Greetings from the Norfolk Scope Arena. We'll be here over the next several days as teams will be punching their ticket to the State Tournament in Girls and Boys Basketball across the state at the Class 6 and Class 5 level, plus regional titles will be going out on Monday night along with Tuesday night.

We have four games today at Scope and we'll provide updates + thoughts throughout here and on Twitter @ hatfieldsports ...

2 PM in Girls 6A Semis - #2 Western Branch 61, #3 Landstown 43
4 PM in Girls 6A Semis - #1 Ocean Lakes 61, #4 Kellam 58
6 PM in Boys 6A Semis - #3 Landstown 76, #2 Western Branch 48
8 PM in Boys 6A Semis - #1 Oscar Smith 73, #5 Granby 52

VHSL Boys Basketball Brackets Here
See Full VHSL Basketball Brackets (Boys & Girls) on VHSL Site Here

As for Saturday's Region 5A slate at Scope...

Saturday's Region 5A Semis Schedule at Scope:
1 PM in Girls 5A Semis - #1 Princess Anne vs. #4 Norview
3 PM in Girls 5A Semis - #2 Kempsville vs. #3 Hampton
5 PM in Boys 6A Semis - #1 Green Run (20-3) vs. #4 Nansemond River (16-7)
7 PM in Boys 6A Semis - #2 Maury (23-3) vs. #6 Norview (16-9)

So night 1 of what'll be 4 at the Norfolk Scope for the regional playoffs is in the books. Surprisingly, the only game decided by single-digits was a girls matchup with Ocean Lakes and Kellam, which if you pressed me on it before tip-off, would've been the most lopsided and potentially least interesting of all the games.

The highly anticipated games with Landstown-Western Branch and Oscar Smith-Granby turned into major blowouts, but clearly from the looks of it, the better teams came out on top. Monday night's schedule is set with a couple of Championship games that have the makings to be tight.

Region 6A Championship Games on Monday at Norfolk Scope:
6 PM in Girls 6A Championship - #1 Ocean Lakes (19-5) vs. #2 Western Branch (19-5)
8 PM in Boys 6A Championship - #1 Oscar Smith (23-1) vs. #3 Landstown (21-3)

All four are already moving on to the State Tournament, but they'll find out who gets to host for the State Quarterfinals and who'll be headed to the '804' area code for the next tourney.

A thorough domination from LaVar Griffin's Oscar Smith Tigers, who earn their second State Tournament berth in four years.

By the way, the Region 6B teams that advanced were James River (who defeated Thomas Dale in the semis) and Colonial Forge (which avenged its football playoff loss to Manchester by ousting the Lancers on the hardwood).

There's a reason Oscar Smith has won 17 in a row - about to be 18 straight - and folks that haven't followed them closely all year are finding out why tonight. Their conditioning, guard play, ability to get a lot of shots up through a balanced attack and competitiveness on the backboards have enabled them to make it look easy tonight against a really talented Granby team.

Freshman guard Kenyon Giles has 10 of his 12 points here in the fourth quarter and Oscar Smith has sent many of the Norfolk faithful for the exits. The Tigers lead it 65-42 with 3:45 remaining.

Not only is Karl Chavis playing like a man among boys on the baseline for Oscar Smith, rebounding and altering shots, but BriQuan Harrell is starting to get hot on the offensive end with eight straight points. Their lead has swelled above the 20-point mark on a couple of occasions, and while we know Granby can erupt at any moment offensively, is their defense capable of slowing down this Tigers machine? My gut tells me no.

The real concerning sign for Granby is that the sibling tandem of Antwan Epps and Jayden Epps simply cannot get in a groove in this one. Antwan, who's headed to Hampton University next year, began 0-for-7 from the field before seeing his first three-pointer drop with 6:58 left in the third period

Region 6A Hoops Semis at the HALF - Oscar Smith 33, Granby 18. Comets with just 2 baskets inside the 3-point line and only 1 over the final 14 minutes of the opening half. Smothering defense from the Tigers.

Granby has to do something to change the complexion of this game because it's not looking good at all right now. They badly need their defense to spark the offense.

