VHSL Class 5 Top Contenders

<p>While some areas are still up in the air about whether they’ll be playing and some that have already shut it down, there was a large portion of public school teams in VA that started their seasons this past week. We’re cautiously optimistic that we will have an entire high school season, and with that we will take a look at some state contenders in each of the classifications. Here’s a look at seven teams in Class 5 that we expect to be contending come late in the season.</p> <p><strong>Preseason Favorite: Green Run Stallions</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1089602" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Kennedy-Elijah.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1089602" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Kennedy-Elijah-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="1091481" first="Elijah" last="Kennedy"][/caption] <p>Last season, the Stallions made it to the state championship game before it was canceled due to the Cornovirus outbreak, and the Stallions return most of the core from last year and have some talented kids that have been waiting their turn. They’re experienced at the top with the senior backcourt duo of Jake Cooper and [player_tooltip player_id="1091481" first="Elijah" last="Kennedy"] being one of the best in the state and they compliment each other very well, and senior Florida State football commit [player_tooltip player_id="798702" first="George" last="Wilson"] brings size and athleticism to the front court as well. They’re eager to get back to prove their doubters wrong, and they have great depth and the perfect group of leaders to do it</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Other Contenders</strong></p> <p><strong>LC Bird</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1075135" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Daughtry-Jaden-CBG.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1075135" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Daughtry-Jaden-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="736190" first="Jaden" last="Daughtry"][/caption] <p>The Skyhawks had a young group last year that took some lumps but still had a good season, and while they lose their floor general in [player_tooltip player_id="793104" first="Tyler" last="Henderson"] from last year they have a lot of size and talent and a group that should be more consistent now that they have more experience. The front court will be hard to matchup with as they have a junior duo of 6’8” [player_tooltip player_id="815584" first="Keyontae" last="Lewis"] and 6’7” [player_tooltip player_id="815603" first="Arbriel" last="Winfield"] that compliment each other well. On the wing that have a good duo in 6’5” [player_tooltip player_id="736190" first="Jaden" last="Daughtry"] and 6’3” [player_tooltip player_id="815597" first="Brycen" last="Blaine"] that both can fill it up and have improved immensely over the past year, and same can be said about 6’3” sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="999619" first="Yuri" last="Manns"]. They have great size, they have depth off the bench and they’re a well coached and terrific defensive group.</p> <p><strong>Kecoughtan</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1091298" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Campbell-DJ.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1091298" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Campbell-DJ-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="815594" first="DJ" last="Campbell"][/caption] <p>Kecoughtan went through some rebuilding over the past few years but so far this fall they have been terrific and are one of the most athletic groups I have seen so far. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="815594" first="DJ" last="Campbell"] is a star that led the Peninsula in scoring the past two seasons and has already scored over 1,000 points, and he looks like he’s improved as a playmaker as well. They have good size led by 6’5” senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1091497" first="Amarion" last="Wilson"], and they bring it on both ends and don’t back down from anyone.</p> <p><strong>Albemarle </strong></p> <p>Albemarle has consistently been one of the top programs in Class 5 over the past five or so years, and while they may not have quite the star power they’re a well balanced team that executes and is well coached every year. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="957902" first="Josh" last="Morse"], a Roanoke College commit, is a mismatch nightmare that can play inside-out at 6’6” and was a breakout player last year, and junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962807" first="Chris" last="Woods"] is a guy who should have a breakout year this year. With their past and the way they’re always competitive, no one would be surprised to see them in the hunt come March.</p> <p><strong>Patrick Henry (Roanoke)</strong></p> <p>Patrick Henry made a great run last season as they made the state semifinals before falling to co-champion Norview, and while they lose some pieces they have a deep backcourt that can really fill it up. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="798723" first="Jamonte" last="Smith"] was an All-State selection is a guy who can absolutely fill it up and take over games, and he could be the top scorer in Roanoke this year. He’ll get a boost in the backcourt with Roanoke Catholic transfer [player_tooltip player_id="962814" first="Jack" last="Faulkner"], giving them two guys who can handle, initiate the offense and score it in bunches.</p> <p><strong>Kempsville</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1079367" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Stanford-Dominic.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1079367" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Stanford-Dominic-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="798722" first="Dominic" last="Stanford"][/caption] <p>A dark horse contender that could surprise some people, the Chiefs are a team that is well defined with guys who fit multiple roles and a nice mix of youth and experience as well. Senior 6’5” wing [player_tooltip player_id="798722" first="Dominic" last="Stanford"] is one of the most underrated guys in the state and could easily average a double-double this season, and junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="962794" first="Elijah" last="White"] is a highly skilled ball handler and shot maker that also sees the floor extremely well. Head Coach Darren Sanderlin has had success in the playoffs, and if everyone buys in they’ll be a tough team to beat.</p> <p><strong>Woodside</strong></p> <p>Woodside is as talented as anyone in Class 5 this year and if everyone buys in for one common goal they could beat pretty much anyone in the state. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="697100" first="Quadir" last="Pettaway"] is a lethal guard that transferred in from Miller School and can create and score from anywhere, and fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id="957894" first="Kuron" last="Coleman"] is a 6’4” 3 and d guy that can make shots and guard the other team’s best player. Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id="992530" first="Trevor" last="Smith"] is an excellent playmaker and perfect to lead their fast paced style, and they have plenty of depth as well.</p>