Class AA and A Stock-Risers for the 2021-22 season
Improvements are part of every sports participant’s game no matter what sport they participate in. For football players, it could mean a better catch rate for wide receivers, a higher pancake total for an offensive lineman, or more sacks for…
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Continue ReadingImprovements are part of every sports participant’s game no matter what sport they participate in. For football players, it could mean a better catch rate for wide receivers, a higher pancake total for an offensive lineman, or more sacks for a defensive lineman. In soccer, it could mean improved dribbling, better defense, or better contact on the ball. Basketball carries all the same improvements and seeing as there are only five players on the court at one time, can make a much larger difference, teamwise.
Here are five players in Class AA and A with stocks on the rise:
CLASS AA
Debra Hardbarger, Parkersburg Catholic, PF, Jr., 5-9 – Hardbarger brings a hockey player’s mentality to the low-post area. Not afraid to rough it up if that is what is required, Hardbarger doesn’t accept someone else outrebounded her until they actually can bring the ball up the floor. She’s a fighter in everything she does. Offensively, she may be the biggest surprise of the LKC. Her athleticism gives her access to many moves most post players struggle to guard.
Zoe Davis Zoe Davis 5'8" | SF St. Marys | 2023 State WV , St. Marys, F, Jr., 5-7 – Returning from an ACL tear, Davis quickly recovered and became a hub piece during the Blue Devils run to the
Class AA semifinals. Davis uses her strong build in every part of her game. Her main offensive weapons are a medium range shot attack coupled with the ability to get to the basket. She powers up a lay-up and gets to the line. Another strong part of her game is her passing. Overall, she’s a confident player who accepts coaching and does the extra work in the weight room in the offseason.
Cadence Blackburn Cadence Blackburn 5'5" | CG Wyoming East | 2025 State WV , Wyoming East, G, Fr., 5-5 – Head coach Angie Boninsegna always seems to have a ready-to-go freshman guard. This year that was Cadee Blackburn. “A player who plays above her size,” according to her head coach, Blackburn has a nice soft touch to her full-steam-ahead offensive attack. She’s not afraid to dribble right down the center of the lane and throw up a tear drop. But she also is a deadly shooter who steps right into her shot and lets it fly confidently. Defensively, she’s not afraid to match up against significantly taller opponents.
Arin Lease, Frankfort, Post, Jr., 5-10 – Lease shows the beginnings of a promising post-game.
She still requires work on her ball-handling skills, like many bigs.
However, she’s quick on her feet and swiftly moves around the paint. That helps her cut off defenders and gives her a mismatch against slower post players. Continued improvement on her handles may even give her an edge against quicker defenders. She’s a solid rebounder, who also hits her free throws.
Jenna Barnett Jenna Barnett 5'7" | PG Trinity | 2024 State WV , Trinity, SF, So., 5-9 – It’s been a long couple of years for Trinity since program-shaper Regan Sharp graduated in 2019. Tough times fell on Mike Baldy’s group up the departure, but now the Warriors are in the mix again. Jenna Barnett Jenna Barnett 5'7" | PG Trinity | 2024 State WV is a big reason why. “She’s a tenacious defensive player who makes some great passes,” Baldy said. “She makes the whole offense click. She’s developing into a very good outside shooter.”
She also knows how to find her teammates for easy assists. There are no extra moves required when they catch the ball. Her quick hands help her create havoc on the defensive end.
Honorable Mention: Faith Pickens Faith Pickens 6'2" | C Williamstown | 2025 State WV , Williamstown; Georgie Inman, Williamstown; Faith Mason, Roane County; Madeline Hall, Roane County; Annie Cimino, Charleston Catholic; Sterling Kump, Moorefield; Sucora Brown Sucora Brown 5'6" | PF Trinity | 2024 WV , Trinity; Kennedy Kaposy Kennedy Kaposy 5'6" | CG Petersburg | 2023 State WV , Petersburg
CLASS A
Autumn Block, Tolsia, G, Jr., 5-8 – Tolsia was a physical regional qualifier who caused a lot of problems for other teams in Class A. Block, a strong and intense player, contributed her fair share of those headaches. Built with a sturdy frame, she used opportunities on both offense and defense. She’s comfortable creating offense in the post, on the perimeter, or in transition. Defensively, she’s a smart player who bumps and bangs with her assignment within reason.
Haley Hunnicut, James Monroe, G/W, Jr., 5-6 – Another regional qualifier, James Monroe fell short to Webster County in the final game before Charleston. Haley Hunnicutt wasn’t a reason why. She’s a long lanky kid with a long-range game that can explode at any time. Her shot comes out quickly and always looks on target. She also uses her long limbs on the defensive end of the floor in disrupting passing lanes and causing a bit of chaos. On the year, she averaged 13 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 3.3 steals per game.
Kenzie Browning, Tug Valley, PG, Fr., 5-6 – We have heard plenty about her teammate Kaylea Baisden Kaylea Baisden 5'7" | CG Tug Valley | 2022 State WV in the past three years, but Browning is the Tug Valley girl most fans will become familiar with these next three years. She was the difference maker earlier this season when coach Clyde Farley stuck her in the lineup. The Panthers proceeded to rattle off 14 wins in a row. Browning brought a spark with her quick hands and another solid scoring for Farley. She’s a little hesitant to take the ball to the rim, but she shoots well around and just inside the arc. Defensively, she’s one of those kids who kind of sags off on a defender in zone for some steals because she’s quick enough to recover on her assignment.
Macy Helmick, Tucker County, SG, So., 5-7 – Macy Helmick featured as an essential piece in Tucker County’s trip to a Class A semifinal. Helmick formed the third arm of the Mountain Lions scoring attack as well as a tough-as-nails defender becoming even fiercer in a double-team trap. Her footwork allowed her to stay ahead of many assignments, and it helped her on the offensive end. She saw the floor well and finished with a strong showing at the state tournament. Her bread-and-butter will have to be a strong outside-inside game, unless she puts on more muscle. Her 2021-22 stats read 7.9 points, 3.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
Arianna Young Arianna Young 5'7" | CG Pendleton County | 2023 State WV , Pendleton County, CG, Jr., 5-7 – High energy is the name of the game for Arianna Young Arianna Young 5'7" | CG Pendleton County | 2023 State WV . Defense, offense, or transition you pick it and she’s bouncing around trying to get something done. Her quick hands find passing lanes causing plenty of deflections. She moves well without the ball on offense, which creates more opportunities for Wildcat teammates and herself. On the year, she helped the Wildcats to a regional co-final appearance by averaging 19.1 points, 2 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per contest.
Honorable Mention: Audrey Evans, Tug Valley; Bridgett Knapp, Union; Avery Townsend Avery Townsend 5'6" | CG Pendleton County | 2025 WV , Pendleton County; Carrie Lloyd, Doddridge County; Trista Lester, RiverView; Maci Neely, Cameron; Joselynn Yeager, Calhoun County; Olivia VanDevender Olivia VanDevender 5'5" | SG Pocahontas | 2024 WV , Pocahontas County; Mary Beth Meadows, James Monroe