NOVA Starting 5: Public School Seniors First Team

The 2026 class is incredibly loaded in NOVA, and you see that in the talent at the public schools. Here is my First team starting 5 for the public schools in NOVA.    [player_tooltip player_id='876808' first='Sophie' last='Toole'] has been terrific every step of the way for Oakton, and she closes out her high school career with one of the best seasons for a guard in NOVA. She is great at attacking the rim and always keeps her head up to find open players. She is one of the most tenacious perimeter defenders in the area and is consistency personified. She has been a steady hand the past few years, and that was the case again this year. She was the district offense of the year, district DPOY, and player of the year in her region.     There may not be a player in NOVA who has been as consistent the past few years as [player_tooltip player_id='722607' first='Laila' last='Tull']. Laila brings it night in and night out on both sides of the ball for a loaded South County squad. South County has some of the most elite perimeter defense in the state, so when your best player is as committed to that side of the ball as Laila is, it goes a long way. She is a very good finisher around the rim and knocks down the long ball as well. She was the Patriot district player of the year, and she takes up my second guard spot here.     As good as [player_tooltip player_id='239413' first='Keyarah' last='Rainey'] has been for Osbourn Park over the past couple of years, this year was pretty easily her best to me. OP came into the year as the favorite to win states, but after a couple of big injuries to their backcourt, things became a little more questionable. Keyarah put this team on her back on multiple occasions and showed off why she may be the best player in Class 6 in Virginia. She is an elite three-level scorer and has one of the best-looking jump shots in the area, especially from mid-range. She is an elite driver and creates turnovers on defense. She was the region and district player of the year, and her Superman-like display in the final is why OP won another state title.     [player_tooltip player_id='985809' first='Alyssa' last='Stanford'] is a walking double-double every time she steps out on the court. She scores at all three levels and dominated games for an outstanding Heritage team all year. She is a terrific defender and collects rebounds at will. She finishes over and through players consistently and can play as a wing or big. She finished the year as the region player of the year.     From her freshman year, [player_tooltip player_id='579893' first='Peyton' last='White'] has found ways to impact games for Gainesville. Her shot blocking and overall defensive impact are elite, and over the past few seasons, she has grown her offensive game. Her rebounding is fantastic, and she does a good job putting the ball on the floor when she has to. Her touch has really improved throughout her career. Her defensive impact may be more than anyone in NOVA, and she alone could get her on this list.

The 2026 class is incredibly loaded in NOVA, and you see that in the talent at the public schools. Here is my First team starting 5 for the public schools in NOVA.