Tarr of host school Oakton among the seniors in contest
The popular Suburban Classic again will be held in March with one big difference this year – there will be two games instead of one.
The 19th annual girls all-star basketball event is sponsored by the Northern Virginia Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. It features top high-school seniors from throughout Northern Virginia participating in one final prep event. The event will be at Oakton High on Sunday, March 17. The competition begins at 1 p.m. with a three-point shooting contests, which is expected to include 40 players.
Following are two games. The first is at 2 p.m. with all-stars from the Liberty and Concorde districts of the 6D North Region facing players from Prince William County. The second tips off at 4 p.m. with Loudoun County all-stars playing those from the Patriot and National districts of the Occoquan Region.
Player and Coach of the Year honors from some of the districts and regions will be announced between games, and two $500 scholarships will be awarded.
Rosters are still being finalized, but some top local players expected to participate are Oakton’s Finley Tarr, Madison’s Stella Gougoufkas and Avery Griepentrog, Marshall’s Anna Musgrove, Wakefield’s Helena Helms, Washington-Liberty’s Malek Ben Hammouda and Westfield’s Emma O’Connor.
The event has been popular for players who have participated in recent years, as they enjoyed the stress-free atmosphere and a final highlight of their high-school careers.
In the 2022 event, former Madison standout Alayna Arnolie, playing at Gettysburg College, scored 33 points, made seven three-pointers, had nine rebounds, three steals and three assists. She said she had as much fun participating in the game as she had in any high-school contest. And Arnolie played on Madison teams that won multiple state championships.
Langley High graduate Annabeth Holsinger said the same thing that year after winning the three-point contest.
“It’s a fun event and the players who have taken part have enjoyed the experience over the years,” Suburban Classic director and NVWBCA president Fred Priester said.
Coaching the all-star teams will be Amanda Baker of Langley, Rudy Coffield of South County, Fred Milbert of Colgan and Raven Short of Briar Woods.
Often college coaches attend the event.
Admission is $8 for adults. Seniors and those age 7 and under are admitted free.
The rosters of the four teams are below.
6D North Region:
Stella Gougoufkas (Madison), Avery Griepentrop (Madison), Lillian Perkins (Madison), Emma O’Connor (Westfield), Finley Tarr (Oakton), Anna Musgrove (Marshall), Jahniya Marion (Centreville), Clara Clayton (Herndon), Helena Helms (Wakefield) and Malek Ben Hammouda (Washington-Liberty).
Occoquan Region:
Elizabeth Barry (Robinson), Sabina Niedick (Woodson), Leila Carter (South County), Sarah Pritz (Lake Braddock), Kelsie Chang (Woodson), Jayla Alford (West Potomac), Halima Hajhassan (Justice), Sarah Aburish (Annandale), Makeda Endalkachew (Justice).
Prince William County:
Brianna Long (Colgan), Payton Schwinn (Colonial Forge), Ella Nhek (Patriot), Amaya Thrash (Colgan), Mya Alexander (Colgan), Bea Quiroz (Colgan), Gabby Jackson (Woodbridge), Angie Yann (Osbourn Park), Kenneah DeGuzman (Freedom), Delaney Gilliam (Gainesville).
Loudoun County:
Sadie Shores (Woodgrove), Hope Drake (Briar Woods), Angelina Nice (Woodgrove), Alysa Carrigan (Tuscarora), Alex Phillips (Loudoun Valley), Alex Gonzalez (Broad Run), Ella Mahaffey (Riverside), Tia Chen (Briar Woods), Noelle Cabiness (Briar Woods), Anna Helstrom ( Park View), Ceci O’Gradu (Potomac Falls).
