VISAA D3 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 three 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 Life Christian Academy
Ikechi Chantilou LCAThe reigning Class 3 state champs looked like they weren’t going to be able to compete in the VISAA this year, but their appeal to get back in midseason came through for them. They have a huge advantage in terms of size and athleticism than many of D3 teams, giving them a significant edge. Junior guard Kenard Richardson has stepped up as the go-to guy, and he has the playoff experience winning a state championship at Varina two years ago. Junior wing Ikechi Chantilou gives them a slashing and athletic option on the wing, while senior big man Logan Washington is one of the top rim protectors in the state and senior guard Kenari Jones can get a bucket whenever he needs to.
Top 4
#2 The Carmel School
” width=”300″ height=”225″ /> Josh Campbell LCACarmel School got off to a rocky start but they really turned it around late in the season and got some big wins. The team has played one of the toughest schedules in D3 by playing teams of all classifications, and they have a mix of size, athleticism and experience to compete with the best of them. Led by the senior duo of 6’3” Josh Campbell and 6’8” Elijah Roye who can both dominate games, newcomers and juniors DeVawn White and Malachi Whittaker have been a big additions as well giving the Wildcats depth this year.
#3 Eastern Mennonite
” width=”300″ height=”225″ /> Aviwe Mahlong EMHSLast year’s D3 runner ups, EMHS returned a good amount of players from last year’s team and added a number of newcomers who have been big for them as well. The senior duo of Chance Church and Aviwe Mahlong (Millersville commit) have paced them all season long, while sophomore Trey Gillenwater is a dangerous combo guard that can do a little of everything as well. They’re a team that can spread you out and knock down shots from deep at a high rate, and they have many options that can hurt you offensively.
#4 Fairfax Christian
The surprise team this year, Fairfax Christian has come out of nowhere to be one of the top teams in division 3. Led by senior transfer point guard Kaleb Torrence who is a dual threat guy that can score it and make others better, they have become one of the toughest teams to guard in the area. Junior guard Donovan Keyes, senior forward Haze Green and sophomore forward Zachary Bolgert have all been big for FCS as well.
Dark Horses
#5 Covenant School
Covenant has had a good season in Charlottesville going toe-to-toe with some of the higher and more prestigious boarding schools in the area. They are a well coached team that executes and gets after it on both ends of the floor, they play team basketball and have competed at a high level all year. Junior guard Jonas Sanker has been unreal all season and is one of the hardest guys to guard in D3.
#7 Richmond Christian
RCS is a team that has improved throughout the season and is playing their best basketball right now. They have a mix of size and athleticism with 6’10” junior CJ Highsmith and 6’3” junior Khalil Ward, but it’s 6’3” sophomore Jadon Wilson who has been the go-to guy and his high skill set and ability to score it in bunches gives them a chance against whoever they meet up with.
#8 Carlisle School
Carlisle has had an up and down season as they have some talent but are very young and inexperienced. Still, that talent will give them a chance to compete with anyone. Led by junior 6’4” forward Jayson Fain and sophomore 6’1” point guard Hamilton Campbell, if they can make enough plays and get enough stops they could shock the entire state.
All State Predictions
*Note: All State teams will be broken up into three teams, but for the sake of this article we just named a lot of players we believe will be there.
POY: Kenard Richardson | 6’3” G | Life Christian 2021
Kenard Richardson LCARichardson has been the best player on the best team in division 3 all season long, but it’s been more than that as he’s shown great improvement over the past year as well. They have moved him on the basketball more and he’s showing the ability to make plays for others and he’s improved as a scorer off the bounce as well. He plays with a motor, plays with toughness and stuffs the stat sheets, and his resume speaks for itself.
Ikechi Chantilou | 6’4′ WF | Life Christian 2021
Jonas Sanker | 6’1” G | Covenant School 2021
Kaleb Torrence | 6’0” PG | Fairfax School 2020
Tim Montgomery | 6’0” PG | Portsmouth Christian 2020
Josh Campbell | 6’3” G | Carmel School 2020
Aviwe Mahlong | 6’2” WG/WF | Eastern Mennonite 2020
Chance Church | 6’0” G | Eastern Mennonite 2020
Jadon Wilson | 6’3” G | Richmond Christian 2022
Jayson Fain | 6’5” F | Carlisle 2021
Haze Green | 6’5” F | Fairfax Christian 2020
Jakari Wilkins | 5’8” PG | Williamsburg Christian 2021
Matt Nunez | 6’10” C | Walsingham Academy 2021