Early Season Takeaways 

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PVI can compete with the best<br></strong>Watching PVI so far this season, I have really liked their roster and how it works together. Over the last few years, I don't think PVI had the type of high-level spacing they have this year, and the shooting works really well around [player_tooltip player_id='579891' first='Demi' last='Gilliam']. Demi's passing ability at her size helps maximize the number of elite shooters on this roster, like [player_tooltip player_id='468759' first='Sravya' last='Janapati'] and [player_tooltip player_id='670496' first='Sabrina' last='Eldredge']. [player_tooltip player_id='1003768' first='Alice' last='Allen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='815660' first='Lyla' last='Ames'] are both highly impactful starters in this lineup that add toughness defensively and outside shooting. PVI sits at 6-2 right now, both of their losses coming at the Art Turner Memorial Classic against Christ the King and Osbourn Park. Christ the King was nationally ranked heading into this event, and PVI gave them real trouble and were a few plays away from winning this game. Osbourn Park is one of the best public school teams in the state, and that was another game where PVI was right in the whole way. A few days later, they beat a nationally ranked Sidwell Friends team in overtime of a Nationally Televised game. I'm interested to see this team play when they get into WCAC play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Ireton's future is bright<br></strong>With so much high-level talent that departed from Bishop Ireton from last season, I was eager to see what this new look Ireton team looked like. They were another team I enjoyed watching at the Art Turner, and their win over Christ the King was really impressive. In that game, you saw the talent this young Bishop Ireton has. They don't have a senior on this roster and are loaded with young talent at every position. [player_tooltip player_id='443362' first='Londyn' last='Ferguson'] is as good a passer as anyone in the state, and [player_tooltip player_id='946893' first='Kamiera' last='Willis'] does exactly what you are looking for from an off-guard/wing. Nina McEldon is a versatile big with elite talent and is up there with any freshman in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='740636' first='Laniyah' last='Ginger'] is another outstanding Freshman this team has, and she forms a fantastic duo of bigs with [player_tooltip player_id='897837' first='Geornae' last='Davis']. This team is young, athletic, and gets after it defensively. Bishop McNamara is still the cream of the crop in a loaded WCAC, but Bishop Ireton will be competing for conference titles sooner rather than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South County is a Contender<br></strong>South County's collection of guards is elite, and I think it's good enough for this team to make a deep playoff run. My favorite thing about these guards is that they all defend at a high level. [player_tooltip player_id='732202' first='Natalya' last='Wooten'] is probably this team's best defender with her defensive versatility on the perimeter. She has good length and is a much-improved offensive player. [player_tooltip player_id='675370' first='Adriana' last='Mayorga'] transfers in from Bishop O'Connell, and her ability as a driver, facilitator, and leader is big. [player_tooltip player_id='815659' first='Maia' last='Melendez'] is another transfer who will be another ball handler who also defends. [player_tooltip player_id='722607' first='Laila' last='Tull'] has been elite for this South County program for a couple of years, and she has gotten off to another hot start. She is this team's best offensive option and does a great job scoring on all three levels. She has a high IQ and will probably finish this year on an all-state team. South County lost its opener to a really good Gainesville team in a close one, but since then, they've been flawless. They will probably win their district, and I think they will do more than that come postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Concorde district is the best district in NOVA.</strong><br>The Concorde district is always a rock fight, but this year intrigues me for a number of reasons. The three best teams are going to be Chantilly, Oakton, and Centreville. What catches my eye this year is that all three of these teams possess a lot of seniors, especially at guard. [player_tooltip player_id='750345' first='Alivia' last='Tarry'] is terrific, playing both guard positions, and can really score the ball. She is a great ball handler, but Chantilly will be happy to get Abby Goodman back from injury after she was hurt in the middle of last season with a knee injury. Abby should take some of the shot creation pressure from Alivia. And of course, Senior big Alex Wilson is going to dominate most times she steps on the court. Then Oakton has [player_tooltip player_id='876808' first='Sophie' last='Toole'] and [player_tooltip player_id='755774' first='Brooke' last='Chang'], who are as experienced as any guard duo in the area. Sophie is an outstanding driver and passer, and it pairs nicely with what Brooke does as a spot-up shooter. Then, Centreville's backcourt is filled with 3 seniors who all excel at getting to the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='433880' first='Malia' last='Siriwardene'] is quick and has really grown as a shot creator. Virginia Academy transfer [player_tooltip player_id='376338' first='Aliza' last='Murray'] is one of the quickest guards in the area and can play both guard positions well. [player_tooltip player_id='1053621' first='Dani' last='Cuellar'] is the last senior guard I want to highlight, and I think she is going to handle the point guard duties for this team. She is great at attacking the rim, and this team as a whole should be terrific in transition. All three of these teams can win this district, and it is one to keep your eye on if you like defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->