Players to watch in the Class AAAA regional tournament

Who is the top dog in Class AAAA? That’s easy. Er, or is it? No, not so much. Sure, Huntington looks fantastic, nearly unbeatable. Not so long ago, Parkersburg proved the Highlanders aren’t invincible. Plus, the Big Reds are on an 11-game winning streak. Morgantown’s defense looks as good as ever. Wheeling Park fields a young team, but Ryan Young has them playing well. Greenbrier East looks good. Cabell Midland’s right in the mix, too. And don’t forget about Woodrow Wilson. If there was a coach of the year award given out in the state, Flying Eagles’ head man Brian Nabors sits in the mix. After everything Beckley’s dealt with from injuries, to COVID, and missing players, they’re looking good at the right time of the year. Spring Mills and Jefferson are making noise out in the Eastern Panhandle, as well. So how are we supposed to make any sense out of all of this? We aren’t. Rather, we just enjoy the ride and watch everything play out. Here are a few players who likely affecting the final outcome in the highest classification in the state: Region I Section 1: Lily Jordan Lily Jordan 6'0" | PF Morgantown | 2024 State WV , F, So., 6-0 and Sadaya Jones, Morgantown, G, Fr., 5-8 - The duo is a packaged deal coming off the bench for head coach Jason White. That’s in every sense of the term.

Upon entering any matchup, sparks fly from them that many teams just can’t match from a reserves’ standpoint. Powered by strong athleticism and even longer length, the duo creates havoc and gets the Mohigans out and running in transition for easy buckets. John Marshall and Brooke don’t have an answer for the length, and Wheeling Park better hope shooters are making shots because rebounds don’t come easy with those two in the game. On defense, they are relentless. Section 2: Shelby McDaniels Shelby McDaniels 5'5" | CG Buckhannon-Upshur | 2022 State WV , Buckhannon-Upshur, PG, Sr., 5-7 - The Buccaneers point guard makes life easier for her teammates when on the floor. Plain and simple. Teams can’t run a press on B-U because she quickly brings the ball up the floor. They can’t successfully trap her because she sees the floor so well. She can get a fast break started anytime with her quick hands. On top of that, she’s a kid who sneakily puts in 16 to 18 points per night. In a regional co-final where B-U likely hosts Morgantown or Wheeling Park, she’s going to play a huge role in whether or not the Buccaneers make a state tournament appearance. Region II Section 1: Kilah Dandridge Kilah Dandridge 5'8" | CG Spring Mills | 2025 State WV , Spring Mills, CG, Fr., 5-7 - This Eastern Panhandle newcomer has established herself as one of the up-and-coming players to watch in the region. Alongside teammates and Corrin Edsall, they have the Cardinals poised to compete for a slot at the state tournament for the next few years. She, specifically, serves as the catalyst. "She doesn’t become the black hole, and we feel comfortable letting her bring the ball up at times along with Bolduc," head coach George Gosk said. The funniest thing about her game is she can score 28 points and you hardly notice, she does so many other great things. Coaches who like a do-it-all player should be anxious to chat with this young lady. Section 2: Justus Lee, Jefferson, G, Jr., 5-6 - We are about to see exactly what Justus Lee is made of. Is it sugar, spice and everything nice? Or is it a spectacular captain capable of leading her team to victory? After ’s injury, early returns say it is going to be the latter. The Cougar’s best hope it is the latter. When she’s on her game, she can be a handful. She’s pure energy on the court. Wherever the ball is, that is where she is. She’s full of confidence and that will be a huge difference-maker as the Cougars look for her to take even bigger shots late in regional and section games. Region III Section 1: Alaira Evans Alaira Evans 5'9" | SF Chapmanville | 2024 State WV , George Washington, F, So., 5-10 - "Over the past two years through hard work she’s transformed from a back-to-the-basket post to a legit 3-point shooter. She’s a tough matchup because at 5-10 she’s big and strong enough to post up any guard and shoots it well enough to force any big to guard her 22 feet from the rim. "The challenge she is facing is getting 100% comfortable playing in both roles. Years passed, she was a post player who did nothing but work in the post. Now she spends most of the time working on the perimeter," W.Va. Thunder coach Brian Mallory said. The Patriots have been at their best in the games where she is scoring the ball at a good clip. Section 2: Olivia Ziolkowski Olivia Ziolkowski 6'0" | PF Woodrow Wilson | 2022 State WV , Woodrow Wilson, PF, Sr., 6-0 and Josie Cross Josie Cross 5'10" | PF Woodrow Wilson | 2025 State WV , Woodrow Wilson, PF, Fr., 5-9 - The Flying Eagles’ duo give head coach Brian Nabors a distinct advantage in the race for a regional co-final berth.

Both girls are athletic and talented post players, long and capable of generating big offense around the rim. On both ends, their ability in cleaning the boards means extra possessions for an up-tempo team full of playmakers. The best part about them is they know how to use and are comfortable with their length. They don’t force shots or panic on defense because they know their limbs can and will usually disrupt plays. They get the fast break going with their rebounding and initiate more opportunities for teammates to attempt uncontested outside shots. Region IV Section 1: Trinity Balog Trinity Balog 5'7" | SG Parkersburg | 2024 State WV , Parkersburg, SG, Jr., 5-7 - Where would you look to find one of the hottest sophomores in the state at this very moment? The answer may not be where you think.

On a team with four seniors and plenty of juniors, Parkersburg High plays home to a young lady flourishing in the run-and-gun style of head coach Chris Murray. continues making huge strides. She’s comfortable being a starter or coming off the bench. The biggest improvements she’s made are in her confidence driving the ball and willingness to shoot a 3 with a foe in her face. She’s capable of hitting some big shots and thus exploding for big point totals if the first few shots fall. The biggest thing she’s still adjusting to is occasionally being asked to run the point guard position. Her ballhandling is getting better, but against older foes, she still struggles especially when forced to pick up her dribble. That shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. She’s shown a willingness to work on her weaknesses and surely that will continue. Section 2: Imani Hickman Imani Hickman 5'11" | PF Huntington | 2022 State WV , Huntington, PF, Sr. - Huntington’s center continues showing a knack for breaking out of the down-low role. Someone capable of branching out to guard faster players, her versatility shows every game. Not only can she capably defend smaller players, but she’s someone who can stretch the floor with her ability to handle the basketball. It gets worse for her defender once they’re out far from the basket because Hickman has the speed to drive right by them and take it to the basket.