*** Follow 2021-22 VHSL Playoff Brackets Here ***
Before getting to Friday night's Predictions, let's review some of the top headlines from Thursday's playoff across the Commonwealth as some teams went home while others moved on, including punching their ticket to the State Tournament . . .
Hayfield Soars Back Into State's: Every question that gets asked about Hayfield or test thrown their way, Carlos Poindexter's Hawks find a way to answer and pass with flying colors. The Hawks simply soared past South County with no resistance, romping the Stallions 84-62 in the Occoquan Region 6C semifinals. With that win, Hayfield is now 28-0 overall. More importantly, they are back in the State Tournament for the second straight year, and unlike 2021, the pressure is off for its next game because we have returned to where two teams from a region go on to the State Tournament as opposed to one. So it's not an elimination game in the Occoquan Region 6C Finals against Fairfax, a 46-42 come-from-behind victor over Patriot District Tournament Champion West Potomac, as would've been the case a year ago.
Make no mistake about it though, this team wants to finish the deal unbeaten as State Champs at 32-0, something that would be completely unheard of at the Class 6 level, especially with the schedule they've played featuring the likes of Class 2 title contender John Marshall and perennial Class 6 power Landstown during the VaPreps Classic.
Hayfield won its previous meeting with South County 78-74 back on December 10th and in last year's playoff game by a count of 64-60. So the margin here was a bit eye-opening. They got it done behind 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals from junior guard D.J. Holloway, who continues to not get enough buzz from our perspective as a college prospect. He was very influential in last year's playoff run with his slashing ability and transitional skills. Helping him out with double-figure points were five others to pace this balanced attack: Greg Jones (17 points), David King (12 points), Ashton Pratt (11 points), reserve Malachi Rouse (11 points) and point guard Braylon Wheeler (10 points to go with his 5 assists).
Jones, the 6-foot-6 wing who is a matchup problem in that he has guard tools and forward abilities, continues to draw D-1 attention. So far, the Class of 2023 talent has an offer from Radford, but George Mason was in to see him while American and East Tennessee State are a couple of others monitoring him closely. His stock could certainly blow up in the spring and summer on the travel circuit.
If anyone wondered whether Hayfield was vulnerable, that seems to be put to rest for now. This team will go into the State Playoffs as an overwhelming favorite, even if they aren't the only unbeaten team and Patriot is another one out of Region 6B - who they could run into for the Class 6 title at VCU - without a blemish.
Cormany Moves Up the Ladder: Longtime Radford Head Basketball Coach Rick Cormany saw his Bobcats trail Martinsville by a count of 13-10 after one quarter of play in the Regio 2C Tournament semifinals. Playing a Bulldogs team known for its vaunted 2-3 zone under Head Coach Jeff Adkins, a former NBA draft pick and Maryland standout, Radford had to give them a little bit of a taste of their own medicine.
The Bobcats switched up from man-to-man to a zone look and it worked wonders, along with getting some perimeter makes from Landen Clark, Joseph Mitchell and Gavin Cormany. Despite 21 points from Spencer Jones, Martinsville couldn't hit enough from the outside and Radford rallied for a 50-39 triumph.
Certain beating Martinsville, a program with the most VHSL state titles (15) is never an easy task. With the victory, Radford is headed back to the State Tournament yet again. Cormany, who has won six state titles at the helm of the program, moved ahead of longtime Maury Head Coach Jack Baker for third most wins in VHSL boys basketball history with 747.
Radford's next test is a James River-Buchanan team they split with during the regular season. James River has plenty of shooters, as seen in their 74-40 rout of Floyd County in the other Region 2C semifinal. It'll be interesting to see what strategy Cormany goes to against a James River team that has been scoring at a high clip all season long.
Cave Spring Cruises: In the regional quarterfinals against William Byrd, top-seeded Cave Spring was in trouble, down by three before going on a 24-0 run in the fourth quarter. Facing the reigning Region 3D Champs from Abingdon, Cave Spring knew that they would have to play at a higher level against the Falcons, even though they were without their 7-footer in Evan Ramsey because of injury.
