STARTERS
G-F. Irieanna Smoot, Virginia Academy–Smoot progressed noticeably in 2024-2025 after coming over from Osbourn in the offseason. The 5’10” wing has always been an athletic highlight reel, but this year she was far more consistent, and with a deep supporting cast didn’t have to carry the team. Not that Smoot can’t. She has tremendous straight-line speed and can be deadly in the open court off steals. In the halfcourt, she is tough on the drive and can hit the three-pointer off the dribble. Smoot already has DI offers and could be a steal at that level with another year in HS to further refine her game.
G. Ava Sewall, Potomac School–The Panthers picked up Sewall in the offseason from Annandale and the tall guard did not disappoint, averaging around 10 points per game as a starter. Sewall really does it all, and in our view is an extremely underrated next-level prospect. She’s got outstanding athleticism, can play the point guard if asked to, is a crisp passer, and is definitely a plus defender. Other schools have a case as well, but we wouldn’t argue with you if you said Sewall and Sabrina Anderson will form NOVA’s best backcourt next year.
G-F. Lee Williams, Paul VI–Nothing to see here, just another team-oriented, tall, talented PVI stalwart. Williams rarely blows you away with her box score, but she always impacts the game. She is most noticeable hitting threes on offense, but also is extremely opportunistic on defense, with great anticipation and a knack for getting in the passing lanes. She can be very good in the open court and has the speed of a much smaller guard, yet contributes as a 3.4-type as well. Williams surprises bigger opponents with an ability to protect the paint. She recently received an offer to Radford.
G. Aliza Murray, Virginia Academy–Like Smoot, Murray was a First Team, VISAA Division II All-State selection. Murray is a fleet-of-foot combo guard that can get the ball up the court in a hurry. She’s a pest on defense who uses her quick leaping ability and good hands to force turnovers. On a team with a lot of long-range shooters Murray is content to attack the lane and distribute, but she has tremendous shooting range herself and buries threes from well beyond the arc. Murray is a big reason why this season VAA could go on runs on teams in a hurry.
F. Demi Gilliam, Paul VI–Gilliam provides a combination of height, skill, and power to provide a lot of all-around production for PVI. Though over six-foot-tall, she can push the ball up the floor almost like a guard. As Gilliam is a good rebounder, that means she can start the Panther fast break herself, off boards and steals. She’s a double-double threat who is also a capable passer. On offense she has nice touch on the drive and has developing range, especially around the elbow. Gilliam was Second Team All-WCAC this season.
RESERVES
C. Lynette Doku, Flint Hill–Always nice to see an old-school post player get it done, and that is what Doku is. She’s 6’4″ and strong down low, with surprisingly nice hands and an effective soft touch near the hoop. While not a tremendous leaper, she is effective at using her body to gain post position and deliver rebounds. An all-ISL selection, Doku is already at present a double-double type player. It is tantalizing to think/wonder where her ceiling is, and if she can become a dominant one.
G-F. Sydney Moore, Virginia Academy–Few teams had the luxury of bringing a shooter like Sydney Moore off the bench like Virginia Academy did this year. One of the best pure three-point shooters in Northern Virginia, Moore often sparked the Patriots with instant offense. She has superior range, but also knows when to exploit opponents off the drive and on cuts when they focus too much on running her off the arc. She’s a very heady player who will make somebody very happy at the next level.
G-F. Sofia Caraus, Virginia Academy–It’s really kind of weird to talk about Caraus next to Moore, because, er, Caraus is also one of Northern Virginia’s best three-point shooters. Seems unfair, but that’s Virginia Academy’s opponents’ problem, not ours. Anyway, Caraus had a good season after coming over from Centreville. She seemed to be even better as the season went on, as she gained rapport with her teammates. Like Moore, Caraus’ shooting grabs attention, mid-range also, but Caraus does a lot of other things well, too.
G. Sravya Janapati, Paul VI–Janapati came over from Stone Bridge last offseason and ended up becoming a key piece for the Panthers off the bench. As she gained confidence playing in the WCAC, she started to take more and more shots in games, delivering some key threes in some big contests. Her game is far greater than just shooting–the kid can flat out ball when locked in. Janapati could take a significant leap this offseason and play an even bigger role for the powerful Panthers next year.
G-F. Amanda Bates, O’Connell–O’Connell didn’t have much success against the top of the WCAC this year, but the Knights have several players we really like. Bates, who garnered Honorable Mention All-WCAC, is one such player. The wing is really tough and unafraid to take a charge. At 5’8″, she’ll still bang with the bigger players of the league and rebound, plus she’ll drive the basketball right at them. She isn’t a point guard or a dominant long-range shooter, but she definitely contributes in both those areas. Call her a very good “glue” player any team would be lucky to have.
G. Adriana Mayorga, O’Connell–Mayorga is an underrated player. A smaller point guard, she doesn’t score a ton because she’s looking to distribute first. Not that she can’t shoot and finish–she has shooting range and is very solid going to the rim on either side. She’s just a pinpoint, fantastic passer. Mayorga is tough on defense as well, and is good for a few steals a game. She can push the ball well in transition and is a valuable part of the Knights’ rotation.
G. Carly Sweazie, O’Connell–So is Carly Sweazie, who averaged about ten points per game for O’Connell this season. Sweazie is an exciting player when she gets it going, and she’s a Division I prospect. She’s a 5’7″ combo guard who has a quick burst to the hoop and good range from deep. If she hits threes early, defenders become even more susceptible to her drive. Sweazie is very athletic and can defend at multiple spots. She’s more than capable of running the show at point guard, and she is capable of highlight reel-type assists.
HONORABLE MENTION
Dasia Smith (Christ Chapel); Julia Jackson (Potomac School); Taylor Park (Flint Hill); Coever Dixon (Episcopal); Naheema Goin (St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes); Madison Washington (Virginia Academy); Katherine Maroulis (Paul VI); Mary Carlson Loving (Bishop Ireton); Saleena Tinner (O’Connell)