VHSL Class 4 Preview: All State Contenders (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p id="block-a0bb6986-c87c-4a4d-acbe-1b6061338114">With the high school season around the corner, we have been previewing the up coming season in a number of different ways, including our All State teams by class which is only done here at Prep Hoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p id="block-76ef79e7-eb39-4d91-b7a1-23a98f728354">For the more traditional readers, we will be doing a preview of All State teams by classifications too. While most VHSL All State teams have two teams with 8 players on each, we have decided to simply list some of the players we expect to be on the team at the end of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p id="block-73ed8a40-1f14-49e5-a046-3367cb26cf82">With that being said, here's a look at part two of our picks for VHSL Class 4 All State candidates, looking at six players we expect to be in the conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1483023' first='Gavin' last='O'Malley'] | 6'6” C | Tuscarora 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Malley is one of the best gems you'll find in NOVA, and after a big junior season he's set to put up big numbers as the senior and go-to guy as teams will struggle to guard him in the post. He's very good on the block as he can seal and they can throw it in to him where he can score in one-on-one situations, he runs the floor hard and is mobile enough to defend multiple positions and he shows touch out to the midrange while converting his free throws at a high percentage too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kennard Wyche Jr. | 5'8” PG | Varina 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1123926,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Wyche-Kenard-crop-2898x1903-1611940521.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Wyche-Kenard-crop-2898x1903-1611940521.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1123926"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Lancaptures</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wyche was a First Team All State selection last year as he helped Varina to a state championship run, and they're one of the favorites to repeat this year and he's going to have an even bigger role. Despite his diminutive size he has the ability to dominate the game on both ends of the floor as he's a pesky on ball defender that can guard 94 feet, he controls the pace and makes plays with the ball in his hands and he's a good finisher and gets to the line often despite his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259838' first='Paul' last='Jones'] | 6'3” WG | Churchland 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1602908,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Jones-Paul-CBG-1-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Jones-Paul-CBG-1-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1602908"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is set to have a breakout season at Churchland and could be one oft the top scorers in the 757 this upcoming season with the way he's played this summer and this spring. He has a different style to his game but he's able to create space and make shots from deep, he's an athletic finisher above the rim in transition and when he gets it going he can score the ball from all over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Johnson | 5'11” CG | Loudoun Valley 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson was one of the few underclassmen to be named to an All State team as he was Second Team All State last year helping the Vikings to a state tournament run, and his team is going to be a tough out again this year. The 5'11” combo is wired to score it and he can make tough shots from all over, he's quick off the bounce and can get in the lane and make plays for himself and others and he's a good on ball defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259997' first='Elijah' last='Washington'] | 6'6” PF | Lake Taylor 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1371619,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Washington-Elijah.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Washington-Elijah-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1371619"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington is one of the most versatile forward on both ends of the floor in the 757, and his Titans team will be one of the more athletic and tough teams in Class 4 this year. He really shines defensively as he's an elite shot blocker and he can switch and guard multiple positions, he rebounds on both ends of the floor and is a good finisher in the paint and while he'll put up close to a double-double every game he also will do all of the little things to help his team win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489089' first='Tony' last='Goodman'] | 6'0” PG | Manor 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodman is a tough nosed guard who will be the go-to guy at Manor this year and he'll surprise a lot of people with the numbers he'll likely put up this season. The 6'0” guard is dynamite with the ball in his hands and he can get to spots all over the floor, he's an excellent finisher in the paint and in transition and he brings a lot of toughness on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->