Oscar Smith has completely bottled up the brother combo of Antwan Epps and Jayden Epps from Granby. Neither has a field goal yet, and Oscar Smith is not content with just a 14-point lead.

Hickory transfer Kai Lockhart is giving Oscar Smith some scoring punch with eight points, while Karl Chavis on the inside has controlled the backboards, keeping Granby from getting any second chance opportunities in this second period.

Not the type of opening quarter that Mike Evans and Granby probably envisioned here right down the street from their school, playing in this Norfolk Scope Arena.

Granby has to find someone to spark them offensively because, while they have proven they can come back as they did from a 21-point fourth quarter deficit against Maury, this Oscar Smith team is a different animal. The Tigers have won 17 straight since a December loss to King's Fork.

Oscar Smith is doing a good job of getting back in transition and not allowing Granby to get rim runs with their sibling backcourt tandem of Hampton University signee Antwan Epps and fabulous freshman Jayden Epps. Furthermore, Oscar Smith has the size and bodies inside with Nate Downs and Karl Chavis to somewhat neutralize the heart and soul of this Granby team, that's inside presence Jeriah Sweat.

In their regional quarterfinal overtime win over Cox, Sweat had two big blocks - one at the end of regulation and the other in the extra period to preserve the victory.

Oscar Smith is starting to find its rhythm a bit offensively with a four-pronged guard attack of Kai Lockhart, Andre Bottoms, Torrey Jordan and BriQuan Harrell (who is kind of the swingman of the group).

Granby has just one make inside the three-point line.

The numbers tell it all as Landstown shot over 52% from the field and nearly 83% at the foul line while turning Western Branch over 21 times, turning the game on its head during a 24-10 second quarter surge. As for the Bruins, they shot just 35.4% from the field and their three blocks and eight steals weren't enough for this contest.

Meanwhile, Landstown had 17 steals from seven different players as well as 10 blocks from five separate guys.

Landstown is headed to the State Tournament for the fifth time under Head Coach Dwight Robinson and they'll now await the winner of Granby/Oscar Smith for Monday night's Region 6A Championship.

By the way, it's semifinal night in Region 6B with top-seeded James River host Thomas Dale, while Manchester visits Colonial Forge. The winners move on to the State Playoffs.

Benches being emptied now.

Landstown will be moving on to the State Tournament, but before that, they'll be playing in Monday night's Region 6A Championship at 8 PM at Scope against the winner of the next semifinal matchup between Granby and Oscar Smith.

The Bruins of Western Branch have been one of the state's premier teams the past few years, reaching the State Semis in 2017 and the title round in 2018. Coach Paul Hall - who was a longtime assistant under Ed Young at Nansemond River - has built the Chesapeake program into an annual contender. But today, Dwight Robinson's Landstown team has just been too much for them to handle.

One could argue this is Robinson's most complete, versatile and biggest team he's had. They are trying to get back to the State Championship game as they fell in 2004 to Woodside and Colonial Forge in 2015. This team has the ingredients to be the last one standing in a very deep, talented field of teams at the Class 6 level.

Things are unraveling a bit for Western Branch as a couple of guards are barking at each other as they trail Landstown 64-43 with under four minutes to play.

Off the bench for Landstown, the likes of Corey Martin, Josh Petitma and Chase Turner have all given valuable contributions for the Eagles in this one.

Everything Western Branch throws up for the most part has been contested. They've gotten very few high-percentage, easy looks since that 18-point first period.

Landstown is putting on an absolute clinic right now. Coach Dwight Robinson can't ask for much more from his guys.

By the way, freshman Donald Hand Jr. has 16 points in this one and the bright lights aren't too much for him at all.

Landstown looks very crisp offensively with Deante Mobley running the show. Maybe the most under appreciated piece of their team is Christian Jones, who draws at least one charge a game and would get my pick for Beach District Defensive Player of the Year.

Western Branch needs some guys around Kendall Bynum to step up and take pressure off him in this second half to make a run.

A very dominant first half display - well, actually, second quarter performance - from the Landstown Eagles.

