VHSL Class 2 Player of the Year Candidates

<p>With a full basketball season (hopefully) ready to get into swing in VA, we will take a look at some of the players we feel are candidates for Player of the Year in each classification.</p> <p>While there’s plenty of players we haven’t seen or are ready to have breakout years, we will take a look at some of the best players we know of that we think will have big seasons. </p> <p>We take a look at seven players we think will be in the conversation for VHSL Class 2 Player of the Year.</p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="815579" first="Tyler" last="Nickel"] | 6’7” WF | East Rockingham 2022</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Nickel-Tyler-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301642" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Nickel-Tyler-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">On paper Nickel should be the favorite for this award, as he’s been All State every year he’s been at East Rockingham and is set to likely break the VHSL scoring record this year, a feat he would have likely done last year if Covid hadn’t shortened the season. The UNC commit is a walking basket who can create his own shot off the bounce from multiple levels, he’s an excellent shooter and can make shots on the move and he can score it even when being double teamed. He’ll yet again be one of the top scorers in the state this year and if he can help East Rock get over the hump there’s no doubt he’ll be right in the conversation.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="1107883" first="Patrick" last="Clevenger"] | 6’5” F | James River (Buchanan) 2022</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Clevenger was an All State selection last year and is on a loaded James River team with multiple guys who can flat out fill it up. At his size with his skill set, he’s a walking mismatch at this level as he can really shoot it from deep, he can score it in the post and he can put it on the deck and create space as well. If the James River group can come together they have as many weapons in Clevenger, [player_tooltip player_id="815625" first="Jayson" last="Easton"] and [player_tooltip player_id="999625" first="Ryan" last="Steger"] (who also could be All State guys) as anyone in Class 2.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Bradley Bunch | 6’2” WG | Union 2022</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">The reigning Class 2 state player of the year was crucial for Union in their run to the state championship, and he’s a no brainer for an All State team again this year. The 6’2” wing is a very fundamentally sound and high motor player who knows how to work off the ball to get open and get easy shots, he can knock it down consistently from deep and he can create in isolation situations.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="1217459" first="Stephen" last="Barbour"] | 6’0” CG | Glenvar 2022</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">An All State selection last year, Barbour is a very impactful player on both sides of the ball as he’s a super athlete and plays with a very high motor. He takes pride on the defensive end and can guard the other team’s best player, he can play on or off the basketball and create and make shots from multiple levels and he makes winning plays for his team.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="992528" first="Dennis" last="Parker"] Jr. | 6’6” WF | John Marshall 2023</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Parker-Dennis-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1308349" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Parker-Dennis-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Justices are overwhelming favorites to win Class 2 this year, and Parker is their top player which makes him a favorite to win Player of the Year. A highly versatile and athletic player, Parker can initiate the offense and make plays for others, he’s able to finish at and above the rim, he can score from multiple levels and he’s a high motor guy who brings it on the defensive end too.</span></p>