PREP BASKETBALL: VHSL state quarterfinal previews

BOYS
Group A, Division 1
Castlewood (22-4) vs. Galax (15-7)
Site: Virginia High’s Bearcat Den
Time: 3:15 p.m.
How they got here: Castlewood claimed its second straight regional title with a 48-37 victory over Appalachia in last week’s Region D, Division 1 finals. Galax finished as Region C runner-up.
Who to watch: Castlewood point guard Seth Justice is overlooked in the Blue Devils’ balanced attack, but provides a steady hand in directing the offense.
The skinny: Castlewood is making its fourth straight state tourney appearance and the Blue Devils are certainly battle-tested. Playing in the Division 2 classification the two previous seasons, the Devils’ lost in the quarterfinals to eventual state champs George Wythe (2008) and Radford (2009). Those experiences should help them as they attempt to advance to the semis against an underclassmen-dominated Galax team.

Appalachia (22-5) vs. Eastern Montgomery (18-8)
Site: Salem Civic Center
Time: 12:30 p.m.
How they got here: Appalachia secured its second straight state tourney bid with a regional runner-up finish, while Eastern Montgomery claimed the Region C crown.
Who to watch: Foreign exchange student Mladen Bogicevic and talented slasher Forrest Stuart form a nice one-two punch for Appalachia.
The skinny: Appalachia enters this game with plenty of motivation as Eastern Montgomery bounced the Bulldogs from last year’s state tourney with a 72-56 victory. Still, Appalachia must stay out of foul trouble and play tough defense to reign in the Mustangs.

Group A, Division 2
Lebanon (19-5) vs. Radford (17-6)
Site: Virginia High’s Bearcat Den
Time: 6:30 p.m.
How they got here: Lebanon posted wins over J.J. Kelly, Powell Valley and Honaker in claiming the regional crown. Defending state champion Radford clinched a state bid with a win over previously unbeaten George Wythe in the state semifinals.
Who to watch: Lebanon senior Jerome Cobb (15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks per game) is a shot-blocking machine and will attempt to alter Radford’s potent offensive attack. Sophomore Justin Brown is averaging 10 points per game in the postseason for the Pioneers.
The skinny: Lebanon entered the season with high expectations and even though they experienced some injuries and some tough losses along the way, the Pioneers find themselves in the state tourney. Lebanon must cope with Radford’s swarming defense and quickness if it wants to advance to the state semifinals.

GIRLS
Group A, Division 1
J.I. Burton (26-0) vs. Narrows (20-5)
Site: Virginia High’s Bearcat Den
Time: 1:30 p.m.
How they got here: J.I. Burton has rolled to a perfect record and was the top team in the Associated Press Group A poll for much of the season. Narrows was the regional runner-up to archrival Bland County.
Who to Watch: Burton junior Ra’Shelle Miller (20.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.1 steals per game) is the most dynamic player in Southwest Virginia. Teammates like Brianna Stallard (9.3 ppg), Iris Hill (8.8 ppg), Chelsea Forney (9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and point guard Sheniqua Woods (4.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg) are also reliable.
The skinny: Burton has met all the challenges this season to reach the state tourney for the second consecutive season. Narrows is also in its second consecutive state tourney and eliminated Council last year thanks to a strong defense and smooth shooting touch. The Raiders have a great shot at earning the ultimate prize – a state title – but can’t overlook the Green Wave.

Ervinton (23-4) vs. Bland County (22-2)
Site: Salem Civic Center
Time: 11 a.m.
How they got here: Cumberland District champ Ervinton earned its first regional bid in school history. Region C champ Bland is making its third straight state tourney trip and the Bears were state runner-up a year ago.
Who to Watch: Ervinton senior Kelly Rasnick has churned out a double-double almost every night this season and has a wide array of skills. Her potential matchup with Bland’s Laurel Hankins should be exciting to watch.
The skinny: Don’t blame Ervinton’s players if they are a little nervous at the start of this game as this is the biggest moment in the history of the school’s girls basketball program. Bland has been here before and that advantage will be key. Rasnick, talented guard Chelsea Hill and the rest of the Rebels will have to put together a strong all-around game to win.

Group A, Division 2
J.J. Kelly (20-6) vs. Chilhowie (19-8)
Site: Virginia High’s Bearcat Den
Time: 4:45 p.m.
How they got here: J.J. Kelly won its first Region D title since 2002, while Chilhowie claimed its second state tournament bid in three years with a runner-up showing in the Region C tourney.
Who to Watch: Twin sisters Ashley and Allison Mullins both stand at 6-foot-2 and have been forces inside all season for Kelly. Meanwhile, Chilhowie’s Krystal Patton is a dynamic player who has taken over games on several occasions this season.
The skinny: This should be an interesting matchup between two teams with contrasting styles. Kelly will attempt to contain Patton’s involvement in the game and if that happens, Chilhowie must hope that other players step up and help carry the scoring load. With the Mullins sisters in the middle, Kelly will certainly have the advantage on the boards.

Lee High (16-9) vs. Glenvar (19-7)
Site: Salem Civic Center
Time: 2:15 p.m.
How they got here: Region D runner-up Lee High is in the state tourney for the second straight year, while Glenvar won the Region C tourney as the fifth seed.
Who to Watch: Lee’s Jalan McPherson (15.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals per game) is one of the area’s top shooters, while sophomore Makenzie Cluesman (14.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg) provides a steady all-around game.
The skinny: Glenvar is a guard-oriented squad, so Lee should have the advantage on the boards with Cluesman, Morgan Miles and Chealsey Brock proven in the paint. Lee is used to playing in Salem, having upset Radford at the Civic Center in last season’s quarterfinals. Contending with Glenvar’s quickness and various defensive looks will be a key for the Generals.

Group AA, Division 3
Graham (14-11) vs. R.E. Lee-Staunton (14-4)
Site: James Madison University
Time: 3:15 p.m.
How they got here: Graham knocked off Southwest District foe Tazewell in the Region IV semifinals to earn a state tourney trip, before falling to Patrick County in the regional finals. R.E. Lee earned its second straight state tourney trip via the Region III crown.
Who to Watch: Graham must contain Lee sophomore guard Angela Mickens, which is much easier said than done. Mickens outscored the G-Girls by herself in last year’s state quarterfinals, 28-27. Graham is led by the trio of Chelsea Gallinger (17 points per game), Kelli Landreth (10 ppg) and Maegan Henry (8 points, 8 rebounds per contest).
The skinny: This is a rematch of last year’s state quarterfinals, which Lee won in a laugher. R.E. Lee had its final four games of the season cancelled due to winter weather, but the Lee Ladies didn’t appear rusty in winning last week’s regional tourney. To say Graham is a heavy underdog this afternoon, would be a major understatement.

Group AA, Division 4
Carroll County (19-4) vs. Spotswood (19-6)
Site: James Madison University
Time: 1:45 p.m.
How they got here: Carroll County clinched a state tournament berth with a second-place finish to Bassett in the Region IV tourney. Spotswood claimed its first regional crown since 2005.
Who to Watch: Senior guard Kayla Goins has been the catalyst for Carroll County all season, while Rachel Dalton and Lindsay Martin are also options of the Southwest District champs. Senior Carter Williams is the No. 1 option for Spotswood
The skinny: Carroll County silenced many critics in the Region IV tournament by knocking off perennial River Ridge District power Hidden Valley in the semifinals. The Cavs are again the underdog tonight, but if Goins gets going again they could be competitive.