Kameron Tinsley (15 points), Dylan Saunders (14 points), Stark Jones (13 points), Bryce Cooper (11 points) and Owen Dawyot (10 points) all reached in double-figures as Cave Spring blew out Abingdon 71-31 in the regional semis to qualify for the State Tournament. While the balance is similar to that of the aforementioned Hayfield from Class 6, it's more about the defense that allowed Jacob Gruse's team to jump out to a 30-4 first half.
On the night, Cave Spring was able to play stifling defense and keep Abingdon off the free-throw line. Abingdon went just 6 of 8 at the charity stripe as the Knights were called for only 10 fouls the whole game. This sets up a third meeting with Northside, who they blew out in the re-match after falling to them in a tight one back in December, for the regional crown.
Most of the season, Northside and Cave Spring have been ranked as the top two teams by us at VaPreps in Class 3. Don't be stunned if they end up facing off for a fourth time during the State Semis in March either.
Twin Springs Gets Redemption: With a team full of underclassmen, Twin Springs was one of the surprise stories during the condensed 2020-21 campaign. Following a 25-point win over Honaker in the opening round of regionals, they stood at 14-3 with aspirations of getting to the State Tournament. Stopping them in the regional semis Hogoheegee District top seed Holston, edging the Titans 49-48 on their way to the Region 1D title.
This time, Twin Springs wouldn't be denied. Bradley Owens poured in 31 points. Junior guard Connor Lane added 16 points and the game-winner with four seconds left in a 69-67 triumph over those same Cavaliers.
Holston had a 37-28 half-time lead thanks to their accurate shooting to the clip of 53.8%.
Twin Springs is playing in the regional title round for the first time in 11 years. They haven’t captured a regional crown since 2008.
Certainly many are expecting a Parry McCluer vs. Lancaster showdown for the Class 1 State Championship at VCU. That may very well happen. But the way Twin Springs shoots the basketball from deep gives them a chance to advance in the upcoming State Playoffs. Up first though is a matchup with Eastside, which won a defensive battle with Northwood, 45-37 in the regional semis.
Eastside Coach Patrick Damron is no stranger to the State Tournament; his Spartans fell just a few years back to Lancaster in the State Final when led by the twin tower combo of Luke Lawson (UNC Asheville) and Colyn Sturgill. Twin Springs beat Eastside on a Lane buzzer-beating three-pointer in the regular season, but the Spartans got revenge in the Cumberland District Tournament, 43-40.
Brannen & Brown Put Forth 30-Point Performances in Suffolk: King's Fork and Jamestown are set to collide for the Region 4A Championship after prevailing in the semifinals to earn their spots in the State Tournament.
With all focus on D-1 talent and Class 4 State POY candidate George Beale, who scored 51 points in a game earlier this season, King's Fork turned to another guard in junior Sam Brannen to deliver a huge output in their 76-53 win over Manor. The two played a relatively close game towards the end of the regular season that gave some belief that the Mustangs, once the Woodrow Wilson Presidents and a program that shared the Class 4 title in 2020 with King's Fork, could hang with them.
Brannen erased any doubt with a season-best 32 points. Coach Rick Hite has talked about all season how he's one of the more under appreciated guards in the state, and a lot like Holloway for Hayfield, he's got the ability to score from distance and create his own shot or for his teammates.
Meanwhile, Jamestown had to survive a real test vs. a perennial Peninsula District power. Former Oak Hill guard Xavier Brown had 16 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter as Jamestown overcame a 13-point deficit against Hampton. It has been a season to remember for Brown, who is putting up 37 points per game in these playoffs.
Friday's Best Game? It's hard to go wrong with the double-header at Scope in Region 5B that pits Menchville and Kecoughtan against one another as the two had a couple of tight battles during the regular season. Kecoughtan won both meetings, 60-55 in December and then later 51-49 on a Kenny Paige game-winner.
Another one in Class 5 over in Region C worth considering is top-seeded L.C. Bird, behind the backcourt duo of A.J. Wills and Yuri Manns, taking on a Highland Springs team on the Springers' brand new home floor in the regional semis. The Springers are a dangerous team that knocked off Varina late in the regular season and they have a few talented athletes from their football squad contributing, including Quanye Veney at point guard.
... Now let's look at how our selections did on Thursday and get to Friday's matchups...
