Capital Invitational | She Got Game DC 2025
Savannah Swords (left) and Sanai Green are helping make LuHi one of the best in the country.
Simply Stated: A Talent Overload!
December 17, 2025
In its 16th year, The St. James She Got Game Classic DC, presented by Kaiser Permanente with Volkswagen also a sponsor, was held during the weekend of December 12-14, 2025, with the primary site being at The St. James (an amazing multi-sport complex) in Springfield, Virginia. On Thursday, December 11, Capital Invitational (in its fifth year), sponsored by Events DC, was also held at The St. James (previously held at Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC). Games from both events were livestreamed on BallerTV.
Talent everywhere!
On Thursday night, approximately 40 college coaches saw games held simultaneously on three St. James courts in four time slots. Over the weekend, just over 200 college coaches (mostly NCAA Division 1) had the opportunity to watch approximately 200 high school teams, mostly from the USA including over 20 from Canada and a few from Australia and The Netherlands also on display. While the biggest matchups were on the four permanent courts at the St. James, I was pleasantly surprised to see several games I attended on the football field (where six wood courts were brought in for the event) also well observed by college coaches. One comment from college coaches occurred repeatedly: There was too much to cover for any single individual college coach or outside media/evaluator. Event Director Afiba Fairnot stated, “this was the most talented field in the sixteen-year history of She Got Game DC.”
Teams of the tournament
One could name a lot but two stood out to me. Long Island Lutheran (LuHi) posted wins over ranked Bishop McNamara and St. John’s College High School. LuHi has a roster possibly at least seven deep with future Power 5 prospects.
Montverde Academy had three big wins (nationally ranked St. John’s plus Canadian powers Royal Crown School and Fort Eire International Academy).
A few of my favorite games involving nationally ranked teams...
LuHi (NY) 63-56 Bishop McNamara (MD)
LuHi depth was a bit too much for a young Bishop McNamara squad that should be even better next year. Recently back from ACL recovery, seniors Savannah Swords and Sanai Green looked to be in prime mid-season form.
Montverde Academy (FL) 63-60 St. John’s College High School (DC)
Montverde’s veteran penetrating guards Zaniyah Williams and Jamila Ray combined to help edge a deep St. John’s.
Bishop Gorman (NV) 62-50 Monsignor Scanlan (NY)
Led by senior guard Aaliah Spaight, Gorman was just too steady taking down national ranked Scanlan.
SPIRE Academy (OH) 73-69 The St. James Performance Academy (VA)
Saniyah Hall of SPIRE showed why she is one of the leading candidates for national player of the year in bringing her team back from a double-digit deficit.
Bullis School (MD) 43-37 IMG Academy (FL)
Ivanna Wilson Manyacka earned player of the game honors in guiding her team past IMG in a closely contested game.
Who is King’s Fork?
Coming in largely unheralded, this public school in Southern Virginia has been blowing away its opponents to start the season. At the event, it posted 25+ point wins over Sandy Creek (Georgia) and Southeast Raleigh (North Carolina), both well respected in their states. In doing a little research, the team’s (most key players underclass) starting lineup all have D1 offers below the Power 4 level. Their combination of athleticism and sharing the ball was impressive.
Players below are listed alphabetically within class with listed height, position and school with state location in parenthesis. Players written about in recent articles were passed on here.
2026
Jacy Abii, 6-2, small forward, Legion Prep (TX)
The Notre Dame signee is the likely go-to player on a very talent Legion team. She can hit the three or attack the rim.
IMG's Isi Etute is an import with power.
Isi Etute, 6-2, power forward, forward, IMG Academy (FL)
Out of Luxembourg, Etute has power and finishes well on either side of the rim. She is being heavily pursued by major programs.
Sanai Green, 6-0, forward, Long Island Lutheran (NY)
A Duke signee, Green is just back on the court and in her first outing impressed with passing, rebounding and scoring at mid-range and in.
Camryn Gunter, 6-3, power forward, Valor Christian High School (CO)
Signed with George Washington, Gunter showed a nice step-out three ball and versatility with a double-double (points and rebounding) in one outing at the event.
Saniyah Hall, 6-1, forward, SPIRE Academy (OH)
Hall dazzled in leading her team to a come-from-behind win versus host St. James. The Southern Cal signee can score at all three levels and is one of the leading candidates for national high school player of the year awards.
Rylie Hite, 5-9, guard, King’s Fork High School (VA)
An East Carolina signee, Hite is a good athlete, plays hard and can hit the three.
Jordyn Jackson, 6-1, forward, The St. James Performance Academy (VA)
The Maryland signee can score at all three levels. Posting 20+ points is not uncommon.
Olivia Jones, 6-0, guard, Long Island Lutheran (NY)
A Vanderbilt signee, Jones does a good chunk of the ball handling plus often scores in double figures with drive being weapon #1.
Madeline Leach, 5-9, wing, Menchville High School (VA)
A wing to baseline player, this James Madison signee stays active on offense looking for scoring opportunities.
Jamila Ray, 5-11, shooting guard, Montverde Academy (FL)
The Western Kentucky signee impressed with her athletic drives to the rim.
Aaliah Spaight is helping Bishop Gorman to national prominence.
Aaliah Spaight, 5-8, guard, Bishop Gorman High School (NV)
The Texas signee plays hard at both ends with attacking the rim appearing to be #1 scoring option.
Morgan Stewart, 5-10, guard, St. John’s College High School (DC)
The Florida State signee shows versatility in offense and can handle point guard duties as well.
Savannah Swords, 6-2, forward, Long Island Lutheran (NY)
The Kentucky commit has always been a crafty driver but now knocking down three after three — something previously more associated with sister Syla (now starring at Michigan)
Zaniyah Williams, 5-8, guard, Montverde Academy (FL)
The Auburn signee can play point or go score shooting from the wing or driving the lane.
