D3 VISAA State Semi-Finals Noon
Wakefield versus Middleburg Academy

Middleburg reached the semi-finals without winning a State playoff game. They earned the #1 seed in the D3 tournament and they are on a seven game winning streak. Wakefield won the Delaney Athletic Conference regular season title and they defeated Amelia Academy as they play for their 1st State championship.

Junior Andrew Corum led Middleburg Academy in scoring with 17 ppg and 9.1 rebounds. Ayegi Edwards averaged close to 14 ppg while 6-foot-7 sophomore Taija Blaylock average 11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds. Wakefield is led by DeAndre Clark with 20.4 points per game. He scored 31 points in the semi-final win over Amelia Academy. Isaiah Sharp (6-foot-5) averages 18.6 points and 5.0 rebounds. Senior point guard Andre Ahiagbede-Seadey averaged 9.4 points and 4.1 assists per game.

This game is tough for me to forecast since I didn't see either of these teams this year. They both have similar results against like teams. Middleburg hasn't played a game in two weeks and may start the game off a little rusty. Wakefield has won two playoff games this week and could pull the upset if they get an early lead.

This is a rematch of the 2012 State championship game won by Williamsburg Christian Academy. The Lions are making their 4th straight VISAA Final Four appearance and they defeated Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot by 20. Williamsburg Christian Academy defeated Fuqua then went on the road and defeated North Cross 60-55. In addition, the teams met earlier in the season with Christ Chapel taking a 64-58 win.

Christ Chapel is led by junior Tayler Brletic who has played in the state semi-finals since he was an 8th-grader. Brletic averaged 14.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 4.5 assists. Senior Jordan Griggs (6-foot-4) averaged 12 points and has plenty of experience in playoff games. Romello Taylor (6-foot-9) average 1.6 blocks.

Metro Conference Player of the Year Xavier Green had a triple double scoring 13 points with 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the win over Amelia Academy. Green average 19.2 points while Andre brown added 16.8 ppg. Mike Duncan also averaged in double figures 13.5 ppg.

While Xavier Green is the best rated prospect in D3, Christ Chapel will probably concentrate their defense on him meaning the rest of the Eagles will need to step up. I give Christ Chapel the advantage due to their earlier win.

D2 VISAA State Semi-Finals 3:30pm
Blue Ridge versus Carlisle

Blue Ridge made a big turnaround after finishing with two wins last year. They earned the top seed after finishing with a 20-4 record and then made quick work of Atlantic Shores in the 1st round of the playoffs. Carlisle is in the State semi-finals for the 3rd straight year however they no longer have 5-star recruit Thon Maker. Carlisle defeated St Anne's-Belfield 78-56 in the State quarterfinals. The teams split the regular season meetings with Blue Ridge winning by 16 and Carlisle winning by one. Blue Ridge also split with Virginia Episcopal and defeated Millwood. Carlisle also split with Virginia Episcopal.

Blue Ridge is led by junior Mamadi Diakite who averaged 10.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. Junior point guard Malik Johnson is the team's catalyst and he averaged 12.5 points and 5.4 assists. Scott Spencer (11.8 ppg) and football prospect Affana Offor provide 3-point shooting. Sophomore Aamir Simms (6-foot-8) contributed 7.4 points and 5.9 rebounds a game. Carlisle is led by potential Player of the year candidate Kaleb Johnson with committed to Georgetown. Johnson is a great scorer and he is averaging 23.3 ppg while adding 12.1 rebounds. Point guard Quentin Jackson averaged 14.7 points with 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Senior Yesid Mosquera is a hard working inside player with 3-point range. Freshman Ian Steere averages nearly 8 points a game.

The third meeting between these two schools should be a tightly contested defensive game. This is a toss-up with neither team possessing a decisive edge. If I had to choose I would select Carlisle based on playoff experience and senior Kaleb Johnson.

D2 VISAA State Semi-Finals 5:15pm
Virginia Episcopal versus Millwood

Virginia Episcopal will face Millwood in the D2 semi-final. The Bishops defeated Walsingham 81-71 after trailing by 13 points in the 1st half. Their 18-6 record includes two losses in their final three games. Millwood won the D3 State championship in their first year as a program. They moved up to Division II and find themselves back in the semi-finals thanks to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by junior Charles Williams. Virginia Episcopal swept both regular season meetings.

