VISAA Division II Boys Tournament at Virginia State University
Semifinals: Blue Ridge (26-6) versus Middleburg Academy (17-7), 3:30 p.m.
The basics: Blue Ridge took care of business against Norfolk Christian in the state quarterfinals and now they’ll get a rematch with Middleburg in the state semifinals. Back on January 24, the Barons squared off with the Dragons and prevailed 68-62 at home. Michael Gray continues to emerge as a complete guard who can devastate opponents on offense or defense, scoring 22 points in the state quarterfinals against Norfolk Christian. Gray had a tough shooting night in that first matchup with Middleburg, so now he gets a chance to make good on that performance. The Dragons will counter Gray with point guard David Penney, who scored 21 last time out against the Barons. Blue Ridge’s team defense has been unreal of late though, rarely allowing teams to score more than 50 points. Middleburg will have its work cut out for them trying to crack that code.
Key matchup: Blue Ridge’s big men matchup with Middleburg’s Joel Kabimba, a 6-foot-9 power forward who averages 18.2 points and 9.9 boards per game.Kabimba had 19 points and 11 boards in his last meeting with the Barons, so expect a renewed focus on the big man. Blue Ridge will likely lean on Andy Nwoako, Jaden Frazier or Houston Emory for this task, and all three can also give Kabimba a workout on the offensive end. Sometimes slowing down a dominant big man really comes down to making life tough on both ends of the floor, wearing him down over time. Blue Ridge has the frontcourt depth to do that.
Who to watch: Blue Ridge’s Chris Rogers. The senior leader at the point dished out 10 assists against Norfolk Christian because that’s what the game called for. Other times, Rogers has lit it up from beyond the arc. But most consistently, he has always played fundamental but aggressive, occasionally game-changing defense. His five steals against Norfolk Christian were huge. If he brings that kind of intensity — and Rogers generally brings the intensity every game — Blue Ridge could find itself back in the state title game again.
The line: Blue Ridge by 3. Getting out of the VISAA D2 state semifinals is never easy, and this year is no exception. Barons get the edge as the No. 1 seed.
Semifinals: Miller School (21-7) versus Virginia Episcopal (, 5:15 p.m.
The basics: Sure, Miller was struggling offensively until Wednesday night. But the defense had been there. The Mavericks have been particularly stingy on the side of the floor. But now that the offense is suddenly cooking with Quadir Pettaway exploding for 28 points and knocking down seven 3-pointers? The defending state champions can suddenly go from tough to terrifying as an opponent. Virginia Episcopal has had the Mavericks number though the last two times out, winning 45-41 and 44-42, with both meetings coming at VES. If Pettaway can stay hot or someone else like DaeDae Heard or Tariq Balogun can answer the bell offensively when VES tries to shut off Pettaway, Miller has proven it can defend the Bishops and the Mavericks could find themselves back in the state finals again.
Key matchup: Miller’s array of guards mark Bryce Waterman and Michael Caprise. Waterman, the VIC co-player of the year along with Blue Ridge’s Chris Rogers, averages 16.4 points per game and is a terror to try and guard. Miller managed to hold him to nine points last time out and limited Caprise, a first team All-VIC pick, to just five points. If the Mavericks can manage to hold them in check again and get more offensive production on their own end, that should be a formula for advancing.
Who to watch: Miller’s Quadir Pettaway. It’s hard to argue that Pettaway isn’t the one to watch after the performance he unleashed earlier this week in the state quarterfinals. His shooting is huge for the Mavericks as a team, as it can open things up for Jordon Brown to slash from up top or John St. Germain to attack from the wing or Balogun to operate inside without an array of defenders collapsing. Sharing the ball works for the Mavericks, and if they can keep it up, they could get a shot to actually defend their title Saturday.
The line: Miller by 2. The suddenly re-energized offense gives the Mavericks the edge here.
VISAA Division I Tournament at Steward School
Semifinals: St. Anne’s-Belfield (25-1) versus Bishop Ireton (18-9), 8:30 p.m.
The basics: STAB kept things rolling with a comfortable win over Episcopal in the state semifinals, beating the Maroon with a combination of pressure defense and explosive offense by Jovia Winkey. It didn’t hurt that Kymora Johnson and Vanessa Woodfolk also cleaned up on the boards. Now the Saints’ seniors get a chance to avenge last year’s loss in the state quarterfinals against Bishop Ireton and Boston College signee Akunna Konkwo, who has scored more than 2,000 points in her career for the Cardinals. STAB’s defensive approach should make things tough on Konkwo, but great players have a way of overcoming those kind of challenges and Konkwo is a decidedly great player. It’s going to take a complete team effort from STAB to get this one done, but that shouldn’t be a problem, the Saints have been leaning on that approach all year.
Key matchup: Bishop Ireton’s backcourt takes on STAB’s relentless pressure. While Konkwo is an tough-to-contain force and Ireton’s all-time leading scorer, STAB will make it tough for Ireton to advance the ball from the opening jump. On a team that’s better than the sum of its parts, intense, pressure-oriented defense can be a game-changer, and it has been for the Saints. Can Ireton’s own crop of ball-handlers prove they’re up to the task?
Who to watch: STAB’s Vanessa Woodfolk. Woodfolk likely faces the toughest task in trying to contain Konkwo on defense and score against her underneath. But Woodfolk’s multidimensional game — she can hoist it from beyond the arc — and her ability to rise up against top competition could give her an edge against the powerful Konkwo. This should be a fun one.
The line: STAB by 1. Ireton made life tough on STAB a year ago, but if the Saints can impose their will and pace, they can control this one.
VISAA Division II Girls Tournament at Steward School
Semifinals: Nansemond Suffolk Academy (18-8) at Miller School (24-4), 1:30 p.m.
The basics: Miller’s defense created 33 turnovers. That’s just an absurd amount of turnovers in a state quarterfinal game. Any game really. If Miller can keep bringing that defensive intensity, it’ll make things tough on NSA. The Saints come into the game with some quality wins, but Miller is rolling, having won 19 straight. Olivia Wagner continued to produce in the state quarterfinal win over Norfolk Collegiate and Naya Hunter exploded for 21 points, so the offense is also bringing a little bit of heat, capitalizing on transition buckets thanks to that dynamic defense. Now things get serious as the competition jumps up a notch. Is Miller ready to keep things rolling?
Key matchup: Miller’s pressure defense deals with Alivia Giles. Giles scored 22 points for the Saints in the state quarters, but Miller doesn’t allow anyone on an opposing team to get comfortable, constantly harassing whoever has the ball with a trap or intense solo pressure. Giles is a handful, but can she get enough open looks to actually get going?
Who to watch: Miller’s Kianna Johnson. Johnson does a lot of the little things for the Mavericks while pulling down 5.2 boards a game. She’s a solid multi-positional defender and that’s huge on a team that likes to turn up the pressure and suffocate opponents. If Johnson is contributing and the Wagner/Hunter/Woodard trio is scoring, Miller is particularly multi-dimensional and very tough to beat.
The line: Miller girls by 7. The Mavericks have won five straight state titles and getting knocked out in the semis doesn’t seem likely.
