NOVA Preseason all sophomore team
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With the season in about a month, I want to look at who I think will be the all sophomore team in NOVA. I will separate private and public schools for the upperclassman because there are fewer hugely impactful Sophomores…
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Continue ReadingWith the season in about a month, I want to look at who I think will be the all sophomore team in NOVA. I will separate private and public schools for the upperclassman because there are fewer hugely impactful Sophomores than Juniors and Seniors. I will be combining the sophomores listed.
Honorable Mentions
Dru Carlton
Dru
Carlton
5'8" | SG
Bishop O'Connell | 2026
State
VA
Dru Carlton
Dru
Carlton
5'8" | SG
Bishop O'Connell | 2026
State
VA
is great in transition and is an excellent spot-up shooter. Bishop O’Connell has a lot of guards, so it’s crowded there right now. Dru should have a solid year and is a player to watch.
Carly Sweazie
Carly
Sweazie
5'6" | PG
Bishop O' Connell HS | 2026
State
VA
Another Bishop O’Connell guard is Stone Bridge transfer
Carly Sweazie
Carly
Sweazie
5'6" | PG
Bishop O' Connell HS | 2026
State
VA
. She is their highest-ranked guard, and I’m interested to see what she does this year. I am still determining her role exactly, but she should still be very good. Carly is a fantastic offensive player and has grown into a terrific shooter from three and mid-range. She is very quick and supremely skilled.
Madison Nicholson
Madison
Nicholson
5'5" | CG
Paul VI | 2026
State
VA
PVI’s guard rotation is still a question mark, but if Madison sees herself starting, she could have a great year. She is an excellent ball-handler and a good scorer. I love her defensive effort, and she is a very talented player. She will get her shot sooner or later and show her ability.
Samia Snead
Samia
Snead
5'6" | PG
Osbourn Park | 2026
State
VA
Samia Snead
Samia
Snead
5'6" | PG
Osbourn Park | 2026
State
VA
is a player who could have a number by her name by the end of the year. She is a terrific ball handler and a great leader on the court. She can score and bring energy on defense. I think she will end up being Osbourn Park’s starting PG, and by the end of the year, she very well might be ranked.
Jayel West
Jayel’s role will be expanded as well, and she should have a great year. She’s good without the ball, and like the rest of the Osbourn Park team, she competes defensively. Jayel does well around the rim, too.
At the first guard position, I am going with Denver Carlton Denver Carlton 5’10” | SF Bishop O’Connell | 2026 State VA . Denver is listed as an SF right now, but she’s a combo guard. Denver is one of the most improved players I saw heading into this fall. Bishop O’Connell’s guards are great and I think she will be that bunch’s leader. She creates so much offense for herself and others, which is why she fills this first guard spot. Truthfully, I could have put a few Bishop O’Connell guards here, but I think Denver is the most ready to have a big year right now. Denver’s length and raw ability, coupled with the fact she’s starting to figure things out, make me feel like she will be one of the best sophomores in the area
Ava Sewall Ava Sewall 5’9″ | SG The Potomac School | 2026 State VA is the other guard I have. Annandale wasn’t very good last year, so people didn’t talk about Ava enough. Annandale should improve this year, and with how well Ava played over the summer, she looks poised to be one of the best guards in the area. Ava Sewall Ava Sewall 5’9″ | SG The Potomac School | 2026 State VA put up excellent numbers last year and was one of the highest-scoring freshmen in the state, averaging about 18 a game. Ava is so skilled as a ball handler and scorer. She is an excellent shooter, and her playmaking is good as well. Ava’s defense is underrated, and she has quickly gone from under the radar to a known commodity.
Highlights
I’ve mentioned before how good this Osbourn Park 2026 class is. Talented Wing Keyarah Rainey Keyarah Rainey 5’9″ | SF Osboure Park | 2026 State VA was the most productive one last year, and she will likely repeat that this year. Keyarah is long, athletic, and a tremendous defender. Her ability to get downhill and use her physical traits to score is really impressive. She’s looked great in fall league and had a game-winner against Bishop O’Connell. Keyarah may be a player you have to see in person to know how good she is because numbers may not do her justice. But she should be one of the best players on a great squad.
The next forward that I have is Demi Gilliam Demi Gilliam 6’1″ | SF Paul VI | 2026 State VA . Demi’s transfer to PVI is a fit that I love. PVI has a lot of great defensive pieces, and adding someone as versatile on that side of the ball as Demi was perfect. She can guard multiple positions at a high level. On offense, Demi is versatile, too. She is a terrific passer and ball-handler for a forward. Demi has a high potential, and being in this situation will bring out the best in her. Demi will start at the four spot for this PVI squad and will be as impactful on both sides as any sophomore in the area.
At Center, I’m going to go with Peyton White Peyton White 6’0″ | C Gainesville HS | 2026 State VA . She was great last year and was a premier paint defender. Peyton can completely break out this year if she puts together all her tools. Peyton is a high-level athlete, and she is one of the best defenders you’ll see. Her rebounding is excellent, and she can average a double-double this year. Gainesville lost a significant piece in Demi Gilliam Demi Gilliam 6’1″ | SF Paul VI | 2026 State VA , so if they want to be great again, they’re going to need Peyton White Peyton White 6’0″ | C Gainesville HS | 2026 State VA to elevate her game.