STARTERS
G. Payton Walters, Osbourn Park–Payton Walters took another step forward from a very impressive freshman campaign for the state champion Jackets. She displays a good handle at the point when bringing the ball up the floor, and is a very real threat to explode to the basket from the top of the arc. Walters is excellent in transition and displays very quick hands on defense. She also can be a factor on the boards, with an ability to leap very precisely and quickly. Walters averaged 12 a game this season on her loaded OP squad, but could score 20 a game and still run the point on a lot of teams.
G-F. Janey Salinas, Osbourn Park–Early in the preseason we identified Salinas as a possible X-factor for Osbourn Park, and she definitely turned out to be that. Salinas mostly came off the bench for the Jackets and was a dangerous offensive weapon–in the state title victory she led the team in scoring. She is a deadly three-point shooter with a gorgeous stroke who is pretty mobile at 5’9″ or 5’10”. She’s gotten a lot stronger and provides good support on the boards as well. Salinas, Walters, and their fellow sophomore Tierney Myers head a very good Jackets Class of 2027.
F. Jocelynn Kinlaw, Oakton–Kinlaw was a starter last year for Oakton, but she was a far more formidable weapon this season for Fred Priester’s team. Also a volleyball player, Kinlaw is a 5’10” or so forward with good leaping ability able to put up double-double type games night in and night out with her work around the rim. She’s a pretty good defender in an excellent defensive system, and offensively she progressed so much this season that she was fairly frequently given the ball in clutch situations. Her driving ability and shooting touch have improved markedly.
G-F. Amaya Ramey (Paul VI)–Ramey, who made a name for herself by scoring 26 points and grabbing 16 rebounds for Woodgrove in the state title game last year, transferred to PVI this offseason. She wasn’t going to physically dominate in the WCAC with 16-rebound games, but Ramey was far from overmatched this season. Ramey became an instant starter for the Panthers and was eventually voted Honorable Mention in the league. She fit right in with PVI’s tenacious defense and was good for at least 2-3 steals per game, also providing consistent scoring within the framework of the offense.
G. Sabrina Anderson, Potomac School–Even though we’re very familiar with Anderson, we still had to double-check to make sure she was still indeed just a sophomore. The point guard has already hit 1,000 career points and is going strong. We were also surprised to see she “only” averaged 18 a game this season, just because so many times we’ve seen her go for 25-30. Anyway, if you don’t know by now, Anderson is a deadly shooter from long range who is also adept at creating for her talented teammates off the dribble. She’s a star.
RESERVES
F. Mia Morrill, O’Connell–Anderson will get a new running mate next season as Morrill moves to Potomac School. This year at O’Connell Morrill had a nice season, providing the Knights a little bit of most everything. Morrill can play both forward spots, and is one of those players that can rebound and immediately push it up the floor herself. She can hold up on defense against bigger players on defense in the post as well. Morrill can certainly score, but we like her court vision and passing ability on offense at least as much.
G-F. Courtney Breland, Hayfield–Breland stuffed the stat book in her sophomore campaign, and was recognized as First Team All-National District. You would categorize Breland as a wing, but she is certainly capable of playing some point guard/forward–she has good court vision and can rack up assist numbers. She contributed enough on the boards to help the Hawks go small if they chose, and she can shoot from beyond the arc. Breland has a nice mid-range jumper as well. Breland headed a strong Hayfield sophomore class consisting of herself, Zyana Williams, Mariah Overton, and Nancy Ngalieu.
G. Londyn Ferguson, Bishop Ireton–Bishop Ireton had a packed roster this season, so we hope you didn’t miss the talented Ferguson’s WCAC debut. Like Ramey and Morrill, the point guard was an Honorable Mention WCAC selection. She didn’t try to do too much, instead utilizing her impressive distribution skills to feed the Cardinals’ considerable offensive weapons. Nevertheless, Ferguson would still take a three-pointer within the framework of the offense, or attack the basket with lightning quickness when given the opportunity. A good defender as well, Ferguson will really get a chance to excel next season.
G-F. Natalya Wooten, South County–Breland is essentially a taller (5’10”) guard, as is Natalya Wooten of South County. Wooten consistently flashes star potential. She plays the wing but demonstrates tight handle when bringing the ball up the court and attacking from the perimeter. Her footwork has improved tremendously and she is capable of absolutely locking up an opponent in man-to-man (though, her length makes her formidable in zones as well). Already a First Team Patriot District selection, you just get the feeling watching her Wooten still has considerable upside.
G. Maia Melendez, Woodbridge–Melendez had another strong campaign down on Old Bridge Road, averaging about 14 points per game. A combo guard, Melendez can motor the ball up and down the floor with considerable speed. Already she’s a pretty good shooter too, with range beyond the three-point line. Her speed coupled with her ability to pull up from deep can make help defense against her almost a necessity. Her offensive efficiency will continue to improve as she and her young Vikings teammates gain experience, and we expect Melendez to eventually gain a reputation far past Prince William.
