VHSL Class 2 Preview: Contenders

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 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 2 classification.   <h2>Preseason Favorite: John Marshall</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Parker-Dennis-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Parker-Dennis-CBG-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1308349"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Senior NC State commit [player_tooltip player_id='992528' first='Dennis' last='Parker'] Jr. leads a stacked John Marshall squad.</figcaption></figure>   The Justices ran through Class 2 last season on their way to yet another state championship, and the Richmond city powerhouse is as or more loaded than they were last season.   NC State commit and senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='992528' first='Dennis' last='Parker'] Jr. leads the way as their two way playmaker and a big time athlete who can make plays across the board. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1259544' first='Damon' last='Thompson'], who already holds a slew of division one offers, gives them a guy who can create shots off the bounce and score it in bunches.   Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1259621' first='Dominique' last='Bailey'] is one of the best defenders in the state and will bring toughness and shooting to the table every night. A big difference maker will come in freshman big man [player_tooltip player_id='1164551' first='Latrell' last='Allmond'], who is already 6'8” and stronger and more athletic than almost any big man they will play in the classification.   They will play one of the toughest out of conference schedules in the state to prepare them during their run, and their simply too talented and deep for most of the teams to be able to match up with them.   <h2>Contenders</h2>   Radford   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Cormany-Gavin.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Cormany-Gavin-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1162769"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1259634' first='Gavin' last='Cormany'] is one of the top in the state.</figcaption></figure>   “Title Town” as they were nicknamed during their run in Class 1 and 2 that resulted in six state championships in nine years is stacked again and looks like the best team in the NRV once again. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1259634' first='Gavin' last='Cormany'] was an All State selection last year as a sophomore, and he's a guy who can put up big numbers with his shooting and ability to create off the bounce. Junior wing Elijah Kelly provides a mismatch at 6'6” with long arms and the ability to put it on the deck and make shots from deep too.   Head Coach Rick Cormany always develops his players and has a lot of players in rotation that will come in and provide an impact.   Greensville County   Greensville had a nice run to the state semifinals last season, and they return their top scorer in senior Xavion Walton who was an All State selection last year. He's one of the more versatile players in Class 2 as he plays all over the floor for them and impacts the game across the board. They usually have a lot of athletes and players waiting their turn and this year could be the year they surprise a lot of people.   <h2>Dark Horse Contenders</h2>   Floyd   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Swortzel-Kaiden-CHMF.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Swortzel-Kaiden-CHMF-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1364060"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='999634' first='Kaiden' last='Swortzel'] leads an experienced Floyd team.</figcaption></figure>   The Buffaloes have one of the toughest roads to a state tournament with Radford, Martinsville, James River and many more tough teams in their region, but this could be the year they come together and make a run to the state tournament. Senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='999634' first='Kaiden' last='Swortzel'] who was an All State selection last year is one of the toughest and most productive players you'll come across in the state. Sophomore point guard Gavin Herrington is dynamic and they have shooters and defenders surrounding them too.   Strasburg   Strasburg could be on the way up and could be the team to beat in Class 2 Region B, as they have an experienced group and the league will be down this year. Junior 6'8” big man [player_tooltip player_id='1489098' first='Walker' last='Conrad'] is set to have a breakout season, and there won't be many teams that have someone who can guard him both in the post and with his ability to step out and stretch the floor too.

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 for who we think will win the state championship and who could possibly compete with them.