NOVA starting 5: class of 2027

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027 class is fantastic, and this year, there were some great contributors. Here are the starting five for NOVA this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='732202' first='Natalya' last='Wooten']<br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732202' first='Natalya' last='Wooten'] is one of the best perimeter defenders in NOVA. She is also a good athlete and contributed to a good South County team. Fellow Freshman Peighton Baines-Trapp is a player to watch for this South County team moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='848973' first='Grace' last='Ellingson']<br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='848973' first='Grace' last='Ellingson'] had a couple of huge games for Gainesville early in the year. Grace can shoot, and moving forward, she will have an important role for Gainesville. Grace finished the year averaging 10.5 PPG, which was good for second on an excellent Gainesville team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["815659"],"_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":"Woodbridge had a solid year for a team as young as it was. Freshmen PG [player_tooltip player_id='815659' first='Maia' last='Melendez'] had a great year and was one of the best freshman guards in NOVA. Maia's high-level shooting and ball handling were on display all year. Maia had some big performances early in the year, like a 20-point, 4-assist game in her debut against Patriot. I've talked a lot about Maia recently, and she is a player to watch moving forward. Woodbridge, along with Maia, has a bright future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["633711"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='633711' first='Sabrina' last='Anderson'] was one of the best Freshmen in the state this year, and if I had to list my top five players in the NOVA period, she might be on there. Sabrina was the best player on an outstanding Potomac School team. Her otherworldly offensive ability was displayed all year, and she racked up 20-point games. She has an elite handle and is a high-level shotmaker from all over the court. She finished averaging 18.2 PPG and 2.1 SPG.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["749391"],"_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='749391' first='Payton' last='Walters'] was a massive piece for an Osbourn Park team that was a state semifinalist. Although she came into the year not being the biggest name, her stock just kept rising throughout the year. Payton had games where she looked like the best player on the court. Payton is an all-around fantastic player. There isn't much she doesn't do well, and she is someone I've already mentioned whose stock will keep rising.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["735525"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='735525' first='Amaya' last='Ramey'] was great for Woodgrove all year. She had her big coming-out party in Woodgrove's win over Hampton in the state final, but to people who watched Woodgrove this year, Amaya was one of the most impactful freshmen in the state. Amaya does well as a spot-up shooter and uses her size productively. She has a good post-game that she didn't use much because Woodgrove was good around her. Amaya is a spectacular rebounder on both ends.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["551071"],"_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":"There aren't many freshmen bigs who contribute to their teams. [player_tooltip player_id='551071' first='Leylani' last='Abraham'] was one of the rare ones that did. Leylani has a back-to-the-basket game way beyond her years, and when Gainesville ran two bigs, Leylani showed her versatility. She can pass the ball well, has an improving jump shot, and is a great defender. She finished averaging 7.4 PPG and a block.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6603381e69526"} /-->