VHSL QUARTERFINALS TODAY

At Salem Civic Center

GROUP A DIVISION 2 BOYS

Radford (25-2) vs. Virginia High (14-14),
8 p.m.

Virginia High has three starters back from last year’s state semifinalists. G Nick Howard (6-3, sr.) averages 18 ppg, while C Zach Bossard (6-5, sr.) averages 15. VHS finished fourth in the five-team Clinch Mountain District. Radford is led by G Isaiah Phillips (6-1, jr.) at 15.3 ppg, F Nate Jones (6-4, soph.) at 12.5 and G Josh Little (6-1, sr.), 10.6. The Bobcats have a 17-game winning streak and have not lost since late December to Carroll County. VHS’ lone state title was in 1927. Radford has won three times: 1949, 2009 and 2011.

GROUP A DIVISION 2 GIRLS

Floyd County (25-2) vs. Gate City (16-11),
6:30 p.m.

Gate City returns everyone from last year’s team that lost 50-47 to George Mason in the Division 1 final. Sisters Jordan Gose (5-10, jr., 15.6 ppg) and Morgan Gose (5-9, jr., 14.6 ppg) are the main threats. Seven of Gate City’s losses came to out-of-state teams. Three more were to 26-1 Central-Wise. C Amanda Hollandsworth (5-6, jr., 11.3) leads a balanced Floyd attack. Seven players average six points or more. Floyd has reached 100 points twice and has topped 80 eight other times. Gate City won a Group A title in 2006. Floyd has three titles.

GROUP A DIVISION 1 GIRLS

Covington (22-4) vs. Castlewood (20-6),
5 p.m.

Castlewood’s lone state semifinal appearance was in 1987 when the Blue Devils lost to Rye Cove. The Blue Devils lost to Bath County 57-38 in a 2011 quarterfinal in Salem. C Caitlyn Fleming (5-10, soph., 11.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg) was the Cumberland District player of the year. Castlewood does not have a senior among its top eight players. Covington’s Sa’Mone Moore (5-7, jr., 18.3 ppg) has scored 1,511 career points. C Leteashia Clarke (13.2 ppg, 11.4 rpg) also is a three-year starter. Covington reached the Division 1 semifinals last year, losing to East Rockingham.

VIS SEMIFINAL TODAY

DIVISION III BOYS

At Virginia State University, Petersburg

Carlisle (23-1) vs. North Cross (20-6),
noon

The two Virginia Independent Conference rivals will collide for the fourth time this season. Carlisle won the regular-season meetings 53-50 and 57-45, and the Chiefs edged the Raiders 44-41 in the VIC final Saturday at Roanoke College. Carlisle had just two players in the program until first-year coach Jason Niblett began rounding up talent. Seven-foot Thon Maker, who began the season at a school in Louisiana, is rated the nation’s No. 1 freshman. The winner plays for the state title Saturday against either No. 2 seed Amelia Academy or Christ Chapel.

VACA SEMIFINALS TODAY

At Westover Christian, Danville

BOYS

Parkway Christian (17-7) vs. Dayspring Christian (18-9),
5 p.m.

VACA Southwest Conference rivals Parkway and Dayspring have had an odd rivalry this year. Dayspring won the two regular-season games 58-31 and 45-29, but Parkway rebounded for a 68-49 win last week in the VACA South Region semifinals. G Lawrence Huff scored 24 points for Parkway in the regional final win over Roanoke Valley Christian, while 6-5 freshman David Keep added 20. Dayspring is led by 6-4 sophomore forward Peyton Bailey with 16.5 scoring average.

Mountain View Christian (27-9) vs. Roanoke Valley Christian (17-5),
8 p.m.

Mountain View, located in Winchester, has played a whopping 36 games this year and is considered the tournament favorite. Brandon Pressley, a 6-6 power forward, has drawn recruiting interest from St. Joseph’s and New Hampshire, according to head coach Michael Harbin. Point guard Buddy Long (6-1, sr.) averages 14.2 ppg for RVC, which defeated Shenandoah Valley Christian for its first VACA state tournament win Tuesday.

GIRLS

Parkway Christian (19-3) vs. Stuart Hall (16-4),
3:30 p.m.

Stuart Hall is making its first VACA state tournament appearance with a roster that does not include any seniors. Stuart Hall did win the VACA North Central division with a 6-0 record. Parkway is the lone VACA Southwest team remaining after a 76-41 first-round win over Mt. Carmel Christian. Tatyane Crowder had 27 points and 13 rebounds in that victory, while Anna Dixon popped five 3-pointers. The winner faces either Shenandoah Valley Christian or host Westover Christian in Saturday’s 2 p.m. championship game.

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