Players who caught our eye on state tourney Day 4
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Kayley Bane, Wyoming East, CG, Jr., 5-9 – Kayley Bane does it all. There’s no need to dance around the obvious. About the only thing missing is a post-game, and she’s tall and athletic enough not to need one in…
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Continue ReadingKayley Bane, Wyoming East, CG, Jr., 5-9 – Kayley Bane does it all.
There’s no need to dance around the obvious. About the only thing missing is a post-game, and she’s tall and athletic enough not to need one in Class AA or NCAA Division II.
Just look at how her performance against St. Marys Friday in a Class A semifinal for proof. She was a handful on the court, causing all kinds of problems for the Blue Devils. Her long limbs caused trouble not just in the passing lanes, but on the glass. She got many balls before other players and secured them with a strong set of hands. She also puts the ball up high enough on drives to the lane so defenders can’t block her layups. Overall, she finished with 19 points 7 boards, an assist, and six steals in 28 minutes. She still has one more summer to grow and improve, and seeing as she plays for the Thunder, that’s likely to happen.
Peyton Ilderton Peyton Ilderton 5'6" | CG Logan | 2022 State WV , Logan, PG, Sr., 5-6 – Peyton Ilderton Peyton Ilderton 5'6" | CG Logan | 2022 State WV comes up big when she’s needed. By all accounts, her timing couldn’t ever be any better. Whatever plans an opposing team owns, it may be best if they cancel the – right away.
She’s not in the business of letting her team down.
Case in point: Friday in a Class AAA state semifinal against No. 3 North Marion. With the Huskies locking things down on defense in the first half, Ilderton simply said “Enough,” in the second half. By the time everything was finished, she tallied 27 points on 9 of 15 shooting, pulled down three rebounds, grabbed two steals as well as a block and an assist.
The performance came in clutch, rallying her team to a 55-53 victory. On a day when Natalie Blankenship and Halle Crouse Halle Crouse 5'6" | CG Logan | 2025 State WV struggled with their shot in one half, Ilderton gave them time to find their groove. Perhaps it was a quarter too long, but they found it while Peyton carried them. Once everyone woke up, it was action time. The group simply sliced away at the Huskies’ lead, while cheered on and led by their captain.
Mary Tokodi-Ruth, Parkersburg Catholic, G, So., 5-8 – Catholic asks a lot from Leslie Huffman Leslie Huffman 5'9" | CG Parkersburg Catholic | 2022 State WV .
By default, that means Crusaderettes head coach Marty Vierheller asks a lot out of his role players. They often must show a willingness in matching and keeping up with Huffman’s style of play. There’s little choice in the matter. Catholic is at its best when Huffman and Lainie Ross can do their thing.
Tokodi-Ruth’s knows her role, accepts it and performs it well. She takes the ball and puts it on the floor or shoots a 3 or whatever else coach V asks of her. In the Crusaderettes’ 57-37 win over Petersburg, she did a little bit of everything with 11 points, 6 boards, 4 assists, a block and 2 steals.
Imani Hickman Imani Hickman 5'11" | PF Huntington | 2022 State WV , Huntington, C, Sr., 5-11 – Imani Hickman Imani Hickman 5'11" | PF Huntington | 2022 State WV excels on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
She understands what’s being asked. She might just be the best two-way center in the state.
Before you say no, just look at what she did against Cabell Midland in the biggest game of the Highlanders’ season. In a win or go-home semifinal versus the Knights, Imani did her usual little bit of everything. She scored 19 points with an assist, block, and steal, but perhaps her biggest contribution, no, definitely her biggest contribution was her 12 rebounds. She battled down low with Cabell’s Jazmyn Wheeler Jazmyn Wheeler 6'1" | PF Cabell Midland | 2023 State WV possession after possession and secured the Highlanders’ five extra looks at the basket, then abruptly shut down the Knights’ offensive time with seven defensive snares.
Jayda Allie Jayda Allie 5'8" | SG Cabell Midland | 2023 State WV , Cabell Midland, SG, Jr., 5-7 – Jayda Allie Jayda Allie 5'8" | SG Cabell Midland | 2023 State WV shows a high basketball IQ and good depth of field when it comes to gauging her shots. She releases her shot quickly and isn’t afraid to have someone in her face. More often than not, an attempt finishes on target, that includes the 3-point shot. This season alone, she hit 99 3s for Cabell Midland.
She understands the game, but more importantly always wants to learn about and improve her game. She asks questions, wants precise answers, and even shares advice. She’s a great teammate you would want on your team.