NOVA starting 5 class of 2024: Public school

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 class is loaded with talent everywhere. Here is my NOVA starting 5 for the class of 2024 for public schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='1259543' first='Tavarres' last='Riley'] <br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259543' first='Tavarres' last='Riley'] is, without a doubt, one of the best scorers in the state. Tavarres scores the ball from all over the court and does it skillfully. He had some monster scoring performances for Freedom-Woodbridge this year and is a walking 20 points. He was second-team all-state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='1759750' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'] <br></strong>Tuscarora made it to a state final because of their guard play and shooting. The leader of that was [player_tooltip player_id='1759750' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'], another guard I only left out because of how good the starting guards are here. He is one of the best shooters in the state and hits some tough shots. Jayden averaged 21.7 PPG and was the region player of the year. He was also first-team all-state and named to 4th team all-met.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='1304244' first='Brian' last='Kennedy'] <br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1304244' first='Brian' last='Kennedy'] was a star for South Lakes on both sides of the ball. His defensive pressure was enormous for South Lakes' excellent defense, and Brian's contributions on offense were huge. Brian was terrific for South Lakes in post-season play, and without him, South Lakes wouldn't have won their first state championship. He finished first-team all-state and was an All-Met honorable mention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='1286684' first='Kenneth' last='DeGuzman'] PG<br></strong>Potomac was fantastic this year, and the leader of that was Kenny DeGuzman. Kenny was great last year, but he elevated his play this year. He averaged 21.5 PPG and did it efficiently, too. Kenny is a fantastic passer and was one of the state's best offensive players this year. It was hard to leave Kenny off my starters, but it speaks volumes about how good the two guards here are.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='1759737' first='John' last='Opiola']</strong><br>Pot Falls was well-balanced this year, which was a big reason why they were undefeated for most of the year. Johnny's numbers aren't super eye-popping, but he is one of the most impactful players in the area. He is a great rebounder and defender and always gets timely buckets. I was close to starting Johnny, and he more than deserved it. He was first-team all-state and an all-met honorable mention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1580611"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1580611' first='Kye' last='Robinson'] was one of my favorite players to watch this year for a fun Alexandria City team. He is excellent on both ends of the court and is one of the more mature players in the area. He is a great leader, and you see that. He scores the ball at a high level and is always in control. He's a three-level scorer and an excellent rebounder for a guard. He averaged 21.8 PPG and 6 RPG. Kye was on the first team all-state and on the third team all-met.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1405408"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"At my other guard spot, I have Tey Barbour. Tey's stats were great this year, but they still don't reflect how good he was. He was super efficient, and because of how good Patriot was and how badly they beat some teams, he didn't always play massive minutes. Tey is a smart basketball player and one of the best scorers in the state. He scored the ball all over the court and led an outstanding Patriot team. He was a first-team all-state and a first-team all-met selection.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2232335"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Hayfield lost a lot of production from their state title-winning team last season. They have been almost unbeatable the past few years, and they were a bit of a question mark to me heading into this season. But they looked like they hadn't missed a beat, especially late in the year, and a lot of that was because of [player_tooltip player_id='2232335' first='Andy' last='Ramirez']. Andy led Hayfield, averaging 12.4 PPG, and pulled in 5.3 RPG. He was second-team all-state and an all-met honorable mention.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2333834"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"This was [player_tooltip player_id='2333834' first='Carlton' last='Young']'s first year in NOVA, and he was tremendous for Wakefield. Carlton plays the game so hard, and it's a big reason why he put up the numbers he did and why I have him starting. His touch and athleticism are excellent around the rim. He is also a solid defender and had a monster season. He was first-team all-state and an all-met honorable mention.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1489085"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"At my center spot, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1489085' first='Isaiah' last='Vick']. Isaiah had an excellent year for Patriot. He was the second-leading scorer on one of the best public school teams in the state. I have Isaiah listed at center, but he can play all over. He can guard almost any position on the court and knock down jump shots from range on the other side. Isaiah is a matchup nightmare and one of the most versatile players in the state. He was second-team all-state and an all-met honorable mention.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66148c54bd8d3"} /-->