High school basketball playoffs are here, with region tournaments getting underway Friday. Here are rankings for both boys and girls heading into the postseason and region brackets for both.
This story will be updated.
Boys basketball rankings
Rank. Team (Record, previous ranking)
Records are as of noon Wednesday
1. John Marshall (19-2, 1):Â The Justices were the top team all season long and the trend continues heading into the postseason. Coach Ty White has a stacked roster with junior forwards Latrell Allmond and Ladarius Givan in addition to senior guards Aiden Argabright and Troy Henderson. The Justices are on the hunt for their fourth straight Class 2 title and seventh crown in the past 12 years.
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2. St. Christopher's (21-3, 2):Â The Saints have been hard to stop all season. In particular junior Darius Gray, a 6-foot-3, 277-pound offensive line recruit, has led the way for the Saints. St. Christopher's has no shortage of playmakers, including senior Stuart Cosby and a young backcourt comprised of junior EB Brandon and sophomore Brady Burnette.
3. Hopewell (18-2, 3):Â Elvin Edmonds' squad enters the postseason after a stellar regular season where the Blue Devils didn't lose in region play. A group of juniors have led the way. Deshawn Spellman averages 17.9 points and 5.8 rebounds while Nick Byrd averages 15.8 points and five assists.
4. Varina (15-3, 4):Â After a hectic start to season waiting for the state runner-up football players to make the transition to the hardwood, the Blue Devils have performed at a high level. Sophomore Brian Mitchell Jr. is a force for Kenneth Randolph's team, leading the pack in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks this season.
5. L.C. Bird (18-4, 5): The Skyhawks are out for redemption after finishing as the Class 5 runner-up last season. Led by senior Josh Uzochukwu, L.C. Bird is looking for another Region 5C title. Troy Manns' group suffered a bump in the road with back-to-back losses to Manchester and Ablemarle, but have rattled off seven straight victories since.
6. Atlee (20-1, 6): Atlee lost in the Region 4B semifinals last season. The Raiders hope to continue their magical season in the postseason with a roster that remembers coming up one game short of the state tournament. Coach Rally Axselle has a roster that features 10 seniors, including Christopher Newport commit Knox Axselle and UNC Pembroke commit Will Hopkins.
7. New Kent (22-1, 8): The Trojans are led by senior Will Ross, who averages 19.3 points and 3.4 steals. Senior Kyle Diggs also leads New Kent averaging eight rebounds, 4.8 assists and 0.6 blocks. The Trojans won 21 straight before suffering their first loss on Feb. 14 by 1-point to Smithfield.
8. J.R. Tucker (18-4, 7): The Tigers enter the postseason on a two-game winning streak after an incredible regular season under coach Adam Desgain. The combo of brothers Dennel and Deon Douglas lead the way for Tucker along with senior guard Jayden Bland.
9. Monacan (17-5, 9):Â The Chiefs have won six of their last seven entering the postseason. Amare Cooper, a junior, is Monacan's leading scorer averaging 18.3 points, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals. Senior Promyse Dent averages 13.4 points, five rebounds, two assists and 1.5 steals for the Chiefs.
10. Steward (18-6, 10): Senior guards Donovan Richardson and Xavier Nelson both average 16.3 points per game for the Spartans. Nelson averages 11.1 rebounds and two assists, while Richardson averages 4.4 rebonds and 2.4 assists. Steward has won seven of its last eight.
On the cusp:Â Manchester (15-6), Trinity Episcopal (16-7), Glen Allen (16-6)
John Marshall forward Ladarius Givan shoots the ball on January 25, 2025, at John Marshall High School in Richmond, Va.
Boys brackets
Region 6A
Tuesday's region quarterfinals
Cosby at Landstown, 6 p.m.
Highland Springs at Manchester, 7:30
Thomas Dale at Glen Allen, 7:30
Region 5C
Monday's region quarterfinals
James River at Ablemarle, 6 p.m.
William Flemming at J.R. Tucker, 6
Mills Godwin at Patrick Henry (Roanoke), 7
Hermitage at L.C. Bird, 7:30
Region 4B
Monday's region first round
Huguenot at Hanover, 6:30 p.m.
Dinwiddie at Caroline, 6:30Â
Patrick Henry at Courtland, 6:30Â
Henrico at Powhatan, 7:30Â
Tuesday's region quarterfinals
Courtland/PH winner at Monacan, 7:30 p.m.
Hanover/Huguenot winner at Varina, TBD
Dinwiddie/Caroline winner at Atlee, TBD
Henrico/Powhatan winner at Eastern View, TBD
Region 3B
Friday's region first round
Meridian 80, Goochland 22
Region 3A
Monday's region first round
Colonial Heights at Lakeland, 7:00 p.m.
York at Petersburg, 7:30
Tuesday's region quarterfinals
CH/Lakeland at New Kent, TBD
Norcom/Grafton at Hopewell, TBD
Region 2A
Tuesday's region quarterfinals
King William at John Marshall, 7:15 p.m.
