Northern Virginia’s Top-10 Athletes

<p>Who are the best athletes in Northern Virginia? The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the very best, regardless of class. Below you will find, in alphabetical order by last name, 10 of the top athletes you will find in the region. This is part of a series that will aim to highlight players based on various superlatives.</p> <p><em>Note: these superlative lists will not be mutually exclusive. If someone can handle the ball and do something else (i.e. shoot) at a high level, they will be included in both lists. </em></p> <h5>Elliott Black | SSSAS ’22</h5> <p>Black appears set to take the IAC by storm next season. An athletic forward with a well-built frame, he has broad shoulders, strong arms, and a robust lower half. Black's high-level athleticism allows him to <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/WashPostHS/status/1227784170543423488?s=20">finish in traffic with relative ease</a></strong>.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="798697" first="Isaiah" last="Folkes"] | Middleburg ’21</h5> <p>Folkes is a highly explosive guard who plays with high energy. His athleticism is evident on both ends of the court. Folkes is a good rebounding guard, a plus defender, and a graceful finisher. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="798687" first="Avery" last="Ford"] | Centreville ’21</h5> <p>Ford is an elite all-around defender as a result of his length and mobility. He's an above-average athlete who can be deployed all over the court and can impact the game in many ways.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="697101" first="Darius" last="Johnson"] | Episcopal ’21</h5> <p>Pound-for-pound, there might not be a stronger athlete on this list than Johnson. Hovering around 6-feet tall, he plays above the rim on both ends of the court and is not afraid to challenge anyone in the paint. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="962786" first="Christian" last="May"] | Paul VI ’22</h5> <p>May is an athletic wing who loves to get out on the break and fill the lanes. He plays with a high motor and is a crafty finisher. </p> <h5>Wes Peterson Jr. | Bishop O’Connell ’21</h5> <p>Peterson is an athletic guard who gets downhill and seeks contact on his drives. He is a plus defender with a considerable amount of potential on that end of the floor.</p> <h5>Trenton Picott | South County ’21</h5> <p>Picott's athleticism gives Stallions Head Coach Mike Robinson the luxury to utilize him in a variety of ways. He is a matchup problem offensively when you consider his quick first step, and his defensive versatility gives him an edge in most matchups.  </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="815581" first="David" last="Solomon"] | Lake Braddock ’22</h5> <p>Whether he's catching a putback dunk or a lob, pinning a shot on the top of the square, or sliding his feet to keep in front of a smaller opponent, Solomon is constantly using his athleticism to his advantage. He's been a central figure in Lake Braddock's rise to prominence the past two seasons. </p> <h5>Greg Spurlock | Rock Ridge ’21</h5> <p>Spurlock is an above-the-rim athlete who makes impact plays on both ends of the court. He's a natural playmaker whose contributions are bolstered by his physical tools. </p> <h5>Sage Uwemedimo | Bishop Ireton ’21</h5> <p>Uwemedimo's athleticism translates on multiple fronts. He's an active defender with the ability to guard on the perimeter or protect the paint. Uwemedimo is also very dangerous in transition as a result of his combination of foot speed, leaping ability, and explosiveness. </p>