Class 1 Hoops State Finals Preview - Lancaster vs. George Wythe
Matthew Hatfield • VirginiaPreps
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@hatfieldsports
The 2023 Virginia High School League Basketball Tournament reaches its conclusion for Class 1 with the Region A Champion Lancaster Red Devils (28-0) taking on the Region C runner-up George Wythe Maroons (26-3) at 2:30 PM EST on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the VCU Siegel Center in Richmond.
Below, we break down the matchup with links to the playoff brackets...
2023 VHSL Playoff Brackets Here
Watch Class 1 Final on NFHS Network Here
Lancaster (28-0) vs. George Wythe (26-3)
Gerrion Owens brings shooting touch from the outside for a Red Devils team that is no stranger to scoring 80 or more points - even 90-plus points - in a game this season (Matthew Hatfield, VirginiaPreps.com)
The Lancaster Red Devils have been pointing to this moment ever since last season when they were knocked off by Washington & Lee - now known as Westmoreland - by a count of 59-57 in the State Semis. That same team they had beaten four previous times, including 74-42 in the Region 1A Championship.
While that Red Devils team finished 24-2 overall in Dwayne Pinn's first season as Head Coach, this one has blown through opponents by an even wide margin and enters this matchup for the Class 1 crown not only undefeated, but beating its playoff opponents by an average of 23 points per game. Sophomore 5-foot-8 guard Troy Henderson (22.7 PPG, 4.2 APG in regular season) - twice named Northern Neck District Player of the Year and Region 1A Player of the Year - is the catalyst for a high octane attack putting up over 69 points per contest in the postseason.
Troy Henderson has already eclipsed 1000 career points and more than 100 made 's. He scored 24 points in both the regional semis vs. Essex and regional title game against Middlesex. His older brother, 5-foot-10 senior forward Tyson Henderson (20.1 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.2 RPG, 3.7 SPG in regular season), was also chosen 1st Team All-Region and scored 22 points in the Region 1A title game. Pinn plays a deep rotation with the likes of 5'11" senior guard Gerrion Owens, 6'2" senior forward X'Zaveion Owens and 5'9" junior forward Daveon Smith and 5'7" senior forward Darius Smith playing significant roles as well.
While Lancaster is looking for its third state title to accompany the ones they captured in 2018 and 2012 under Tim Rice, the Maroons of George Wythe are looking to win just their second one ever and first since 2008. Wythe finished runner-up to Radford in the 2017 1A Final and to Martinsville in the 1985 Group AA title game. Fourth-year Head Coach Tony Dunford has a squad that likes to function in the open court, averaging 72.4 points per game.
Two of Wythe's three losses were to last year's Class 1 State Champ in Auburn, including 65-55 in the Region 1C Final. However, they avenged that defeat with a 45-42 triumph over the Eagles in the State Semis, marking their fourth win in the head-to-head series on the season. That came on the heels of an 85-55 rout of Twin Springs in the State Tournament quarterfinal. The only other loss was to Class 2 finalist Radford.
The Maroons have a host of weapons with five players averaging between 8.4 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. Sophomore 6'2" forward Reed Kirtner (13.6 PPG) leads them in 3's made with 65. Junior 5'11" guard Ty Campbell (11.5 PPG, 2.1 SPG) has scored over 20 points on 13 occasions this season, all wins. Freshman 5'10" forward David Goode (11.5 PPG) is second to Kirtner in 3's made with 62. They also get steady contributions from 5'11" sophomore forward Trevon Rainey (11.5 PPG) and 5'9" sophomore guard Shane Huff (8.4 PPG).
Lancaster Keys to Victory:
Troy Henderson has made over 100 three-pointers in his career with the Red Devils, quickly cementing himself among the state's best players regardless of classification (Matthew Hatfield, VirginiaPreps.com)
#1 - Fast and Furious: When you watch Lancaster play, you wouldn't think they are a Class 1 team. Sure, in size perhaps, but not at the rate of speed in which they operate, constantly fast and furious - - like a Vin Diesel movie. Just go back to the State Semis vs. Altavista, where they quickly turned an 8-2 deficit into a 17-12 lead after one quarter of play. This team plays a track meet better than anyone else at this level. Since regionals started, they're putting up 69.2 PPG and they don't just get to the rim at will, they're able to dial it up from distance, as illustrated when they drained 12 3's in the Region 1A Final vs. Middlesex.