VISSA state tournament
Division I
Tuesday's state first round
Trinity Episcopal at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes, TBD
Catholic at St. Christopher's, TBD
Division II
Tuesday's state first round
Atlantic Shores-Christian at Steward, TBD
Division III
Tuesday's state first round
Blessed Sacrament Huguenot at Portsmouth Christian, TBD
Division IV
Tuesday's state first round
Wakefield Country Day at Grove Christian, played at Steward, TBD
Wednesday's state quarterfinals
Westover Christian Academy/Carlisle at Banner Christian, TBD
Broadwater Academy/Tidewater Academy at Rise Academy, TBD
Rayne Wright, a University of Richmond basketball recruit, hits a 3 in the win over Glen Allen.
Girls basketball rankings
Rank. Team (Record, previous ranking)
Record are as of noon Wednesday
1. Manchester (18-3, 1): The top team all year, Manchester is No. 1 entering the postseason. With Rayne Wright leading the charge, the Lancers are looking to make their third-straight Class 6 state title game.Â
2. Glen Allen (19-2, 2): A big senior-led season for the Jags puts them in second. Coach Jay Jones uses Lindsey Shoulders, Sydney Worsham and Riley Waite as senior leaders and look to make a run in Region 6A.Â
3. L.C. Bird (18-5, 3):Â The Skyhawks since Jan. 30 and are on fire heading into the playoffs. Led by Kamari Simon and Kylie Kent, L.C. Bird's defense has tightened and offense has taken off as it enters the Region 5C tournament.
4. Cosby (16-5, 4):Â In Avery Scott's first year, Cosby's jumped to a Region 6A contender. Behind senior Seimone Newton, the Titans are high-scoring, getting them a top-five ranking ahead of the playoffs.Â
5. Thomas Dale (10-9, 5):Â The Knights have had an up-and-down season but are playing cohesive down the stretch. Dale could be a Cinderella story, with Timani Harris leading the charge, heading into the Region 6A playoffs.Â
6. Highland Springs (13-5, 7):Â The Springers made a tough schedule and came out strong. Highland Springs is led by Jesiah Young and Samaya Brown and are ready for the gauntlet of Region 6A.
7. Steward (17-10, 9):Â Playing the most games out of anyone in the T-D top 10, Steward is prepared with key leaders coming up big down the stretch. Watch out for Ava Johnson and Savannah Martin in the playoffs.Â
8. Hanover (18-3, 10):Â The top seed in Region 4B, Hanover is small but mighty. The team has played together for years and that's paying off now, as Izzy Murphy, Kaycee Doughty and company try and get to the state playoffs.Â
9. Monacan (17-6, 8):Â The Chiefs have senior leaders in Lila Donnelly and Trinity Jones, and know their way around the playoffs. Sleepers in Class 4, keep an eye on last year's Region 4B champions.Â
10. Deep Run (16-5, 6):Â Another team in Region 6A, the Wildcats are a dark horse and have prepared for this season for three years. With Naomi Igberase and Hannah Custis leading, watch out for Deep Run.Â
On the cusp:Â Hopewell (13-4, NR), Trinity Episcopal (16-8, NR), Henrico (13-6, NR).
Manchester’s Rayne Wright is the only All-Metro first-team member back this year. She’ll be trying to lead the Lancers to a second straight Class 6 state championship.
Girls bracketsÂ
Region 6A
Tuesday's region quarterfinals
Thomas Dale at Glen Allen, 5:30 p.m.
Western Branch at Manchester, 5:30
Cosby at Deep Run, 6Â
Highland Springs at Grassfield, 6
Region 5C
Monday's region quarterfinals
J.R. Tucker at William Fleming, 6 p.m.
Matoaca at L.C. Bird, 6
Mills Godwin at Douglas Freeman, 6Â
Region 4B
Monday's region first round
Patrick Henry at Powhatan, 6 p.m.
Atlee at Dinwiddie, 6:30 p.m.
Eastern View at Mechanicsville, 6:30
Tuesday's region quarterfinals
PH/Powhatan winner at Henrico, 6 p.m
EV/Mechanicsville winner at Monacan, 6Â
Atlee/Dinwiddie winner at Hanover, 6:30Â
Region 3A
Monday's region first round
New Kent at Petersburg, 5:30 p.m.
Colonial Heights at Tabb, 7Â
Tuesday's region quarterfinals
NK/Petersburg winner at Hopewell, TBD
Region 3B
Friday's region quarterfinals
Brentsville District 65, Armstrong 39
Culpeper County 73, Maggie Walker 55
Region 2A
Tuesday's region quarterfinals
Arcadia at John Marshall, 5 p.m.
VISAA state tournament
Division I
Tuesday's state first round
Saint Gertrude at Trinity Episcopal, TBD
St. Catherine's at Potomac School, TBD
Collegiate at Flint Hill, TBD
Division II
Wednesday's state quarterfinalsÂ
Norfolk Collegiate/The Covenant winner at Steward, TBD
Division III
Tuesday's state first round
Wakefield School at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot, TBD
PHOTOS: John Marshall boys basketball defeats St. Christopher's at home
St. Christopher center Darius Gray shoots a three-pointer on January 25, 2025, at John Marshall High School in Richmond, Va.
