First Team
Jaelyn Batts, Freedom-South Riding–A tall, athletic forward developing guard skills. Gets to the basket off the perimeter and can also post up and do ample damage. Averaged around 18 points a game including an amazing 35-point performance against Liberty in January. Is still developing coordination but footwork is deceptively effective, especially with her length and long strides. Could be absolutely scary in a few years as her shot continues to improve. Wasn’t afraid to pass and defer to her senior teammates as circumstances and defenses dictated. Hudl highlights here.
Ashley Owusu, Paul VI–One of the top prospects in the country for the class of 2019. Combo guard with good size and strength who is equally comfortable in transition or the half-court game. Scored a season-high 26 points in a win over Bishop McNamara. An excellent free throw shooter at almost 80%. Could score 20 a game with ease on a less powerful team.
Carole Miller, Edison–Does the dirty work down low for the under-sized Eagles but is really almost an athletic, tall guard. Can defend post players and on the perimeter effectively. Blocks shots, hits the boards and is good at finishing in transition. Scored in double figures in all but four games on the year and was unbelievable in a state playoff game loss to Highland Springs, contributing 36 points and 18 rebounds.
“She’s a six-foot guard, an explosive scorer who slashes her way to the basket. She led our team in scoring and rebounding and gave us her career best against Highland Springs.”
Edison coach Dianne Lewis
Trinity Palacio, T.C. Williams–Guard who can do it all. Led the Titans in scoring for the second consecutive year, scoring in double figures in all but a handful of games. Scored a season-high 28 points in a win over West Springfield. Hits from inside and out and is a fantastic passer. Very quick getting up and down the court. Opponents always have to be careful with the ball when she’s patrolling the lanes on defense. Hudl highlights here.
Akunna Konkwo, Bishop Ireton–Throwback, dominant post presence for Bishop Ireton at 6’3″. Often double-teamed even in the powerful WCAC. Scores almost at a 20-point a game clip but even when she is denied the ball controls the boards better than almost anyone, averaging well into double digits for rebounds. Stat lines are sometimes astounding–she scored 41 points in a win over Good Counsel. Along with fellow talented sophs Sydney Peters and Symantha Shacklford, the Cardinal will be formidable for quite some time.
Second Team
Sara Park, The Potomac School–Talented guard manned the point for the Panthers with an efficiency and intelligence rarely seen with young point guards. Averaged 14 points a game on the year and 20 points a game in four battles with rival Episcopal. Hit 50 threes on the year but also attacked the rim and got to the line. Assist totals will improve next year as team does.
Sha’lynn Hagans, Osbourn Park–Dynamic and explosive point guard with good height. Improved decision-making, free throw shooting and pull-up game in second year running the show for Osbourn Park. Led the Yellow Jackets in scoring at around 14 a game and hit four three pointers in a regional tournament loss to Oakton. Can get the ball down the floor in a hurry and always a threat to pick an opposing guard’s pockets.
Molly Sharman, West Springfield–Teamed with her senior sister Emma to lead the Spartans’ attack. Is a crafty scorer but also a willing defender and rebounder. Was assertive and fearless from day one even as a younger player, scoring 25 points in a loss to Chantilly. Solid mid-range shooter and free throw shooter. Comes from impressive bloodlines as mother is former Lake Braddock and GMU standout Laura Teter. Hudl highlights here.
Sarah Shamdeen, Annandale--Injuries limited her supporting cast but the talented guard still proved herself a dangerous weapon even with defenses focused on stopping her. Averaged almost 17 a game for the Atoms, including 33 in a late season win against Mount Vernon. Knows how to keep defenders off-balance and get to the free throw line. Has considerable range as a shooter.
Liz Shean, Yorktown–Teamed with fellow impressive sophomore Maggie Shipley to provide around 28 points a game for the Patriots. Often as she went scoring-wise, so did Yorktown. Scored all but 12 of her team’s points in a win over Washington & Lee. Scored 28 and 23 in her team’s wins over Hayfield and Edison. Gets to the line a fair amount.
Shouldn’t forget–Jayla James (Paul VI); Ashley Martin (Centreville); Joelle Hugney (Robinson); Kamryn Meador (Robinson); Jalyn Scales (Robinson); Maggie Shipley (Yorktown); Sasha Bates (T.C. Williams); Alaina Park (Lake Braddock); Lauren Ellis (West Potomac); Natasha Pacheco (Woodson); Rachel Shurberg (Woodson); Nelliah WIlson (South County); Ebony Bordley (Mount Vernon); Tae’lor Willard (Woodbridge); Camryn Pltt-Morris (Woodbridge); Jordan Smith (Colgan); Hannah Foley (Wakefield); Sierra Kennard (Falls Church); Natalie Brennen (Potomac Falls); Jade Roberts (Broad Run); Morgann Harden (Loudoun County); Grace Sibley (Heritage); Haley Pasqualone (Loudoun Valley); Olivia Badura (Loudoun Valley); Jackie Christ (Dominion); Anna Hovis (O’Connell); Sydney Peters (Bishop Ireton); Symantha Shackelford (Bishop Ireton); Kailyn Shepherd (Episcopal); Whitney Wiley (Flint Hill); Claire Miller (Flint Hill); Madison Jordan (Flint Hill)