VHSL Class 2 Preseason Preview: Contenders

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 some of the contenders we believe in for the VHSL Class 2 classification.   Favorites: John Marshall   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagenMmUYR.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagenMmUYR.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2561000" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1782682' first='Latrell' last='Allmond']</figcaption></figure>   The Justices have absolutely dominated since being put in the Class 2 division, winning five straight state championships and while they have lobbied to be moved up they are still here, and will likely still dominate their way to another state championship with one of the best teams in the country on paper. Head Coach Ty White has some big time returners, plus some new transfers, leading to one of his deepest teams that he's had. The backcourt is led by a pair of A10 commits in [player_tooltip player_id='1494108' first='Aiden' last='Argabright'] (Richmond) who was a First Team All State Selection last year and is one of the better all-around guards in the state, as well as [player_tooltip player_id='1494112' first='Troy' last='Henderson'] (Fordham) who transferred from Lancaster after being a two time state champ, two time Class 1 POY and three time All State in that classification. The front court is led by two nationally ranked juniors in 6'8” [player_tooltip player_id='1782682' first='Latrell' last='Allmond'] who was a First Team All State selection last year and is a consensus top 50 player in the country, and transfer La'Darius Givan (Mississippi State) who moved from Alabama and is an athletic freak with good skills at 6'9”. Throw in 6'7” senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1956062' first='Desmon' last='Rose'], 6'3” senior combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2242389' first='Will' last='Hopkins'], 5'11” sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2470573' first='Cam' last='Claiborne'], and 6'6” freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id='2548181' first='Isaiah' last='Carter'] who is considered by many a top 10 player in his class nationally, and the Justices are just too loaded for anyone to compete with.   Other Contenders   Floyd County   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageN1EJS1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageN1EJS1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548687" /></a></figure>   Buffaloes Head Coach Brian Harman is an absolute legend in the NRV, and has produced quite a few very talented teams in his day, and this year he's got a group that is experienced and deep, and can absolutely shoot the lights out. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1767543' first='Gavin' last='Herrington'] is one of the more underrated players in the state, as he's dynamic and athletic, makes plays on both ends and he can make others on his team better too. Sophomore off guard [player_tooltip player_id='2353675' first='Noah' last='Farley'] is an absolute sniper from deep and is coming off a big freshman season with a lot of confidence, senior guard Korey Turpin and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2479654' first='Chaycen' last='Harman'] can light it up as well, and 6'4” sophomore Gavin Swortzel gives them a physical presence in the post too.   Virginia   Virginia had a fantastic season last year winning the Region and making a deep run in the state tournament, and they have everything to replicate that this year despite being in one of the toughest regions in the classification. Despite losing a couple of big time players, they return some important pieces including senior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='2761870' first='Deonta' last='Mozell'] who was a Second Team All State selection last year and will be running the show yet again for this group. 6'8” sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2470563' first='Landon' last='Lee'] is a star in the making, as he not only has good size but is also a good athlete and has perimeter skills making him a walking mismatch for them this year.   Nelson County   While Nelson struggled last year, they were very young and most of their top contributors come back this year and they could be a dark horse candidate when it's all said and done. 6'3” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2085879' first='Bryce' last='Giles'] was great as a freshman and continued it this summer, and he is a walking mismatch who can bully smaller guys in the paint and stretch the floor with his shooting ability. They have a pair of 6'7” juniors in Colton Ward and Bradley Burdette that provide size most can't matchup with, and the returning backcourt of junior Aidan Carter and senior Colton Baker provide experience and playmaking ability on both ends.   Graham   Graham is coming off a great season last year, and will have a chance to compete with Virginia for the Region D Championship this year as well. Senior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='2763232' first='Markelle' last='Ray'] returns after being a Second Team All State selection and could be one of the top players in the classification this year, and if he can bring freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2548192' first='Ty' last='Martin'] who is super talented along with him they could be a tough backcourt to game plan and matchup with moving forward.

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 some of the contenders we believe in for the VHSL Class 2 classification.