Most impressive besides the swarming, opportunistic defense of Landstown is the fact they've yet to miss a foul shot in this one.

Western Branch is shooting above 50% from the floor, but turning it over too much to be able to win this one.

Landstown's guards are really starting to put their fingerprints on this game defensively out of the press with Christian Jones, Deante Mobley and freshman Donald Hand Jr. Western Branch has turned it over six times in a span of four minutes in the second quarter and the Eagles are getting a lot of relatively free runs to the hoop off those.

Mobley has five steals. Bruins Head Coach Paul Hall has seen enough and burns a time-out. His team will have to better handle the defensive pressure in order to make it three consecutive trips to the State Tournament.

Great pace in this one and it's a good back-and-forth battle. Am curious to see which team shows the first sign of cracking when the other goes on a run should someone able to extend out and push their lead to more than two possessions.

The main guns - Michael Christmas for Landstown and Kendall Bynum of Western Branch - have come to play tonight. Do wonder if the front-line of the Bruins minus Saiquan White and D.J. Driscoll from last year's team that reached the Class 6 State Championship against South County can keep the front-line of Landstown at bay.

Great pace in the early going as both teams have gotten some transition points. Western Branch floor leader Kendall Bynum has set the tone for his team, while Landstown is using James Madison signee Michael Christmas a lot at the top of the key for high ball screens to initiate their offense in the half-court.

This has the makings of a game that has double-digit lead changes and ties. The benches will be key in this one, too.

That shot doesn't come for Kellam as it's a mad scramble for the ball as time expires and Ocean Lakes survives and advances - beating the Knights for the third time this year and earning a spot in the State Playoffs.

Wow - Ocean Lakes misses the front-end of a 1&1 situation, up three, and McMakin misses a put-back. Kellam gets the rebound and Head Coach Brook Parker calls for time-out. His team has possession, trailing Ocean Lakes 61-58 with 7.5 seconds to go. They've hit 10 three-pointers today and need one more to force overtime.

Kellam simply refuses to go away. Ocean Lakes will have to make some free-throws, an area they have been spotty in today, to finish this one off and advance to the State Playoffs.

A pair of free-throws from Kyla McMakin extend the Ocean Lakes lead to six. Kellam may be running out of gas to an extent, though I won't be surprised if they are back in the regional semis next year since they have some returnees, led by Caroline Motley and Korinne Piper.

McMakin back to the line to shoot two more to try to give Ocean Lakes an eight-point cushion with 31 seconds remaining.

Yet, as great as McMakin has been, Kellam is about to shoot a par of free-throws with sophomore center Korinne Piper, trailing only 58-54 with 2:39 remaining. A couple of 3's from Haley Brewster has breathed life back into Kellam here.

To begin the fourth quarter, it's McMakin scoring to give Ocean Lakes its first lead of the second half. However, Kellam responds with a three-pointer from 5-foot-10 junior point guard Caroline Motley. No quit in these Kellam girls and you have to give them a lot of credit for putting up the spirited effort they have after losing twice to Ocean Lakes by wide margins this season.

It's not quite danger time for Lisa Merriweather and her Ocean Lakes squad. The problem is they keep taking some ill-advised 3's of their own to stunt any kind of momentum or run they get on, and then Kellam will hit from behind the arc or get a stick-back at the other end.

Ocean Lakes is 0-of-12 from 3, yet only down a deuce after Kendle Dalrymple's floater.

Sophomore Korinne Piper has been a factor in the paint and Kellam is hoping that'll continue in the second half to secure a State Tournament berth. One thing the Knights have to be careful about is not falling in love with the 3 ball that it leads to long misses and easy transition run-outs for Ocean Lakes.

Kyla McMakin has 16 points, six boards and three steals for Ocean Lakes, but she's going to need help from the supporting cast. Six different Kellam girls have scored.

It's time for Kyla McMakin to take matters into her own hands as Kellam has been hot from the three-point land and their confidence grows with every basket.

The Dolphins have still yet to convert from behind the arc, and they're going to need to be a little more patient offensively and not rush things with the double-digit deficit.

