802 All-State First Team: Little State, Big Game

VT in the house! We've got five versatile players with all-around game, wide-ranging impact on winning, and the intangibles to separate themselves from the pack. A talented first five out of the VPA. Let's dig in!   [player_tooltip player_id='645616' first='Nylah' last='Mitchell'], 5'9 W - Burlington H.S. Class of 2025   With her mega stat-lines, relentless hustle, and sheer leadership, Nylah proved herself to be the backbone of the D1 State Champs. Mitchell posted plenty of 20 and a few 30-point games, double digit boards, and a bounty of steals. She did so with her tough, aggressive slashing and post-finishing. Nylah cut defenses off the dribble from the wings, elbows, and short corners, or she took her defender to the block and put the work in. Moreover, her court awareness and passing sense has always been a cornerstone of her game, and the dominos proceeded to fall. Defensively, the versatility is unmatched. She switched onto anybody without hesitation, read passing lanes, and slid into help position to protect the rim, with the rebounding fervor always present. My 2025 POY.   [player_tooltip player_id='450194' first='Bree' last='McDonald'], 5'7 G - Burlington H.S. Class of 2025   I wavered on whether or not to put Bree on my 1st team or 2nd team purely due to inconsistent minutes/availability. But the more I thought about it, the more I reminded myself she's the most talented player in the state. So here we are. McDonald's ability to control a game is obvious. Her pace + decision making was keyed in especially in the playoffs, knowing well when to push or settle the offense. Her handle is by far the best in the VPA, and she broke any pressure and got to her spots at will where she then efficiently finished a ton of looks within 15-feet and knocked down the 3 with sound shot selection, putting up around 20ppg. Her physical defensive pressure on the ball flustered many, and her rebounding numbers jumped out to me; she always seemed to be in the right spot at the right time. Complete control of the game.   [player_tooltip player_id='481355' first='Charlotte' last='Jasmin'], 5'9 G - Hartford H.S. Class of 2026   One of the most well-rounded players, [player_tooltip player_id='481355' first='Charlotte' last='Jasmin']. There isn't a position she can't defend, a passing window she can't see, nor a shot she can't hit. Jasmin's utter grip on the game is clear as she orchestrates the offense with savvy handle, facilitation, and the balance of running sets vs creating on a whim. With her strong build, ballhandling and 3-level scoring, the defense is all eyes on her as she knocks down 3s off the bounce, pulls up, or finishes with savvy at the iron. Yet the distribution, the vision and knowledge of expected rotations, punished defenses regularly as she hit cutters, shooters, or drop passes. Furthermore, she's a smart off-ball player herself and can exploit a defense without the rock in her hands. Add in her abundant rebounding, smothering defense and physicality around the glass too; a complete talent with endless will to win.   [player_tooltip player_id='584222' first='Zoey' last='McNabb'], 5'8 G - Champlain Valley Union H.S. Class of 2026   For a team that graduated so much talent, hired a new coach, and took the floor with what was quite frankly limited skill, I was impressed with a Final Four finish. I boil a good chunk of that down to Zoey's impact. McNabb served as a combo-guard with all the tools to excel at either 1 or the 2. Her handle, facilitation, and off-ball movement were consistently clean and jumpstarted the offense. Additionally, her creation on the fly was so needed. McNabb's attack mindset + decision making propelled the offense with nice 3pt-shooting out of various scenarios, sly slashing + finishes, and constant awareness of where the next 1-3 passes were. Mix in her defensive disruption on ball or off with her long frame and quick feet and rebounding too; Zoey competes in every category with wit and determination. A savvy, skilled, and high-IQ guard.   [player_tooltip player_id='645602' first='Cassidy' last='Kittredge'], 5'10 W - St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2025   A player who can't be pinned down positionally, Kittredge's dynamic play was key as St. J lead as D1 favorites for much of the season. Cassidy's known for her knockdown shooting and pace of play; never sped up, Kittredge dissected defenses with crisp decision making. Her spot-up shooting is buttery out to 20-ft or so, the one dribble pull-up against a closeout or short corner shot is seamless, and her cutting into the 2nd layer created easy inside looks. Surely, the ball never stuck in her hands, and I love that. She's quick to keep the ball popping, she's quick to move and warp the defense with her activity, and that made for one of the best run offenses around. Then defensively, she'd lock in as the center of the 2-3 or a low wing, protecting the rim, rebounding, and defending the perimeter with measured pressure. A heady sharpshooter with distinct defensive impact.

VT in the house! We've got five versatile players with all-around game, wide-ranging impact on winning, and the intangibles to separate themselves from the pack. A talented first five out of the VPA. Let's dig in!