C. Ziyana Williams, Hayfield–After transferring in from Mount Vernon in the offseason, Williams made an impact right away for the Hawks. Early in December we saw her put 16 points on Madison on efficient shooting in the post. She is adept at establishing position on the block, and you’re done if you let her seal you off and get to the glass. Her height, strength, low post and free throw ability are enough, but the other facets of her game are improving as well, and WIlliams has no trouble in at an up-tempo pace or a more deliberate one.
G-F. Grace Ellingson, Gainesville–Ellingson tore her ACL in January 2024–and still came back to play this year. She contributed throughout the year with solid production and was voted all-district, but what earned her a spot on this team was her production late as she got her basketball legs back. We saw her hit Freedom-South Riding for 25 points in the district tournament, then at regionals she helped to eliminate Colonial Forge by scoring the Cardinals’ last 12 points. Ellingson is a tall 2/3 who can bury three-pointers, get out in transition, and also help defend the paint.
G. Madison Huynh, Battlefield–Woe be on those that didn’t scout Battlefield adequately before a game, because Huynh certainly could drop a lot of points on you in a hurry if you weren’t prepared for her. Even if you were prepared for her, she could still hurt you. Huynh was the primary ball-handler for the Bobcats, but still scored consistently. She is another very good three-pointer who is adept at pushing the ball in transition, especially after a turnover. Huynh also creates her fair share of those turnovers–she has a knack for inconspicuously getting in the passing lanes.
G. Gabrielle Dillard, Lightridge–Dillard put up very good statistics in 2024-2025, en route to being voted Second Team All-State, Class 5. The 5’8″ guard averaged into double-digit points, also averaging over seven rebounds per game and contributing over three steals a game. Considering Lightridge played a lot of girls most nights, those stats were impressive. Physical and strong, Dillard’s forte is powering her way to the basket. She can even post up–a rarity for guards in today’s game. As you might gather from the steals, Dillard is also a physical, aggressive defender.
G-F. May Marsh, Woodgrove–Inside-outside scoring threat May Marsh had a great year for the Wolverines. When Marsh was on the opposition suffered; the All-Catoctin District selection riddled Broad Run for 28 points one game and Loudoun Valley for 25 in another. Marsh is possibly more forward than guard, fitting the definition of a stretch four. She is a fantastic three-point shooter, and does damage on the offensive boards crashing from the perimeter. She can definitely guard the low post, and should get even better at that as she continues to gain strength. She also is able to get up and down the floor with urgency, fitting Woodgrove’s transition game.
HONORABLE MENTION
Aiyana Demery (Colonial Forge); Donnie Goodwin (Lewis); Sabrina Eldredge (Potomac School); Geomae Davis (Bishop Ireton); Keira Stanford (Heritage); Sheila Suarez (Stone Bridge); Tierney Myers (Osbourn Park); Nancy Ngalieu (Hayfield); Mariah Overton (Hayfield); Kathryn Wagener (Washington-Liberty); Lina Hashimi, (West Potomac); Delores Harkless (West Potomac); Kailey Gibson (West Springfield); Corrine James (West Springfield); Pacey Magnuson (Lake Braddock); Kate Wise (Alexandria City); Nia Broughton (Fairfax); Makyah Mason (South County); Peyton Baines Trapp (South County); Molly Veley (Centreville); Amelia Hilton (Chantilly); Ava Andersen (Westfield); Riley Brick (Madison); Allison Creighton (Madison); Kate Kuczkowski (Marshall); Ainsley Lomas (Yorktown); Olivia Shiplett (Yorktown); Elena Debevec (Yorktown); Lilah Denton (Wakefield); Charlotte Lieu (Meridian); Camilla Diamond (Skyline); Memunatu Conteh (Potomac); Mariann Akinyemi (Freedom-Woodbridge); Simone Diby (Rock Ridge); Eryn Chemoiwa (Rock Ridge); Alina Barekzov (Dominion); Sadie Auch (Briar Woods); Regan Kauffman (Edison); Sicily Ure (Tuscarora); Sarah Roeder (Falls Church); Mikayla Bowe (Lightridge); Ella Kalinsky (Lightridge); Ella Rossiter (Potomac Falls); Kadence Loucks (Riverside); Ashley Giuliani (Flint Hill); Genesis Villegas (Flint Hill); Evie Weis (Virginia Academy); Amel Jones (Madeira); Rylee Hampson (Battlefield); Ariyah Toe (Patriot); Noni Jones (Colonial Forge); A’Nya Woods (Colonial Forge); Soleil Carolina (Brooke Point); Reese Craig (John Handley); Melissa Dingess (Warren County); Anna Holm (Brentsville District); Mya Bundick (Woodgrove); Sammy Boyers (Loudoun County); McKenna Johnson (John Champe); Anna Marsh (Paul VI); Leylani Abraham (Paul VI); Reese Jackson (Freedom-South Riding); Christina Lisack (Freedom-South Riding)