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Final 2017-2018 Girls Rankings

THE NOVA NINETEEN (final rankings)

    1. Paul VI (30-4)–12th straight state title for the Panthers plus a 16-2 record in the WCAC, but neither was perhaps as easy as it has been in prior years. Lose Klimkiewicz and Collins, but will remain talented with the likes of Ashley Owusu, junior Elizabeth Thibodeau and sophomore Aurea Gingras.
    2. Bishop Ireton (22-10)–Rebounded nicely from a tough patch late-season to come within a missed last-second shot of stunning PVI in the VISAA Final. Return all-everything center Akunna Konkwo and only lose two players, so expectations are even higher for next year.
    3. Edison (24-6)–Didn’t win its district tournament, didn’t win its regional tournament, didn’t win the state tournament. But the Eagles were as good as just about anybody, delivering four wins over teams ranked in our final top ten. Lose talent in Amaya Gray and more, but could return to the state final next year.
    4. Marshall (26-4)–An 8-4 record against our final Nova Nineteen seals a number four ranking for the Statesmen, despite getting pounded by T.C. in the first round of states. That loss doesn’t take away from a great season which saw a district and regional crown. Losing Clara Ford hurts, but nice young talent here.
    5. Woodbridge (23-5)–For the second consecutive year eliminated by Langley, but another great year culminating in a regional title game victory over T.C. A lot of talent back next year but the Vikings won’t be the same without Paris McBride.
    6. O’Connell (19-10)–Had a great year and scored some big wins in WCAC play, plus one versus Langley. Finished ahead of Ireton in the WCAC regular season standings. Lose the great Brie Perpignan and others but a significant frontcourt with Hovis and James will return.
    7. Langley (21-8)–Not at all surprising the Saxons went on their run to the Class Six state title game. Should have won that game, in fact, but district tourney champ, regional runner-up, and victories over T.C. and Woodbridge at states is quite impressive. Jordyn Callaghan was perhaps the region’s most impactful player.
    8. T.C. Williams (23-6)–Don’t get hung up on these rankings too much. The Titans could have easily been ranked number two in this final poll. Could have easily won states as well–fell to Langley on a heart-breaking last-second shot at states. Most everybody back in their backcourt next year, so will be a threat again.
    9. Freedom-South Riding (27-4)–What a great season for the Eagles, who took home the district tourney title with a win over Tuscarora and a region title with a win over Edison. Freedom will be a contender for the state title again next year with almost everybody back, including Albany signee Jaelyn Batts.
    10. South Lakes (20-6)–Liberty District co-champs regular season, the Seahawks fell in the Liberty District tourney final to Langley and at regionals to Oakton. Lose a good senior class but the future is solid for years with freshmen Adrianna Smith and Brianna Scott.
    11. Tuscarora (24-3)–Only losses came to Freedom-South Riding (twice) and Edison. Kennedy Middleton is obviously a tremendous loss, but the Huskies have the potential to be very good next year with Santos, Fitz, and Isabellah Middleton, among others.
    12. Westfield (15-10)–The Concorde regular season crown is a very impressive accomplishment. Tough run down the stretch, losing four of five, but a close loss to Langley on the road at regionals is no shame. Some really nice freshmen and sophomores form a strong nucleus for next year.
    13. Herndon (16-7)–Season somewhat derailed by Taylor Strawser’s inability to get healthy. Still, the Liberty regular season co-champs, an impressive achievement. Newman, Brunson and Strawser depart, but there’s a lot more talent in this program than you may realize, JV and on the bench for varsity.
    14. Oakton (15-12)–Oakton going 1-7 in district play. Surprising. What’s not surprising? Oakton winning the Concorde Tournament, beating #10 South Lakes at regionals and coming to within a hair of getting back to the state tourney. Will be solid next year despite losing more key pieces.
    15. Flint Hill (21-8)–Flint Hill was really, really good this year before getting upset at home by Episcopal and Potomac School late. The Huskies finished second regular season ISL AA with an impressive 11-3 record. Lamont is a big loss but the entire roster other than her returns, so they’ll likely be even better next year.
    16. Loudoun Valley (22-5)–Couldn’t get past eventual state champ Millbrook in the postseason, but the Vikings had a fantastic year. The highlight was beating talented rival Loudoun County three times. Junior Haley Pasqualone returns, as do others next year.
    17. Osbourn Park (17-9)–The inevitable rise of the Yellow Jackets under coach Chrissy Kelly came a little bit earlier than expected. Osbourn Park went undefeated in the Cedar Run and beat a talented Madison team at regionals before falling to Langley. Will be an even stronger contender next year.
    18. Madison (15-11)–Sort of an up-and-down season for the Warhawks, who played a difficult schedule and sometimes found it hard to score enough to get the job done. SOS and quality wins over teams like Marshall, Flint Hill, Westfield and more get the Warhawks the ranking and make it a good season overall.
    19. Centreville (14-8)–Similar-type season to Madison’s in the rugged Concorde. Up-and-down, but wins over Loudoun Valley, Oakton (twice), Braddock, etc. earn the ranking. Strong junior class returns, but the Wildcats will feel the loss of cerebral Callie Doyle in the middle.

Don’t forget–George Mason (23-7), Loudoun County (20-5), Hayfield (14-9), West Springfield (13-11), West Potomac (15-10), Lake Braddock (16-10)