Class AAAA and AAA Stock Risers for 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 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 AAAA and AAA with stocks on the rise: CLASS AAAA Amara Jackson, Huntington, PF, So., 5-11 - Huntington will miss [player_tooltip player_id="153375" first="Imani" last="Hickman"] a little less next season, thanks to Amara Jackson. She's a very similar type of player to <img class=" wp-image-398993 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/Amara-Jackson-289x300.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="260" />Hickman, capable of guarding wings while playing down low on the post. One thing that stands out most about her is that she always brings her best attitude and effort to the games. She's always fighting for balls, always looking for shots, and won't get beat on defense very often. This kid shows so much raw talent. She's going to add even more to her game this summer with the Thunder and be even more of a threat for the Highlanders in the 2022-23 campaign. Her final stats for the 2021-22 season: 11.2 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, 2.2 assists per game, 0.7 blocks per game [player_tooltip player_id="378962" first="Trinity" last="Balog"], Parkersburg, SG, So., 5-8 - [player_tooltip player_id="378962" first="Trinity" last="Balog"] formed the third arm of the Big Reds scoring trio alongside [player_tooltip player_id="153387" first="Kisten" last="Roberts"] and <img class=" wp-image-375322 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/Trinity-Balog-295x300.jpg" alt="" width="211" height="214" />[player_tooltip player_id="153414" first="Brilynn" last="Florence"]. She melded seamlessly with her teammates. The best thing about her? She wasn't afraid to take charge if her team needed her to step up. She showed the ability to drive to the bucket, or the comfort to nail the outside shot. She reveled in the big moment. Her teammates fed off that energy. Not just a little bit, but a lot. Imagine more of a big bang out of nowhere situation. That's more accurate to the energy Balog brought to the team. She finished the year with 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Natalie Daugherty, Wheeling Park, G, So., 5-6 - LaLa Woods and [player_tooltip player_id="342221" first="Alexis" last="Bordas"] received a lot of attention this season, and rightfully so, but it would be criminal to leave Natalie Daugherty out of the praise. She grew up just as much as those two, perhaps even more. Asked to take the pressure off the often-well-guarded Woods and Bordas, Daugherty performed her role well. Though quiet on the court, her game spoke for her - often times it was quite loud. Louder than many people probably expected. Park was loaded with good scorers and players, so it was easy to get lost. Daugherty didn't. She showed off a shooting stroke comparable to Woods and Bordas. She also showed the spotlight didn't bother her when she hit on 3 of 4 3s against Jefferson in the first round of the state tournament. She's a quiet, but gritty player who doesn't mind a lack of spotlight and steps up when her number is called. That is a coach's dream. She also doesn't need the ball in her hands to cause trouble on the court. She moves well in the halfcourt set and her defense is solid. <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/abby-dillon/">[player_tooltip player_id="379519" first="Abby" last="Dillon"]</a>, Woodrow Wilson, PG, Fr., 5-4 – <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/abby-dillon/">[player_tooltip player_id="379519" first="Abby" last="Dillon"]</a> screams leader when out on the court. Each and every time. Not only in the games where everyone is watching, but in the games where limited people are watching. What's so special about Dillon? How about the fact she showed a lot of confidence and bravery stepping in at point guard this year for head coach Brian Nabors. <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kiante-thompson/">[player_tooltip player_id="153411" first="Keanti" last="Thompson"]</a>'s baffling absence created a hole, and Dillon's filled it well. She shows off a high basketball IQ when on the floor and picks her shots and spots wonderfully. She never forces anything. She shoots when she thinks her team needs her. And she's usually always right. On defense, she's just as intense. [player_tooltip player_id="387358" first="Lexi" last="Adams"], Washington, CG, Fr., 5-7 - Spring Mills' [player_tooltip player_id="342234" first="Olivia" last="Bolduc"], [player_tooltip player_id="384008" first="Kilah" last="Dandridge"] and Washington's [player_tooltip player_id="384119" first="Mary" last="Rivera"] receive much of the attention when it comes to impressive Eastern Panhandle newcomers. You can't leave [player_tooltip player_id="387358" first="Lexi" last="Adams"] out of the conversation. She steps in and immediately makes an impact for the Patriots. She shows off a high basketball IQ that couples well with her knack for finding open teammates. Her visions going to help her see increases in playing time as her teammates won't have to work as hard to receive an entry pass or regular pass. She has a good feel for the game. She shot 73% from the line and 41% from the field as a freshman in just 17 games. She's on the way up because her high IQ and shooting accuracy means more playing time. Also, coaches and players can be more open and flexible in play calling with her passing skills on the floor. Her final stats for the 2021- 22 season: 