State Semi-final standouts
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Team’s punched their tickets to the state final on Friday and there were some fun games. The environments this time of the year never disappoint. Here are the performers that stood out to me the most. Ellie Friesen VA #69…
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Continue ReadingTeam’s punched their tickets to the state final on Friday and there were some fun games. The environments this time of the year never disappoint. Here are the performers that stood out to me the most.
Meridian pulled out a gritty win over Lake Taylor. Meridian went into halftime down 5, and they struggled to score. Meridian’s strong second half won them this game, and Ellie Friesen Ellie Friesen 5’9″ | SG Meridian | 2025 State VA was outstanding. Ellie has torched defenses all year with her shooting, and this game was no different. She knocked down 6 threes, and from start to finish, she played great for Meridian. She finished with 21 points and 6 rebounds.
Highlights
Woodgrove has cruised all year, and the playoffs have been no different. Woodgrove beat Tuscarora by 20 points, and Amaya Ramey Amaya Ramey 5’9″ | SG Woodgrove HS | 2027 State VA had an impressive game. Amaya’s physicality and strength as a freshman are terrific. Amaya uses both of these with her rebounding, one of her best skills. She is an excellent rebounder as a guard, and she had 9 of those Vs. Tusky. Amaya is a versatile scorer; she uses her frame to play bully ball with smaller guards, and she can shoot the three well. Amaya did most of her damage in this game from three, knocking down 3 of them. She finished with 11 points.
Osbourn Park played Thomas Dale early in the year and lost by 40 points. They rematched them in a semi-final that interested me for many reasons. One of them is that both these teams are young, and how would OP respond to that lopsided loss early? OP lost by 3, but they showed heart and responded about as well as you’d hope for a young team playing arguably the best team in the state. Someone who responded particularly well was Samia Snead Samia Snead 5’6″ | PG Osbourn Park | 2026 State VA . She started great in this game and was a big reason why Osbourn Park got out to a lead. Samia is a great scorer and a active defender. She is a terrific ball handler and a true PG. She is another outstanding Sophomore for OP, and even though they lost this game, she and OP will be back. You’ll see them playing in states for the next few years.
Highlights
The last time Thomas Dale played Osbourn Park, Nylah Wilson Nylah Wilson 5’8″ | CG Thomas Dale | 2025 State VA had an outstanding game. She didn’t play quite as well this time, but she was still impressive. This Thomas Dale team is athletic and opportunistic on defense, and I feel like Nylah exemplifies these things. Nylah is an elite athlete and one of the best two-way players in the state.
Youth and athleticism were the stories of this game, and Syvannah is a good example of both. Savannah is a great spot-up shooter and difficult to stay in front of. Her finishing on either side is great, and she is a complete offensive player. She plays beyond her years on both ends and led Thomas Dale in scoring. This Thomas Dale Osbourn Park game might be the first part of a series of games these teams play because both of these teams are retaining virtually everyone. Thomas Dale gets to avenge their only loss of the season against Manchester on Friday.