GFA Girls’ Varsity Basketball
Isabella Grimm ‘27
It has been quite an exciting winter season for the GFA girls' varsity basketball team, as they finish off the 2026 regular season. With a 14-7 record, the girls' varsity has dominated this season. Game after game, they have shown resilience, skill, and teamwork, with precise and accurate play. This consistent performance throughout the season has GFA students and faculty excited to see what comes next.
London Powell ‘27, a standout player and leader on the Girls Varsity Basketball team, has had a very impressive season so far. Earlier this season, Powell celebrated her 1,000 career points in a competitive game against Berkshire School. She reflects on coming to GFA as a 13-year-old Freshman, which can be scary, being one of the youngest players on a team full of talent, but Powell kept her head up and put her competitive spirit to the test. It was clear she left the fear behind. As an upperclassman on the team, Powell's vocal, unselfish leadership is a highlight of her game, inspiring her teammates to work hard and play with confidence. Her passion for the game has definitely shone through over the years, as she continues to thrive on the court.
Powell is a player who sets goals, sticks to them, and is very motivated. She touches on how much work she puts in with her father outside of scheduled practices. “My dad trained me almost every day.” Powell says, “We spent countless hours in the gym working. To this day, we still wake up and go to the gym at 5 am before school.” The unwavering commitment and dedication she shows, combined with raw talent and not missing a day of basketball, is what got her to 1,000 career points. However, Powell also credits her team: “My teammates played the biggest role in me scoring 1,000 points.” She says, “Basketball is a team sport, and there’s no way I could have done this alone. They trusted me, passed me the ball, set screens for me, and encouraged me to be aggressive. The leadership and support I received, especially from the older players when I was younger, helped build my confidence. They pushed me in practice every day, making me better. Even this season, my teammates have celebrated my success as if it were their own. I’m truly grateful for each of them!” As a leader on the team now, it is great to see her connection with her teammates as the Dragons continue working together for seasons to come.
Photo by GFA Flickr
Sarah Von Dohlen ‘26 has also been the player to watch this season. With 11 made three-pointers in one game, she broke the school record. It was a very special night in the Coyle Gym for her, as she reflects on the night she broke the three-point record. “Everything just seemed to click.” Von Dohlen said, “I was in a good rhythm and felt confident in my shots. It was really just right place, right time. My teammates kept finding me in the right spots, and they’ve been wanting me to break the record all year. It makes a big difference when you have a whole team that believes in you and trusts you.” The support of teammates and the hard work of Von Dohlen are evident in this record-breaking game.
On top of this achievement, later this season, Von Dohlen celebrated her 1,000-point career game in a win against St. Luke's School. When asked how it felt to realize she reached 1,000 career points, Von Dohlen answered, “Reaching 1,000 career points was very meaningful to me. A lot of time and effort has gone into getting to that point, so it was rewarding to see it all pay off. I’m especially thankful I reached that milestone at GFA, even though I spent two years at Staples. It meant a lot to share that moment with my teammates, my family, and the GFA community.” As a transfer from Staples in her Junior year, Von Dohlen has shown remarkable skill and dedication to the GFA team and has brought even more talent to it over her past two years at GFA.
The GFA girls' varsity basketball team has put in a ton of effort this season, things like practicing through the winter break, countless weekend practices, and games out of state, which most viewers don’t see, but there is no doubt that their dedication and talent are the reasons for their very successful season.
