School
Efton Reid StewardSteward is led by one of the top prospects in the entire state in 6’11” junior Efton Reid and he’s able to dominate at any given time on the floor. The Spartans have an experienced backcourt in senior Jabari Atkinson and juniors Isiah Simmons and Zach Rosenthal who can all take turns filling it up and letting it fly. They’ll need freshman Curtis Blair to step up and bring it if they’re going to make a run.
#6 Hargrave
Mazae Blake HargraveHargrave has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best teams in the state all season and have the right mix of guards who can go and a dominant big man in the paint. Junior big man IJ Ezuma is a 6’8” dominant force who protects the rim and owns the glass and can score in the paint, while their trio of guards in seniors Mazae Blake and Reggie Walton, along with midseason transfer and super athletic point guard Zion Russell, can flat out fill it up.
#7 Miller School
Clarence Rupert MillerMiller has had an up and down year and while they only run with a rotation of about five or six guys, they have the talent to hang with anyone in the state. Junior forward Clarence Rupert has been one of the most dominant guys in the state and has the experience after winning a state championship with Maury last year before transferring in. The backcourt duo of junior Quadir Pettaway and senior Amir Nesbitt both can handle and score it, and if they get on a run they could upset a few folks.
All State Predictions
*Note: The All-State teams will be split into three teams, but for the sake of this article we just mentioned a bunch of names we believe will be there.
POY: Jordan Battle | 6’3” G | Norfolk Collegiate 2020
Battle was a first team All State selection last year, and when it comes to who does the most for his team there really isn’t a question, it’s him. The 6’3” guard will do whatever it takes to win, whether it’s handling the basketball, getting to the rim or scoring from all over the place and he’s a great rebounder and defender as well. He has the production to go along with the skill set and important to his team to earn him this award.
Mike Gray | 6’1” G | Blue Ridge 2021
Angelo Brizzi | 6’3” G | Highland School 2021
Jaden House | 6’3” G | Middleburg 2021
Efton Reid | 6’11” C | Steward School 2021
Clarence Rupert | 6’6” PF | Miller School 2021
IJ Ezuma | 6’8” C | Hargrave 2021
Isaiah Folkes | 6’0” PG | Middleburg 2021
Tristen How | 6’7” F | Norfolk Collegiate 2020
William Lee | 6’0” PG | Blue Ridge 2020
Kaleb Brown | 6’2” G | Nansemond-Suffolk 2023
Ismael Plet | 6’7” PF | Virginia Episcopal 2020
Eric Henderson | 6’7” PF | Atlantic Shores 2020
Mazae Blake | 6’1” G | Hargrave 2020
Quadir Pettaway | 6’0” G | Miller School 2021
Yusef Salih | 6’3”WG/WF | Highland School 2021