AAA State Preview

Virginia AAA Basketball Semifinals
Boys: Petersburg vs. No. 3 T.C. Williams
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Siegel Center, Richmond
Records: T.C. Williams 27-3; Petersburg 27-3

T.C. Williams's balanced offense and solid defense make it a legitimate candidate to end the Virginia AAA Northern Region's 27-year title drought. The Titans have allowed 45.7 points per game in the playoffs and held Eastern Region runner-up King's Fork (24-6) to a season-low 39. The Titans will look to lock up Petersburg's leading scorer, 6-foot-5 senior forward Terneil Rhodes (15.3 points per game), and 6-8 junior center Cadarian Raines, who is averaging a double-double (14.9 points, 10.1 rebounds). The Crimson Waves, the Central Region runner-up, defeated Northwest Region champion GW-Danville 65-59 Friday, ending the Eagles' undefeated season. However, Petersburg's most impressive win of the season came in the March 1 Central Region semifinals, when it upset reigning AAA champion Highland Springs 65-55 at Siegel Center. Today's other AAA boys' semifinal pits John Marshall of Richmond against Bethel of Hampton at 3:45 p.m.

-- B.J. Koubaroulis