2027
Sabrina Anderson, 5-8, point guard, The Potomac School (VA)
A high IQ player, Anderson, a likely Power 4 recruit, can make her teammates better via the pass or go score at all three levels.
Avery Arije, 6-1, guard, Crestwood Preparatory College (Ontario, CD)
A lefty, Arije carries a big burden in handling the ball and being a key scoring cog. If you include Canadians, she is high on the 2027 prospects list.
Journey Atkins, 5-9, shooting guard, Monsignor Scanlan High School (NY)
A likely Power 4 recruit, Atkins uses her above average athleticism playing hard on D and attacking the rim offensively.
Jezelle Banks, 5-11, point guard, The St. James Performance Academy (VA)
One of the top prospects in 2027, Banks can do it all just needing to be more efficient in her scoring at times.
Justice Brown-Jones, 6-3, wing, Catholic High School (VA)
Brown-Jones sort of typifies her team in that she has a D1 (in her case major) upside, but all the young pieces have not as yet fit together to reach potential. Player and team should be good this year and better next!
Sabrina Eldredge, 5-10, guard, St. Paul VI Catholic High School (VA)
Eldredge takes appropriate shots and showed a three-point stroke. She is a D1 prospect in a long line of them produced by this program. The word this fall was that Paul VI was down. Yet they played then nationally ranked Christ the King to three points and just beat a solid Sidwell Friends team.
Miciah Fusilier, 6-4, small forward, IMG Academy (FL)
Talent has never been lacking. The good news is that this high major recruit is showing much more focus on the court than when last seen about one year ago.
Ivanna Wilson Manyacka, 6-3, forward, Bullis School (MD)
Generally considered top five in the 2027 class, Manyacka is a superior rebounder who can play on the perimeter but destroy an opponent offensively in the key.
Nyair McCoy. 5-4, point guard, Bishop McNamara High School (MD)
McCoy plays hard and can hurt the opponent with her defense but also her three-level scoring. Yes, she is small but overcomes it with strength, motor and athleticism. Majors should be monitoring!
Jemini Mitchell, 6-1, shooting guard, Legion Prep (TX)
Mitchell is an above average shooter with three-point range, height and mobility. A top 20 prospect as ESPN’s 2027 list states!
De’Andra Minor, 6-0, guard, Grind Prep Academy (OK)
Minor is an another tall top 20 recruit who can play either guard slot combining athleticism and perimeter skills.
Qandance Samuels, 6-2, small forward, Bishop McNamara High School (MD)
Samuels has great height and can pour in the threes in wing to baseline area. Another top 20 recruit!
Lisa Sirgi, 6-5, center, Fort Eire International Academy (Ontario, CD)
Although one would not call this tall Estonian fast, her foot speed appeared better than a year ago. Impressive was her ability to step out and hit the three. A major D1 prospect at some level!
Amelia Sow, 6-1, guard/forward, Fort Eire International Academy (Ontario, CD)
Strong but light on her feet, Sow possesses the height and versatile scoring and passing skills majors are looking for.
2028
Mila Bissett, 5-5, point guard, St. Mary’s High School (Lancaster, NY)
Bissett has strong handles, court vision and can knock down open threes. A late growth spurt and improved athleticism would raise her recruiting stock significantly.
Kayla Eberz, 5-10 shooting guard, Archbishop Carroll High School (PA)
Eberz has fine size as shooting guards go and she can knock down threes. A Power 4 recruit at some level!
Vanesa Flood, 6-0, forward, Archbishop Spalding High School (MD)
Flood is an active athlete with good hands and above average passing ability. Probably close now but improved shooting range would make her a more desired major D1 recruit.
2029
Arianna Brewer, 5-9, wing, Bishop Gorman High School (NV)
Mobile with ability to hit the three or attack the rim, Brewer may be Gorman’s second best player and a likely Power 4 recruit.
Nyla Curry, 5-10 small forward, The Potomac School (VA)
Curry is an athletic driver needing to expand her range. Obvious D1 upside but how high as yet to be determined.
Saniya Douglas, 5-11, guard, Grind Prep Academy (OK)
An above average athlete with good court vision, Dougles’s offensive skills are still emerging, Power 4 schools should be monitoring.
Gabby Fajemirokun, 6-6, center, Crestwood Preparatory College (Ontario, CD)
An obvious high major prospect, Fajemirokun runs adequately, rebounds well with good hands and is a rim protector. Her offensive skills are not that far along. Regardless, this post player is likely a mainstay for Canada’s national team program for the next 15 to 20 years.
Khloe Ison, 5-6, point guard, St. Frances Academy (MD)
Ison has flashy handles and can dominate a game with passing and penetration. An obvious major D1 recruit, her perimeter shot needs to become more reliable.
Anaiah Pelt, 5-9, point guard, St. John’s College High School (DC)
Pelt is both a sturdy and steady guard. Offensive, skills just emerging but a prospect somewhere in D1 is already obvious.
Crystal Thomas, 5-5, point guard, Monsignor Scanlan High School (NY)
Thomas is small but has flashy handles. Another definite D1 prospect but let us not jump to conclusions as to how high as still so young.
Lyla Thompson, 5-11, guard/forward, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (MD)
Well-built with size, Thompson can play multiple perimeter positions. Most impressive was her ability to shoot the three off the catch. Likely Power 4 recruit!
Melody Vaughn, 5-10, guard, The Shipley School (PA)
Above average athletically, Vaughn was smooth with the ball and showed she can shoot the three. Already has Power 4 offers!