Best Shooters in NOVA: Part 2
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Here are the shooters that impressed me the most in NOVA this season. Lyla Brown Lyla Brown 5'8" Woodgrove | 2026 VA and Valerie BlankenshipWoodgrove broke the VHSL record for most threes in a season with a staggering 259. Virtually…
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Continue ReadingHere are the shooters that impressed me the most in NOVA this season.
Lyla Brown
Lyla
Brown
5'8"
Woodgrove | 2026
VA
and Valerie Blankenship
Woodgrove broke the VHSL record for most threes in a season with a staggering 259. Virtually everyone they play has the ability to knock down shots.
Lyla Brown
Lyla
Brown
5'8"
Woodgrove | 2026
VA
and Valerie Blankenship were two elite role players for Woodgrove this year, and they helped Woodgrove achieve one of the best shooting seasons for a team in VHSL history. They both knocked down 50 threes, and their spacing was huge in Woodgrove’s dynamic offense. I grouped them together because they were so similar in their offensive role and effectiveness.
Ellie Friesen Ellie Friesen 5’9″ | SG Meridian | 2025 State VA got a large portion of her offense from three this year and led a state-final Meridian team in scoring because of her shooting. Ellie didn’t shoot the three at a super high percentage, but just watching her, you can tell this is a high-level shooter. Ellie has great range and had some terrific performances this year. She knocked down 82 threes, which was good for second in NOVA.
Highlights
Hope Drake Hope Drake 5’11” | SF Briar Woods | 2024 State VA does not have the volume of the other players on this list because of the versatility of Hope’s offense. But don’t let that fool you because Hope can keep up with anyone as a shooter. Hope’s first-place finish at the NOVA seniors showcase 3-point contest is a good example. Hope is an elite spot-up shooter and her size makes it a luxury. Watching Hope this year, I always felt like it would have benefitted her more if she had taken more because she is such a good shooter. She knocked down 49 threes at a good percentage.
Highlights
Sabina Niedrick Sabina Niedrick 5’9″ | SG Woodson | 2024 State VA is an underrated shooter and player in general. When you watch how teams guard her, you can tell they really respect her shooting. She has a quick release and gets a really high arc on the ball. There aren’t many players I see swish more shots than Sabina. She does most of her work behind the arc catching and shooting, but she has a nice handle and creates space well on jumpshots.
Anna helstrom
Anna helstrom
Anna was a player who created a lot of offense for Park View, which is why her percentage isn’t amazing. She still made 41 threes on the year, hitting some difficult shots. Anna was terrific, especially early in the year.
Amirah Anderson Amirah Anderson 5’10” | SF Bishop Ireton | 2025 State VA is one of the most efficient scorers in the state, and her three-point shooting exemplifies that. With such a talent-loaded Bishop Ireton team, Amirah understands what helps this offense flow the best. She is a terrific spot-up shooter, and she shot a staggering 58% from three. She took only 76 threes, but nonetheless, Amirah is an elite shooter. Amirah picks her shots carefully all over the court and has a smooth and consistent jump shot.