Super Sophomores around the Mountain State

Many sophomores who contributed as freshmen own a tough gig in Year 2. Not only must they bring an improved game to the floor, but they are expected to produce more after a sparkling debut. These six players are living up to those expectations: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="379495" first="Finley" last="Lohan"], Guard, George Washington</strong> The Patriots’ guard defines a super sophomore. No doubt. <img class=" wp-image-379076 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/Finley-Lohan-148x300.jpg" alt="" width="124" height="251" /> Thrust into an immediate leadership role, Lohan is rolling with the punches. Whatever she needs to do, she does. Whatever she isn’t being asked to do, she does. Whoever she must guard, done. Basically, she’s doing a little bit of everything for head coach Jamie LeMaster and company. That includes running the offense filled with young players without frustration, getting her quick shot up and shooting nearly 50 percent from the field, and showing off her noticeably improved strength and conditioning while guarding a multitude of different players. Although coaches can’t talk to her, yet, they would be missing out by not putting her down as someone to see play in person. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="378962" first="Trinity" last="Balog"], Guard/Forward, Parkersburg</strong> The Big Reds’ second year player fits the bill for the case of the wonders a coaching change can do for some athletes. She’s become a completely different player than her freshman year. Free of worry, her games really shining for first year head coach Chris Murray. Already capable of driving down the lane, she’s shown an increase in strength, her attitude toward the game is more positive, she brings a bulky rebounding presence to the floor, and has emerged as one of the Murray’s dependable scorers. She needs to keep getting stronger and will only benefit from two more years playing with the W.Va. Thunder and in the Mountain State Athletic Conference. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="379500" first="Isabella" last="Blomquist"], Combo Guard, Hampshire</strong> The Eastern Panhandle may not get a huge share of attention from the rest of the Mountain State, but it should. Players like Blomquist prove that. Tucked away in Hampshire, the Trojan’s excelling as an athlete playing basketball. Her natural abilities allow her to compensate where her court skills are a little behind. Because of this, she’s well suited to run in a transition offense, she covers a lot of ground in just a few steps, and she possesses a long shooting range capable of hitting those pull-up 3s while on the run. Her main sport may be soccer, but there’s plenty of potential for a college career in basketball, as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="342214" first="Sofia" last="Wassick"], Point Guard, Morgantown </strong> <img class="wp-image-379073 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/Sofia-Wassick-229x300.jpg" alt="" width="108" height="142" /> A 5-foot-8 point guard, Wassick stands out because of her intelligence while running any offense, as well as for her athletic ability. Though she plays tennis, similar to her sister, basketball is where makes her name. She sees the floor well, which is a must in Morgantown where Jason White’s team features plenty of athletic girls. She’s someone who understands how to get her teammates the ball and sees more than she lets on. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="379505" first="Kenly" last="Rogers"], Guard, East Fairmont</strong> Speaking of someone sometimes overshadowed in her area, Rogers plays in the same general zone as Fairmont Senior’s [player_tooltip player_id="153370" first="Marley" last="Washenitz"], [player_tooltip player_id="153399" first="Meredith" last="Maier"], and North Marion’s Olivia Tolland and [player_tooltip player_id="153389" first="Katlyn" last="Carson"]. So, it can be hard for her to grab some attention. Or it was. Tis not the case, anymore. Rogers has led her Bees toward the top of Class AAA with a confident game that would work well at any college level. Clarksburg sportswriter Michael Minnich especially like her great handles, ability to attack the rim, and never-say-never attitude to hitting a pull up jumper when the need arises. All-in-all, Rogers presents an advanced game and isn’t done growing. She’ll keep standing out during the rest of her time in Fairmont. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="379498" first="Ashlynn" last="Van Tassell"], Center, Cameron</strong> After making waves by helping the Dragons to the 2021 Class A state final, Van Tassell’s come back to the floor with a big new weapon. She’s much more in tune on how to use her large frame in ways that benefit her. Not only that, but she’s no longer standing around in the paint waiting for an entry pass. She’s capable of creating shots for herself with a variety of moves. Though she struggles with ballhandling as she’s often the best player on the floor and swarmed with double teams, the college game will benefit her move set and skills. Around other high-caliber athletes, she can flourish without pesky double teams.