VHSL Class 4 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 for the VHSL Class 4 classification.   Favorite: Churchland   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Jones-Sincere-crop-612x402-1733079981.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Jones-Sincere-crop-612x402-1733079981.png?w=611" alt="" class="wp-image-2675553" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1956061' first='Sincere' last='Jones']</figcaption></figure>   Class 4 is usually one of the hardest classifications to predict, as it's spread out across the state and is chock full of talent everywhere, but Churchland looks to be the favorite with the best player in the classification and coming off a deep run last season. The Truckers are led by 6'7” senior wing and Virginia Tech commit [player_tooltip player_id='1956061' first='Sincere' last='Jones'], who is one of the most explosive players in the state and is capable of dominating the game across the board with his size, athleticism and skill set on both ends. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2353676' first='Quimar' last='Crittendon'] is coming off a big freshman season, and he'll have a chance to build on that and is capable of exploding at any time and scoring the ball in a number of different ways.   Other Contenders   Hampton   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/tempImageqCnuwu.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/tempImageqCnuwu.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2460050" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2459215' first='Gavin' last='Kay']</figcaption></figure>   The defending state champions will come into the season with a lot of talent to defend their title, and despite losing Player of the Year Malik Johnson to graduation Head Coach Eric Brown has a lot of pieces to build around and compete with. The Crabbers are huge up front and will be one of the most difficult teams to matchup with their size and athleticism, and if they can get steady play out of their guards this year they will be able to beat anyone that is thrown in front of them. 6'5” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2612840' first='Abraham' last='Taft'] is oozing with potential with his big frame, athleticism and high motor that allows him to impact the game on both ends, and throw in his front court mate is 6'8” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2459215' first='Gavin' last='Kay'] who is athletic and improving every day, they're a team no one is looking forward to playing.   Handley   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ6G5Hw.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ6G5Hw.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548686" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353665' first='Will' last='Braun-Duin']</figcaption></figure>   The Judges are building their way into a very formidable team behind Head Coach Zach Harrell-Zook, as they're coming off a state tournament appearance and their young core gained a lot of experience through it. They are led by one of the top 2027 prospects in the state in 6'2” [player_tooltip player_id='2353665' first='Will' last='Braun-Duin'], who was an All State selection as a freshman and is a deadly scorer who can fill it up from deep with range and can create shots for himself and others off the bounce. 6'4” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2618837' first='Christian' last='Dinges'] is a rising star who is improving every day and provides versatility on both ends of the floor for this group, and 6'4” junior forward Kyren Oglesby provides a lot of toughness and versatility as well for this group.   Varina   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagemf5wJR.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagemf5wJR.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2566649" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2459361' first='Caleb' last='Straughter']</figcaption></figure>   The Blue Devils have been one of the most successful teams in Class 4 over the past five or so years, but gone are the days of three-time all state guard KJ Wyche, but Head Coach Kenneth “Boom” Randolph has a solid group that is ready to step in and continue the legacy. 6'7” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2459361' first='Caleb' last='Straughter'] is one of the most intriguing prospects in Richmond, as he is a mismatch on the wing with his length and athleticism as well as his ability to make shots from deep. 6'3” sophomore guard Brian Mitchell is a super talented shot maker, and they have a deep group of scrappy guards who can make winning plays in many different ways.   Henrico   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageq4IgpE.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageq4IgpE.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2446218" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2242387' first='Tykie' last='Jones']</figcaption></figure>   The Warriors are on the up-and-up after being one of the top teams in the state in the 2010s, and they have a deep group that is experienced and have played together, but are young and will have to come along as the season goes on. It all starts with senior 6'4” wing [player_tooltip player_id='2242387' first='Tykie' last='Jones'] who was an All State selection last season, and is the perfect leader with his high motor and high production as a tough nosed two-way player who can score it in bunches. The junior backcourt of 6'3” [player_tooltip player_id='2459370' first='Kevin' last='Mayo'] and 5'11” McHale Lancaster provides both a scoring punch and playmaking ability as well, and keep an eye out for 6'7” freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2918931' first='Jarrell' last='Hurt'] who will play big minutes and provide a physical presence in the paint.   Monacan   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImagetNEyU6.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImagetNEyU6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2448643" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2459244' first='Amare' last='Cooper']</figcaption></figure>   The Chiefs have been one of the more consistent teams in the Richmond area over the past few years, with a state championship in 2017 and many deep runs behind Head Coach RJ Spelburg. While their group may be a year or so away from being able to think state championship, they do have a talented group who can compete with a lot of very good teams this year. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2459244' first='Amare' last='Cooper'] is one of the best scoring guards in the Richmond area coming off a huge sophomore year where he had some very big games, senior 6'5” forward [player_tooltip player_id='2452241' first='Promyse' last='Dent'] is a high motor and blue collar guy who can play and guard multiple positions and they have an array of shot makers and role players as well.   Atlee   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage8IPkkW.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage8IPkkW.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2560985" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2452107' first='Knox' last='Axselle']</figcaption></figure>   Don't sleep on the Raiders this year, as they have shown during the preseason they can play with a lot of very good teams and have a deep team who can all shoot the lights out. 6'5” senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2452107' first='Knox' last='Axselle'] (CNU) is set for a huge senior season as he's one of the top shooters in the Richmond area, and has great size and good athleticism to mix it up in the paint as well. 6'6” sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2548293' first='Conner' last='Wilcox'] was an All District selection as a freshman and continues to get better providing them with an inside-out mismatch threat, and they have a number of shooters and scrappy role players around them too.

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 for the VHSL Class 4 classification.