Rankings updated 3/16
1. Bishop Ireton (25-8)–The Cardinals reigned as VISAA Division I champs, defeating Paul VI by a 53-48 margin. That’s now a state title “three-peat” for Kesha Walton and Ireton. Her team has no seniors on the present roster, so there’s a very good chance Bishop Ireton will occupy the #1 spot in this poll to start next year as well.
2. Osbourn Park (25-5)–“Back-to-back” for Osbourn Park, which defeated Manchester once again in the title game. The win was doubly impressive considering the Yellow Jackets were without the injured Samia Snead. With Key Rainey in foul trouble in the championship, Coach Kelly needed others to step up–players like Kai Jones and Tierney Myers absolutely did.
3. Paul VI (25-10)–Couldn’t quite get it done against Bishop Ireton in the state title game, but there’s no question the Panthers improved throughout the year. This year was good, but next year could conceivably be better. The Panthers only lose four seniors, albeit good ones, and they have young talent like Alice Allen and Annabelle Muldoon on hand.
4. Virginia Academy (22-7)–For the fourth year in a row, Virginia Academy reigns as VISAA Division II champion after defeating Steward on its home floor in a back-and-forth game. VAA took control late behind Sydney Moore (22 points) and Claire Kang (18 points).
5. Oakton (23-8)–Like we thought they could, Oakton upset South County in the state quarters. However, Oakton ran out of gas against Osbourn Park in the state semis. Another very good year for the Cougars, who now graduate do-everything Sophie Toole and the talented Brooke Chang, among others.
6. South County (27-2)–The very disappointing home loss to Oakton still doesn’t diminish the fact that the Stallions had an amazing year, winning 27 games in a row in between the first game of the season and the last. Laila Tull and a very good senior class graduates, but lots of talent should return led by Natalya Wooten.
7. Potomac School (20-10)–Potomac School fell to St. Anne’s Belfield at home in the quarters of the VISAA Division I Tournament. That was a disappointment, but the Panthers had a pretty good season overall. Next year the prognosis is similarly good with Sabrina Anderson back yet again and the talented freshmen slated to return.
8. West Potomac (22-7)–West Potomac again made the state semis this season, defeating Centreville on the road before falling to Manchester. Two straight “Final Four” appearances in Class 6 is no small achievement for Joe Petrucelli in his first years heading the program.
9. Centreville (22-6)–Centreville loses a good senior class with Malia Sirawardene, Dani Cuellar, and Aliza Murray, but should bring back some solid young talent next year. Wildcats have won some big games the last few years, including a win for the Northern Region title this season over rival Oakton.
10. Heritage (20-6)–Heritage was put in a tough situation after a state quarterfinal win, having to wait for the Manor illegal player situation to play out in the VHSL and then court. The Pride eventually fell to eventual state champ Manor in the semis, and now a memorable senior class that won a state title the year prior graduates.
11. Langley (23-2)–A stunning upset by Madison in the Northern Region Quarters, where the Saxons lost a second half lead and fell to Kirsten Stone’s team. Prior to the loss the season absolutely went almost perfectly, however. The young players developed well, and portend a bright future going forward.
12. Gainesville (20-9)–Gainesville gave Manchester a pretty solid game in the state quarters but came up short. Still, another solid year for this new program despite losses to quality competition. Cardinals should be good next year if Leylani Abraham returns, plus the talented, younger guards should be even better
13. Hayfield (25-3)–Hayfield was knocked out of the playoffs by West Potomac in the Occoquan Semifinals, but the Hawks enjoyed a very successful season under first-year coach Adam Brown. He loses a very exceptional senior class headed by Alexis Cox, but junior Mariah Overton has grown into a leading lady.
14. Clarke County (27-2)–Clarke grabbed a Class 2 state title in Richmond, and Alainah McKavish became Clarke’s all-time leading scorer during the game, totaling well over 2,000 points. It was the school’s second state title in four years. Clarke should be pretty solid next year, with Alainah’s little sister Paige set to embrace an even bigger role.
15. Chantilly (18-9)–A good season concludes after a regional tourney victory over Washington & Liberty and then a loss to Oakton. A very good senior class departs led by Alex Wilson and Alivia Tarry, but there is program depth and solid talent slated to return next season.
16. Stone Bridge (16-9)–Stone Bridge fell in the first round of states to Glen Allen, but the Bulldogs were down two starters in that game. One of them was junior Ava Ryan, who was voted the 5D Region Player of the Year. With her manning the posts next year, Stone Bridge should be very good again next year.
17. Washington & Liberty (20-6)–WL had a very good season, but couldn’t quite topple the region heavyweights, falling to Langley three times, Oakton once, and then ultimately Chantilly. Though Eve Jungman graduates to play at Dartmouth, watch out for sister Anna, Kat Wagener, and the Generals next year.
18. Skyline (23-6)–Skyline had a very impressive postseason run to the Class 6 state title game, defeating Spotswood in the semis. What was notable about that upset was that Spotswood beat the Hawks by over 20 earlier in the year. Skyline seems a program on the rise, and junior Camilla Diamond will be back next year.
19. Woodgrove (17-9)–The Wolverines fell to Salem in the first round of the state quarterfinals, but should return a lot of firepower next season, including juniors Mya Bundick and May Marsh.
Others Receiving Votes–Robinson (16-11), John Handley (16-9)