Virginia Episcopal has a solid starting five led by University of Virginia recruit Sacha Killeya-Jones. Senior Delante Jones (6-foot-6) has committed to American University. The Bishops have two very good point guards in Rivals 3-star Justin Kithcart and senior sleeper Taylor McHugh. Kevin Quinn is a dangerous 3-point shooter and Adam Sledd is a high quality player. Millwood looks inside for junior Jermaine Matthews who averaged 13.8 points and 6.9 boards every game. Charles Williams is a lights out shooter and he averaged 12.6 points per game including 37 made 3-pointers. freshman Rasir Bolton led the Bobcats in 3's while averaging 11.2 points. Senior Malik Crute is the point guard and he led the team with four assists per game while adding almost 10 points a game. Sophomore Jordan Cross does some of everything and he chipped in 8.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

It's hard to go against Virginia Episcopal who defeated the Bobcats twice during the regular season and who has the best player on the floor in Sacha Killeya Jones. For this reason, I have to pick the Bishops.

Cape Henry earned the #1 seed in D1 after finishing the year with only two losses both to nationally ranked teams. The Dolphins took Oak Hill to overtime which

was their only loss in state. They double-up Fork Union in the quarterfinal game. St Christophers defeated Flint Hill by 38 then surprised Bishop O Connell 62-54

to earn a trip to the final four.

Rivals 4-star Chris Clarke won a state championship as a freshman may be the top senior in the state. He consistently posts double-doubles and he's an excellent

passer. Rice recruit Marcus Evans is a star as well and he can facilitate for his teammates or create his own shot. The Dolphins receive unsung play from Iziah

James, Andrew Langston, Malcolm Weathers and Malik Marrow. The foursome gives Cape Henry the deepest team in the state. St Christopher has one of the top

offensive weapons in the tournament in junior Nick Sherod who posted 42 points against Bishop O Connell. Sophomore

Alexander Petrie has developed into a great

complimentary player to Sherod and he is a great outside shooter. Freshman Justin Jasper and sophomore Ameer Bennett (6-foot-7) have shown promise this year.

Fleet Wallace and Wilson Bedell provide tough nosed senior leadership.

Cape Henry is the most talented team in the tourney and they represent difficult matchup for a young St Christophers team. Cape Henry has been known to start slow but even another 40-point game from Sherod still may not be enough to take down the Dolphins.

Paul VI is back to defend their 2014 state championship. They earned the #2 seed and defeated Bishop Sullivan to reach the semi-finals. Trinity Episcopal make

their second appearance in the D1 State semi-finals. Last year, Trinity used a buzzer beater to knock off Benedictine and this year Josh Brown drained a 3-

pointer at the buzzer to end St. Stephens-St Agnes season.

While all but two key performers who played in the title game return, Paul VI was able to restock with 5-star junior V.J. King who is the Panthers leading

scorer at 18.5 per game. In addition, Syracuse recruit Franklin Howard did not play due to an injury. Howard is averaging 15. points per game. Big man

Manigault has a dozen offers and he is averaging 11 points. Point guard

Aaron Thompson averaged close to seven points and he is one of the teams top

defenders. Jesse Case is a deep threat for Paul VI. Trinity Episcopal senior

Josh Brown attacks the basket hard and he has 3-point range. He led the team with

an average of 20.6 points per game. Football star Trevion Armstrong averaged 12.5 per game while making 23 3-pointers. Junior

Zane Lewis averaged 8.2 points,

5.6 rebounds and a team leading 3.4 assists. Point guard Eli Reece

averages 5.0 and he has over 25 made treys.

The final game of the night appears on paper to be a David vs Goliath matchup. Last year, in a similar scenario, Trinity Episcopal lost to Cape Henry by 17. Paul VI defeated DeMatha to end the regular season while Trinity Episcopal has a win over St Christophers, who defeated Bishop O Connell, who handed Paul VI there last loss. Still, my pick is Goliath.