Conference Preview: MSAC Conference

Three things you can count on: death, taxes, and the MSAC conference being West Virginia’s deepest conference in terms of AAAA state title contenders. 2021 is no different. Let’s take a look at the top teams, the top players, as well as some fresh new faces in the MSAC for 2021.   Here are the 4 teams, in order of predicted finish, we expect to contend for the conference title this spring:   Huntington High: The Highlanders return a few key pieces from last season including 5’7 guard [player_tooltip player_id="153344" first="Kaiti" last="Swann"] and 5’4 guard [player_tooltip player_id="153340" first="LaTahia" last="Jackson"]. The addition of 5’4 guard [player_tooltip player_id="153371" first="Dionna" last="Gray"], transfer from Huntington St. Joseph’s, puts Huntington High not only at the top of the list for a conference title but also makes them a legitimate contender for the AAAA state title this spring. Gray currently holds multiple Division 1 offers and is easily one of the top guards in West Virginia. Another transfer, junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="153375" first="Imani" last="Hickman"], will be a strong presence in the paint for the Highlanders.   George Washington: The Patriots return 3 starters from last year’s MSAC runner-up team. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="153323" first="Kalissa" last="Lacy"] is not only the reigning MSAC player of the year but she also won last year’s Ostrowski Award given to the top player in the state each year. Also returning are seniors [player_tooltip player_id="153350" first="Vivian" last="Ho"] and [player_tooltip player_id="153367" first="Mary" last="Lyle Smith"]. Ho is a 5’4 guard and Smith is a 5’10 forward. Arguably, the Patriots also boast the top freshman class in the state led by 5’10 guard Finley Lohan, 5’9 guard Macie Mallory, and 5’10 forward Alaira Evans.   Cabell Midland: The Knights are definitely the deepest team in the MSAC, led by 5’7 guard [player_tooltip player_id="153410" first="Jayda" last="Allie"]. The 2023 guard is a definite Division 1 player. She is joined in the backcourt by her sister, 5’5 guard Rylie Allie. The Allie sisters will both be among the top guards in the conference. [player_tooltip player_id="153335" first="Autumn" last="Lewis"], a 6’0 Senior forward, has signed with Alderson Broaddus University and will be a huge contributor for the Knights this spring as they look to make a return trip to the AAAA state tournament. 6’0 Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="153391" first="KK" last="Potter"] will also be a key contributor to the Knight’s title run this spring.   South Charleston: The Black Eagles return (3) Seniors who are all four-year starters. The trio is led by 5’8 forward [player_tooltip player_id="153329" first="Maliha" last="Witten"]. Witten is a fierce competitor that can score on all three levels. 5’7 guard [player_tooltip player_id="153348" first="Genevieve" last="Potter"] is one of the league’s top shooters and will help Witten with the bulk of the scoring load for the Black Eagles. 5’9 forward [player_tooltip player_id="153361" first="Mia" last="Terry"] plays with a high motor and will control the glass for the Black Eagles. [player_tooltip player_id="153416" first="Sidney" last="Harris"], a 5’6 sophomore guard, will also be a key piece to the puzzle as the Black Eagles make a run at the league’s top spot.   Preseason All MSAC Team: <img class="alignleft wp-image-153475 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/03/Kalissa-Lacy-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="153323" first="Kalissa" last="Lacy"]-5’9 guard-George Washington: The Morehead State signee led the league in scoring last season.       [player_tooltip player_id="153329" first="Maliha" last="Witten"]-5’8 forward-South Charleston: The senior will stuff the stat sheet for the Black Eagles. [player_tooltip player_id="153410" first="Jayda" last="Allie"]-5’7 guard-Cabell Midland: The 2023 guard can shoot it, handle it, and is a tough-nosed defender. [player_tooltip player_id="153344" first="Kaiti" last="Swann"]-5’7 guard-Huntington High: Can score in multiple ways and will provide senior leadership. <img class="alignleft wp-image-185583 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/07/Autumn-Lewis-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="153335" first="Autumn" last="Lewis"]-6’0 forward- Cabell Midland: The AB signee has great feel around the rim and can shoot with range.       <img class="alignleft wp-image-153456 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/03/Dionna-Gray-e1583963761542-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="153371" first="Dionna" last="Gray"]-5’4 guard-Huntington High: Multiple D1 offers, the most complete players in the MSAC. Our pick for MSAC player of the year.         Others to watch: [player_tooltip player_id="153350" first="Vivian" last="Ho"]-5’4 guard-George Washington Rylie Allie-5’5 guard-Cabell Midland [player_tooltip player_id="153392" first="Natalyia" last="Sayles"]-5’8 guard-Capital [player_tooltip player_id="153418" first="Mya" last="Toombs"]-5’5 guard-Capital [player_tooltip player_id="153364" first="Caroline" last="Asbury"]-5’10 forward-Spring Valley [player_tooltip player_id="153348" first="Genevieve" last="Potter"]-5’7 guard-South Charleston [player_tooltip player_id="153387" first="Kisten" last="Roberts"]-5’9 forward-Parkersburg   Newcomers expected to make an impact: Finley Lohan-5’10 guard-George Washington Nini Pannell-5’5 guard-Capital Macie Mallory-5’9 guard-George Washington [player_tooltip player_id="153417" first="Hazley" last="Matthews"]-5’7 guard-Cabell Midland Alaira Evans-5’10 forward-George Washington Josie Graves-5’10 forward-Cabell Midland Amara Jackson-5’8 guard-Huntington