VHSL Class 5 Preview: Contenders
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With the high school season right around the corner, it’s time for us to do some previews for who we think will compete for some of the state championships. We continue with public school, taking a look at our picks…
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Continue ReadingWith the high school season right around the corner, it’s time for us to do some previews for who we think will compete for some of the state championships. We continue with public school, taking a look at our picks for who we think will win the state championship and who could possibly compete with them.
Here’s a look at our picks for contenders in the VHSL Class 5 classification.
Preseason Favorite: Woodside
While Woodside has struggled in the past when the playoffs come around, the Wolverines are absolutely loaded this year and provide so much depth it will be hard to see anyone matching up one through five with them. Senior point guard leader and University of Richmond commit Trevor Smith Trevor Smith 5'11" | PG Woodside | 2023 State #267 Nation VA is a dynamic threat to score the ball at all times, sophomore big man Silas Barksdale Silas Barksdale 6'7" | PF Woodside | 2025 State #176 Nation VA is set to have a breakout season and they got a big transfer from North Carolina in 6’5” do-it-all junior My’Kel Jenkins My’Kel Jenkins 6'5" | SF Woodside | 2023 VA on the wing. Senior big man Christian Greenlaw Christian Greenlaw 6'6" | PF Woodside | 2023 State VA and sophomore point guard Masaiah Stevens will likely round out the starting lineup, and they have a lot of options off the bench including Smith’s younger brother junior guard Travis Hamilton Travis Hamilton 5'10" | PG Woodside | 2024 State VA who can score it in bunches and give them a punch off the bench.
Contenders
Menchville
The two Newport News schools are looking like they’re on a collision course in Region B, and whatever team can best each other is likely in the driver’s seat come state tournament time, and it could be a situation where they both meet in the regional and state championship games. The Monarchs are a cohesive group that have been together for years led by the senior backcourt duo of Appalachian State commit Etienne Strothers Etienne Strothers 6'1" | PG Menchville | 2023 State VA who is one of the top scorers in the area, and athletic and dynamic two way wing AJ Clark AJ Clark 6'2" | SG Menchville | 2023 State VA who is one of the top defenders in the state. Senior forward Devin Keasey Devin Keasey 6'4" | SF Menchville | 2023 State VA , junior forward Jordan Watlington Jordan Watlington 6'5" | SF Menchville | 2024 State VA and senior guards Eric Turner and Andre Carter give them a lot of experience and depth this year.
LC Bird
Bird takes a big loss with last year’s starting point guard AJ Wills AJ Wills 6'1" | PG S3 Academy | 2023 State VA transferring, but the Skyhawks have a proven track record to make it to the playoffs and make runs in them as well, and they have a hungry group that wants to prove themselves. Senior shooting Yuri Manns Yuri Manns 6'3" | CG LC Bird | 2023 State VA will be leaned upon heavily to score the ball and as a junior he averaged over 20 points per game and was named All State so we know he’s capable of doing it.The Skyhawks are big up front with 6’9” senior Brett Dent Brett Dent 6'8" | C LC Bird | 2023 State VA and 6’6” senior Logan Hoit Logan Hoit 6'7" | C Meadowbrook | 2023 State VA , senior point guard Brandon Wade is a capable floor general and will slide in as the primary ball handler and they have a lot of young guys who have been waiting in the wind.
Green Run
The Stallions are a young group but they’re the likely favorite in Region A and with their fast paced, get after it style they can compete with anyone. They lost their two top scorers from last year and will rely heavily on their sophomore duo of David Miller David Miller 6'6" | PF Green Run | 2025 State VA and Kassidy Jackson Kassidy Jackson 5'9" | PG Green Run | 2025 State VA to grow up quickly and take the reigns for this team. Miller showed as a freshman he’s a mismatch nightmare who can play inside-out and Jackson has “cat like” quickness on the ball and is a good on ball defender, and they always have athletes to play with.
Dark Horse Candidates
Highland Springs
The Springers upset their way to an improbable and movie worthy state championship last year, and they will again be one of the better teams in the Richmond area this year. They lost their top scorer from last season but they do return All State junior combo guard Danzelle Coles Danzelle Coles 6'5" | SG St Anne Belefield | 2025 State VA as well as a number of either key pieces from last year’s team.
Patrick Henry (Roanoke)
PH has been the best team in Region D over the past few years and has made a number of runs in the state tournament despite being only one of two Roanoke area teams in the region. They will rely heavily on junior Abu Yarmah Abu Yarmah 6'5" | PF Patrick-Henry (Roanoke) | 2024 VA , a 6’5” freak athlete who has been a key contributor since he was a freshman and will likely have the ball in his hands more this year.
Maury
The Commodores surprised a lot of people last year on their run in Class 5, and despite losing their two top scorers from last year they have a lot of pieces that will make them a tough out in Region B. They’re big up front with the junior duo of 6’7” Tyler Bell and 6’6” CJ Parker CJ Parker 6'6" | SF Maury | 2024 State VA , both who can step out and shoot it, and they have a budding star in 6’0” sophomore point guard Adrean Newton.