Juniors making splashes around West Virginia

Give me a J. Give me a U. Give me an N. Give me an I. Give me O. Give me an R. What’s that spell? Do your job! What’s that spell? Get back to work! What’s that spell? Technically, it spells junior. That part cannot be debated, kind of like how it is all business when a player enters their third year. Stuck between learning to lead full-time and is expected to contribute consistently night in and night out, it is just so darn busy. There’s never a moment to breathe, never a moment to rest. Coaches need many if not all of them on their toes. These players are one year away from becoming seniors. The future success of the team falls on their heavily burdened shoulders, after all. There simply can’t be any letdown now. Here are six juniors balancing their duties with aplomb: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153410" first="Jayda" last="Allie"], Cabell Midland, G/F, 5-7 -</strong> She stays cool, calm and collected. She inspires and attacks with a great approach to the game. She is the shooting guard that pilots the Cabell Midland Knights through many different scenarios with a competitive attitude any coach would adore. Last year, this was [player_tooltip player_id="153410" first="Jayda" last="Allie"]. This year it is Allie, too. Relentless student section abuse follows her. The signs say some pretty messed up things, a few even go over the line. She cares little, if at all. Once she zones in on the basketball court, she never loses focus. Faceguard her, knock her down or do whatever else you think may upset her, but her mood never changes, and her determination remains the same. It’s basketball or basketball, there’s not an in-between. With this mindset, she’s putting together what looks like another great season for the Knights as we sit at the halfway point. She’s averaging 15.2 points per game, 4.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and has nailed 32 3s. <strong>Gabby Reep, Bridgeport, PG, 5-7</strong> - Bridgeport’s point guard just balls out. Plain and simple. <img class="size-medium wp-image-381629 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/Brideport-Reep-228x300.jpg" alt="" width="228" height="300" />Match her up against Morgantown’s tough defender Sophia Wassick, OK. Tell her she’s going head-to-head with reigning Mary O winner [player_tooltip player_id="153370" first="Marley" last="Washenitz"] and she barely bats an eyelash. Hamper her with consistent double teams, still, nothing breaks. Her motor keeps going. It runs, and runs, and runs, and runs. From the backcourt, around the frontcourt, to the bucket, back down on the defensive end of the court, and then all over again. There’s no slowing her down. If anything, the closer the game gets the more she raises the expectations of herself. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153424" first="Cadence" last="Stewart"], Greenbrier East, 5-7, SG - </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153424" first="Cadence" last="Stewart"] handles herself well in tough situations. It’s one of the best compliments you can pay to the junior. <img class="size-medium wp-image-251894 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/cadence-stewart-139x300.jpg" alt="" width="139" height="300" />She remains upbeat despite the circumstance. If a defender is hounding her, as they often are in big games, she stays cool. If her shot isn’t falling, she finds other ways to contribute, especially toward the end of games. Either she attacks the rim and finds a way to the free-throw line or picks her spots and says now or never. There’s no breaking the Spartans’ spirit. She refuses to give in, for always and ever. Take Greenbrier East’s 52-38 Tuesday win over George Washington as an example. Largely held in scoring check by the Patriots’ [player_tooltip player_id="379495" first="Finley" last="Lohan"] for much of the game, Stewart found a way to make an impact when her team needed her. With GW having converted the Spartans’ 14-point halftime lead and the GE having clawed back to a 51-48 lead, she contributed. With 2:41 left in the game and driving the ball down the lane in a 3-on-1, Stewart threw up a basket and drew a foul. Not only did she convert, but then she completed the three-point play. Ice flowed through her veins. East went up 54-48 and eventually won the game by five points. It was a game they didn’t deserve to win. And probably shouldn’t have won. But thanks to heads-up plays from Stewart among others, they prevailed. <strong>Jaz Wheeler, Cabell Midland, F, 6-1 -</strong> Wheeler combines a scorer’s touch and handles with a big’s body. And she does it well. She beats many smaller guards off the dribble, then collects her misses and puts it right back up without much trouble from her defender, if need be. <img class="wp-image-375327 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/Jaz-Wheeler-300x275.jpg" alt="" width="207" height="190" />Should she stay at small forward; she’s going to cause a lot of problems for smaller defenders. Her strength and ability to keep double teams away can mean big problems. Those groups looking to up the tempo may devote extra time to getting the ball away from her, and it could lead to fewer possessions and more pressure on them to score. If there’s one thing that needs improvement, it’s her defense. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">For a kid who can score and rebound as she can, it is likely there’s plenty of playing time coming her way if she can defend. Many coaches won’t want a liability on one end of the floor, just for a scorer on the other end.</span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="379485" first="Kaila" last="Fitzpatrick"], Musselman, SG, 5-11 - </b>Give credit where credit is due. Fitzpatrick knows how to fly under the radar. Her location in the Eastern Panhandle may have something to do with that, but she’s a sneaky good player who lives her best life on the court. Primed and ready to go off whenever she’s needed, there’s plenty in her game to love. She shows off a great court IQ. She senses when her scoring abilities are needed. She quietly provides leadership for the Appleladies. It all combines into a great package. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="379488" first="Elizabeth" last="Pryor"], Hampshire, C, 5-9</strong> - Hampshire’s [player_tooltip player_id="379488" first="Elizabeth" last="Pryor"] excels in a dying post spot. To say that isn’t to be critical. Or to call out the fact she has a C where her position says. It’s more like applying a badge of honor for her to wear proudly. Hopefully, she flashes it. Shows it off. Makes sure everyone sees it. Playing in the post should cause no shame. It makes for fun basketball games. It makes for nice old-fashioned low-post battles, especially when you do it well - which she does. All the great low post moves you may remember from a forgotten era come with her, too. There’s the old up and under. Don’t forget the back-you-down into-the-paint-and-get-an-easy bucket move. And there’s the good ole fashioned pick-and-roll.  All of your favorites are there. And she uses every one of them. Even when she rebounds, she keeps the ball high and gets the ball back up to the basket quickly. What more could you want? Against Musselman earlier this year, they were all out and on parade. Each time they appeared they caused more and more problems for defenders. If you are a coach who runs an old-fashioned center, then Pryor deserves a look. &nbsp;