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id="153419" first="Kyra" last="Brown"], Capital; [player_tooltip player_id="384100" first="Dria" last="Parker"] and [player_tooltip player_id="384101" first="Allie" last="Daniels"], Spring Valley; [player_tooltip player_id="389207" first="Annaniesha" last="Johnson"], St. Albans; Corrin Edsall, Spring Mills; Sadaya Jones, Morgantown; [player_tooltip player_id="342235" first="Lily" last="Jordan"], Morgantown; [player_tooltip player_id="379506" first="Gabby" last="Parke"], Buckhannon-Upshur; [player_tooltip player_id="342217" first="Kaitlyn" last="Blake"], John Marshall; [player_tooltip player_id="379497" first="Sophi" last="Aldridge"], Cabell Midland; Jayda Turner, Huntington; [player_tooltip player_id="384119" first="Mary" last="Rivera"], Washington; [player_tooltip player_id="389632" first="Josie" last="Cross"], Woodrow Wilson; LaLa Woods, Wheeling Park; [player_tooltip player_id="379485" first="Kaila" last="Fitzpatrick"], Musselman; [player_tooltip player_id="384036" first="Maddie" last="Stull"], Princeton; [player_tooltip player_id="153424" first="Cadence" last="Stewart"], Greenbrier East; <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nasiya-smith/">[player_tooltip player_id="379517" first="Nasiya" last="Smith"]</a>, George Washington; Kierstyn Fore, George Washington CLASS AAA [player_tooltip player_id="379486" first="Avery" last="Childers"], RCB, PF, Jr., 5-10 - It wouldn't be a stock-rising list for the 2021-22 season without Robert C. Bryd's [player_tooltip player_id="379486" first="Avery" last="Childers"]. She showed immense growth in her game, especially in some of the biggest contest of the season. Against North Marion, in the Eagles' biggest win of the season, she took over early and never let her team forget they were always in the contest. She's a very physical player who doesn't mind doing the bumping and banging around the rim. She prefers it. Each little jostle and jangle fuels her more. Addison Issacs, Midland Trail, PG, Fr., 5-8 - Here's a name in the Southern West Virginia basketball scene that fans may want to keep an eye on. Issacs is a kid who gives it all while on the court for her Patriots. She brings a great attitude and even better game to the floor. Her height at point guard allows her to see the entire court and she does just that. There's no wasting an advantage with her. She rings out all the information from a game or set that she can and uses it to improve her team's chances. She can score from all 3 levels and should continue to get stronger through the next three years. Kennedy Schilling, Winfield, C, So., 6-0 - Ah, Kennedy Schilling. Good at scoring and rebounding. Especially good at it in a very, very short amount of time. The latest example came this entire past season when she stuffed the stat sheet in just 15 minutes of playing time in 19 games. Behind established post player [player_tooltip player_id="154951" first="Kennedy" last="Dean"], Schilling made her presence known on the boards and at the rim. She scored 7.4 points and pulled down 6.3 rebounds per game. Translate that over the course of an entire game and you get numbers closer to 14 points and 12 boards, not too shabby. The best part of Schilling is her all-or-nothing attitude. No one will outwork her on the block. She's making sure of that. Her build lends itself perfectly to a post player. And being a sophomore, she's only going to grow and will see more playing time next season. [player_tooltip player_id="398436" first="Halle" last="Crouse"], Logan, G, Fr., 5-6 - Crouse flashes the beginnings of a great game for Logan fans to look forward to the next three years. Really. Big, bright lights hardly bother this freshman. She's feeding off them, especially with her team needing her. Look no further than Logan's run to a state championship. Early in the season, things seemed a little too much. But as the year went on, she grew more and more accustomed to the moment. By the time the Wildcats reached Charleston, the pressure wasn't a problem. What I like most about Crouse's game is her tenacity and fearless nature. She's willing to get a little dirty if it means helping her team out. With a multi-talented approach, she gets the job done on so many different levels. [player_tooltip player_id="379503" first="Ashlyn" last="Riley"], Lincoln, G, So., 5-7 - Riley is fresh off her second season with Lincoln - one where she was an integral part of the Panthers' attack. The biggest part of her offensive game is the ability to attack the rim and pop out from behind screens for quick 3s. She's not afraid to drive down the lane, slice through defenders, and put up a fancy lay-up if need be. She delivers all around hustle and thrives being in Honorable Mention: Brooke Craft, PikeView; Riley Meadows, PikeView; [player_tooltip player_id="384297" first="Carleigh" last="Curotz"], Robert C. Byrd; Kora McBridge, Hampshire; McKennan Hall, Ripley; [player_tooltip player_id="379516" first="Savannah" last="Walls"], North Marion; [player_tooltip player_id="384095" first="Kynna" last="Britton"], Sissonville; [player_tooltip player_id="379532" first="Keiera" last="Wilkinson"], Wheeling Central; [player_tooltip player_id="388081" first="Daizi" last="Farley"], Chapmanville; [player_tooltip player_id="384312" first="Emma" last="Widmeyer"], Berkeley Springs; Antonela Johnson, Winfield; [player_tooltip player_id="379526" first="Addie" last="Adkins"], Wayne; [player_tooltip player_id="382865" first="Emma" last="Elliott"], Liberty