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It wasn't all bad news for Pitt Panthers in the state of Virginia last night. Sure Pitt lost a close game to Virginia Tech, but two future Panthers helped guide their teams to the next round of their respective state playoff brackets last night. Here is a quick update on some future Panthers and their scholastic careers.
Justice Kithcart is Pitt's point guard of the future, and he has been putting on quite a show this season. His run started Tuesday night with a first round 73-58 win over Millwood. Kithchart dazzled the crowd with a team-high 28 points, and received a glowing report from a local newspaper.
Kithcart, the University of Pittsburgh signee, scored a game-high 28 points. He slashed to the lane, drained 3-pointers and acted as a human highlight reel on a night when Killeya-Jones was forced to the bench early because of foul trouble.
Virginia Episcopal School competes in VISAA Division II. For those unaware of how other states do things, the state of Virginia separates their Private schools from their public ones. Kithcart's teammate is Kentucky commitment, 6'11" power forward - Sacha Killeya-Jones. So needless to say, Kithcart plays for a high profile team. He followed up his first round performance with another stellar outing with 21 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds in a big win for his team.
VES 52 to Norfolk 51 Justice Kithcart lead his team back to the VISAS final 4 with an impressive 21 4a 4rb pic.twitter.com/Bc3WpIeL7y
— Rick Lewis (@Coach_Rick57) March 3, 2016
The close win over Norfolk Collegiate last night pushed Episcopal Academy into the state's "Final Four" this weekend at Virginia State University. They will be paired against Saint Annes-Belfield of Charlottesville on Friday night. Saint Annes features 6'8" Duke signee, Javin DeLaurier. It goes without saying, it will be a big game featuring multiple high-major division one prospects.
In the higher classification of the VISAA, Paul VI defeated Benedictine 80-56 on Wednesday night. Of course, Pitt commitment Corey Manigault is a member of the Paul VI Panthers' basketball team. The team cruised to an easy win, and moved to 18-11 on the season. Manigault finished the game with a modest performance of 9 points and 3 rebounds.
Like Kithcart's team, Manigault's Paul VI Panthers will be playing at Virginia State University in the state semifinals. They are in different classifications, so the possibility of meeting in the championship won't happen. Manigault's team will go up against fellow WCAC team (Washington DC Catholic league), Bishop O'Connell. Paul VI defeated O'Connell twice in the regular season. Along with Manigault, Paul VI features future Louisville Cardinal, VJ King. It's another high profile game featuring a lot of talent.
Pitt's season is ongoing with some important games in the coming weeks. Still, It's nice to know that Pitt's two high school commitments are having such good seasons, and could potentially play roles on next year's teams. Neither player is a "five-star-can't-miss-blue-chip" prospect, but both Kithcart and Manigault are talented high school prospects that should be able to come into the Pitt program and contribute, with the possibility and expectation of becoming stars down the line.