VSHL Class 5 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 5 classification.   Favorites: Woodside   <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>   The back-to-back defending state champions are in the prime of a dynasty, and they have everything to make it one with a ton of returners from last year's state championship team. Head Coach Stef Welsh has built the program into a well oiled machine, with tons of talent across the board ranging from experienced returners to super young talented pieces that will step into bigger roles this year. 6'8” senior [player_tooltip player_id='1494107' first='Silas' last='Barksdale'] (VCU) is one of the best forwards in the entire state, the senior backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1494111' first='Masiah' last='Stevens'] (Radford) and [player_tooltip player_id='2451954' first='Aveon' last='Tucker'] bring explosiveness and experience while impacting the game on both ends, and sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2194713' first='Callen' last='Morrison'] and Donnell Jarret Jr. will provide extra firepower in the backcourt.   Other Contenders   LC Bird   <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><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2451940' first='John' last='Uzochukwu']</figcaption></figure>   Bird made a surprise run to the state championship game last year, only losing one game in the regular season and then their matchup with Woodside, and they return all but one of their top players from last season to make another run at the state championship this year. Head Coach Troy Manns has had a ton of success in his years with the Skyhawks, but with a new group last year he got back to the basics and found out he had a very tough group who is unselfish and plays hard and for each other every possession. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2451940' first='John' last='Uzochukwu'] has shown he's ready to emerge as one of the top scorers in the Richmond area, senior point guard Deron Moore has grown a lot in the last two years, they have two other seniors in 6'3” [player_tooltip player_id='2242400' first='Tyrese' last='Williams'] and 6'4” [player_tooltip player_id='2571797' first='Rahjeem' last='Moore'] that will do the dirty work and a group of young role players who have learned the ways and are ready to made an impact.    Princess Anne   The Cavaliers have steadily grown into a legit contender over the past few years, and they look like the top team in the Beach District this year on paper and should make a big run if everything comes together. They have done a good job getting their top players experience at a young age, and now that they have experience and chemistry they have a chance to take on the best of the teams this year. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1782686' first='Styles' last='Clemmons'] has been an All State selection and is absolutely dynamite as a scorer, fellow juniors 6'3” [player_tooltip player_id='2618830' first='Nick' last='McIntyre'] and 5'10” [player_tooltip player_id='2347784' first='Aidan' last='McKeating'] provide extra firepower and impact on the defensive end and 6'4” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2353664' first='Namarqus' last='Byrd'] is a budding star moving forward.   Maury   <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><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1956063' first='Adrean' last='Newton']</figcaption></figure>   The Commodores may have had a late coaching change with Brandon Plummer leaving for a job at ECSU, but in comes Darren Saunderlin from Kempsville who had a ton of success while at Kempsville and Booker T Washington in the early 2000s, and he has a roster that should be able to pick up his style and make a deep run this year. They're extremely experienced led by senior point guard and All State selection [player_tooltip player_id='1956063' first='Adrean' last='Newton'] who is one of the best guards in the state, 6'4” wing [player_tooltip player_id='1956072' first='Jayvion' last='Green'] is a walking mismatch who impacts the game on both end and senior guard Zach Owens is a dead eye shooter who can get hot and take over games quickly.   King's Fork   <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><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1956068' first='Jeremiah' last='Morris']</figcaption></figure>   The Bulldogs make the jump from Class 4 to Class 5 this year after being one of the top teams in their classification the last few years, and Head Coach Rick Hite has a group that should be able to compete immediately. 6'8” senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1956068' first='Jeremiah' last='Morris'] is one of the most improved players in the state and will be a handful for anyone to game plan for with his strength and athleticism in the post. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2451937' first='Adarius' last='Boston'] has been waiting his turn and is ready to emerge as a go-to option for them, and they have a lot of young pieces that should provide a spark and energy for them too.   Albemarle   <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>   Albemarle came just short of the state championship last season as they lost to LC Bird in the Regional Championship in heart breaking fashion on a buzzer beater, and while they lose a few of their top guys you can never count out the Patriots and Head Coach Greg Meynard. They return a core of their role players who are ready to step up into a bigger role, sophomore Makhi Ragland is one of the more talented young prospects in the state and is looking to build a very successful freshman year and they will always be a disciplined group who can matchup with anyone at any time.   Norview   The Pilots are back and will be a dark horse candidate as they are talented enough to matchup with anyone, and will be a handful for teams to plan for with their balance and multiple weapons. The backcourt is absolutely loaded with 6'2” junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1963392' first='Keon' last='Mitchell'] leading the way who's been one of the best guards in the 757 over the past few years, and he's joined by the senior duo of 6'4” [player_tooltip player_id='2571775' first='Marquise' last='Jones'] and 6'3” [player_tooltip player_id='2571779' first='Curtis' last='Jordan'] who give them great size and shot making ability in the backcourt. The x-factor could be 6'9” senior [player_tooltip player_id='2548304' first='Jeremiah' last='Banks'], who gives them length and athleticism that most don't have in the paint.

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 5 classification.