VHSL Class 6 Preview: Contenders
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With the high school season right around the corner, it’s time for us to do some previews for who we think will compete for some of the state championships. We start with public school, taking a look at our picks…
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Continue ReadingWith the high school season right around the corner, it’s time for us to do some previews for who we think will compete for some of the state championships. We start with public school, taking a look at our picks for who we think will win the state championship and who could possibly compete with them.
Here’s a look at our picks for Class 6, the biggest classification in the state.
Preseason Favorite: Hayfield
The defending Class 6 state champs who went undefeated last year lost 3 of their top guards to graduation who were super important to their team, and somehow this fall they look like they somehow may be even better this year. They return their two top front court prospects in 6’6” senior do it all wing Greg Jones Greg Jones 6'5" | SF Hayfield | 2023 State #258 Nation VA (American commit) and 6’3” senior super productive forward David King David King 6'3" | PF Hayfield | 2023 State VA (Marymount), as well as backcourt starter in 6’0” senior two way impact guard Dj Holloway Dj Holloway 6'0" | CG Hayfield | 2023 State VA .
Those three in themselves would make them a contender, but the guards who come in give them even more options and have fit like a glove in their unselfish and get after it style. 6’0” senior Donovan Bass Donovan Bass 6'1" | PG Hayfield | 2023 State VA comes from West Potomac where he was an All Conference selection and has looked fantastic running the show for them, 6’2” senior John Awoke John Awoke 6'2" | PG Hayfield | 2023 State VA transferred from National Christian and has shown an all-around versatile skillset to impact the game in a number of ways and 6’1” junior Jahleel Jackson who came from Potomac School has shown he can really fill it up in a lot of different ways.
The Hawks have the depth, experience and coaching that will be hard for anyone to match up with, and with their senior leadership and chemistry they have shown this Fall they’re the clear favorite to repeat this year.
Contenders
Oscar Smith
Smith has had one of the most successful programs in the 757 over the past few years and have a lot of players playing at the collegiate level now, and this team is built to compete now and over the next few seasons as well. The Tigers have one of the best young prospects in the state in 2025 forward Kareem Stagg Kareem Stagg 6'8" | PF IMG | 2025 State #399 Nation FL , a 6’8” athletic post who brings it on both ends of the floor and is rapidly improving every day. They have great depth in the backcourt led by junior point guard Ulysses “Chubb” Young who is one of the best floor generals in the 757, and Head Coach Lavar Griffin always has a lot of talent in waiting which gives the Tigers a lot of depth.
South County
The Stallions were a formidable team last year, but this year they have the depth and the experience to make a real run at a state championship in one of the most competitive regions in the state. Led by the senior duo of point guard Jamison Lynam Jamison Lynam 5'9" | PG South County | 2023 State VA and shooting guard Paul Anderson Paul Anderson 6'3" | SG South County | 2023 State VA , both of whom were all district selections last year, the backcourt has a mix of talent, poise and leadership that will hard for other teams to match up with. While they have a lot of talented young pieces, one important player will be junior wing Jamal Miles Jamal Miles 6'3" | SF South County | 2024 State VA who is set to have a breakout season this year.
Patriot
The Pioneers had a historic season last year with an undefeated regular season and they ran the table through the Region B playoffs before falling in the state tournament just short of an undefeated matchup against Hayfield in the state championship. While they lose some of their top scorers from last year, they still bring back a lot of their core and have the depth, versatility and coaching to make a run. Senior point guard Nasir Coleman is a big time playmaker who brings it on both ends of the floor, senior forward Jay Randall Jay Randall 6'3" | PF Patriot | 2023 State VA is versatile and impacts the game in a lot of different ways and junior guard Dez Hopkins provides a scoring punch for them on or off the ball. Junior forward Isaiah Vick Isaiah Vick 6'7" | PF Patriot | 2024 State VA could be the key, as he will provide size and athleticism with a unique skillet too.
Dark Horse Candidates
Osbourn
The Eagles are on the up-and-up and have one of the more talented lineups in the NOVA area, and they are primed to make a run at the Region B championship this year. They have an absolute star in junior 6’5” wing Teyvien Barbour Teyvien Barbour 6'5" | SG Patriot (VA) | 2024 State #298 Nation VA who has great size on the wing and is one of the best shooters in the state, and already has a slew of division one offers to his name. Junior 6’7” big man Brandon Ahlers provides size for the Eagles and is set for a breakout junior season, and they have a lot of chemistry and depth throughout the team.
Freedom-Woodbridge
While the Eagles football team is having a historic season and beating every opponent by scores we’ve never heard of, the basketball team is also set to have a big season. Guard play will take them as far as they can go as they have one of the best backcourt duos in the state in ultra talented juniors Tavarres Riley Tavarres Riley 6'1" | PG Freedom-Woodbridge | 2024 State VA and Shamar Sisco Shamar Sisco 5'10" | PG Freedom-Woodbridge | 2024 VA who both have takeover ability and can score it in isolation situations, and I’m sure they’re going to have plenty of athletes if the football players decide to hoop this year.
Potomac
Tragedy rocked Potomac this fall with the news that former 4 year starter Kyle Honore passed away at Wingate, and the Panthers are going to come together and play this season for him. They have a talented group led by senior Jayden Harris Jayden Harris 6'8" | SG Potomac Va | 2023 State VA who is going to be one of the top scorers in the state this year, and junior Terrance (TJ) Bethea Terrance (TJ) Bethea 6'4" | PF Potomac | 2024 State VA will provide production and versatility in the post. They got a big addition in junior transfer Kenneth DeGuzman Kenneth DeGuzman 5'10" | PG Potomac | 2024 State VA who will provide playmaking ability at the point guard position.