STARTERS
G-F. Tanah Gorman, Bishop Ireton–Gorman had a nice season for Ireton, especially stepping up when Nyla Brooks and Desirae Ashton were out to injury. She’s a tall, athletic forward that simply out-quicks forwards of similar height, even in the halfcourt, and gets to the rim with efficiency. Her shooting range has expanded, too. Gorman is very good in transition and still has a ton of upside.
G. Elyse Autrey, Virginia Academy–Tough, athletic, and a excellent defender, Autrey fit in extremely well in her first season at VAA. She provided her usual tough defense, also collecting rebounds at about a half-dozen a game clip, excellent for a guard. She still managed to score double-digit points more often than naught, despite being on a loaded Patriots team. She’ll get an even bigger chance to shine next season.
G. Sadie Shores, Paul VI–Shores meshed perfectly with PVI after coming over from Woodgrove. A true point guard, Shores hit an excellent balance between making things happen herself offensively, but still running the offense and especially finding Brooke Batchelor on the perimeter and the Panthers’ talented posts down low. Shores is a tough defender more than willing to take a charge on defense.
G. Saniyah King, Bishop Ireton–You wouldn’t need another point guard starting with Shores on here, but we’re not gonna not start King, who can play off-ball and had some amazing games this season. In the playoffs versus O’Connell she had one of those great all-around games, registering 13 points, eight boards, and seven assists. The HM all-WCAC selection was one of the area’s leaders in assists.
F-C. Laura Williams, Paul VI–Williams has shown flashes of being an impact player since she was a freshman, but now she has arrived. The defense and the blocked shots are still there. Now, the offense is there to match it. Selected First Team VISAA Division I, Williams came up huge in big games, scoring 21 in a massive upset win over McNamara and 22 in PVI’s state title victory. It’s scary to think how dominant she might be next season.
RESERVES
G-F. Ava Sawi, Episcopal–Sawi missed a good chunk of the season to injury but didn’t seem to show a lot of rust when she got back, as the junior still was voted all-ISL and to the VISAA Division I second team. When she’s healthy, there’s not a lot of players that can attack the basket as quickly and explosively as Sawi. Look for her to have a huge senior year.
F. Keira Scott, O’Connell–Scott, like Sawi, would be a no-brainer selection as a starter if she was able to stay healthy in 2022-2023. Though the tall forward missed a bunch of games, she still made her impact felt when she did play, scoring well into double figures most of the time. Most notably, she locked up her basketball and academic future with a commitment to Syracuse.
F-C. Sarah Oduro, Virginia Academy–Oduro remains an intriguing prospect as she is strong inside and continues to show flashes of absolute dominance. At well over six feet tall, you really can’t let her get the ball anywhere close to the basket with her ability to seal and finish with either hand. Didn’t have gaudy stats with VAA’s talented guards doing most of the scoring, but she just gets the job done.
G-F. Belle Akeredolu, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes–Akeredolu is a fun player to watch for Calvin Crenshaw’s Saints. She’s almost an ideal small forward for SSSA, in that she contributes inside and out. Akeredolu is a solid ball-handler who defends the perimeter and hits threes, though she also helps out down low, especially with blocks and rebounds (over seven a game).
F-C. Zoe Myslewicz, Potomac School–As talented as the players on the list are, probably the most reliable double-double bet in most games she plays is Myslewicz. The tall and strong Potomac School rock down low averaged about 10 ppg and 10 rpg, quietly going about her business doing the dirty work necessary for the Panthers to win. Very high motor makes her as effective in up-tempo games as slow ones, as well.
G. Maya Brantley, Christ Chapel–Though down at VISAA Division IV now, Christ Chapel continues to field very solid basketball programs. On the girls side Brantley and sophomore teammate Zaria Gaskins were all-state, thanks to good years where they both averaged about 12 ppg. The talented Brantley, like her sister Zora, is a small guard who frustrates opponents on defense by getting steals with on-ball pressure.
G-F. Riley White, Virginia Academy–Was a toss-up between White and Sajol Thornhill for the final spot. Both had very good years where they made a significant impact for the Patriots coming off the bench. White is a wing with good length who is an excellent shooter. She plays with intensity and is capable of carrying her team on runs when she gets hot.
HONORABLE MENTION
Sajol Thornhill (Virginia Academy), Lilly VanderWoude (Seton), Kerri Greene (Potomac School), Desirae Ashton (Bishop Ireton), Sierra Gutierrez (St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes)