Region 5B Stars Built for the Bright Lights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Girls High School Basketball Playoffs have officially begun, and across the region teams are ready. Ready to chase the ultimate prize, a State Championship. At this stage, there are no do-overs and no second chances. One off night can end a season, and every possession carries weight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the pressure rising, they embraced the message go hard or go home, these four players seized the moment and delivered when it mattered most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["383833"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699b503c50bc1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At this point in her highly decorated high school career, Leach could easily rest on her laurels. Instead, she arrived locked in, playing with the urgency of someone far from satisfied. It is obvious She isn't planning to rest until she cuts down the nets in Richmond.While there is no guarantee that will happen. However, she's competing like a player determined to make that vision reality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With 20 first-half points Leach surpassed the 2,000-career-point milestone. Leading Menchville to a dominant 95–16 win over an overmatched Granby squad. She reminded everyone exactly why she stands among Virginia's elite players. Her performance combined efficiency, leadership, and relentless scoring setting the tone early and leaving no doubt about her impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["551366"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699b503c50c22"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper is developing a complete game in her sophomore season. Her 18-point, 8-rebound, 6-block performance against crosstown rival Nansemond River powered her team to a convincing 79–56 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Known for her physical presence in the post. Cooper displayed her offensive arsenal attacking off the dribble, finishing at the rim, and confidently stepping out beyond the three-point line. Showing the ability to score at all three levels, she continues to demonstrate just how high her ceiling can rise in the coming years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1774030,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jaliyah Nettles","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12120","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Warwick","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699b503c50ccb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nettles powered Warwick to a 51–39 victory over Kecoughtan behind a dominant 23-point, 11-rebound performance. As the pressure intensified, Nettles responded by taking control when the moment demanded it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Nettles possesses versatility woven throughout her game. She's capable of playing and defending all five positions on the floor. Whether serving as the primary ball handler against pressure. Initiating offense in transition or the half court, scoring in the post with polished footwork and positioning, or securing tough, contested rebounds, Nettles impacts the game in every phase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Her skill set forces opposing defenses to account for her at all times, and her game commands the attention from an entire defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["821070"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699b589b77bd7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Budd can get to the basket in a myriad of ways. Pacing the Maury Commodores with 23 points in their 55–39 victory over Woodside. In a defining six-second stretch, Budd showcased exactly what she brings to the floor. Pushing the ball in transition with urgency and finishing through traffic with a layup to tie the game at the half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Possessing a deceptively quick first step and the ability to beat defenders off the dribble. Budd consistently puts pressure on opposing defenses. Her performance helped propel the Commodores to their first regional victory in 15 years, cementing her role as a driving force behind their success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stars didn't just show up they took over. And as this survive-and-advance tournament raises the pressure with every game, expect these players to rise with it. The stage is bigger, the stakes are higher and the margin for error is gone. The brightest lights are built for players exactly like this.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->