NOVA starting 5: class of 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is the starting 5 for the class of 2026 in NOVA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='722607' first='Laila' last='Tull']<br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722607' first='Laila' last='Tull'] had an outstanding season for an ascending South County team. She is a good two-way player and was named First team all conference and second team all state. Laila was a riser this past season, and in a talent-rich 2026 class in the area, she stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='468759' first='Sravya' last='Janapati']<br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='468759' first='Sravya' last='Janapati'] solidified herself as one of the best shooters in NOVA this year. She knocked down the most threes in Stone Bridge's history with 73. Sravya was their leading scorer and led a state semifinalist Stone Bridge team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='876808' first='Sophie' last='Toole']<br></strong>I talked recently about [player_tooltip player_id='876808' first='Sophie' last='Toole'] being one of the most underrated players in the state. Sophie is one of the best on-ball perimeter defenders in NOVA, and she runs Oakton's offense well when asked to. She drives the ball well and was paramount to Oakton's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='603549' first='Ava' last='Sewall']<br></strong>Annandale really struggled this year, but [player_tooltip player_id='603549' first='Ava' last='Sewall'] still had a fantastic season. Ava is a great rebounder for a guard and shoots the ball well. She is a talented scorer and finished the year averaging 18 points a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='376331' first='Jayel' last='West']<br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='376331' first='Jayel' last='West'] steadily contributed to a young and talented Osbourn Park team. She is athletic and plays her role well. She was the second team in the Cedar district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["743970"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='743970' first='Irieanna' last='Smoot'] is one of the most improved players in the state and scored hugely for Osbourn this year. Osbourn had a tough season, but Irieanna was still impressive. Irieanna is fantastic on both ends and is one of the best scorers in the state. She is a great athlete and attacks the rim really well. She is a tough shot maker and averaged an elite 21.9 PPG. She finished first team all Cedar district, a district that is loaded with young talent, as you'll see.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["448324"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"At the other guard position, I have [player_tooltip player_id='448324' first='Samia' last='Snead']. Samia is a fantastic shooter and active defender. She handles the ball well and has gotten a lot better as a facilitator. Samia is ultra competitive and is a massive piece to one of the best teams in the state in Osbourn Park. Samia was a first team all-Cedar district selection.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["555428"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='555428' first='Keyarah' last='Rainey'] could very well stake her claim as the best public school Sophomore in NOVA this year. Keyarah won Cedar District Player of the Year and was a first-team all-state selection. Keyarah was great for Osbourn Park all year in big spots and was a player who upped her game after an already stellar first year. Her defense, athletiscm and finishing are all great, and Keyarah was as good as any public school player in NOVA.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["579891"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"At my forward position, I have [player_tooltip player_id='579891' first='Demi' last='Gilliam']. Demi's transfer to PVI really interested me heading into the year, and she did a lot of good things. Demi is a consistent starter on a very good team playing in one of the best conferences in the country. Demi adds a lot to PVI as a versatile defender and passer. For this being Demi's first season with this level of comp, I thought she did a very good job.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["579893"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"At Center, I have [player_tooltip player_id='579893' first='Peyton' last='White']. Peyton was great inside for Gainesville. She was fantastic on defense this year, but she turned into more of an offensive threat. She rebounded the ball at a high level, averaging 10.4 a game, and she repeated as one of the best shot blockers in the state, averaging 2.2 BPG. She upped her scoring average and built upon her great freshman season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6603477e9f3dc"} /-->