Best teams in NOVA: Public school edition Part 1
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With the season on the horizon, I want to take an in-depth look at the public schools in NOVA that will be really good this season. GainesvilleGainesville’s stifling defense helped make it one of the best public schools in NOVA…
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Continue ReadingWith the season on the horizon, I want to take an in-depth look at the public schools in NOVA that will be really good this season.
Gainesville
Gainesville’s stifling defense helped make it one of the best public schools in NOVA last year. They lost
Demi Gilliam
Demi
Gilliam
6'1" | SF
Paul VI | 2026
State
VA
to PVI, but Gainesville is still an athletic, talented team that should be fantastic. Senior guard
Madison McKenzie
Madison
McKenzie
5'7" | CG
Gainesville | 2024
State
VA
had an outstanding season last year, leading them in scoring. Her shooting and steady play were massive for Gainesville the previous year. Sophomore Center
Peyton White
Peyton
White
6'0" | C
Gainesville HS | 2026
State
VA
was a defensive monster last season. She protected the paint as well as you could ask, and she was one of the leading shot blockers in the state. I think White improves big time this year and could average a double-double. Freshman Forward
Leylani Abraham
Leylani
Abraham
6'2" | PF
Gainesville HS | 2027
State
VA
is another talented player who should also make her mark for Gainesville.
Woodgrove
Woodgrove won 21 games last year, and I see them being better this year. They return their best player from a season ago in point forward
Angelina Nice
Angelina
Nice
6'0" | CG
Woodgrove | 2024
State
VA
. She is fantastic on both ends and is a terrific all-around player. The biggest thing that moves me for Woodgrove is them getting
Sadie Shores
Sadie
Shores
5'10" | CG
Woodgrove HS | 2024
State
VA
back. She is one of the state’s top guards and will bring a lot to this Woodgrove team. Before she transferred out of Woodgrove originally, she was much more of a scorer, and I see her being more aggressive on that front. Sadie does everything well, and she provides all the little things as well. They also added freshman wing
Amaya Ramey
Amaya
Ramey
5'9" | SG
Woodgrove HS | 2027
State
VA
, who plays the game as hard as anyone. She is a relentless rebounder who plays a lot bigger than her size.
James Madison
James Madison is coming off of 4 straight state championships, and I expect them to be terrific again. James Madison won games last year with their suffocating defense, and I expect that to remain this year. James Madison lost a few of their big pieces, but they still returned
Stella Gougoufkas
Stella
Gougoufkas
5'10" | SF
James Madison | 2024
State
VA
and
Avery Griepentrog
Avery
Griepentrog
5'10" | PF
James Madison | 2024
State
VA
. Stella has been one of the fastest-rising players and is the 20th-ranked player in Virginia for 2024. Stella is a strong and athletic driver on both ends of the floor. She also rebounds well; I expect her to expand in her scoring role this year.
Avery Griepentrog
Avery
Griepentrog
5'10" | PF
James Madison | 2024
State
VA
is a fantastic defender and rebounder, and last year, she tied everything together for that group.
Robinson
Robinson lost a lot of production last year, but I still think they’ll be very good. Robinson should be good defensively again, and they bring back Junior Forward
Georgia Simonsen
Georgia
Simonsen
6'0" | SF
Robinson Seconday School | 2025
State
VA
. Georgia improved her game so much last year. Her defense was great, as expected, but she added a lot to her offensive game. She has an excellent low post game and can really attack the basket, and at 6’1, she finishes over defenders routinely. She is a real 20 and 10 threat every game. Madison Coutinho is another player I want to highlight. She is small but scrappy. She is a great ball handler and plays excellent perimeter defense. Scoring might sometimes be tough for this team, but it should still be good enough, and their defense will take them to another 20-win season.