Final 2016-2017 Girls Rankings

The Nova Nineteen–Final rankings for 2016-2017

1. Paul VI (32-2) (last ranking, #1)–Well, the Panthers lost two of three to St. John’s and won’t finish as the top-ranked team in the nation, so we guess this season was an under-achieving one. We guess. The Panthers still won the VISAA with ease, their 11th straight title, and return five of their top seven scorers next year, so we guess there’s also some light and the end of the tunnel.
2. Oakton (26-4) (last ranking, #6)–This was a tumultuous season for Oakton, which suffered from mass suspensions for player misbehavior over the holidays. But it also turned out to be a very successful one. Although the Cougars fell to Colonial Forge in the 6A state title game, the Cougars delivered most of the time when it really mattered. A key win over talented T.C. Williams on the road in the regional tourney and a convincing win over Langley at states after the Saxons bested the Cougars at regionals were impressive achievements. As is always the case Fred Priester has loads of young talent waiting in the wings despite losing talented seniors Fee, Connolly and Royle.
3. Langley (25-5) (last ranking, #5)–You could easily make the case for Langley ahead of Oakton in the final rankings. Unlike the Cougars the Saxons won their conference tournament and won regionals. But Oakton won the return match in the state semis. Still, what a season for the Saxons. Langley loses a lot of key seniors but does return talented junior guard Jordyn Callaghan. Already the focus of defenses, it’s insane to imagine what she’ll face next year minus Augustini, Bucy, Buckley and Dunie. Don’t know, two playing zone in the lane, three on Callaghan? In seriousness, like Oakton Langley has ample young talent waiting for its chance.

4. 

   Bishop Ireton (18-12) (last ranking, #3)–Maybe we’re overrating the Cardinals slightly. After all, they still only finished 9-9 in the powerful WCAC. Still, Akunna Konkwo is a virtually unstoppable center and it’s hard to imagine the Cardinals losing to too many teams on this list. Konkwo, Symantha Shackelford and Sydney Peters, the Cardinals’ top scorers, are all sophomores. Could this team challenge Paul VI next year or by the time those three are seniors?

5. T.C. Williams (25-2) (last ranking, #2)–Oakton was a bad draw in the regional quarters. The Titans battled Oakton to a standoff for three quarters but demonstrated the team has work to do before it can unseat a program with as much winning experience as the Cougars. They’ll get more chances down the road and will likely be the 6A North regional favorite next year. Bhrandi Crenshaw is a tremendous loss, but Trinity Palacio highlights a ton of returning talent next year.
6. Woodbridge (23-5) (last ranking, #7)–Season came to an end in the first round of states with a tough loss to Langley. The Vikings will be athletic and dangerous next year and return much of their talent but senior Hanna Oliver, one of the area’s best shooters, is a huge loss. Even still expect Woodbridge to be a huge factor again next year.
7. Herndon (17-7) (last ranking, #4)–The Hornets were stunned by Patriot in the first round of regionals. Stunning is perhaps even an understatement for the 19-point loss, as Herndon was coming off a hard-fought Concorde tourney title and wins over Chantilly and Oakton. The Hornets are probably the favorites in the Concorde next year, though. Devyne Newman and Taylor Strawser will be tough to stop.
8. Chantilly (17-7) (last ranking, #8)–Gave Langley a good battle in the regional quarters but fell after leading early. The Chargers had an outstanding season despite the disappointment, highlights being winning the Rebel Roundball Classic and two wins over Herndon. The Chargers lose 35 points a game from Clougherty, Rauch and Reeves but Claire Roberts is a good building block for next year.
9. Edison (20-8) (last ranking, #10)–No team improved like the Eagles did over the course of the year. Conference and regional champions and with four wins over rival Wakefield, the Eagles nevertheless fell in an instant double overtime classic to Highland Springs. It was the second consecutive year Edison fell to the Springers at states. An incredible year for Edison, the Eagles will likely be even better next year.
10. Loudoun County (24-4) (last ranking, #9)–Lost to powerful Milbrook in the 4A regional final and fell to Lake Taylor in the first round of states in a tough contest. Natalie Villaflor and Julia Ng both return next year, so Derek Fisher’s squad could very well achieve even more than they did this year, which was a lot.
11. Wakefield (24-6) (last ranking, #11)–The Warriors seniors will be haunted by being unable to get past Edison. Still Wakefield had a great season, including wins over Tuscarora, Battlefield and three over Marshall. Summer Matlack and Lyrin Hatcher are irreplaceable losses, but the Warriors do have young talent waiting in the wings.
12. Battlefield (19-8) (last ranking, lurking)–The Bobcats quickly put an upset loss to Stonewall Jackson in the conference tourney behind them with an amazing run to the regional final. They fell to Langley there but gave the Saxons all they could handle. They also fell to eventual state champion Colonial Forge in the first round of states, but we won’t soon forget how well Battlefield played on the big stage.

13. 

    O’Connell (15-15) (last ranking, #13)–Young team lost a lot of games, but really wasn’t that far away from the likes of #4 Bishop Ireton. The Knights also went .500 in the powerful WCAC and showed obvious improvement as the season wore on. The Knights return the talented Brie Perpignan and only graduate one senior, so Aggie McCormick Dix’s team should be a fixture in our top five to ten next year.

14. Patriot (17-11) (last ranking, not ranked)–Boy, we thought the Cedar Run would be out-matched against the powerful Concorde at regionals. Not…so much. Patriot stunned Herndon and then defeated West Potomac convincingly on the road. Stopped there by Battlefield and Oakton, but even won one at states before falling to Colonial Forge. A solid team all year, we nevertheless never thought Patriot could do what they did. Frankly watching Amanda Nhek play basketball makes us want to watch her play soccer for GMU next year. Feel the same way about Autumn Hopson, but Tennessee State might be a little far to travel…we don’t even like leaving Northern Virginia.
15. Freedom-South Riding (21-4) (last ranking, #14)–Jaelyn Batts returns next year, and she’s the type of player than can go from very, very good to completely dominant in an AAU season. The Eagles return her but also some substantial help, although underrated Sydney Kim is a very consequential loss.
16. Tuscarora (21-7) (last ranking, #12)–Had some nice wins over Edison and Freedom-South Riding and captured another conference title, but lost its last three games after surviving TJ at regionals. Should challenge Edison next year at 5A regionals with both Kennedy and Isabellah Middleton back, plus Allison Fitz.
17. Flint Hill (16-14) (last ranking, #16)–A pretty successful season for the Huskies. They finished 6-8 in their first season back at ISL AA, a strong league. They also pushed talented St. Anne’s Bellfield hard in the VISAA. Flint Hill loses leading scorer Tori Herman but retains a strong sophomore class plus junior Cami Lamont.

18. 

    Madison (14-12) (last ranking, #17)–A hard-working team, the Warhawks got a nice win over Lake Braddock before falling at Battlefield in a tough game in the regional quarters. Miskell and Simpson are big losses, but the balanced Warhawks return shooter Katy Sharon next year and lots of younger talent.

19. South Lakes (15-10) (last ranking, #19)–Led powerful T.C. Williams after three quarters in the first round of regionals. A very good year, including several solid wins in the deep Liberty conference. The Seahawks lose a lot, but retain leading scorer Tia Benvenuti and should be dangerous next year as well.

Not far off–The Potomac School (22-8), Centreville (15-9), Osbourn Park (16-8), McLean (13-12), Fairfax (15-9), Stonewall Jackson (13-11), West Potomac (18-9)