Thursday 2/24 Total: 14-4 (77.8%)
Hatfield's 2022 Region Playoff Total: 128-28 (82.1%)
Region 6A: Finals
#2 Manchester (19-5) at #1 James River-Midlothian (18-3)
Hat's Pick - James River by 4
Region 6B: Finals
#2 Battlefield (18-5) at #1 Patriot (24-0)
Hat's Pick - Patriot by 6
Region 6D: Finals
#1 Washington-Liberty (18-6) at #1 South Lakes (22-2)
Hat's Pick - South Lakes by 9
Region 5A: Semifinals at Tallwood HS in Virginia Beach
#1 Indian River (18-4) vs. #4 Salem-VB (16-6)
Hat's Pick - Salem-VB by 3
#3 Kempsville (15-5) vs. #7 Bayside (8-8)
Hat's Pick - Kempsville by 10
Region Tourney Final Pick: Salem-VB over Kempsville
Region 5B: Semifinals at Norfolk Scope
#1 Kecoughtan (20-1) vs. #4 Menchville (18-5)
Hat's Pick - Kecoughtan by 1 in OT
#3 Woodside (18-5) vs. #2 Maury (21-2; 18-2)
Hat's Pick - Maury by 8
Region Tourney Final Pick: Kecoughtan over Maury
Region 5C: Semifinals at Highland Springs High School
#1 L.C. Bird (19-2) at #4 Highland Springs (18-4)
Hat's Pick - L.C. Bird by 6
#3 Glen Allen (17-4) vs. #2 Douglas Freeman (20-3)
Hat's Pick - Douglas Freeman by 4
Region 5D: Semifinals
#3 Riverside (15-11) at #1 Massaponax (20-2)
Hat's Pick - Massaponax by 5
#2 Albemarle (20-4) at #1 Potomac Falls (20-5)
Hat's Pick - Albemarle by 3 in OT
Revised Region Tourney Final Pick: Massaponax over Albemarle
Region 4A: Finals
#2 Jamestown (19-3) at #1 King's Fork (21-0)
Hat's Pick - King's Fork by 14
Region 4B: Semifinals
#4 Henrico (16-6) at #1 Eastern View (20-1)
Hat's Pick - Eastern View by 6
#3 Courtland (18-5) at #2 Varina (20-1)
Hat's Pick - Varina by 17
Region Tourney Final Pick: Varina over Eastern View
Region 4C: Finals
#2 Loudon Valley (22-4) at #1 Loudoun County (20-6)
Hat's Pick - Loudon Valley by 2
Region 4D: Finals
#2 E.C. Glass (21-4) at #1 Western Albemarle (22-1)
Hat's Pick - Western Albemarle by 5
Region 3B: Finals
#3 Skyline (17-7) at #1 William Monroe (18-3)
Hat's Pick - William Monroe by 9
Region 2A: Finals
#2 Greensville (14-1) at #1 John Marshall (18-5)
Hat's Pick - John Marshall by 26
Region 2B: Semifinals
#4 Madison County (13-12) at #1 East Rockingham (22-4)
Hat's Pick - East Rockingham by 15
#3 Buckingham (15-7) at #2 Central-Woodstock (19-7)
Hat's Pick - Central-Woodstock by 2
Region Tourney Final Pick: East Rockingham over Central-Woodstock
Region 2C: Finals at Roanoke College
#3 Radford (17-4) vs. #1 James River-Buchanan (20-3)
Hat's Pick - James River by 3
Region 2D: Semifinals at UVA-Wise
#2 Marion (15-9) vs. #1 Union (20-5)
Hat's Pick - Union by 12
#3 Virginia High (19-7) vs. #1 Graham (15-7)
Hat's Pick - Graham by 6
Region Tourney Final Pick: Union over Graham
Region 1A: Finals
#3 Washington & Lee (15-6) at #1 Lancaster (22-1)
Hat's Pick - Lancaster by 14
Region 1C: Semifinals
#2 Fort Chiswell (22-4) at #1 Parry McCluer (19-4)
Hat's Pick - Parry McCluer by 11
#3 George Wythe (9-15) at #1 Auburn (17-8)
Hat's Pick - Auburn by 7
Region Tourney Final Pick: Parry McCluer over Auburn
