Langley’s Anya Rahman heads All-Liberty District Team

Langley only lost one Liberty District game this year, so as you would think, was heavily represented on the All-Liberty District Team which was announced this weekend.

The Saxons play good defense, but also have the luxury of junior Anya Rahman, one of the more consistent scorers in Northern Virginia. Often the focus of opposing defenses, the combo guard still finds a way to score, whether it be through her impressive three-point range or drives to the hole.

Rahman was named Player of the Year after averaging around 15 points per game. She was certainly a candidate last year for the award as well, but it went to the equally deserving Kara Bremser of McLean. This regular season, however, there was little doubt who would win the award.

The Saxons were so good in the regular season not just because of Rahman, but because many Saxons improved since last year as well. Joining Rahman on the First Team was junior post player Peyton Daley, who has become a more consistent force. Guard Maddie Shamloo was the district Defensive Player of the Year, an impressive feat for a sophomore.

Langley Coach Amanda Baker deservedly garnered Coach of the Year honors, while Saxons senior Bri Borcherding joined Shamloo on the Second Team. Sophomore Vicky Zawisza was Honorable Mention, while freshman Serena Gul was All-Rookie, as if Baker’s team needed more young, rapidly-improving talent.

The Liberty was full of that young talent this season. If you look at the teams, there is only one senior on the First Team, and four on Second Team and Honorable Mention combined. While it was a down season for the district in terms of overall district strength top-to-bottom, that could change as soon as this week.

McLean got off to a slow start under new Coach Pat Deegan, but has played much better of late and boasts a late season win over the Saxons. Washington-Liberty has been uneven this year but is chock full of young talent. Both teams placed two players on the First Team–the Highlanders Vilte Kacerauskaite and Tatum Olson, and Washington-Liberty Eve Jungman and Frances Shapiro.

All four are candidates to win the Player of the Year award next year (along with Rahman), and both teams are capable of doing playoff damage both in districts and regionals. Kaceauskaite and Jungman are unique forwards, both with significant height and various guard skills mixed in. You could run an offense through both (and the Generals do, through Jungman).

It’s a credit to how good a season Shamloo had defensively harassing other teams’ ballhandlers for her to win DPOY, because Olson and Shapiro are aces in that department. They can both score, too–Olson hits threes by the bushel and Shapiro can do a little of everything.

Herndon, Marshall, Yorktown, and Wakefield are not yet threats to go on a rampage at regionals, although at least one of them will make it there. You can see they are awash in young talent and all should be stronger next year, though Marshall does lose First Team senior Anna Musgrove, who has been a rock for the Statesmen this year.

Sophomore Elanor Mahshie was the final Liberty First-Teamer. She’s a significant talent helping the Patriots to gradually, but inevitably, become a contender again. Washington-Liberty’s talented freshman, Kat Wagener, was named Liberty District Rookie of the Year. Her talent earned her immediate, crucial minutes in W-L’s deep rotation this season.

First Team
Anya Rahman JR Langley Player of the Year
Tatum Olson JR McLean
Vilte Kacerauskaite JR McLean
Eve Jungman SO Washington-Liberty
Peyton Daley JR Langley
Anna Musgrove SR Marshall
Frances Shapiro JR Washington-Liberty
Elanor Mahshie SO Yorktown

Second Team
Maddie Shamloo SO Langley
Alyssa Evans JR McLean
Kat Wagner FR Washington-Liberty
Helen Lydon JR Yorktown
Julia Kelly JR Washington-Liberty
Clara Clayton SR Herndon
Bri Borcherding SR Langley
Helena Helms SR Wakefield

Honorable Mention
Nina Whale SO Herndon
Paige Lee SO Marshall
Ally Hodder JR McLean
Victoria Carcillo JR Yorktown
Vicky Zawisza SO Langley
Malek Ben Hammouda SR Washington-Liberty
Dominique Harris SO Wakefield

All-Defensive Team
Maddie Shamloo SO Langley DPOY
Frances Shapiro JR Washington-Liberty
Ally Hodder JR McLean
Olivia Shiplett FR Yorktown
Reagan Giuliano SO Herndon
Dominque Harris SO Wakefield
Paige Lee SO Marshall

All Rookie Team
Kat Wagener FR Washington-Liberty ROTY
Serena Gul FR Langley
Cora Stevens FR McLean
Olivia Shiplett FR Yorktown
Camille Marston FR Wakefield
Katie Kuczkowski FR Marshall
Maddie Evans FR Marshall

Coach Amanda Baker, Langley