Preseason All Met Second Team: RVA
Every year the Richmond Times Dispatch does an All Met team, picking three teams of the top players in the great Richmond metro area. While constructing our previews this year, we decided to do a couple All Met Teams for…
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Continue ReadingEvery year the Richmond Times Dispatch does an All Met team, picking three teams of the top players in the great Richmond metro area. While constructing our previews this year, we decided to do a couple All Met Teams for different areas, starting in the capital area of Richmond. We’ll be doing a first and second team, with seven guys on each team. Here’s a look at our preseason predictions for the All Met Richmond Second Team.
*Note: All Met selections are based on predicted production and impact at the high school level, not necessarily the best collegiate prospects in the area.
Burke Smith | 6’10” C | Trinity Episcopal 2020
If Smith was on another team there’s a good chance he’d be first team in my preseason picks but he’s a part of a Trinity squad that is chock full of talent. The Boise State commit averaged 13 points and 5 rebounds last year, and he brings a valuable dynamic as a guy who can play high-low with Duke commit Henry Coleman and he can stretch the floor and make shots as well. He has improved immensely over the past few years and I’m expecting a big season from him this year.
Roosevelt Wheeler | 6’10” C | John Marshall 2021
“Rose” as he’s called by his teammates and coaches dealt with some injury problems last year but he’s healthy now and should be one of the top bigs in the area moving forward. He’s a new school big that thrives in an uptempo system where he can run the floor and protect the rim, and he’s a big time rebounder on both ends that can start the break with a good outlet pass too. I’m hoping this year he’ll be a little more aggressive on the offensive end, but even when it doesn’t show up in the stat sheet he impacts the game with his size and athleticism all the time.
Caleb Kenney | 6’5” F | Douglas Freeman 2021
Kenney had a breakout year last year for Freeman as a sophomore and this year I’m expecting an even bigger year with the departure of Michael Fortune who was one of their top scorers last year. The 6’5” Kenney is very versatile on both ends of the floor, as he’s a guy who can play inside-out, create his own shot off the bounce and he’s athletic enough to finish above the rim and guard in the post as well. He’s likely to put up big numbers this year and be a guy that should see his stock increase moving forward.
Mac McDonald | 6’2” WG | Collegiate 2021
McDonald had a terrific summer with Team Richmond and Collegiate, and with the departure of All Met forward Robbie Beran to Northwestern this year he should be the go-to guy and put up some big numbers moving forward. A strong guard that can shoot the lights out and has a competitive streak to him, McDonald can fill it up in bunches and is better with the ball in his hands than he’s given credit for. There’s a good chance he’s going to put up big numbers this year and be one of the top scorers in the Richmond area for a young Collegiate team.
Tyler Henderson | 5’8” PG | LC Bird 2020
Henderson isn’t the best scorer on this list, but he’s one of the best floor generals and two way impact guards in all of Richmond, if not the state. The Skyhawks’ only senior expected to make big contributions this year, he’ll have a young but talented group to lead and help grow, but it’s a good group that fits his style and he should thrive and be one of the top guards in the area. He’s a nightmare to matchup with as a guy who will guard you for all 32 minutes, he’s a dual threat guy that can score and make plays for others and he should instill the perfect amount of toughness into this group.
AJ Williams | 6’2” WG | Trinity Episcopal 2021
Williams was another part of the Varina resurgence who has moved on along with our first team selections in Jason Nelson (John Marshall) and Kenard Richardson (Life Christian). One of the best shooters in the state, Williams has played in some big games and came up with huge performances in those games, helping the Blue Devils win the state championship as a freshman and a deep playoff run last year as a sophomore, and his transfer should be big in helping Trinity get back to their dominance in the Prep League and VISAA. He has some very talented pieces around him so his numbers may take a dip, but the way he can shoot it and fill it up in bunches he’s going to get his and provides a valuable floor spacer for them this year.
Ikechi Chantilou | 6’3” WF | Life Christian 2021
Chantilou was one of the top underclassmen in the area as a freshman and sophomore at George Wythe, but he had somewhat of a down year last year as a junior and chose to transfer and reclassify at reigning VISAA D3 Champion Life Christian Academy. Chantilou has looked good this fall as a slasher and a guy who can get downhill and get to the rim where he’s an athletic finisher above the rim and has great hang time that allows him to finish through traffic. He’s shown some improvement in his shooting but he really thrives in an uptempo system where he can play in transition, he’s a solid defender with good instincts and he rebounds the ball much bigger than his 6’3” frame would suggest.