Class 5 Preseason Second Team All State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 Second Team All State in VHSL Class 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1963392' first='Keon' last='Mitchell'] | 6'3” PG | Norview '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell has been one of the best guards in the 757 since he was a freshman, and with the talented group the Pilots have this year he'll be in a perfect position to be an All State selection. The 6'3” guard is dynamic off the bounce with a lightning quick first step and the ability to get in the paint and finish at the rim. He's strong and very good at finishing in traffic, he can knock down shots from multiple levels and he can make plays for others as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1956070' first='Jalen' last='Deloatch'] | 6'3” CG | James River '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2198946,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Deloatch-Jalen-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Deloatch-Jalen-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2198946" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deloatch has had a very successful career at James River with tons of accolades to his name, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he was one of the top scorers in the Richmond area this season. The 6'4” combo is a big and strong guard who can handle it and create space, make shots from multiple levels, move off the ball where he works well to get open and he gets downhill and is a good finisher through contact as well. As the senior leader for this group, he will be the go-to guy for them and should put up consistent numbers all season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deron Moore | 6'0” PG | LC Bird '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2450759,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageCJkm8f.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageCJkm8f.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2450759" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore was huge for Bird on their run to the state championship game last season, and he's only gotten better over the summer and is set to help them make another run this year. The 6'0” point guard is a natural playmaker who is shift off the bounce and can break down the defense to get in the paint and make plays for himself and others. He is a good finisher in traffic, he gets to the line often and he is a very good on ball defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494116' first='Kassidy' last='Jackson'] | 5'10” PG | Green Run '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson was a Second Team All State selection last season, and will have a chance to repeat as an All State guy while running the show for a Stallions group that will be a tough out for anyone. Jackson is a tough matchup for any guard, as he has great end-to-end speed and a quick first step, as well as the ability to change speeds and directions to keep defenders off balance. He can make plays for others both in transition and within their sets, he can make open shots from multiple levels and he's a very good on ball defender too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2571779' first='Curtis' last='Jordan'] | 6'3” CG | Norview '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan is set to have a breakout senior year for a tough Norview team that has the chance to make a deep run, and he's going to be one of the best scorers in the 757 this year. The 6'3” guard is a talented shot maker who has range and consistency from deep, and he can attack off the bounce to make plays for others as well. Expect Jordan to put up big numbers throughout the year as part of a Norview backcourt that will be chock full of firepower.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2548314' first='Nathan' last='Lessley'] | 6'6” PF | Cox '27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548683,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageMQOwA0.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageMQOwA0.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548683" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lessley is in a perfect situation for a breakout season after the departure of First Team All State big man Ben Nacey, and while they're not exactly the same player he'll be stepping in with a chance to take a lot of production from him. A highly intriguing prospect, Lessley is very versatile for his size and age, as he has a basketball frame with long arms and good athleticism, as well as a solid all-around skillset on both ends of the floor. He shoots it consistently from deep, he can put it on the deck in transition and attacking off the perimeter, he can finish in the post and he'll be a walking mismatch for any team they play this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489544' first='Alex' last='Blanchard'] | 6'0” PG | Douglas Freeman '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548635,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageH8Kis1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageH8Kis1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548635" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Freeman is a young team that may struggle at times this year, Blanchard deserves his respect as one of the toughest and most consistent guards in the Richmond area. It isn't always pretty or flashy with the way he plays, but he's a two way tone setter who consistently is able to score it, make plays for others and defend the other team's best ball handler. He oozes toughness and is already a great leader, and with him being the go-to guy this year he could put up some very big numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2382874' first='Mason' last='Ridgeway'] | 6'6” SF | Riverside '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridgeway was impressive as a sophomore for Riverside, having multiple big games and showing his versatility as an intriguing prospect, and this year he'll have his chance to be one of the top scorers in all of NOVA public schools. The 6'6” wing is a talented shot maker who doesn't need a ton of space to get his shot off, he can get to spots off the bounce and score it from multiple levels and he gets hot quickly and can score it in bunches. He's an unselfish player who plays hard on both ends, and if he can get into a killer mindset he could see his stock rise this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->