Kellam has come out inspired and hoping that it's thrid time's a charm after the regular season losses of 17 and 25 points to Ocean Lakes, a team with playoff experience that has been here before.

The last two years, Ocean Lakes fell in the regional title game to Landstown. Although they have a new Head Coach in Lisa Meriweather, the Dolphins have a young lady in Kyla McMakin - a 5-foot-10 senior - that has recorded multiple triple-doubles this season.

We'll also see later tonight if Western Branch's boys can join the girls as they take on Landstown at 6 PM in a much-anticipated clash that's also a re-match of the 2017 regional title game.

For those wondering who Western Branch will get in the State Quarterfinals, Region 6B has its semifinals going on today with top-seeded James River against Colonial Forge, while reigning State Champ Cosby takes on Thomas Dale. Those winners move on to the regional title game and earn a spot in the State Playoffs.

Western Branch will take on the winner of the next semifinal matchup between top-seeded Ocean Lakes and fourth-seeded Kellam on Monday night at 6 PM here at the Scope.

Landstown's Vic Rosado calls time-out after his team turns it over for the 14th time on the afternoon and it leads to a Crystal White lay-up for Western Branch on the break. Western Branch has a 52-36 advantage with four minutes to play, and barring an epic collapse, they will be moving on to Monday night's Region 6A Championship game.

One could certainly argue that Cayla Copeland off the bench with a double-double for Western Branch has been the best player on the floor today.

Landstown definitely needs that third option to emerge since their second leading scorer, Zoe Maynard, is getting looked at by the trainer on the bench and may not be able to return.

Half of Landstown's points in that 3rd quarter came via the 3 ball. Western Branch should be in good shape as long as they protect the rock because there's no answer for Eryn Byrd when she gets the ball in the post.

With 5:12 to go in the third quarter, Landstown is trying to cut into the Western Branch lead that is now 31-20. Both Zoe Maynard and Alyssa Norris have knocked one down from three-point distance in this third period for Landstown.

As great as Western Branch has been at pounding the ball inside, they need to be careful not to get sloppy with the basketball in crunch time. They just committed their 13th turnover, leading to a Landstown basket that trimmed the deficit to nine.

Let's dive into the statistical report here at intermission as Western Branch's Girls are closing in on a State Tournament berth and spot in Monday night's regional title game against the winner of the Ocean Lakes/Kellam matchup later today. Of course, Landstown doesn't plan to go away quietly and will seek a memorable comeback...

Of note - Landstown has had just three players attempt a shot inside the arc in Norris, Maynard and Quiera Hawkins and only four individuals take a field goal attempt for the game through one half of play.

Western Branch has seen nine different players attempt a shot and their balance along with deep rotation is allowing them to maintain the lead they've currently got.

Though they've looked a bit befuddled offensively for much of the opening half, Landstown is trying to claw back behind three-point plays from Zoe Maynard and Alyssa Norris. Problem is Western Branch continues to dominate the painted area. They must have at least an advantage of a 2-to-1 ratio in rebounding to this point.

Coach Rosado badly wants to get to the locker room and re-group after a lopsided 16 minutes of action.

Coaches talk all the time about getting a 'step up' performance from someone off the bench in the playoffs. Western Branch is getting it from Cayla Copeland today.

Check this out -- Western Branch leads it by 14 late in the second period and a big reason why is the offensive glass. They have eight offensive boards compared to none for Landstown. It has been one and done for the Lady Eagles.

Early on, we're seeing Troy Terry's Western Branch gals go in the paint with senior Eryn Byrd and sophomore Correyian Wright and really controlling the backboards. We'll see how Vic Rosado's Landstown squad - off three consecutive regional titles in Region 6A - respond.

Landstown does have the backcourt to get it turned around with CNU commit and 1000-point scorer Alyssa Norris and Zoe Maynard.

Matthew Hatfield serves as Publisher for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network, and is a regular contributor to the ACC Sports Journal. Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don’t forget to listen to him weeknights from 6-7 PM on The 757 at 6 as well as every Saturday at 10 AM to Noon on ESPN Radio 94.1.