#2 - Apply Pressure: Part of how Lancaster plays its pedal to the medal style is because of a suffocating full-court pressure defense. Against whoever, whenever and wherever, they don't mind going to its 2-2-1 early in games and trying to get the opposition unglued with a four-guard, sometimes even five-guard, lineup. In the regional semis vs. Essex, a game they cruised to a 62-32 win, the Red Devils forced the Trojans into 18 turnovers. Jumping out to a double-digit lead before the first period is over is what they want
#3 - Stay Out of Foul Trouble: Because Lancaster plays so aggressive on defense, it lends itself to foul issues. That was seen vs. Altavista the last time out, where the Red Devils were called for their eighth team foul with 6:10 to go in the second quarter. Their tenth team foul, putting the Colonels in the double bonus, came with 1:14 before half-time. Now, Lancaster led comfortably 37-22 at the half in that one, but they don't want to give Wythe - a team that gets to the foul line 16 times a contest - free trips to the charity stripe.
George Wythe Keys to Victory:
George Wythe is a perfect 13-0 when Ty Campbell scores 20 or more points this season in a game (Big Shots)
#1 - Be Proficient from 3: A season ago, the Maroons were 154-of-537 (28.7%) from three-point range. This season it is even better, to the tune of 258-for-700 (36.9%) from behind the arc. That includes a riveting 16-of-22 three-point shooting display in the State Tournament quarterfinal win over a Twin Springs team known for its perimeter snipers in Bradley Owens and Connor Lane. Kirtner and Goode have 127 makes from deep between them, but this is going to come down to being efficient and proficient on their triple tries. A showing like the 4-of-18 from 3 vs. Auburn the last time out probably won't be enough to prevail.
#2 - Control the Backboards: Lancaster isn't known to be a great rebounding team. After all, the Red Devils are guard heavy with only one player taller than 6-foot-3 and that is 6'5" reserve forward Kelvin Davis, a senior. On the flip side, Wythe isn't the biggest of teams either, sporting just two bodies - 6'4" junior forward T.J. Pulliam and 6'4" sophomore forward Conley Martin - over 6-foot-2. As a team, Wythe has grabbed 789 rebounds, an average of 27.2 per contest. Rainey is their top board guy at 4.8 per contest. He along with Campbell and 6'2" sophomore forward Rex Delp are the three guys on the roster with 100-plus rebounds on the season.
#3 - Stay Balanced Offensively: As outlined earlier, Wythe is known for balanced scoring. That must continue in this spot to keep pace with a high-octane opponent like Lancaster. If Wythe tries to get someone to go for 30 and carry the scoring load, it's probably not going to end with the outcome they want. Keeping all five on the court involved so that the Lancaster defense has to account for everyone, rather than go to double teams or trapping, will be a big deal, too. The goal is to get more than three players in double-figures, which is what happened in each of their three losses to date.
Prediction:
Hat's State Semis Record: 11-1 (91.7%)Hat's VHSL State Tournament Record: 33-3 (91.7%)
Hat's 2023 Playoff Record: 186-42 (81.6%)
Hat's Call - Lancaster 68, George Wythe 60. This matchup is interesting for a variety of reasons. Above them all to me is both teams prefer this to be a high-scoring game played in the 70's or greater. If each plays to its capability offensively and knock down 3's at a high rate as they've often done, this can turn out to be the best of the six title games, believe it or not.
Lancaster has been simply mowing down opponents all year lone by double-digits, seldom ever getting a battle or test. Even their wins over Cape Henry and Life Christian, a couple of private schools with next-level talent on their rosters, didn't exactly go down to the wire. They beat a Class 2 Bruton comfortably late in January, 81-46, where the Henderson brothers shined. Troy had 23 points with four made 3's in that one to go with five assists and five steals. His brother Tyson added 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting to go with seven boards, seven assists and five steals.
Wythe badly needs the three-point shot to go down to spring what some would view as an upset. Now, they won't look at it that way because they've already beaten the defending State Champ four times this season. But Lancaster, which recently won its eight region title in school history, comes in on a mission from finishing a game short of last year's expectation and practically that entire team came back. Meanwhile, Wythe boasts only one senior on its roster who seldom sees the floor. It feels as if they are better built to capture the crown in the years to come, whereas Lancaster is built for this moment and their recent history - 4-0 vs. SW VA teams in the State's since 2012 - should only add to their high level confidence.
