Standouts from Day 2 of the WVSSAC state tourney

<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153426" first="Olivia" last="Toland"], North Marion, SG, Jr., 5-10 -</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="153426" first="Olivia" last="Toland"] did [player_tooltip player_id="153426" first="Olivia" last="Toland"] things Wednesday in the Huskies’ tourney opener. <img class="size-medium wp-image-398335 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/Olivia-Tolland-300x192.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="192" />In 25 minutes, Mike Parish’s big weapon ran around and caused chaos for Keyser’s first-time state tournament players. She scored 19 points, shot 50% from the field, collected nine boards, 3 assists and five steals. Obviously, all her stats meant a lot, but her steals meant a little more. Her early thefts allowed the Huskies to get into their transition game and then overwhelmed the Golden Tornadoes when the press came after scores. Overall, she was a fierce competitor not about to let her team get beat in the first round. <strong>Addie Davis, St. Marys, PG, Fr., 5-7 -</strong> The St. Marys freshman always plays an even-headed game, even in her first state tournament game. Her length and composure helped her get over some more experienced Summers County defenders in the quarterfinal. <img class="size-medium wp-image-398356 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/Addie-Davis.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />She showed flashes of everything in the team’s victory. She wasn’t afraid talking and directing her teammates. She took over on offense if need be. Her long arms and thicker build helped her keep a firm advantage as she dribbled around the court. Some of the best things about her? She knows how to get to the line as she uses her body like a rubber band when it comes as she finds the basket. This is someone who wants improvements every time out on the hardwood. Her final stat line against Summers County read: 13 points, 3-4 on the floor, 7 of 8 free throws, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and 4 steals in 31 minutes. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="371590" first="Zoe" last="Davis"], St. Marys, C, Jr., 5-7 -</strong> Like little sister, like big sister. Davis didn’t let her sibling be the only one that enjoyed her state tournament debut. <img class="size-medium wp-image-398524 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/Zoe-Davis-1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />She looked nearly unbeatable in the post as her sister created trouble out on the wings. Summers County consistently had no answer. [player_tooltip player_id="379502" first="Gracie" last="Harvey"] did her best as did her double team help, no matter what Zoe found her way to the hoop and to the free throw line. Similar to her sister, she showed good usage of her bigger frame in shielding defenders from the ball and rebounds. Her basketball IQ came through on both ends of the floor. Her repaired ACL looked fantastic. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="398436" first="Halle" last="Crouse"], Logan, CG, Fr., 5-6 -</strong> Big, bright lights hardly bother this freshman. <img class="size-medium wp-image-398431 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/HHalle-Crouse.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />She feeds off them, especially when her team needs her. Leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id="153372" first="Peyton" last="Ilderton"] struggles to find her groove? She’s got it. Combining with Natalie Blankenship in pushing the Wildcats through a game, piece of cake. Everything shined through Wednesday afternoon in the Wildcats opener against Philip Barbour, she soared. She simply put the big lights out of her head and competed to the fullest. When everything was said and done, she scored 20 points, shooting 55%, with five boards, an assist, and one block. <strong>Natalie Blankenship, Logan, SG, Jr., 5-1</strong> - If Crouse acted like the bright lights didn’t matter, then her teammate Blankenship fed off them. Each and every watt. She came out energized. She put on a simply electric performance. About the only thing that was missing? The triple double it seemed like she put together by the end of the third quarter eluded her. She played a feisty, fiery, and cool-headed game. It certainly showed in the stat line. 20 points, 80% percent shooting from the field, with 6 boards, 5 assists, and 6 steals in 25 minutes. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153370" first="Marley" last="Washenitz"], Fairmont Senior, G, Sr., 5-8</strong> - Ever been blasted out of a cannon? <img class="size-medium wp-image-288687 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Marley-Washenitz-2-Edited.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />[player_tooltip player_id="153370" first="Marley" last="Washenitz"] looked like she launched out of one Wednesday night in the Polar Bears state tourney opener. It was that much of a fun and hectic 23 minutes. Anything and everything went right. Her shot looked good, her defense looked better, and she found her teammates for open shots in a 93-24 win over Sissonville. Whatever thoughts or comments you want to say about her championship game performance from one year ago, it’s best putting those away. That nightmare received a firm shove into the past. She erased it with a 36-point, 11-rebound near triple double against the Indians. Yes, she finished 3 assists shy of what has become an all-too-common night for her. She showed off a strong shot and found her way to the rim and finished strong in the paint. You couldn’t have scripted a better performance, if you tried. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153409" first="Hannah" last="Blankenship"], Wyoming East, PF, Sr., 5-9</strong> - Wyoming East’s most seasoned veteran showed how much she hungers for another ring against Charleston Catholic. In a game where the Irish never backed down, Blankenship broke their spirit, little by little. She made sure the Irish knew that the physicality went on and on and on. And then right when they let their guard down, she pounced. She nailed a big 3 that all but sealed the game in the third quarter as the Warriors moved one step closer to victory. Her patience and willingness to do the small things paid huge dividends for her and East. Her 15 rebounds gave the Warriors the extra shots they needed in finally pulling away. Her 13 points, three blocks and four steals than wore down the Irish further. Each time one tally occurred, the wind went out a little further and a little further. Momentum and hope evaporated into the air never to be seen again. In its place, came despair and an unraveling of the usually disciplined Irish squad. Again, Blankenship delivered on the scene. She pumped her teammates up and celebrated as the Warriors pulled further and further away.