Preseason All Richmond Second Team
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The high school season in Virginia would usually be started by now, however it’s still up in the air in many areas are some school districts have already announced that they will cancel winter sports this year. However, we will…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season in Virginia would usually be started by now, however it’s still up in the air in many areas are some school districts have already announced that they will cancel winter sports this year. However, we will remain optimistic that we will have some sports this year, and we will look forward as if we will.
We will take a look at our picks for preseason all area teams as if everyone will play, looking now at the 804 area which features some of the top talent in the state. This made it very difficult to pick the teams, but we did our best on what we’ve seen over the past few years and what we saw this summer and fall.
Here’s a look at the eight guys we chose as the preseason All Richmond Second Team.
Yuri Manns Yuri Manns 6'3" | CG LC Bird | 2023 State VA | 6’3” CG | LC Bird 2023
There aren’t many true point guards in the area, and while Manns isn’t quite that yet he’s showing improvement on the ball and has had a great fall that makes me optimistic he’ll have a breakout season at Bird this year. He’s grown into his body and looks more confident with the ball in his hands, he’s able to get to spots where he can elevate and shoot over guys and he can pass with both hands and make plays for others once he gets it going. He’s already a knock down shooter from deep, and if he can just run the show and be efficient he could be the breakout guard in the area this year.
Dana Woodley Dana Woodley 6'4" | SG John Marshall | 2021 State VA | 6’4” WG | John Marshall 2021
Woodley was JM’s sixth man last year on the way to their state championship, however he has shown this fall that he’s ready for an even bigger role and has impressed as one of the most athletic and best available wings in the state. Woodley has a great frame and he plays with no fear as he gets downhill as he’s strong and athletic enough to challenge anyone at the rim as he can flat out get over top of pretty much anyone. He plays with great energy and brings energy to his team, he can make shots from deep and he thrives in uptempo styles with his finishing ability.
Ikechi Chantilou Ikechi Chantilou 6'3" | SF Life Christian | 2021 State VA | 6’4” WG | Life Christian 2021
Chantilou was a First Team All State selection for the VISAA D3 state champions last year, and he’s a guy who will put up big numbers from a scoring standpoint but also makes a big impact on the defensive end as well. The 6’4” wing is extremely long and athletic so he disrupts things on the defensive end, and offensively he’s a slithery ball handler that can split gaps and get to the rim where he has great hang time and body control that allows him to finish in traffic or above the rim. He’s improved his shooting over the past few years and he’s a guy who can quietly take over games and make plays others simply can’t make.
James Patterson James Patterson 6'2" | SG Meadowbrook | 2021 VA | 6’5” WF | Carmel School 2022
Some wouldn’t consider Carmel School in the Richmond area as some say they’re in the Fredericksburg area, but they’re in the 804 area code and have a ton of kids from the Richmond area, including Patterson who transferred from Meadowbrook and reclassified to the 2022 class. He’s a guy that should see division one schools come knocking soon, especially if he can help Carmel get back to the Final Four which he should be able to with his mix of size, versatility and athleticism. The 6’5” wing is someone who shoots it well from deep, can create off the bounce for himself and others and score from multiple levels and he’s a good defender both on and off the basketball as well.
Dennis Parker Dennis Parker 6'6" | SF John Marshall | 2023 State #89 Nation VA Jr. | 6’6” WF | John Marshall 2023
Parker is considered one of the top freshmen in the state and showed tons of potential as a freshman as he played a big part in John Marshall’s state championship season last year. Parker’s a stat sheet stuffer who has the ability to play and guard multiple positions and initiate the offense at 6’6’ with his ball handling and passing ability. He has good size and strength for his age, he can score in a number of ways and he’s a good athlete who thrives when he can get in transition and get downhill toward the hoop.
Steven Stinson Steven Stinson 6'5" | SF John Marshall | 2023 State VA | 6’4” WF | Trinity Episcopal 2023
Stinson’s a guy who could have a huge season at TES this year and could be a guy to sneak into the First Team if he consistently puts up big numbers this year. He started as a freshman last year but was behind three upperclassmen who are all gone now, and Stinson is the best option as a scorer and rebounder for them this year. He’s a kid who’s very strong for his age and a good athlete, he has a great overall skill set and a good IQ especially at his position and he plays hard and is hungry to help his team get better and win games.
Neil Hill Neil Hill 6'6" | SG James River | 2021 State VA | 6’4” WF | James River 2021
The Swiss-army knife of a wing is one of the most underrated players in the Richmond area, and he did pretty much everything for James River last year in one of their best seasons in recent memory. Hill is a guy who plays all over the floor for them, scores in bunches when his team needs him to and does all of the dirty work for his team as well. He’s a guy who can lead the team in scoring, rebounding and assists in any given game, and his versatility allows them to do many things with their lineup that makes them tough to guard.
Luke Smith Luke Smith 6'9" | C Collegiate | 2023 State VA | 6’8” PF | Collegiate 2023
Every team needs a big man and Smith is a guy who is due for a breakout year at Collegiate after reclassifying and transferring from Trinity and having a good summer/fall with Team Richmond. Smith is the perfect big man for their style of play as he can play on the perimeter and stretch the floor to open driving lanes for their guards and he’s a terrific passer that can hit cutters and find shooters when the defense cheats. He has all the tools to be one of the top bigs in the area and this could be the year he shows it.