STARTERS
G. Keyarah Rainey, Osbourn Park–Rainey heads a very strong OP freshman class of which several others (Jayel West, Samia Snead, etc.) could easily be on this team. On a squad with many older and more experienced weapons, Rainey still provided a good deal of firepower for the Jackets. A tall guard who can impact a game on defense as well, expect Rainey to establish herself as a star next year.
G. Alivia Tarry, Chantilly–Tarry stepped right into the Chargers’ starting lineup and ran the team well in the brutal Concorde District, helping her young squad to wins over very good teams like McLean and Centreville. The second team all-Concorde selection can run the point, but also deliver timely threes off the ball and is very dangerous in the open court.
G. Sophie Toole, Oakton–What an annoying thing it must have been, to be the a team’s best player and be constantly harassed on defense by Toole. Sure, Oakton’s pace sometimes dictated low scores, but so did A1 quick and relentless defenders like Toole. Her defense earns her a starting spot here, but we like her offense, especially attacking the hoop, as well.
G-F. Adora Nwude, Marshall–No freshman made her impact felt more than Nwude, as the talented Liberty District Rookie of the Year was responsible for a few memorable game-winners this season. Fearless, physically strong, and explosive, Nwude is able to attack the basket on both sides, with both hands.
F. Demi Gilliam, Gainesville–A double-double machine, Gilliam was a first team 6B regional selection for Daniel Nemerow’s 23-win Cardinals squad. Sure, her length and leaping ability makes her a nightmare to handle down low, but Gilliam also has some handle as well. She can out-quick bigger fours and fives and yet physically punish smaller teams.
RESERVES
F. Peyton White, Gainesville–When Gilliam or someone else wasn’t manning the post, Peyton White was. A very strong rebounder, White brings a ton of other skills as well. She can score, but is equally adept at finding teammates open for an easy bucket as well if defenses double her.
G. Claire Kang, Centreville–When we saw Kang in Fall League, we knew Centreville had something special. Kang is a point guard who can really push the tempo and make things happen for herself and her teammates. One of a few good Wildcats freshmen that will help make their team a state contender soon.
G. Alexis Cox, Hayfield–The National District Rookie of the Year quietly went about her business at point guard, running the Hawks’ offense with maturity beyond her years. Hayfield was in a lot of close games this year, and it seemed like Cox was always hitting big shots and helping to force key stops.
G. Lilia Mellor, West Springfield–Mellor is yet another point guard (they’re all over Honorable Mention, too) that ran her team effectively at a young age. It’s defense or you don’t play for the Spartans, and the versatile Mellor did a good job there. Her length is a big asset, as is her shooting.
F. Maggie Mills, Loudoun Valley–Nobody had as many freshmen make varsity as Loudoun Valley. Mills was the most decorated of the talented seven Vikings frosh, earning all-region honors. Mills, a forward with pretty good length, seemed to always be in position to score. If she wasn’t, she was certainly getting rebounds–many nights she provided double digits there.
G. Madison Coutinho, Robinson–Robinson was a preseason state title pick by some, and Coutinho showed no fear stepping into the starting lineup from day one. Small but tough-as-nails, she took good care of the ball at the point and provided tough defense and even rebounding for the Rams.
G-F. Sovay Reid, Lake Braddock–We really liked Reid’s contributions this season. She was able to handle the ball on the perimeter, yet do a fair amount of dirty work down low for the Bruins. Want a stat line that says what we mean? In a tight playoff win over Alexandria City, Reid had eight points, 11 boards, and six assists.
HONORABLE MENTION
Jayel West (Osbourn Park), Samia Snead (Osbourn Park), Jaelyn Gorham (Osbourn Park), Denver Carlton (O’Connell), Dru Carlton (O’Connell), Adriana Mayorga (O’Connell), Saleema Tinner (John Paul the Great), Dominique Harris (Wakefield), Kennedy Marshall (Edison), Eve Jungman (Washington-Liberty), Eleanor Mahshie (Yorktown), Ava Sewall (Annandale), Dawn Houston (West Potomac), Abigail Beddis (West Potomac), Laila Tull (South County), Sravya Janapati (Stone Bridge), Carly Sweazie (Stone Bridge), Irieanna Smoot-Johnson (Osbourn), Raegan Cathcart (Hylton), Reagan Giuliano (Herndon), Madison Shamloo (Langley), Gabrielle McCaslin (Mount Vernon), Mya Oboite (Hayfield), Madison Davis (Hayfield), Eva Philips (Hayfield), Taylor Rivers (Justice), Ava Sewall (Annandale), Sophia Sewall (Annandale), Madison Washington (South Lakes), Brooke Chang (Oakton), Alexandra Wilson (Chantilly), Malia Siriwardene (Centreville), Sofia Caraus (Centreville), Jalyn Childress (Lightridge), Bryn Overbaugh (Lightridge), Riley Makitka (Heritage), Lyla Brown (Woodgrove), Emily Powell (Potomac Falls), Sienna Bhide (Broad Run), Claire Pollock (Broad Run), Trinity Young (Woodbridge), Emajah Wright (Freedom-Woodbridge), Zoe Ward (Loudoun County), Payton Brown (Brentsville District), Naheema Goin (St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes), Coever Dixon (Episcopal), Madison Nicholson (Paul VI), Payton Mandichak (Loudoun Valley), Alyssa Tribino (Loudoun Valley), Anna Ramos (Loudoun Valley), Ella Stevenson (Loudoun Valley), Emma Cajchun (Lake Braddock)