The Class of 2029 is loaded with significant talent. In the last 10 years, we can’t recall as many freshmen frontcourt players making such a significant, immediate impact on the court. There’s Division I size here, and ample rebounding acumen.
As usual, there’s plenty of playmaking guards as well. When we say that, we’re not even including nearby Massaponax’s sensational Angel Scruggs, nor eighth grade private school guards like Seton’s Gina Pennefather, and Christ Chapel’s VISAA Division IV Player of the Year Arianna Taylor.
STARTERS
G-F. Autumn Andrews, Colgan–Andrews burst on the Northern Virginia basketball scene this season, scoring north of 40 points in a couple of games. She accomplished this despite being the obvious focal point of defenses. The younger sister of Alyssa who played at Wake Forest, Andrews can be utilized as a tall point guard. She can attack the rim directly or is fine shooting over the defense from well beyond the arc. Andrews understands the game pretty well already, and as she and her young teammates gain experience she’ll only get better in all facets of the game.
F-C. Nina McEldon, Bishop Ireton–VISAA Division I champion Bishop Ireton had a very balanced team this season, but McEldon was often the Cardinals’ main weapon, especially late in the season. With size and strength well beyond her years, the 6’2″ McEldon still displays excellent footwork and is light on her feet. She does work inside, commonly grabbing double-digit rebounds as well, but is also a good three-point shooter.
A star in the making, McEldon is going to put up sick numbers in the years ahead. Already in her young career, she’s garnered DC/MD/VA Fourth Team All-Met honors.
F-C. Sofia Foreso, O’Connell–Foreso is a throwback, old school post player, and she’s very good at it. She lives on the low block and thrives on doing the dirty work a lot of even older players can’t do, especially in the WCAC. She’s over six-foot tall, gets up and down the floor well, has a good motor, and is physically strong–she’s a shot-putter in the offseason. Already a double-double machine and Honorable Mention WCAC, Foreso figures to be a rock in the middle for the Knights for a long time.
G-F. Nyla Curry, Potomac School–For a young player, Curry really showed she could do it all on a very solid Potomac School team. At about 5’10” she rebounds enough to play up front in small lineups, and she also possesses the shooting touch to play the 2. Curry is essentially a point forward, however, with good handle and an excellent sense of when to dish. Coach Krystal Ferguson is truly fortunate to have a young player like Curry, who can possess the ball as much as necessary and do whatever her team needs her to.
G. Blair Hill, Stafford–We noticed Hill early on this season. Right from the get-go she showed she could thrive in the Indians’ up-tempo offense, burying long-range threes and excelling in transition. Hill earned First Team All-Commonwealth District this year with her defense as well, racking up steals. As a point guard she made solid strides running the offense, and better learned when to work the ball into the post and distribute to others. Stafford had a challenging non-district schedule this year and that only helped Hill’s development.
RESERVES
G-F. Deviyah Williams, Kettle Run–Kettle Run took a big jump this season, and a lot of that was because of talented freshman Deviyah Williams. At 5’10” she has size and is a very good athlete as well, capable of guarding both on the perimeter and down low. She’s able to shoot and score off the dribble, which is why the Cougars wanted the ball in her hands as much as possible. Williams was a first team all-Northwestern District selection.
F. Kaylee-Anne Wimmer, Centreville–We started to notice Wimmer more and more as the season progressed. A Second Team All-Concorde District selection, she made her impact on both sides of the floor. Wimmer moves her feet well and is adept at rejecting shots with her long arms. On offense, she already is very solid from three-point range, a nice supplement to her post game. From a very solid basketball pedigree, she might break out next year.
C. Makayla Coleman, Potomac School–What a luxury the Panthers had bringing Coleman off the bench this season. A strong, tall, and capable post player, Coleman was able to put up very solid numbers, doing her damage mostly at the rim. If you foul her, we love that’s she’s already a solid foul shooter who delivers at about a 75% clip. Curry, Coleman, and also the talented Lola Burrell comprise one of the better freshman classes in Northern Virginia.
F. Olivia Dozier, Freedom-South Riding–It’s easy to look at Dozier’s athleticism–she’s very fast and has great hops–and be immediately impressed. But although that does jump out, we were also impressed with Dozier playing within the Freedom offense this season, as well as a good many of her basketball skills. She can finish with either hand and has a great grasp of basketball fundamentals. Dozier had a very good season this year, garnering Second Team All-Potomac District.
G. Riley Krohl, Washington-Liberty–Krohl fit right in on a very good Washington-Liberty team this season. A point guard, she helped Kat Wagener with the ball-handling duties. She also scored a good bit, especially with her good-looking three-point shot. Already basketball savvy beyond her years, it will be interesting to see how Krohl progresses from being a complimentary piece to one of the Generals’ main weapons in the future. She was co-Liberty District Rookie of the Year with Yorktown’s Lily Porter, who easily could be on this team as well.
G-F. Eva Willis, Bishop Ireton–McEldon isn’t all there is in the Ireton freshman class by a longshot. Among others there’s Willis, who is 5’10” and boasts a college-ready jump shot from both mid and long range. She fit right into the Cardinal rotation this year with her energy and high motor, putting pressure on opposing ball-handlers with her relentless defense. Willis already has a DI offer from UMBC and could very well be a star in a couple of years.
G. Alisha Wilson, Potomac–Wilson was one of three freshmen that made Second Team All-Cardinal District (Nia Dabney, Kendall Johnson) this season. The combo guard made her mark, often scoring in double digits for the Cardinal regular season champions. We really like Wilson’s fearlessness–she’ll attack bigger players directly at the rim with a floater. She’s also not afraid to dive on the floor or take a charge on defense. Expect Wilson to become more and more of a focal point in the Panthers’ attack as she gets older.
HONORABLE MENTION–Kendall Johnson (Colgan); Lily Porter (Yorktown); Lyla Gul (Langley); Inaya Zulfiqar (Marshall); Julia Myers (Madison); Kourtlynn Kuehn (Westfield); Alexa Myers (South County); Parken Mokaves (Robinson); Cara Scaman (Lake Braddock); Abigail Pascal (Justice); Kennedy Dempsey (Battlefield); Sienna Taylor (Riverside); Nia Dabney (Gar-Field); Brianna Tribino (Loudoun Valley); Jaci Criss (O’Connell); Lola Burrell (Potomac School); Sarah Kreider (Flint Hill); Sky Slaughter (Virginia Academy); Gracie Weinstein (Virginia Academy); Ellie Schneider (Oakcrest); Leah Cooper (Seton); Whitney Campbell (Trinity Christian); Kristina Dallas (Osbourn Park); Juliahna Ross (Osbourn Park); Devora Samson (Osbourn Park); Madison Webb (Lightridge); Gia Comey (Freedom-South Riding)