Class 5 Preseason First Team All State

With the high school season getting underway, we at Prep Hoops VA will be taking a look at some previews for the season in each classification. We'll look at both state title contenders, as well as preseason All State teams. Here's a look at our picks for Preseason First Team All State in VHSL Class 5.   POY: [player_tooltip player_id='1494107' first='Silas' last='Barksdale'] | 6'8” PF | Woodside '25   Barksdale comes in as the favorite to repeat as POY this year with Woodside being the heavy favorite to the three-peat this season, and the VCU commit is a big reason as there aren't many bigs in the state who can guard him or produce the way he does. At 6'8” he's a fantastic rebounder particularly on the offensive end, he can run the floor for buckets in transition and he can step out to the mid-post area and make shots consistently. He's likely going to average a double-double for a Wolverines team that is in prime position to make another state title run.   [player_tooltip player_id='2451940' first='John' last='Uzochukwu'] | 6'3” SG | LC Bird '25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageepUgSD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageepUgSD.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2566625" /></a></figure>   Uzochukwu was a big part of the Skyhawks making a surprise run to the state championship last season being named a Second Team All State selection, and with another year of experience and confidence he's set to have a huge senior season for them. The 6'3” guard has improved immensely over the last two years and is capable of exploding in any game to put up huge numbers. He can drill it from deep off the catch and has become very consistent, he can get to spots off the bounce and is able to make tough shots and he gets buckets in transition with their uptempo style.   [player_tooltip player_id='2353632' first='Makai' last='Ragland'] | 6'6” F | Albemarle '27   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/tempImageDVfZay.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/tempImageDVfZay.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2427202" /></a></figure>   Ragland was a great second option as just a freshman for an Albemarle team that made it all the way to the state semifinals last year, and this season he's going to be their go-to guy and he seems ready for it. At 6'6” he's a tough matchup for anyone, as he's strong enough to play and score in the post, as well as athletic and skilled enough to play on the perimeter as well. He's a very good finisher in traffic and can play in transition with the guards, he can make shots from multiple levels and he's an athletic and versatile defender as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1494114' first='David' last='Miller'] | 6'6” PF | Green Run '25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Miller-David-CBG-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Miller-David-CBG-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1605058" /></a></figure>   Miller has been a star at Green Run since the moment he stepped on the floor and was a First Team All State selection last year, and heading into his senior season he'll be a favorite to win Beach District Player of the Year and have the Stallions as a dark horse candidate this year. The 6'6” forward is a walking mismatch as he's strong and physical in the paint to create space and rebound, as well as skilled on the perimeter to create and make shots. He oozes toughness and plays with a high motor, and he's consistently productive across the board as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1782686' first='Styles' last='Clemmons'] | 6'2” PG | Princess Anne '26   Clemmons has been a two time All Region player and was an All State selection last year as a sophomore, and heading into his junior season he's one of the top guards in the whole state with the chance to help the Cavaliers make a deep run this year. He's a super dynamic guard who has good end-to-end speed and the ability to turn the corner and get to the rim against pretty much anyone. He's fantastic in ball screens and off dribble hand-offs, he can score the ball in a multitude of different ways and he can make his teammates better with his playmaking too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1956068' first='Jeremiah' last='Morris'] | 6'8” PF | King's Fork '25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/tempImageCFGgbA.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/tempImageCFGgbA.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2420570" /></a></figure>   Morris is a player who we've been watching for a while now, and he's improved quite a bit over the last few years which has him set to have a breakout senior season for a King's Fork team that could make a deep run this year. The 6'8” forward has improved his body a lot so now he's quick off of face ups, but still strong enough to play through contact and create space around the rim to finish. He can run the floor and play in their uptempo system, he is a good rebounder on both ends and protects the rim defensively and he brings a lot of toughness to his team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1494111' first='Masiah' last='Stevens'] | 5'10” PG | Woodside '25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_4589.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_4589.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2023522" /></a></figure>   Stevens was a huge part of Woodside's run to the state championship last year, and this year he's going to have the ball in his hands and has already had some great games so far this year. The Radford commit is a dynamic playmaker and athlete who is a lot of fun to watch, as he has blazing speed with the ball in his hands and can play above the rim despite being under 6'0”. He's a very good defender who can hound ball handlers and force turnovers, he can make an array of difficult shots and he can make others better with his ability to break down defenders too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1956063' first='Adrean' last='Newton'] | 6'0” PG | Maury '25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Newton-Adrean.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Newton-Adrean.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1933412" /></a></figure>   Newton returns after being named a First Team All State selection last year, and with a slew of returners and him running the show the Commodores are set to make a big run this year. He's a consummate floor general who doesn't get sped up and handles pressure well, he directs traffic and makes everyone better with his playmaking and decision making. He is very good with his ability to break down defenders and run the pick-and-roll, he scores it efficiently from multiple levels and he sets the tone on both ends of the floor.

With the high school season getting underway, we at Prep Hoops VA will be taking a look at some previews for the season in each classification. We'll look at both state title contenders, as well as preseason All State teams. Here's a look at our picks for Preseason First Team All State in VHSL Class 5.